Final answer:
The patient with low TSH and high T3 and T4 levels is likely experiencing hyperthyroidism, indicating an overactive thyroid gland.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the lab findings where the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is low, and both T3 and T4 are elevated, the nurse practitioner can suspect hyperthyroidism. This condition indicates that the thyroid gland is overactive, producing excess thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism can lead to symptoms such as weight loss, profuse sweating, increased heart rate, and difficulty sleeping. In contrast, hypothyroidism is characterized by high levels of TSH and low levels of T3 and T4, with symptoms like weight gain, cold sensitivity, and fatigue. Therefore, with low TSH and high T3 and T4, hypothyroidism is ruled out, as well as thyroid cancer, which typically does not present with these specific lab findings.