A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is scheduled for a blood test to measure her thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level. Which of the following statements should the nurse give?
Explanation & Rationale
A. "This test detects antithyroid antibodies in your blood.": While antithyroid antibodies are measured in some thyroid disorders (like Hashimoto's thyroiditis), the TSH test specifically measures the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone produced by the pituitary gland. B. "This test measures the amount of thyroid hormone that attaches to a protein in your blood.": TSH levels do not measure thyroid hormone bound to proteins; rather, TSH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that regulates the production of thyroid hormones. C. "This test measures the absorption of iodine and how it relates to the thyroid gland.": The TSH test does not measure iodine absorption. A radioactive iodine uptake test is used for assessing iodine absorption by the thyroid gland. D. "The test determines whether your thyroid gland is overactive, appropriately active, or underactive.": The TSH test is used to assess thyroid function. The test helps determine whether the thyroid is working appropriately or if there is a dysfunction.