Author Question: While recovering at home from a total laryngectomy, a patient notices an increase in left shoulder ... (Read 79 times)

jeatrice · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

While recovering at home from a total laryngectomy, a patient notices an increase in left shoulder weakness. With what should the nurse realize this symptom is consistent?

1. normal recovery
2. damage to the spinal accessory nerve
3. side effect of neck radiation therapy
4. medication complication

Question 2

A patient with laryngeal cancer is found to have carcinoma in situ. The nurse understands that this cancer is in which stage?

1. stage 0
2. stage I
3. stage II
4. stage III

emsimon14 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 2
Left shoulder drop may be caused by damage to the spinal accessory nerve. This finding should be reported to the physician. Left shoulder weakness in not a normal finding in a post-laryngectomy patient. There is no mention of radiation treatments or medications in the history.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1
A stage 0 laryngeal tumor is carcinoma in situ with no lymph node involvement. Carcinoma in situ would not be staged as I, II, or III.