The nurse assessing a client hospitalized with a diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism notes positive Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs. The nurse determines that these findings most indicate which electrolyte imbalance?
Hypernatremia
Hypermagnesemia
Hypocalcemia
Hypokalemia
The Correct Answer is C
Rationale:
A. Hypernatremia, an elevated sodium level, does not cause Trousseau's or Chvostek's signs.
B. Hypermagnesemia, an elevated magnesium level, is not associated with positive Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs.
C. Hypocalcemia, a low calcium level, is commonly associated with positive Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs. Trousseau's sign is a carpopedal spasm induced by inflating a blood pressure cuff, while Chvostek's sign is facial twitching in response to tapping over the facial nerve. Both are indicative of neuromuscular irritability due to low calcium levels.
D. Hypokalemia, a low potassium level, does not cause these specific signs and is associated with different clinical manifestations.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Levofloxacin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, not hypothyroidism.
B. Radioactive iodine is used to treat hyperthyroidism by reducing thyroid hormone production, not hypothyroidism.
C. Sumatriptan is a medication used to treat migraines, not hypothyroidism.
D. Levothyroxine is the standard treatment for hypothyroidism. It is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) and helps to normalize thyroid function by supplementing the hormone that the thyroid gland is not producing adequately.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A. A decreased pulse is not typically associated with pheochromocytoma. This condition is characterized by the excessive release of catecholamines, which usually leads to an increased heart rate.
B. Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the adrenal medulla that causes excessive secretion of catecholamines, leading to episodic or sustained hypertension. Elevated blood pressure is a hallmark symptom of this condition.
C. Cold intolerance is more commonly associated with hypothyroidism and is not a typical finding in pheochromocytoma.
D. Decreased respiratory rate is not characteristic of pheochromocytoma; instead, clients may experience symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, and headaches due to the elevated catecholamine levels.