A 29-year-old patient in the outpatient clinic will be scheduled ...

[moongchi]

A 29-year-old patient in the outpatient clinic will be scheduled for blood cortisol testing. Which instruction will the nurse provide?
 
  a. Avoid adding any salt to your foods for 24 hours before the test.
  b. You will need to lie down for 30 minutes before the blood is drawn.
  c. Come to the laboratory to have the blood drawn early in the morning.
  d. Do not have anything to eat or drink before the blood test is obtained.

Question 2

A 61-year-old female patient admitted with pneumonia has a total serum calcium level of 13.3 mg/dL (3.3 mmol/L). The nurse will anticipate the need to teach the patient about testing for _____ levels.
 
  a. calcitonin
  b. catecholamine
  c. thyroid hormone
  d. parathyroid hormone

[k2629]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Cortisol levels are usually drawn in the morning, when levels are highest. The other instructions would be given to patients who were having other endocrine testing.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Parathyroid hormone is the major controller of blood calcium levels. Although calcitonin secretion is a countermechanism to parathyroid hormone, it does not play a major role in calcium balance. Catecholamine and thyroid hormone levels do not affect serum calcium level.

[moongchi]

Wow, this really help

[Sarahjh]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it