The nurse has reviewed the Nurses' Notes and Vital Signs at 1200.
Which of the following 2 findings indicate that the client is experiencing a complication after the procedure?
Hoarseness
Drainage
Sensation
Vital signs
Pain assessment
Correct Answer : C,D
- Hoarseness: Mild hoarseness is a common temporary effect after thyroid surgery due to irritation or swelling near the recurrent laryngeal nerve. While it needs monitoring, slight hoarseness alone is not necessarily a sign of a serious complication if it is not worsening or associated with airway compromise.
- Drainage: A moderate amount of serosanguineous drainage from the incision site is expected after surgery. Although the drainage should continue to be monitored for increase or color change, the amount described here is not immediately concerning for a postoperative complication.
- Sensation: The client reports tingling in the fingers, which suggests hypocalcemia due to accidental removal or damage to the parathyroid glands during surgery. Hypocalcemia is a serious complication of thyroidectomy that can progress to muscle cramps, tetany, and seizures if untreated.
- Vital signs: The client’s rising temperature, tachycardia, hypertension, and increased respiratory rate are concerning for a developing thyroid storm, a rare but life-threatening complication after thyroid surgery. These vital signs warrant immediate intervention to prevent rapid deterioration.
- Pain assessment: A pain score of 3 out of 10 is mild and expected following surgery. This level of discomfort is manageable and not indicative of a major complication, provided it does not rapidly escalate or localize severely around the surgical site.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Monitor the client for 1 hr after meals: Clients with anorexia nervosa are at high risk for purging behaviors such as vomiting or excessive exercise after meals. Monitoring them for at least 1 hour post-meal helps prevent these behaviors and supports the therapeutic goal of safe weight restoration.
B. Allow the client 2 hr to finish meals: Allowing 2 hours to complete meals is too long and may encourage food avoidance behaviors. Structured meal times with limits (usually around 30 to 45 minutes) are important to establish routine eating habits and prevent manipulation of eating times.
C. Weigh the client every 2 days: Clients with anorexia nervosa are typically weighed daily, often at the same time each morning, to closely monitor weight trends and assess the effectiveness of the treatment plan. Monitoring every 2 days may miss rapid changes that require immediate intervention.
D. Check the client's vital signs two times per week: Vital signs should be checked daily in clients with anorexia nervosa, especially early in treatment, because of the risks of bradycardia, hypotension, and hypothermia. Infrequent monitoring can delay recognition of life-threatening physiological instability.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Hyperbilirubinemia: Hyperbilirubinemia in neonates is commonly due to immature liver function and the breakdown of red blood cells after birth. It is not linked to maternal folic acid deficiency and would not be prevented through maternal folic acid supplementation.
B. Hyperemesis gravidarum: Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe form of nausea and vomiting that occurs during pregnancy, affecting the mother rather than the neonate. Folic acid supplementation does not prevent this condition, as it is more related to hormonal changes during pregnancy.
C. Iron deficiency anemia: Iron deficiency anemia occurs when there is an inadequate amount of iron, not folic acid, in the mother’s or infant’s diet. While iron is important during pregnancy for both the mother and the developing fetus, folic acid deficiency primarily affects neural tube development, not iron levels or red blood cell production in the same way. Iron supplementation is recommended during pregnancy to prevent iron deficiency anemia.
D. Neural tube defects: Neural tube defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, are directly linked to folic acid deficiency during early pregnancy. Adequate folic acid intake before conception and during early pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of these serious birth defects affecting the brain and spine.
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