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ANCC Medical-Surgical Nursing Exam Prep

Category - Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Test

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The nurse would be correct in saying that the two common causes of primary hypothyroidism are:
  1. Destruction of thyroid tissue by radioactive iodine during therapy for hyperthyroidism and spontaneous atrophy due to autoimmune response.
  2. Spontaneous atrophy due to autoimmune response and surgical removal of the thyroid gland.
  3. Surgical removal of the thyroid gland and tumors of the pituitary gland that decrease the amount of circulating thyroxine.
  4. Tumors of the pituitary gland and/or large doses of antithyroid drugs.
Explanation
Answer - A - The most common cause of hypothyroidism is excess thyroid tissue destruction due to radioactive iodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Spontaneous hypothyroidism is believed to be due to autoimmune response. Several studies have revealed a high incidence of antibodies for thyroid antigen in clients with spontaneous atrophy (Choice B). Other, less common causes include surgical removal (Choice C), Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, overuse of antithyroid drugs (Choice D), and pituitary tumors or insufficiency that decrease the circulating levels of the thyroid-stimulating hormone.
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