Question

A woman with a progressively enlarging neck comes into the clinic. She mentions that she has been in a foreign country for the previous 3 months and that she didn't eat much while she was there because she didn't like the food. She also mentions that she becomes dizzy when lifting her arms to do normal household chores or when dressing. What endocrine disorder should the nurse expect the physician to diagnose?

a) Diabetes mellitus
b) Diabetes insipidus
c) Cushing's syndrome
d) Goiter

Answer 1

The woman with an enlarging neck and symptoms pointing to hypothyroidism is likely to be diagnosed with a goiter, an enlarged thyroid gland often due to iodine deficiency.

Step-by-step explanation:

The physician is likely to diagnose the woman with a goiter, which is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. This condition can be associated with hypothyroidism, especially if iodine intake is deficient, which is plausible given her limited diet while abroad. Hypothyroidism could explain her symptoms, as it typically leads to weight gain, cold sensitivity, and fatigue. Goiter can also cause a sensation known as dyspnea on exertion, which might account for the dizziness the woman experiences when lifting her arms. Treatment often involves iodine supplementation to help the body synthesize thyroid hormones, though this is not useful in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune form of hypothyroidism.