Which of the following clients are at risk for developing hypothyroidism? Select all that apply

Question

A) A client who is prescribed amiodarone for frequent dysrhythmias
B) A client who has bulging eyeballs being treated with ?-adrenergic blockers
C) A client who has precancerous thyroid lesions who underwent ablation with radiation
D) A female experiencing an autoimmune disorder called thyroiditis
E) A bipolar client prescribed lithium carbonate

Answer 1

Ans: A, C, D, E
Feedback:
The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder in which the thyroid gland may be totally destroyed by an immunologic process. It is the major cause of goiter and hypothyroidism in children and adults. Hypothyroidism may result from thyroidectomy (i.e., surgical removal) or ablation of the gland with radiation. Certain goitrogenic agents, such as lithium, and the antithyroid drugs propylthiouracil and methimazole in continuous dosage can block hormone synthesis and produce hypothyroidism with goiter. Large amounts of iodine (i.e., ingestion of kelp tablets or iodide-containing cough syrups, or administration of iodide-containing radiographic contrast media or the cardiac drug amiodarone, which contains 75 mg of iodine per 200-mg tablet) also can block thyroid hormone production and cause goiter, particularly in persons with autoimmune thyroid disease. Myxedema is associated with severe hypothyroidism and is characterized by a nonpitting mucus-type edema caused by the accumulation of hydrophobic extracellular matrix substances in the connective tissues of a number of body tissues. Although the myxedema is most obvious in the face and other superficial parts, it also affects many of the body organs and is responsible for many of the manifestations of the hypothyroid state.