Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following would the nurse need to be alert for in a client with severe hypothyroidism?
A
Bradycardia
B
Increased appetite
C
Hyperthermia
D
Hypertension
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the condition: Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland is underactive and produces insufficient amounts of thyroid hormones, leading to a slowdown in metabolic processes.
Identify symptoms of severe hypothyroidism: Common symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, and bradycardia (slow heart rate).
Analyze the options: Bradycardia is consistent with hypothyroidism due to decreased metabolic rate. Increased appetite, hyperthermia, and hypertension are typically associated with hyperthyroidism, not hypothyroidism.
Consider physiological effects: Hypothyroidism leads to decreased cardiac output and heart rate, which explains bradycardia. The other symptoms listed are more aligned with increased metabolic activity.
Conclude the alert: The nurse should be alert for bradycardia in a client with severe hypothyroidism, as it is a direct result of the condition's impact on the cardiovascular system.