An older woman who has difficulty hearing is being discharged from day surgery following a cataract extraction and lens implantation. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement to help ensure the client's compliance with self-care?

Course breath sounds - Respiratory Distress

Decreased level of consciousness - Cerebral Edema

Seizure activity - Cerebral Edema

Irritability - Both (Can be associated with both cerebral edema and respiratory distress)

Bradycardia - Cerebral Edema

Rationale:

Course breath sounds - Respiratory Distress

Course breath sounds could indicate the presence of secretions or fluid in the airways, which is a sign of respiratory distress. It suggests that there might be a problem with the airway or lung function.

Decreased level of consciousness - Cerebral Edema

A decreased level of consciousness can be a sign of cerebral edema, which is the swelling of the brain due to increased intracranial pressure. This can lead to changes in the child's mental status and responsiveness.

Seizure activity - Cerebral Edema

Seizure activity can be a manifestation of cerebral edema. Swelling and pressure in the brain can irritate brain tissue and lead to seizures.

Irritability - Both (Can be associated with both cerebral edema and respiratory distress) Irritability can be seen in both cerebral edema and respiratory distress. In cerebral edema, the pressure on the brain can cause discomfort and irritability. In respiratory distress, the child may be uncomfortable due to difficulty breathing.

Bradycardia - Cerebral Edema

Bradycardia (slow heart rate) can be associated with increased intracranial pressure and cerebral edema. It can be a response to the pressure on the brain.

In this scenario, the client's sudden onset of feeling apprehensive, restlessness, and increased body temperature are consistent with symptoms of a thyroid crisis, also known as thyroid storm or thyrotoxic crisis. Thyroid crisis is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical intervention.

Initiating IV access is crucial to ensure the prompt administration of medications and fluids to manage the thyroid crisis effectively. IV access allows for the administration of beta-blockers, antithyroid drugs, and supportive care, which are essential components of the treatment for thyroid crisis. IV access also provides a route for fluid resuscitation if necessary.

Accessing laboratory results to confirm a thyroid crisis is important, but the clinical presentation of the client with sudden onset symptoms and a known history of uncontrolled hyperthyroidism suggests the need for immediate intervention rather than waiting for laboratory confirmation.

Obtaining a complete set of vital signs is an important assessment to gather comprehensive data, but in the case of a suspected thyroid crisis, immediate intervention takes precedence over obtaining vital signs.

Encouraging relaxation and slow deep breathing may be beneficial in managing anxiety or discomfort, but it does not address the underlying emergency situation of a thyroid crisis. The nurse should focus on initiating appropriate medical interventions first.