A nurse is caring for a client who is immediately postoperative following a subtotal thyroidectomy.
Vital Signs
1100:
Temperature 37.4° C (99.4° F) Heart rate 98/min Respiratory rate 18/min
Blood pressure 128/68 mm Hg
Pulse oximetry 97% on room air
1115:
Temperature 37.8° C (100.1° F) Heart rate 110/min Respiratory rate 16/min
Blood pressure 138/74 mm Hg
Pulse oximetry 95% on room air
1130:
Temperature 38.6° C (101.5° F). Heart rate 136/min
Respiratory rate 16/min
Blood pressure 154/86 mm Hg
Pulse oximetry 95% on 2 L/min via nasal cannula
Select the 4 client findings that lead the nurse to suspect that the client is experiencing thyroid storm.
Mental status
Wound drainage
Heart rate
Pain
Blood pressure
Temperature
Correct Answer : A,C,E,F
A. This choice is correct because mental status changes, such as agitation, confusion, or delirium, are common signs of thyroid storm, which is a life-threatening complication of hyperthyroidism that occurs when there is excessive release of thyroid hormones.
B. This choice is incorrect because wound drainage is not a specific sign of thyroid storm, but rather a potential complication of any surgery that can indicate infection or bleeding.
C. This choice is correct because tachycardia, or increased heart rate, is a common sign of thyroid storm, which can result from increased metabolic demand and increased sensitivity to catecholamines.
D. This choice is incorrect because pain is not a specific sign of thyroid storm, but rather a common symptom of any surgery that can be managed with analgesics.
E. This choice is correct because hypertension, or increased blood pressure, is a common sign of thyroid storm, which can result from increased cardiac output and peripheral vascular resistance.
F. This choice is correct because hyperthermia, or increased temperature, is a common sign of thyroid storm, which can result from increased heat production and impaired heat dissipation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
a. Administer the medication and alert the charge nurse: This choice suggests proceeding with medication administration but also informing the charge nurse. While it's important to communicate with the charge nurse regarding medication administration, in this scenario, there is no indication to hold the medication as the infant's heart rate is within the normal range. Therefore, alerting the charge nurse may not be necessary at this point.
b. Hold the medication and document cardiac assessment: This choice suggests holding the medication and documenting the cardiac assessment. However, since the infant's heart rate is within the normal range for their age, there is no clinical indication to hold the medication. Holding the medication unnecessarily could delay treatment and potentially lead to adverse outcomes if the medication is needed.
c. Administer the medication and document the heart rate.
Since the infant's heart rate of 120 beats per minute falls within the normal range for a 2-month-old, there is no indication to hold the medication. Administering the digoxin as prescribed and documenting the heart rate before administration are appropriate actions. It's important to ensure accurate documentation to track the infant's response to the medication and monitor for any changes in heart rate.
d. Hold the medication and recheck the heart rate in 1 hour: This choice suggests holding the medication and rechecking the heart rate in 1 hour. Again, since the infant's heart rate is within the normal range, there is no clinical indication to hold the medication or delay treatment. Rechecking the heart rate in 1 hour would be unnecessary and could potentially delay necessary medication administration.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
- Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug that increases the levels of dopamine in the brain, which is a chemical messenger related to movement, pleasure, and motivation.
- Cocaine's effects appear almost immediately and last for a few minutes to an hour, depending on the method of use. Some of the short-term effects of cocaine include extreme happiness and energy, mental alertness, hypersensitivity to sight, sound, and touch, and irritability.
- An elevated energy level is one of the most common and noticeable effects of cocaine use, as cocaine stimulates the central nervous system and makes the user feel more alert, active, and confident¹². This effect may also lead to increased physical activity, talkativeness, or aggression.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer, while options B, C, and D are incorrect.
Option B is incorrect because a powerful craving for more cocaine is not a behavior that can be observed by others, but rather an internal feeling that the user may experience due to the addictive nature of the drug.
Option C is incorrect because high self-esteem is not a typical effect of cocaine use, as cocaine may cause paranoia or anxiety in some users.
Option D is incorrect because euphoria is not a behavior that can be observed by others, but rather an emotional state that the user may feel due to the increased dopamine levels in the brain

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