A patient presents with palpitations and dysrhythmias, fatigue, and weight loss. During the physical exam, the nurse notes abnormal protrusion of the eyes, and a dry, waxy swelling on the front surfaces of the lower legs. What does the nurse suspect the patient is experiencing:

Graves' disease

Explanation:

Grave's disease is an autoimmune disorder caused due to hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) . hashimoto's thyroiditis is defined as the development of autoantibodies to different structures in the thyroid gland.

In grave's disease, thyroid antibodies get attached to the thyroid stimulated hormone (TSH) receptors present in the thyroid tissues. With the increasing glandular cells that enlarges the gland (goiter) causes overproduction of thyroid hormone (Hyperthyroid).

Due to hyperthroid in Grave's disease causes symptoms like abnormal protrusion of the eyes, and waxy, dry swelling on the front surfaces of the lower legs.

Hence, the patient is suspected to have Grave's disease.