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The nurse is preparing to make rounds after shift report. Which client requires further assessment by the nurse? A. A 40-year-old 12 hours post-thyroidectomy experiencing numbness in the face B. A 34-year-old laparoscopic cholecystectomy with a temperature of 99.8F C. A 22-year-old being discharged after an appendectomy D. A 56-year-old diabetic postop colon resection with a blood sugar of 128

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: Client A - A 40-year-old 12 hours post-thyroidectomy experiencing numbness in the face.

Step by step solution

01

Read and understand the clients' situations

Carefully read each client's scenario to grasp the potential risks or issues each of them may be facing. A. A 40-year-old 12 hours post-thyroidectomy experiencing numbness in the face B. A 34-year-old laparoscopic cholecystectomy with a temperature of 99.8F C. A 22-year-old being discharged after an appendectomy D. A 56-year-old diabetic postop colon resection with a blood sugar of 128
02

Rank the scenarios based on urgency

In this step, evaluate each scenario's potential risks or complications and prioritize them, from most to least urgent. - Client A is experiencing facial numbness, which could be a sign of a serious complication such as hypocalcemia. This client, therefore, needs immediate assessment by the nurse. - Client B's temperature of 99.8F may indicate an infection, but it is not critical at this point. - Client C is ready to be discharged, which indicates that there are no urgent issues for the nurse to assess. - Client D's blood sugar level is 128, which is in the target range for a diabetic post-operationally. This client doesn't need urgent assessment.
03

Choose the correct answer based on the ranking

Based on our ranking, the client that requires further assessment by the nurse is Client A (a 40-year-old 12 hours post-thyroidectomy experiencing numbness in the face).

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Post-Thyroidectomy Care
After a thyroidectomy, a patient needs careful postoperative care to ensure a smooth recovery and to monitor for any complications. Nurses play a pivotal role in this stage. A critical aspect of post-thyroidectomy care involves evaluating the patient's calcium levels, as the thyroid gland is located near the parathyroid glands, which regulate calcium. Numbness in the face can be a sign of hypocalcemia, a condition where calcium levels in the blood are low, and this can occur if the parathyroid glands are inadvertently damaged or removed during surgery.

It is essential to monitor the patient's airway for signs of obstruction due to swelling, which can be life-threatening. The nurse should also assess for signs of bleeding or hematoma formation at the surgical site, as this can also compromise the airway. Regular assessment of vital signs, pain levels, and overall comfort are equally important.

Education for the patient is another key component of care. This includes instructions on how to support the neck while moving, pain management strategies, and the importance of taking prescribed medications, such as calcium supplements or thyroid hormone replacements.
Nursing Assessment Priorities
The nursing assessment of a postoperative patient, especially after thyroid surgery, should prioritize potential life-threatening complications. The presence of numbness or tingling sensations, particularly in the face or hands, can illuminate urgent concerns like hypocalcemia or tetany, requiring rapid intervention. Assessing for signs of respiratory distress is also critical, as swelling can lead to airway compromise.

Other priorities include monitoring for signs of infection, such as fever, which could result from surgical site infection or systemic issues. The nurse should continuously assess the incision site for signs of hemorrhage or hematoma. Evaluating the patient's ability to speak may also provide clues to recurrent laryngeal nerve damage, which can happen during thyroid surgery.
  • Closely monitor vital signs
  • Check calcium levels
  • Observe neck swelling or discomfort
  • Assess pain and administer analgesics as prescribed
  • Monitor for signs of infection or bleeding
  • Ensure understanding and adherence to discharge instructions
Postoperative Complications
Postoperative complications can pose significant risks to patients and need to be promptly identified and managed. After thyroidectomy, the most common complications include hypocalcemia due to accidental parathyroid gland injury, bleeding, hematoma, infection, and airway obstruction. Manifestations to look for include numbness in the face or extremities, changes in voice, difficulty breathing, swelling in the neck, excessive pain, and signs of infection like fever.

The nurse's ability to detect these complications early is crucial for successful intervention and patient outcomes. In the case of hypocalcemia, immediate administration of calcium is often necessary. For bleeding and hematoma, maintaining a patent airway and preparing for potential surgical intervention to relieve a hematoma may be required. Prompt recognition and treatment of infection with appropriate antibiotics is also vital. Comprehensive postoperative care aims to manage these complications and support the patient's recovery process adequately.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The nurse is to obtain surgical consent for a client who is scheduled to be transferred to OR for an appendectomy. The emergency room report indicates meperidine (Demerol) IM and ceftriaxone (Rocephin) IVPB was administered 15 minutes ago. Which action is most appropriate? A. Get the patient to sign the operative permit B. Obtain consent signature from the client's spouse C. Call surgery and inform the staff to cancel the procedure D. Waive the signing of the permit because of the emergency

Which two clients can be assigned to share the room? A. The 15-year-old with pneumonia and a 10-year-old with human immunovirus B. The 30-year-old with leukemia receiving chemotherapy and the 25 year-old with bronchitis C. The 60-year-old with gastroenteritis and the 65 -year-old with Cushing's disease D. The 70-year-old with diabetes and the 75-year-old with a fractured hip

Which of the following nursing duties is within the scope of practice of the licensed practical nurse? A. Providing final discharge teaching for a client with a diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease B. Instructing a newly diagnosed diabetic on how to administer his insulin injections C. Monitoring the vital signs of a client receiving a blood transfusion D. Flushing a central line with a heparin solution

The nurse realizes that the nursing assistant needs further teaching if she observes the nursing assistant: A. Walking the postoperative client with leg pain B. Bathing the client using soap and water C. Changing the bed of the client in traction from top to bottom D. Feeding the client using a disposable spoon and fork

The PN nurse is giving a report to a nursing student. Which information should be reported if the client has a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism? A. Tachycardia B. Subnormal temperature C. Frontal headache D. Insomnia

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