SJH Nursing Officer - 2019
Medical Surgical Nursing
Easy
Deficiency of thyroxin in adults leads to a condition called?
Appeared in: SJH Nursing Officer - 2019
Explanation
- Myxoedema is the clinical term for severe, untreated hypothyroidism that occurs in adults.
- It results from a prolonged deficiency of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), leading to a significant slowing of the body's metabolism.
- The hallmark sign is non-pitting edema (swelling) due to the deposition of glycosaminoglycans in the subcutaneous tissues, which causes a puffy appearance, particularly in the face.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option A: Tetany is characterized by muscle spasms and is caused by hypocalcemia (low blood calcium), not hypothyroidism. It is most commonly associated with parathyroid gland disorders.
- Option B: Cretinism is the term for hypothyroidism that occurs in infancy or early childhood. The key differentiator from myxoedema is the age of onset.
- Option D: Graves' disease is an autoimmune condition that causes hyperthyroidism, which is an overproduction of thyroid hormone. This is the opposite of the thyroxin deficiency mentioned in the question.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Endocrine Disorders: Hypothyroidism in Adults as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- Nurses must be vigilant in assessing for signs of myxoedema in adults with a history of thyroid issues, including lethargy, cold intolerance, weight gain, and changes in skin texture, to ensure timely management.
- A critical nursing priority is monitoring for 'myxedema coma,' a life-threatening complication of severe hypothyroidism characterized by hypothermia, bradycardia, hypotension, and altered mental status, which requires immediate emergency intervention.
- What if? If the question had specified 'infancy' instead of 'adults,' the correct answer would be Cretinism, as this is the specific term for congenital or early-onset hypothyroidism leading to developmental abnormalities.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the key concepts in the question stem: 'deficiency of thyroxin' (which means hypothyroidism) and the patient population, 'adults'.
- Second, recall that the clinical presentation and terminology for hypothyroidism differ based on the age of onset.
- Third, analyze the options. 'Cretinism' is associated with hypothyroidism in children. 'Graves' disease' is a cause of hyperthyroidism (excess hormone). 'Tetany' is related to calcium imbalance, not thyroid hormone levels.
- Fourth, based on this analysis, conclude that 'Myxoedema' is the correct term for hypothyroidism that develops in adulthood.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Endocrine Disorders: Hypothyroidism in Adults
- Stem keywords: Deficiency of thyroxin, adults
- Lead-in keywords: leads to a condition called
Question ID
QSV7IDccpHq4Ab1BU5omL6
Reference Book
E6 PATHOLOGY QUICK REVIEWBased on Harsh Mohan Textbook of PATHOLOGY p. 245-247
E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 1077-1079
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Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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