ADVERTISEMENTS
Hyperthyroidism, also known as Grave’s disease, Basedow’s disease, or thyrotoxicosis is a metabolic imbalance that results from overproduction of thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). The most common form is Graves’ disease, but other forms of hyperthyroidism include toxic adenoma, TSH-secreting pituitary tumor, subacute or silent thyroiditis, and some forms of thyroid cancer.
Thyroid storm is a rarely encountered manifestation of hyperthyroidism that can be precipitated by such events as thyroid ablation (surgical or radioiodine), medication overdosage, and trauma. This condition constitutes a medical emergency.
Nursing Care Plans
Nursing care management for patients with hyperthyroidism requires vigilant care to prevent acute exacerbations and complications.
Here are seven (7) nursing care plans (NCP) and nursing diagnosis for patients with hyperthyroidism:
ADVERTISEMENTS
- Risk for Decreased Cardiac Output
- Fatigue
- Risk for Disturbed Thought Processes
- Risk for Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements
- Anxiety
- Risk for Impaired Tissue Integrity
- Deficient Knowledge
- Other Possible Nursing Care Plans
ADVERTISEMENTS
Risk for Impaired Tissue Integrity
Nursing Diagnosis
- Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity
Risk factors may include
- Alterations of protective mechanisms of eye: impaired closure of eyelid/exophthalmos
Possibly evidenced by
ADVERTISEMENTS
- Not applicable. A risk diagnosis is not evidenced by signs and symptoms, as the problem has not occurred and nursing interventions are directed at prevention.
Desired Outcomes
- Client will maintain moist eye membranes, free of ulcerations.
- Client will identify measures to provide protection for eyes and prevent complications.
| Nursing Interventions | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Encourage the use of dark glasses when awake and taping the eyelids shut during sleep as needed. Suggest the use of sunglasses or eyepatch. Moisten conjunctiva often with isotonic eye drops. | Protects exposed cornea if the patient is unable to close eyelids completely because of edema or fibrosis of fat pads and/or exophthalmos. |
| Elevate the head of the bed and restrict salt intake if indicated. | Decreases tissue edema when appropriate: HF, which can aggravate existing exophthalmos. |
| Instruct patient in extraocular muscle exercises if appropriate. | Improves circulation and maintains mobility of the eyelids. |
| Provide an opportunity for the patient to discuss feelings about altered appearance and measures to enhance self-image. | Protruding eyes may be viewed as unattractive. Appearance can be enhanced with proper use of makeup, overall grooming, and use of shaded glasses. |
| Administer medications as indicated: | |
| Lubricates the eyes, reducing the risk of lesion formation. |
| Given to decrease rapidly progressive and marked inflammation. |
| May decrease signs and symptoms or prevent worsening of the condition. |
| Can decrease edema in mild involvement. | |
| Prepare for possible surgery as indicated. | Eyelids may need to be sutured shut temporarily to protect the corneas until edema resolves (rare) or increasing space within sinus cavity and adjusting musculature may return the eye to a more normal position. |
ADVERTISEMENTS
Recommended Resources
Recommended nursing diagnosis and nursing care plan books and resources.
Disclosure: Included below are affiliate links from Amazon at no additional cost from you. We may earn a small commission from your purchase. For more information, check out our privacy policy.
ADVERTISEMENTS
- Nursing Care Plans: Nursing Diagnosis and Intervention (10th Edition)
An awesome book to help you create and customize effective nursing care plans. We highly recommend this book for its completeness and ease of use. - Nurse’s Pocket Guide: Diagnoses, Prioritized Interventions and Rationales
A quick-reference tool to easily select the appropriate nursing diagnosis to plan your patient’s care effectively. - NANDA International Nursing Diagnoses: Definitions & Classification, 2021-2023Â (12th Edition)
The official and definitive guide to nursing diagnoses as reviewed and approved by the NANDA-I. This book focuses on the nursing diagnostic labels, their defining characteristics, and risk factors – this does not include nursing interventions and rationales. - Nursing Diagnosis Handbook, 12th Edition Revised Reprint with 2021-2023 NANDA-I® Updates
Another great nursing care plan resource that is updated to include the recent NANDA-I updates. - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5(TM))
Useful for creating nursing care plans related to mental health and psychiatric nursing. - Ulrich & Canale’s Nursing Care Planning Guides, 8th Edition
Claims to have the most in-depth care plans of any nursing care planning book. Includes 31 detailed nursing diagnosis care plans and 63 disease/disorder care plans. - Maternal Newborn Nursing Care Plans (3rd Edition)
If you’re looking for specific care plans related to maternal and newborn nursing care, this book is for you. - Nursing Diagnosis Manual: Planning, Individualizing, and Documenting Client Care (7th Edition)
An easy-to-use nursing care plan book that is updated with the latest diagnosis from NANDA-I 2021-2023. - All-in-One Nursing Care Planning Resource: Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Maternity, and Psychiatric-Mental Health (5th Edition)
Definitely an all-in-one resources for nursing care planning. It has over 100 care plans for different nursing topics.
See also
Other recommended site resources for this nursing care plan:
- Nursing Care Plans (NCP): Ultimate Guide and Database
Over 150+ nursing care plans for different diseases and conditions. Includes our easy-to-follow guide on how to create nursing care plans from scratch. - Nursing Diagnosis Guide and List: All You Need to Know to Master Diagnosing
Our comprehensive guide on how to create and write diagnostic labels. Includes detailed nursing care plan guides for common nursing diagnostic labels.
Other nursing care plans related to endocrine system and metabolism disorders:
- Acid-Base Balance
- – Respiratory Acidosis Nursing Care Plan
- – Respiratory Alkalosis Nursing Care Plan
- – Metabolic Acidosis Nursing Care Plan
- – Metabolic Alkalosis Nursing Care Plan
- Addison’s Disease | 3 Care Plans
- Cushing’s Disease | 6 Care Plans
- Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 (Juvenile Diabetes) | 4 Care Plans
- Diabetes Mellitus Type 2Â | 17 Care Plans
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) and Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS)Â | 4 Care Plans
- Eating Disorders: Anorexia & Bulimia Nervosa | 7 Care Plans
- Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances | 10 Care Plans
- – Fluid Balance: Hypervolemia & Hypovolemia
- – Potassium (K) Imbalances: Hyperkalemia and Hypokalemia
- – Sodium (Na) Imbalances: Hypernatremia and Hyponatremia
- – Magnesium (Mg) Imbalances: Hypermagnesemia and Hypomagnesemia
- – Calcium (Ca) Imbalances: Hypercalcemia and Hypocalcemia
- Gestational Diabetes Mellitus | 4 Care Plans
- Hyperthyroidism | 7 Care Plans
- Hypothyroidism | 3 Care Plans
- Obesity | 4 Care Plans
- Thyroidectomy | 5 Care Plans
Nyc
Super post. Do you have any other ones you can give? I like super stuff. :)
This content has really improved my knowledge about hyperthyroidism. Thank you so much