A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a complete thyroidectomy. Which of the following findings is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?

Serosanguineous drainage

Client report of incisional pain

Client report of nausea

Muscle twitching

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A) Serosanguineous drainage: While serosanguineous drainage can be expected after surgery, it is typically not alarming unless it significantly increases or changes in character. This finding alone does not indicate an immediate complication that requires urgent attention, making it a lower priority to report compared to other findings.

B) Client report of incisional pain: Postoperative pain is common and expected after a complete thyroidectomy. While the nurse should assess and manage the pain appropriately, this symptom is not unusual and does not signal a critical issue that would necessitate immediate reporting to the healthcare provider.

C) Client report of nausea: Nausea can occur after surgery due to anesthesia or medications. Although it should be addressed and managed, it is not a life-threatening complication. Therefore, this finding does not take priority over other more concerning symptoms.

D) Muscle twitching: Muscle twitching in a postoperative thyroidectomy patient may indicate hypocalcemia, a possible complication due to potential damage to the parathyroid glands during surgery. This condition can lead to severe complications if not addressed promptly, including tetany or seizures. Given the potential seriousness of this finding, it is critical for the nurse to report it to the healthcare provider immediately to ensure appropriate evaluation and intervention.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A) Acute loss of alveolar elasticity: While loss of alveolar elasticity can impact overall lung function, it is more associated with chronic conditions like emphysema rather than acute asthma attacks. In asthma, the primary issue is related to airway obstruction and inflammation rather than alveolar elasticity.

B) Decreased responsiveness of airways to allergens: During an acute asthma attack, the airways typically exhibit increased sensitivity and responsiveness to allergens and irritants, not decreased responsiveness. This heightened response contributes to the bronchoconstriction and inflammation seen in asthma.

C) Suppressed bronchiolar inflammatory response: In an asthma attack, there is actually an exaggerated inflammatory response in the bronchioles. This inflammation leads to swelling, mucus production, and bronchoconstriction, which contribute to the difficulty in breathing.

D) Inability to exhale retained carbon dioxide: This is a significant factor during an acute asthma attack. The bronchoconstriction and airway obstruction make it difficult for the client to exhale fully, leading to the retention of carbon dioxide. This can cause respiratory acidosis and worsen the client's condition, highlighting the urgency of treatment.

A. "Your breathing pattern causes this." B. "This indicates a possible air leak." C. "This means your lung is fully re-expanded." D. "Suction pressure that is too high causes this."

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A) "Your breathing pattern causes this.": This statement accurately explains the phenomenon known as "tidaling." The rise and fall of fluid in the water-seal chamber is a normal response to the client’s breathing. As the client inhales, the negative pressure in the pleural space increases, causing the fluid level to rise, and it falls during exhalation. This indicates that the chest tube is functioning properly.

B) "This indicates a possible air leak.": An air leak would typically manifest as continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber, not as tidaling. Tidaling is a normal finding, so this statement is misleading and does not accurately describe the situation.

C) "This means your lung is fully re-expanded.": While tidaling can be a sign of lung re-expansion, it does not definitively indicate that the lung is fully re-expanded. The presence of tidaling alone does not confirm complete re-expansion of the lung.

D) "Suction pressure that is too high causes this.": Suction pressure relates to the amount of suction applied to the drainage system, but it does not cause the normal rise and fall of fluid in the water-seal chamber. This statement is incorrect in the context of explaining the observed phenomenon.

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A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a complete thyroidectomy. Which of the following findings is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing an acute asthma attack. Which of the following should the nurse identify as a contributing factor to the client's manifestations?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube. The client asks why the fluid in the water-seal chamber rises and falls. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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