14). Thyrotoxicosis can be uncomplicated with mild symptoms or it can be classified as complicated and become life-threatening (Pullen & Embrey, 2013, p. 14). The hypermetabolic state of life-threatening, complicated thyrotoxicosis is also known as thyroid storm (Pullen & Embrey, 2013, p. 14). The most common cause of thyroid storm is an autoimmune disorder called Graves disease (Pullen & Embrey, 2013, p. 14). Other causes of thyroid storm are extreme stress, infections, discontinuation of thyroid medication or improper dosing, treatment with radioactive iodine, toxemia of pregnancy, hypoglycemia, vigorous palpation of the thyroid gland, and a tumor in the pituitary or thyroid gland (Pullen & Embrey, 2013, pp. …show more content…
15). As the condition worsens and becomes thyroid storm, more severe symptoms occur, such as palpaitations, atrial fibrillation, widening pulse pressures, nausea, vomiting, hepatomegaly, jaundice, tachypnea, confusion, delirium, seizures, and coma (Pullen & Embrey, 2013, p. 15). The three most common symptoms of thyroid storm are high fever (over 106.7°), exaggerated tachycardia and central nervous dysfunction (Pullen & Embrey, 2013, p.