A nurse is collecting data from a client who underwent a thyroidectomy 4 hr ago. Which of the following client findings indicates a complication of the procedure?
Soreness at the incision site
Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
Report of sore throat
Tingling of the fingers
The Correct Answer is D
A. Soreness at the incision site: Mild soreness is an expected postoperative finding.
B. Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing: This type of drainage is typical after surgery and not concerning unless it becomes excessive.
C. Report of a sore throat: A sore throat is expected due to intubation during anesthesia and does not indicate a complication.
D. Tingling of the fingers: Tingling of the fingers suggests hypocalcemia due to potential damage to the parathyroid glands during surgery. This is a serious complication and requires immediate evaluation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"A"},"B":{"answers":"B"},"C":{"answers":"A,B"},"D":{"answers":"A"},"E":{"answers":"A"},"F":{"answers":"A"}}
Explanation
Pain level:
- Small bowel obstruction: The client reports mid-abdominal pain, which is characteristic of small bowel obstruction as the pain is often crampy and located around the abdomen.
- Acute pancreatitis: Abdominal pain is also a common symptom of acute pancreatitis, typically described as severe and persistent.
Social history:
- Small bowel obstruction: Alcohol consumption is not a typical cause of obstruction.
- Acute pancreatitis: Chronic alcohol use is a major risk factor for acute pancreatitis.
Skin findings:
- Small bowel obstruction: Skin findings are usually unaffected.
- Acute pancreatitis: In severe cases, pancreatic enzymes can leak into the skin, leading to ecchymosis (e.g., Grey Turner's or Cullen's sign). While jaundice can occur in acute pancreatitis due to bile duct obstruction, its absence does not rule out the condition.
Lipase level:
- Small bowel obstruction: Lipase is generally normal.
- Acute pancreatitis: Elevated lipase levels are highly indicative of acute pancreatitis.
WBC count:
- Small bowel obstruction: A mild increase in WBC may occur due to bowel distension. The client’s WBC count is 9,000/mm³, which is within the normal range.
- Acute pancreatitis: WBC levels are often elevated due to inflammation.
Abdominal findings:
- Small bowel obstruction: Tenderness and high-pitched bowel sounds are typical signs.
- Acute pancreatitis: Abdominal tenderness can also be present in acute pancreatitis, but high-pitched bowel sounds are more specific to small bowel obstruction.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. "Insert an indwelling urinary catheter and record the client's output.": This is not relevant to a thoracentesis, which focuses on the pleural cavity, not urinary output.
B. "Set up the equipment using clean technique.": Sterile technique is required to prevent infection during the invasive procedure.
C. "Prepare the client for a chest x-ray following the procedure.": A chest x-ray is performed post-thoracentesis to ensure the lung has re-expanded and to rule out complications like pneumothorax.
D. "Instruct the client to remain flat in bed for 4 to 6 hr after the procedure.": The client does not need to remain flat; instead, they are typically observed for respiratory complications in a sitting or semi-Fowler’s position.
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