While assessing a patient who has just arrived in the post-anesthesia recovery unit (PACU) after a thyroidectomy, the nurse obtains this data. Which is the most important to communicate to the surgeon?

The patient’s voice is weak and hoarse sounding.

The patient is complaining of a 7/10 incisional pain.

The patient’s cardiac monitor shows a heart rate of 112.

The patient is increasingly swelling at the neck.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

This is a critical finding that could indicate bleeding or compromised airway, both of which are potentially life-threatening complications following a thyroidectomy. Immediate intervention may be necessary to prevent further harm to the patient. The other options are important to note and should be addressed, but they do not require immediate intervention as the swelling in the neck does.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

One of the hallmarks of adrenal insufficiency is dehydration and decreased urinary output, which can lead to electrolyte imbalances such as hyperkalemia and hyponatremia. As treatment begins to take eﬀect, the patient's ﬂuid and electrolyte balance should improve, leading to an increase in urinary output. Acute adrenal insufficiency, also known as the Addisonian crisis, is a life-threatening condition caused by a sudden decrease in cortisol and aldosterone hormones. Treatment usually involves the administration of intravenous glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids to replace the deficient hormones.
Decreasing serum sodium (a) and decreasing blood glucose (b) are not signs of improvement but rather indicative of continued adrenal insufficiency. Decreasing serum potassium (c) is also not a sign of improvement as it could indicate that the patient is developing hyperkalemia, which is a potential complication of adrenal crisis.

A. The client's stool is positive for occult blood. B. The client reports abdominal discomfort an hour after each meal. C. The client has had four ulcers in the last 5 years. D. The client's hemoglobin is 13 g/dL and hematocrit is 42%.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Abdominal discomfort an hour after a meal is a common symptom of a gastric ulcer because the stomach is where food is initially processed, and stomach acid is most concentrated. In contrast, duodenal ulcers typically cause pain 2-3 hours after meals, as food moves out of the stomach and into the duodenum, where it encounters duodenal acid.

A positive stool occult blood test is a non-specific finding that can be caused by many gastrointestinal conditions, including peptic ulcers. It does not indicate the location of the ulcer.

The number of ulcers the client has had in the past does not indicate the location of the current ulcer.

Normal hemoglobin and hematocrit levels do not provide information about the location of the ulcer.

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While assessing a patient who has just arrived in the post-anesthesia recovery unit (PACU) after a thyroidectomy, the nurse obtains this data. Which is the most important to communicate to the surgeon?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A patient is hospitalized with acute adrenal insufficiency. The nurse determines that the patient is responding favorably to treatment on finding:

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a client with diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease. Which assessment finding indicates to the nurse that the client most likely has an ulcer in the stomach rather than the duodenum?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The physical environment and traffic control measures of the operating room are designed primarily to:

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