Med-surg: neuro, endocrine & renal worksheet with answers

Which group of symptoms is typical of hypothyroidism?

1. AGreat thirst and passing large volumes of urine
2. BHeat intolerance, weight loss, a fine tremor and palpitations
3. CCold intolerance, tiredness, weight gain and constipation
4. DDiarrhoea, anxiety, sweating and bulging eyes

How do sulfonylureas such as gliclazide lower blood glucose?

1. AThey make the pancreas release more insulin
2. BThey make the kidneys pass more glucose
3. CThey replace insulin that the body lacks
4. DThey slow down the absorption of food

Why do many patients with chronic kidney disease develop anaemia?

1. AThe kidneys make less erythropoietin
2. BThe kidneys break down red blood cells
3. CBlood is lost in the urine every day
4. DDialysis removes iron from the blood

A patient with migraine takes painkillers or triptans on most days and now has a headache almost every day. What is the likely problem?

1. AA brain tumour, which is almost certain
2. BAn allergy to the painkillers
3. CNormal progress of migraine
4. DMedication overuse headache

The day after a thyroidectomy, a patient reports tingling around the mouth and in the fingers. Why might this happen?

1. AThe anaesthetic has caused an allergic reaction
2. BThe parathyroid glands may have been damaged, lowering calcium
3. CThe patient is breathing too slowly after the operation
4. DThe thyroid hormone level has risen too high after surgery

A patient's potassium stays low despite replacement. Which other level should be checked?

1. AAmylase
2. BMagnesium
3. CFerritin
4. DBilirubin

A patient with a brain tumour on high-dose dexamethasone has a capillary glucose of 16 mmol/L (288 mg/dL). They have no history of diabetes. What is the best explanation?

1. ANormal for this patient, so no action is needed
2. BA sign that the brain tumour has now spread to the pancreas
3. CA lab error, because steroids lower blood glucose
4. DSteroid-induced hyperglycaemia, which needs monitoring and treatment

A patient with type 1 diabetes is nil by mouth before surgery tomorrow. Which plan is safest?

1. AGive the usual meal-time insulin, even though no meals will be eaten
2. BContinue some insulin (basal or a variable-rate IV infusion) with glucose checks
3. CStop all insulin until the patient is eating and drinking normally again
4. DGive insulin only if the urine ketones become strongly positive overnight