« previous next »

Author Question: Following a thyroidectomy, a patient complains of a tingling feeling around my mouth. Which ... (Read 22 times)

lbcchick

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 550
on: Jun 25, 2018
Following a thyroidectomy, a patient complains of a tingling feeling around my mouth. Which assessment should the nurse complete immediately?
 
  a. Presence of the Chvostek's sign
  b. Abnormal serum potassium level
  c. Decreased thyroid hormone level
  d. Bleeding on the patient's dressing

Question 2

A patient has a serum calcium level of 7.0 mEq/L. Which assessment finding is most important for the nurse to report to the health care provider?
 
  a. The patient is experiencing laryngeal stridor.
  b. The patient complains of generalized fatigue.
  c. The patient's bowels have not moved for 4 days.
  d. The patient has numbness and tingling of the lips.


alexanderhamilton

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 334
Reply #1 on: Jun 25, 2018
Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The patient's symptoms indicate possible hypocalcemia, which can occur secondary to parathyroid injury/removal during thyroidectomy. There is no indication of a need to check the potassium level, the thyroid hormone level, or for bleeding.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Hypocalcemia can cause laryngeal stridor, which may lead to respiratory arrest. Rapid action is required to correct the patient's calcium level. The other data are also consistent with hypocalcemia, but do not indicate a need for as immediate action as laryngospasm.


Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
« previous next »
 

Did you know?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released reports detailing the deaths of infants (younger than 1 year of age) who died after being given cold and cough medications. This underscores the importance of educating parents that children younger than 2 years of age should never be given over-the-counter cold and cough medications without consulting their physicians.

Did you know?

Approximately 25% of all reported medication errors result from some kind of name confusion.

Did you know?

Interferon was scarce and expensive until 1980, when the interferon gene was inserted into bacteria using recombinant DNA technology, allowing for mass cultivation and purification from bacterial cultures.

Did you know?

Most women experience menopause in their 50s. However, in 1994, an Italian woman gave birth to a baby boy when she was 61 years old.

Did you know?

Multiple sclerosis is a condition wherein the body's nervous system is weakened by an autoimmune reaction that attacks the myelin sheaths of neurons.

Symptoms of a patient in shock Symptoms of a patient in shock
A medical assistant listening to the patient and physician discuss the patient's care. A medical assistant listening to the patient and physician discuss the patient's care.
The mask covers both the mouth and nose to prevent exposure to body fluids and airborne droplets. The mask covers both the mouth and nose to prevent exposure to body fluids and airborne droplets.
A patient with exophthalmos. A patient with exophthalmos.
A patient’s cognitive ability depends on his or her psychologic status, which is influenced by ... A patient’s cognitive ability depends on his or her psychologic status, which is influenced by ...
Koplik spots in the mouth of a patient with measles. Koplik spots in the mouth of a patient with measles.
Video: Sperm Formation

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library