CEA Nursing Practice Exam

Based on a patient's progressively developed neck bump, anxiety, tremor, and palpitations, which diagnosis is most likely?

1. Thyrotoxicosis

2. Iodine Excess

3. Myxedema Coma

4. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

The correct answer is: Thyrotoxicosis

The diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis is most likely based on the symptoms presented: a progressively developed neck bump, anxiety, tremor, and palpitations. Thyrotoxicosis refers to an excess of thyroid hormones in the body, which can result from various conditions, including Graves' disease or toxic multinodular goiter. The presence of a neck bump typically indicates an enlargement of the thyroid gland, known as a goiter, which is common in thyrotoxicosis. This condition leads to hyperactivity of the thyroid and can cause symptoms such as increased anxiety, tremors, and palpitations due to heightened metabolic activity affecting the cardiovascular and nervous systems. These symptoms collectively point towards an overproduction of thyroid hormones, aligning with the diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis. Iodine excess can also cause hyperthyroid symptoms, but it is less common and typically presents in different contexts, such as a recent increase in dietary iodine or iodinated contrast usage. Myxedema coma, on the other hand, is associated with severe hypothyroidism and would present with symptoms opposite to those described, such as extreme lethargy or decreased heart rate. Hashimoto's thyroiditis usually leads to hypothyroidism in the long