A patient with hypothyroidism as a result of Hashimoto's thyroiditis asks how long thyroid replacement drugs will need to be taken. What is the nurse's best response?
a. "You will need to take the thyroid replacement drug until the goiter is completely gone."
b. "You will need thyroid replacement drugs for the rest of your life because thyroid function will not return."
c. "The thyroiditis will be cured with antibiotics and then you will no longer need the thyroid replacement drugs."
d. "When your thyroid function studies indicate a normal blood level of thyroid hormones you will be able to discontinue the drugs."
B
Hashimoto's thyroiditis results in a permanent loss of thyroid function. Without continuous thy-roid replacement drugs, the patient's metabolism would eventually stop and death would occur.
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