A nurse is assisting in the care of a client in an outpatient mental health clinic.

Click to highlight the findings that indicate the client is experiencing adverse effects of the medication. To deselect a finding, click on the finding again.

Nurses' Notes

Today:

Client states, "I'm feeling much better." They report less fatigue, even though they have difficulty sleeping. Client reports they are not sad anymore but are experiencing more frequent headaches. Client continues to deny any suicidal ideation.

Vital Signs

Today:

Blood pressure 169/91 mm Hg

Heart rate 78/min

Respiratory rate 18/min

• Apply cooling blanket: The client has an elevated temperature (38.3°C/100.9°F), which could suggest early signs of thyroid storm, a life-threatening complication after thyroid surgery. Applying a cooling blanket is an appropriate non-pharmacological intervention to help manage hyperthermia without medications that could worsen symptoms.

• Monitor vital signs every 4 hours: Frequent monitoring of vital signs is critical after thyroidectomy to detect early signs of complications such as thyroid storm, hemorrhage, or airway compromise. Vital sign changes can provide early warning signs of clinical deterioration and allow for rapid intervention.

• Place client on telemetry: Thyroid storm and other thyroid-related crises can cause arrhythmias, including tachycardia and atrial fibrillation. Continuous cardiac monitoring is anticipated to quickly detect and manage any rhythm disturbances that may arise postoperatively.

• Palpate thyroid area to assess for hematoma: After a thyroidectomy, it is essential to assess for hematoma formation, as hematomas can compress the airway and become life-threatening. Regular palpation of the surgical site helps detect swelling, firmness, or respiratory distress early.

• Administer aspirin for fever: Aspirin is not recommended for fever management in postoperative thyroidectomy clients because it can displace thyroid hormones from binding proteins, potentially worsening thyrotoxicosis. Fever should be managed with other antipyretics like acetaminophen or physical cooling methods instead.

A. The nurse handled the sterile gauze with clean gloves on: Handling sterile gauze with clean, non-sterile gloves contaminates the gauze and compromises the sterile field. Sterile gloves or sterile instruments must be used to maintain sterility.

B. The nurse opened the package of gauze toward their body: Opening a sterile package toward the body increases the risk of contaminating the sterile field. The first flap should always be opened away from the body to maintain proper sterile technique.

C. The nurse placed a bottle of saline on the sterile field: Placing a non-sterile item, such as an unsterilized saline bottle, onto a sterile field contaminates the entire field. Only sterile items should touch the sterile field.

D. The nurse kept their hands above the waist during the dressing change: Maintaining hands above the waist is crucial in sterile technique. Anything held below waist level is considered contaminated, so this action shows proper understanding of maintaining sterility.