Final answer:
For an elderly patient with hypothyroidism, the nurse practitioner must consider the potential worsening of cardiac symptoms when developing a treatment plan. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy needs careful dosage adjustments due to potential pre-existing cardiac conditions and the sensitivity of the elderly to medications.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the development of a treatment plan for an 84-year-old patient with hypothyroidism, the nurse practitioner must keep in mind the possibility of the worsening of cardiac symptoms. Hypothyroidism, which is the underactivity of the thyroid gland, can have numerous effects on the body, including impacts on heart function. Treatment often involves thyroid hormone replacement therapy, which must be carefully monitored as the elderly can have pre-existing cardiac conditions that can be exacerbated by changes in thyroid hormone levels. Additionally, this age group is sensitive to medications and may require a more gradual titration to the optimal dose. Other signs and symptoms to monitor include fatigue, coldness, weight gain, shortness of breath, constipation, and slow heart rate. Hypothyroidism can also lead to complications such as myxedema, which is characterized by thick, dry, and waxy skin, along with a dulled mental state.