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The nurse has reviewed the Nurses' Notes and Vital Signs at 0900.

Complete the following sentence by using the lists of options.

The client is most at risk for

due to .
Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"C","dropdown-group-2":"C"}

  • seizures: If a thyroid storm occurs, the client can experience seizures due to the extreme metabolic disturbances and nervous system overstimulation it causes. Seizures would be a serious complication indicating worsening neurological function. Therefore, the client’s risk for seizures is directly related to the risk of developing a thyroid storm after surgery.
  • paralytic ileus: Paralytic ileus involves bowel inactivity post-surgery, but the client had normoactive bowel sounds before surgery and no current documentation of absent or significantly reduced bowel activity. Therefore, this is not the most immediate risk based on current findings.
  • pneumonia: The client is receiving oxygen therapy and has a slightly increased respiratory rate after surgery, but no signs of labored breathing, abnormal lung sounds, or infection are reported. Although inactivity can contribute to pneumonia risk postoperatively, there are no current findings indicating that pneumonia is developing right now.
  • thyroid storm: The client had a thyroidectomy after presenting with signs of severe hyperthyroidism (weight loss, heat intolerance, anxiety, exophthalmos, goiter) and elevated T3 and T4 levels. Thyroid storm is a critical risk after thyroidectomy due to sudden hormone release, and it can cause life-threatening complications such as high fever, hypertension, tachycardia, and altered mental status.
  • bowel sounds: The bowel sounds were normal before surgery, and there is no mention of significant gastrointestinal changes postoperatively. Bowel sounds alone are not the critical factor leading to the client’s highest current risk.
  • inactivity: The client is currently lethargic after surgery and under the effects of anesthesia, which reduces movement and activity. Inactivity can cause decreased lung expansion and increase the risk of pulmonary complications like pneumonia. Although this is a concern, inactivity is not the client's most critical immediate risk compared to thyroid storm.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Encourage the client to include celery in their diet: Celery is high in fiber and stringy, which can increase the risk of obstruction in a client with a new ileostomy. Clients should avoid foods that can block the stoma until healing is complete and they are accustomed to managing their ostomy.

B. Cleanse around the client's stoma with hydrogen peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide can damage healthy skin and tissue around the stoma. The area should be cleansed gently with warm water and mild soap, avoiding harsh or irritating substances to promote skin integrity.

C. Cut the skin barrier opening 2.5 cm (1 in) larger than the stoma: The skin barrier opening should be no more than 1/8 inch (about 0.3 cm) larger than the stoma. A larger opening exposes more skin to stoma output, increasing the risk for skin irritation and breakdown.

D. Empty the client's pouch when it is halfway full: Emptying the pouch when it is about halfway full prevents the weight from pulling on the seal, reducing the risk of leaks and protecting the skin. It also maintains client comfort and reduces the chance of pouch rupture.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Anorexia: Anorexia, or loss of appetite, is not a typical adverse effect directly associated with heparin use. While it may occur due to general postoperative factors, it is not an urgent or life-threatening reaction that necessitates immediate reporting related to anticoagulant therapy.

B. Epistaxis: Epistaxis, or nosebleed, is a sign of potential bleeding complications, which is a major adverse effect of heparin. Because heparin inhibits clot formation, any evidence of spontaneous bleeding must be reported immediately to the provider to assess for potential heparin-induced bleeding disorders.

C. Weight gain: Weight gain could suggest fluid retention, but it is not a typical adverse effect of heparin. While postoperative clients should be monitored for signs of fluid imbalance, sudden bleeding signs like epistaxis are far more critical to recognize and report when administering anticoagulants.

D. Bradycardia: Bradycardia, or slow heart rate, is not commonly linked to heparin therapy. While abnormal heart rhythms may occur postoperatively for other reasons, they are not typically associated with bleeding risks from heparin and thus do not require urgent reporting specific to heparin use.

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