A client with hyperthyroidism has been reading about PTU on the internet. The client asks the nurse, "How do antihormones work to help my condition?" Which is the nurse's best response?

Question

1. "Your body has been affected by too much thyroid hormone. PTU is a drug that can block your body's response to thyroid hormone."
2. "Antihormones oppose the action of estrogen, which allows thyroid to regain its effectiveness."
3. "PTU regenerates your thyroid gland and causes normal tissue to regrow, so the effects of too much thyroid will disappear."
4. "PTU replaces your abnormal thyroid hormone with normal thyroid hormone."

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Propylthiouracil (PTU) is an antihormone. It blocks thyroid hormone from various receptors throughout the body. Without access to the usual receptors, the signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism are reduced.
Rationale 2: PTU has no effect on estrogen levels.
Rationale 3: PTU does not affect the growth or regeneration of thyroid tissue.
Rationale 4: PTU does not replace thyroid hormone.
Global Rationale: Propylthiouracil (PTU) is an antihormone. It blocks thyroid hormone from various receptors throughout the body. Without access to the usual receptors, the signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism are reduced. PTU has no effect on estrogen levels, does not affect the growth or regeneration of thyroid tissue, and does not replace thyroid hormone.