A patient is seen in the clinic for a large mass on the anterior portion of the neck. The patient complains of constipation and depression. The nurse understands these signs and symptoms to be consistent with
Explanation
• A goiter, or enlarged thyroid, can occur with both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
• Depression and constipation are consistent with hypothyroidism.
• Parathyroid masses are usually not detectable on physical examination and tend to be asymptomatic.