A nurse is assisting with the plan of care for a client who is 4 hr postoperative from a subtotal thyroidectomy. Which of the following implementations should the nurse recommend?
Check for bleeding on the dressing at the back of the client’s neck.
Ensure that acetylcysteine IV is readily available.
Place the client in a side-lying position.
Check the client for asterixis.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A: Check for bleeding on the dressing at the back of the client’s neck. This is an implementation that the nurse should recommend for a client who is 4 hr postoperative from a subtotal thyroidectomy, which is a surgical removal of part of the thyroid gland. The nurse should check for bleeding on the dressing at the back of the client’s neck because this is where blood can pool and go unnoticed. Bleeding can cause hematoma, compression of the airway, and respiratory distress.
Choice B: Ensure that acetylcysteine IV is readily available. This is not an implementation that the nurse should recommend for a client who is 4 hr postoperative from a subtotal thyroidectomy. Acetylcysteine IV is an antidote for acetaminophen overdose, which can cause liver damage, but it is not related to thyroid surgery.
Choice C: Place the client in a side-lying position. This is not an implementation that the nurse should recommend for a client who is 4 hr postoperative from a subtotal thyroidectomy. The nurse should place the client in a semi-Fowler’s position, which is a position with the head of the bed elevated to 30 to 45 degrees. This position can facilitate breathing, reduce edema, and prevent aspiration.
Choice D: Check the client for asterixis. This is not an implementation that the nurse should recommend for a client who is 4 hr postoperative from a subtotal thyroidectomy. Asterixis is a sign of hepatic encephalopathy, which is a condition caused by liver failure, but it is not related to thyroid surgery.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A: Rapid pulse. This is not a finding that indicates that the client is experiencing DKA, but rather a sign of hypoglycemia, which is a low level of glucose in the blood. Hypoglycemia can cause rapid pulse due to increased sympathetic nervous system activity and decreased cardiac output.
Choice B: Clammy skin. This is not a finding that indicates that the client is experiencing DKA, but rather a sign of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can cause clammy skin due to increased sweating and vasoconstriction.
Choice C: Choice C: Confusion is commonly found in HHS rather than DKA.
Choice D: Polydipsia. This is a finding that indicates that the client is experiencing DKA due to the high level of glucose in the blood. Hyperglycemia in DKA can cause polydipsia, which is excessive thirst, due to osmotic diuresis and dehydration.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A: Peri-umbilical area. This is not an area that the nurse should inspect to monitor for the presence of jaundice in a client who is African American and has cholecystitis. The peri-umbilical area is the area around the navel, which is part of the skin. The skin can show jaundice, but it may be difficult to detect in clients with dark skin tones.
Choice B: Nail beds. This is not an area that the nurse should inspect to monitor for the presence of jaundice in a client who is African American and has cholecystitis. The nail beds are part of the skin that can show jaundice, but they may also be affected by other factors such as anemia, cyanosis, or nail polish.
Choice C: Webbed areas of the fingers. This is not an area that the nurse should inspect to monitor for the presence of jaundice in a client who is African American and has cholecystitis. The webbed areas of the fingers are part of the skin that can show jaundice, but they may also be influenced by other factors such as temperature, circulation, or pressure.
Choice D: Hard palate. This is an area that the nurse should inspect to monitor for the presence of jaundice in a client who is African American and has cholecystitis, which is an inflammation of the gallbladder. Jaundice is a yellowish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to elevated bilirubin levels in the blood. Bilirubin is a pigment that is produced from the breakdown of red blood cells and is normally excreted in bile. If the gallbladder or bile ducts are inflamed or obstructed, bile cannot flow into the duodenum and bilirubin accumulates in the blood and tissues. The hard palate is a part of the oral mucosa that can show jaundice, especially in clients with dark skin tones.
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