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0900.

Client is a 78-year-old female who was brought to the hospital via ambulance. The client's neighbor called 911 after checking on the client and finding the client confused and complaining of weakness.

The neighbor states that the client has had "a thyroid problem" for years and that the client mentioned recently that she hadn't picked up her medications due to an inability to afford them. The client is lethargic, oriented to person and year, but uncertain of place and situation. S1 & S2 heard on auscultation of heart. Lungs clear in all lobes. Breathing is slow and shallow. Initial lab results show low Free T4 and elevated TSH. Provider notified, awaiting orders.

0900

Temperature: 35–60°C (96–140°F)

Heart rate: 49/min

Respiratory rate: 10/min

Blood pressure: 102/53 mm Hg

Oxygen saturation: 94% on room air


Select the 3 interventions that the nurse should anticipate for this client.


Answer Options

Hint : 🧣💊Treat hypothyroidism + support vital signs

Correct Answers:

  • Provide warm blankets.
  • Place the client on a cardiac monitor.
  • Administer levothyroxine.


Rationale :

Provide warm blankets

🍃 The client’s temperature is 35.6°C (96.1°F), indicating hypothermia, which is a classic sign of severe hypothyroidism (myxedema).

🍃 Providing warm blankets is a safe, supportive measure to gradually raise the core body temperature.

🍃 Rapid rewarming is avoided; gentle warming prevents cardiovascular stress.

Place the client on a cardiac monitor

✳️ The client’s heart rate is 49/min, showing bradycardia, another sign of severe hypothyroidism.

✳️ Bradycardia increases the risk of hypoperfusion, arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest.

✳️ Continuous cardiac monitoring is essential for detecting life-threatening changes early.

Administer levothyroxine

💎 The client has elevated TSH and low free T4, confirming primary hypothyroidism (likely untreated due to medication nonadherence).

💎 Levothyroxine is the first-line hormone replacement therapy and must be initiated promptly to restore thyroid function.

💎 It is essential to correct hormone deficiency and prevent progression to myxedema coma.


Distractor Analysis :

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