Author Question: Which statement accurately describes a subtotal thyroidectomy? a. It allows the patient to take ... (Read 72 times)

bclement10 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

Which statement accurately describes a subtotal thyroidectomy?

a. It allows the patient to take minimum amounts of antithyroid drugs.
b. It allows continued production and release of thyroid hormones from the remainder of the gland.
c. It reduces exophthalmos.
d. It poses less postoperative risk than a total thyroidectomy.

Question 2

A 93-year-old resident eats only a few bites at meals and then refuses to eat more. Which intervention might the nurse use to help delay skin breakdown from diminished nutrition?

a. Spoon-feed the resident.
b. Request an order for a feeding tube.
c. Inform the resident of the need to increase intake.
d. Offer 4 ounces of fluid every hour.

peilian · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

B
Patients who do not respond well to antithyroid drug therapy, who are unable to take radioactive iodine, or who have greatly enlarged thyroid glands are candidates for a subtotal thyroidectomy. In the subtotal procedure, two thirds of the glandular mass is removed. The remaining portion of the gland is left intact so production and release of thyroid hormone can continue. There is no need for antithyroid drugs, and the operative risks are the same.

Answer to Question 2

D
Dehydration can cause loss of skin turgor and predisposes the skin to break down. Spoon-feeding and instructing about increased intake may only result in a power struggle with the resident.