The nurse is participating in a care planning conference for a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). What is the nurse's highest priority in providing care to this client?

Choice A Reason: Encouraging the client to cough and deep breathe every two hours, with her neck in a flexed position, is not a priority for a client after a total thyroidectomy, as it may increase the risk of bleeding or damage to the surgical site.

Choice B Reason: Maintaining the client in a Fowler's position, with head neutral supported by pillows, is a priority for a client after a total thyroidectomy, as it helps to reduce swelling and edema, prevent airway obstruction, and promote venous drainage.

Choice C Reason: Maintaining the client in a supine position, with sandbags placed on either side of her head and neck, is not a priority for a client after a total thyroidectomy, as it may impair breathing and circulation, increase pressure on the surgical site, and cause neck stiffness.

Choice D Reason: Encouraging the client to turn head side to side, to promote drainage of oral secretions, is not a priority for a client after a total thyroidectomy, as it may cause pain and discomfort, disrupt the sutures or drains, and increase the risk of infection.

Choice A Reason: N0 does not indicate presence of regional lymph node involvement, but absence of it. N1 to N3 indicate increasing degrees of regional lymph node involvement.

Choice B Reason: TIS does not indicate that a tumor has been resolved, but that it is in situ, meaning that it is confined to the original site and has not invaded deeper tissues.

Choice C Reason: T4 does not indicate a tumor at its smallest size, but at its largest size. T1 to T4 indicate increasing sizes or extents of the primary tumor.

Choice D Reason: M1 indicates tumor metastasis to a single site, meaning that the cancer has spread to another organ or distant lymph node. M0 indicates no distant metastasis.