Expected Vital Signs in Graves' Disease

Endocrine · Question from the ATI RN Medical-Surgical 2023 Proctored Exam study set

Correct answer: C. Hyperthermia

Why this is the answer

Graves' Disease (hyperthyroidism) increases the metabolic rate, leading to tachycardia, hypertension, and increased body temperature. Bradycardia (A) is the opposite of what happens — the elevated metabolism speeds the heart rate rather than slowing it. Hypotension (B) is also backwards, since the increased cardiac output and metabolic demand raises blood pressure rather than lowering it. Bradypnea (D) doesn't fit either; the higher metabolic demand for oxygen typically increases respiratory rate.

The bigger concept

Any hyperthyroid state — Graves' Disease, or its extreme form, thyroid storm — pushes nearly every vital sign in the "faster/hotter/higher" direction, which is the opposite pattern from hypothyroidism. Keeping that single mental model (hyper = revved up, hypo = slowed down) resolves most thyroid vital-sign questions quickly.

Related Endocrine practice questions

• Reading an ABG in Diabetic Ketoacidosis
• The Standard Treatment for Diabetes Insipidus
• Protecting the Eyes in Graves' Disease Exophthalmos
• Diabetes Insipidus After a Head Injury: Expected Findings
• The Hallmark Sign of Thyroid Storm

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