Dwarfism
A condition characterized by proportionate short stature due to growth hormone deficiency.
What is hypopituitary dwarfism?
Excess growth hormone before epiphyseal closure results in this condition.
What is gigantism?
A normal level of consciousness where the patient is awake, attentive, and responsive.
What is alert?
The nurse’s first impression of the patient’s physical appearance, behavior, and apparent health status.
What is the general survey?
Clothing should be appropriate for climate, age, and this important factor.
What is culture?
Clue: This type of dwarfism presents with short limbs and a relatively normal trunk.
What is achondroplastic dwarfism?
Excess growth hormone after epiphyseal closure results in enlargement of hands, feet, and facial features.
What is acromegaly?
A patient who answers questions appropriately and follows commands is considered this.
What is oriented?
A patient who appears relaxed, comfortable, and not in distress would be documented as this.
What is no apparent distress?
Cultural dress should never be labeled as this based on Western standards.
What is bizarre?
Clue: In physical assessment, nurses should document stature and body proportions rather than making this.
What is a medical diagnosis?
Gigantism and acromegaly are both caused by excess secretion of this hormone.
What is growth hormone?
Eye contact should be assessed while considering this important factor.
What is cultural appropriateness?
Apparent age should generally be consistent with this patient characteristic.
What is stated chronological age?
Personal hygiene reflects self-care ability, lifestyle, and this external factor.
What is socioeconomic status?
A key assessment distinction between types of dwarfism is whether body size is proportionate or _____.
What is disproportionate?
The key difference between gigantism and acromegaly is based on this timing factor.
What is epiphyseal plate closure?
Mood describes emotional state, while affect describes this.
What is emotional expression?
Observations made before touching the patient are part of this phase of assessment.
What is inspection?
Poor hygiene may indicate physical limitations, depression, or this barrier.
What is lack of access to resources?
Dwarfism is identified during assessment by stature that is significantly below expected norms for this factor.
What is age?
A nurse documents enlarged hands and jaw in an adult patient—this finding is consistent with this disorder.
What is acromegaly?
A mismatch between mood and affect may suggest this type of concern.
What is a mental health or neurologic issue?
The nurse should document objective observations rather than making this during the general survey.
What is a medical diagnosis?
The nurse should describe hygiene objectively and avoid this.
What is judgment or assumptions?