A patient is being discharged after a hypophysectomy, which was performed because of a tumor that resulted in acromegaly. What is important for the nurse to include in discharge teaching?
a. "Be sure to take your prescribed bromocriptine (Parlodel) every day."
b. "You must learn to accept the enlargement of soft tissues that occurred before surgery."
c. "Be sure to take the thyroid hormone, corticosteroids, and sex hormones that have been prescribed for you."
d. "Visual changes you experienced before surgery will begin to reverse within 6 months."
ANS: C
If the pituitary is removed, lifelong replacement of thyroid hormone, corticosteroids, and sex hormones is important to maintain homeostasis. Bromocriptine reduces growth hormone release. Soft tissue will reduce in size some; telling the patient to learn to accept it is not therapeutic. Visual changes may not reverse.
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