Grave's disease is associated with-

RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2024

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2024

Explanation

Grave's disease is the most common cause of endogenous hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland).
It is an autoimmune disorder where the body produces antibodies called Thyroid-Stimulating Immunoglobulins (TSI).
These antibodies mimic the function of Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH), causing the thyroid gland to be continuously stimulated.
This constant stimulation leads to the excessive synthesis and secretion of the thyroid hormones T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine).

Option A: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is secreted by the posterior pituitary and primarily regulates water balance in the body.
Option B: Growth hormone (GH) is secreted by the anterior pituitary and is mainly involved in growth and development.
Option D: Glucocorticoid hormones, such as cortisol, are produced by the adrenal cortex and are involved in the stress response, metabolism, and immune function.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Pathophysiology of Grave's Disease and its associated hormones helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses must be able to recognize the clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism, such as tachycardia, weight loss, heat intolerance, and exophthalmos (bulging eyes), as they are key indicators of Grave's disease.
Patient education is a critical nursing role, focusing on medication adherence (antithyroid drugs), managing symptoms like anxiety and palpitations, and understanding the signs of a thyroid storm—a life-threatening complication requiring immediate medical attention.
What if? - If a patient's lab results showed high TSH and low T3/T4, the diagnosis would be primary hypothyroidism, not Grave's disease. This condition, often caused by Hashimoto's thyroiditis, requires thyroid hormone replacement therapy, the opposite treatment approach.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that links a specific disease to its underlying hormonal imbalance.
First, identify the key term in the question stem: 'Grave's disease'.
Access your knowledge of common endocrine disorders. Recall that Grave's disease is a primary cause of hyperthyroidism.
The term 'hyperthyroidism' itself means 'overactive thyroid'. This directly points to the hormones produced by the thyroid gland.
Evaluate the options based on the gland of origin. T3 and T4 are thyroid hormones. Antidiuretic hormone and Growth hormone are pituitary hormones. Glucocorticoids are adrenal hormones.
By connecting Grave's disease to hyperthyroidism and then to the thyroid gland's hormones (T3 & T4), you can confidently select the correct answer and eliminate the distractors.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 p. 1223-1225

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