The nurse assesses a clients cortisol level who has cushings disease. what is the expected finding

Left untreated, Cushing syndrome can result in exaggerated facial roundness, weight gain around the midsection and upper back, thinning of the arms and legs, easy bruising, and stretch marks.

Cushing syndrome occurs when your body has too much of the hormone cortisol over time. This can result from taking oral corticosteroid medication. Or your body might produce too much cortisol.

Too much cortisol can cause some of the hallmark signs of Cushing syndrome — a fatty hump between your shoulders, a rounded face, and pink or purple stretch marks on your skin. Cushing syndrome can also result in high blood pressure, bone loss and, on occasion, type 2 diabetes.

Treatments for Cushing syndrome can return your body's cortisol levels to normal and improve your symptoms. The earlier treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery.

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Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of Cushing syndrome can vary depending on the levels of excess cortisol.

Common signs and symptoms of Cushing syndrome

  • Weight gain and fatty tissue deposits, particularly around the midsection and upper back, in the face (moon face), and between the shoulders (buffalo hump)
  • Pink or purple stretch marks (striae) on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, breasts and arms
  • Thinning, fragile skin that bruises easily
  • Slow healing of cuts, insect bites and infections
  • Acne

Signs and symptoms women with Cushing syndrome may experience

  • Thicker or more visible body and facial hair (hirsutism)
  • Irregular or absent menstrual periods

Signs and symptoms men with Cushing syndrome may experience

  • Decreased sex drive
  • Decreased fertility
  • Erectile dysfunction

Other possible signs and symptoms of Cushing syndrome

  • Severe fatigue
  • Muscle weakness
  • Depression, anxiety and irritability
  • Loss of emotional control
  • Cognitive difficulties
  • New or worsened high blood pressure
  • Headache
  • Infections
  • Skin darkening
  • Bone loss, leading to fractures over time
  • In children, impaired growth

When to see a doctor

Contact your doctor if you have symptoms that suggest Cushing syndrome, especially if you're taking corticosteroid medication to treat a condition such as asthma, arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease.

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2. The nurse is planning care for a client with hyperthyroidism. Which of the following nursing interventions are appropriate? Select all that apply

a) instill isotonic eye drops as necessary
b) provide several, small, well-balanced meals
c) provide rest periods
d) keep environment warm
e) encourage frequent visitors and conversation
f) weigh the client daily

3. After thyroidectomy, which of the following is the priority assessment to observe laryngeal nerve damage?

a) hoarseness of voice
b) difficulty in swallowing
c) tetany
d) fever

4. When caring for a male client with diabetes insipidus, nurse Juliet expects to administer:

a. vasopressin (Pitressin Synthetic)
b. furosemide (Lasix).
c. regular insulin.
d. 10% dextrose.

5. Nurse Ronn is assessing a client with possible Cushing's syndrome. In a client with Cushing's syndrome, the nurse would expect to find:


a. Hypotension.
b. Thick, coarse skin.
c. Deposits of adipose tissue in the trunk and dorsocervical area.
d. Weight gain in arms and legs.

6. For the first 72 hours after thyroidectomy surgery, nurse Jamie would assess the female client for Chvostek's sign and Trousseau's sign because they indicate which of the following?


a. Hypocalcemia
b. Hypercalcemia
c. Hypokalemia
d. Hyperkalemia

7. An incoherent female client with a history of hypothyroidism is brought to the emergency department by the rescue squad. Physical and laboratory findings reveal hypothermia, hypoventilation, respiratory acidosis, bradycardia, hypotension, and nonpitting edema of the face and pretibial area. Knowing that these findings suggest severe hypothyroidism, nurse Libby prepares to take emergency action to prevent the potential complication of:

a. Thyroid storm.
b. Cretinism.
c. Myxedema coma.
d. Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

8. In a 29-year-old female client who is being successfully treated for Cushing's syndrome, nurse Lyzette would expect a decline in:

a. Serum glucose level.
b. Hair loss.
c. Bone mineralization.
d. Menstrual flow.

9. Nurse Oliver should expect a client with hypothyroidism to report which health concerns?

a. Increased appetite and weight loss
b. Puffiness of the face and hands
c. Nervousness and tremors
d. Thyroid gland swelling

10. Which nursing diagnosis takes highest priority for a female client with hyperthyroidism?

a. Risk for imbalanced nutrition: More than body requirements related to thyroid hormone excess
b. Risk for impaired skin integrity related to edema, skin fragility, and poor wound healing
c. Body image disturbance related to weight gain and edema
d. Imbalanced nutrition: Less than body requirements related to thyroid hormone excess

11. Early this morning, a female client had a subtotal thyroidectomy. During evening rounds, nurse Tina assesses the client, who now has nausea, a temperature of 105° F (40.5° C), tachycardia, and extreme restlessness. What is the most likely cause of these signs?

a. Diabetic ketoacidosis
b. Thyroid crisis
c. Hypoglycemia
d. Tetany

12. Nurse Louie is developing a teaching plan for a male client diagnosed with diabetes insipidus. The nurse should include information about which hormone lacking in clients with diabetes insipidus?

a. antidiuretic hormone (ADH).
b. thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
c. follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
d. luteinizing hormone (LH).

13. A male client is admitted for treatment of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Which nursing intervention is appropriate?

a. Infusing I.V. fluids rapidly as ordered
b. Encouraging increased oral intake
c. Restricting fluids
d. Administering glucose-containing I.V. fluids as ordered

14. Nurse Troy is aware that the most appropriate for a client with Addison's disease?

a. Risk for infection
b. Excessive fluid volume
c. Urinary retention
d. Hypothermia

15. A female client with hypothyroidism (myxedema) is receiving levothyroxine (Synthroid), 25 mcg P.O. daily. Which finding should nurse Hans recognize as an adverse drug effect?

a. Dysuria
b. Leg cramps
c. Tachycardia
d. Blurred vision

16. A female client with Cushing's syndrome is admitted to the medical-surgical unit. During the admission assessment, nurse Tyzz notes that the client is agitated and irritable, has poor memory, reports loss of appetite, and appears disheveled. These findings are consistent with which problem?

a. Depression
b. Neuropathy
c. Hypoglycemia
d. Hyperthyroidism

17. Which of these signs suggests that a male client with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion is experiencing complications?

a. Tetanic contractions
b. Neck vein distention
c. Weight loss
d. Polyuria

18. Which outcome indicates that treatment of a male client with diabetes insipidus has been effective?

a. Fluid intake is less than 2,500 ml/day.
b. Urine output measures more than 200 ml/hour.
c. Blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg.
d. The heart rate is 126 beats/minute.

19. In the administration of a drug such as levothyroxine (Synthroid), the nurse should teach the client:

A) That therapy typically lasts about 6 months.
B) That weekly laboratory tests for T4 levels will be required.
C) To report weight loss, anxiety, insomnia, and palpitations.
D) That the drug may be taken every other day if diarrhea occurs.

20. A patient with hyperthyroidism is taking propylthiouracil (PTU). The nurse will monitor the patient for:

A) gingival hyperplasia and lycopenemia.
B) dyspnea and a dry cough.
C) blurred vision and nystagmus.
D) fever and sore throat.

21. A physician has prescribed propylthiouracil (PTU) for a client with hyperthyroidism and the nurse develops a plan of care for the client. A priority nursing assessment to be included in the plan regarding this medication is to assess for:

a) relief of pain
b) signs of renal toxicity
c) signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia
d) signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism

22. A physician prescribes levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid), 0.15 mg orally daily, for a client with hypothyroidism. The nurse will prepare to administer this medication:

a) in the morning to prevent insomnia
b) only when the client complains of fatigue and cold intolerance
c) at various times during the day to prevent tolerance from occurring
d) three times daily in equal doses of 0.5 mg each to ensure consistent serum drug levels

23. Of what precautions should a client receiving radioactive iodine-131 be made aware?

a.) Drink plenty of fluids, especially those high in calcium.
b.) Avoid close contact with children or pregnant women for one week after administration of drug.
c.) Be aware of the symptoms of tachycardia, increased metabolic rate, and anxiety.
d.) Wear a mask if around children or pregnant women.

24. A client presents to the emergency room with a history of Graves' disease. The client reports having symptoms for a few days, but has not previously sought or received any additional treatment. The client also reports having had a cold a few days back. Which of the following interventions would be appropriate to implement for this client, based on the history and current symptoms? Select all that apply.

a. Administer aspirin
b. Replace intravenous fluids
c. Induce shivering
d. Relieve respiratory distress
e. Administer a cooling blanket

25. A nursing student is studying for a test on care of the client with endocrine disorders. Which of the following statements demonstrates an understanding of the difference between hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism?

a. "Deficient amounts of TH cause abnormalities in lipid metabolism, with decreased serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels."
b. "Graves' disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism."
c. "Decreased renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate reduces the kidney's ability to excrete water, which may cause hyponatremia."
d. "Increased amounts of TH cause a decrease in cardiac output and peripheral blood flow."

26. A nurse on a general medical-surgical unit is caring for a client with Cushing's syndrome. Which of the following statements is correct about the medication regimen for Cushing's syndrome?

a. Mitotane is used to treat metastatic adrenal cancer.
b. Aminogluthimide may be administered to clients with ectopic ACTH-secreting tumors before surgery is performed.
c. Ketoconazole increases cortisol synthesis by the adrenal cortex.
d. Somatostatin analog increases ACTH secretion in some clients.

27. Which of the following nursing implications is most important in a client being medicated for Addison's disease?

a. Administer oral forms of the drug with food to minimize its ulcerogenic effect.
b. Monitor capillary blood glucose for hypoglycemia in the diabetic client.
c. Instruct the client to never abruptly discontinue the medication.
d. Teach the client to consume a diet that is high in potassium, low in sodium, and high in protein.

28. The nurse is caring for a client who is about to undergo an adrenalectomy. Which of the following Preoperative interventions is most appropriate for this client?

a. Maintain careful use of medical and surgical asepsis when providing care and treatments.
b. Teach the client about a diet high in sodium to correct any potential sodium imbalances preoperatively.
c. Explain to the client that electrolytes and glucose levels will be measured postoperatively.
d. Teach the client how to effectively cough and deep breathe once surgery is complete.

29. A client newly diagnosed with Addison's disease is giving a return explanation of teaching done by the primary nurse. Which of the following statements indicates that further teaching is necessary?

a. "I need to increase how much I drink each day."
b. "I need to weigh myself if I think I am losing or gaining weight."
c. "I need to maintain a diet high in sodium and low in potassium."
d. "I need to take my medications each day."

30. A patient with SIADH is treated with water restriction and administration of IV fluids. The nurses evaluates that treatment has been effective when the patient experiences


a. increased urine output, decreased serum sodium, and increased urine specific gravity
b. increased urine output, increased serum sodium, and decreased urine specific gravity
c. decreased urine output, increased serum sodium, and decreased urine specific gravity
d. decreased urine output, decreased serum sodium, and increased urine specific gravity

31. Causes of primary hypothyroidism in adults include

a. malignant or benign thyroid nodules
b. surgical removal or failure of the pituitary gland
c. surgical removal or radiation of thyroid gland
d. autoimmune-induced atrophy of the gland

32. A patient with hypothyroidism is treated with Synthroid. When teaching the patient about the therapy, the nurse

a. explains that caloric intake must be reduced when drug therapy is started
b. provides written instruction for all information related to the medication therapy
c. assures the patient that a return to normal function will occur with replacement therapy
d. informs the patient that medications must be taken until hormone balance is reestablished

33. A patient is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of Cushing syndrome. On physical assessment of the patient, the nurse would expect to find

What is the cortisol level in Cushing's disease?

The 24-hour urinary cortisol test measures the amount of cortisol being produced within the urine over the course of an entire day. Levels higher than 50-100 micrograms per day in an adult suggest the presence of Cushing's syndrome.

Which of the following are expected findings in a patient with Cushing disease?

Frequent clinical findings include weight gain, truncal obesity, striae, hypertension, glucose intolerance and infections. Cranial nerve II may be affected by enlarging pituitary adenomas in Cushing's disease; cranial nerves III, IV and VI may also be affected.

When assessing a client with Cushing's syndrome you would expect to find?

Question 18 Explanation: Agitation, irritability, poor memory, loss of appetite, and neglect of one's appearance may signal depression, which is common in clients with Cushing's syndrome.

What are the signs and symptoms of high cortisol levels?

High Cortisol Levels Symptoms and Signs.
Fatigue..
Mid-section weight gain..
Bruising easily..
Swelling in the legs..
Mood swings..
Irregular periods..
Mental fogginess..
Muscle weakness..