The nurse has reviewed the Vital Signs at 1000.
For each potential provider prescription, click to specify if the prescription is anticipated or non-anticipated for the client.
Administer aspirin for fever
Apply cooling blanket
Monitor vital signs every 4 hours
Place client on telemetry
Palpate thyroid area to assess for hematoma
The Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"B"},"B":{"answers":"A"},"C":{"answers":"A"},"D":{"answers":"A"},"E":{"answers":"A"}}
• Apply cooling blanket: The client has an elevated temperature (38.3°C/100.9°F), which could suggest early signs of thyroid storm, a life-threatening complication after thyroid surgery. Applying a cooling blanket is an appropriate non-pharmacological intervention to help manage hyperthermia without medications that could worsen symptoms.
• Monitor vital signs every 4 hours: Frequent monitoring of vital signs is critical after thyroidectomy to detect early signs of complications such as thyroid storm, hemorrhage, or airway compromise. Vital sign changes can provide early warning signs of clinical deterioration and allow for rapid intervention.
• Place client on telemetry: Thyroid storm and other thyroid-related crises can cause arrhythmias, including tachycardia and atrial fibrillation. Continuous cardiac monitoring is anticipated to quickly detect and manage any rhythm disturbances that may arise postoperatively.
• Palpate thyroid area to assess for hematoma: After a thyroidectomy, it is essential to assess for hematoma formation, as hematomas can compress the airway and become life-threatening. Regular palpation of the surgical site helps detect swelling, firmness, or respiratory distress early.
• Administer aspirin for fever: Aspirin is not recommended for fever management in postoperative thyroidectomy clients because it can displace thyroid hormones from binding proteins, potentially worsening thyrotoxicosis. Fever should be managed with other antipyretics like acetaminophen or physical cooling methods instead.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"C","dropdown-group-2":"C"}
Explanation
- 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.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Vitamin D: Vitamin D is a supplement used to support bone health and calcium regulation. It does not have a known adverse interaction with clopidogrel and does not increase the risk of bleeding when taken concurrently.
B. Ranitidine: Ranitidine is an H2 receptor antagonist used to reduce stomach acid. It has minimal interaction with clopidogrel and does not significantly impact bleeding risk, making it generally safe to use alongside antiplatelet therapy.
C. Naproxen: Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding when used with clopidogrel, an antiplatelet agent. Combining these medications heightens the risk of serious bleeding complications and should be avoided without provider guidance.
D. Docusate sodium: Docusate sodium is a stool softener that facilitates easier bowel movements. It does not have a significant interaction with clopidogrel and does not affect bleeding risk, making it generally safe for clients requiring antiplatelet therapy.
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