The nurse is providing patient education after laboratory findings reveal a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test result of 0.2 microunits/mL. How would the nurse best explain the implications of the laboratory finding to the patient?

Question

a. "Hypothyroidism causes a decrease in TSH."
b. "The test probably is erroneous, because you don't have a goiter."
c. "TSH is not a good screening test for thyroid disease."
d. "The low TSH is consistent with hyperthyroidism."

Answer 1

ANS: D
The nurse should explain that a low TSH level indicates hyperthyroidism, because the thyroid hormones, T3 and T4, are high, and this causes the pituitary-hypothalamus-thyroid feedback system to reduce TSH in an attempt to avoid stimulating the thyroid to release further T3 and T4.
Hypothyroidism does not cause a decrease in the TSH level; hyperthyroidism does.
A goiter is not always present with hyperthyroidism.
TSH is an acceptable screening test for thyroid disease.