During thyroid surgery, the client's parathyroid glands have been damaged. Which condition does the nurse expect the client to develop?

Choice A reason: Dressing involves both sides but can be adapted with the left hand; right-sided CVA impairs left-side function, less affecting dominant right-hand tasks.

Choice B reason: Writing, a fine motor skill, relies on the dominant right hand, controlled by the left brain; right-sided CVA disrupts this, making it most difficult.

Choice C reason: Combing hair uses gross motor skills, manageable with the left hand despite right-sided CVA’s left-sided weakness, less challenging than writing.

Choice D reason: Eating uses the right hand but can be adjusted with utensils or left-hand assistance; it’s less precise than writing, so less impacted.

Choice A reason: Myxedema, severe hypothyroidism, slows metabolism, reducing cardiac output and causing fluid retention in tissues, leading to non-pitting leg edema from glycosaminoglycan deposits and poor circulation.

Choice B reason: Heat intolerance occurs in hyperthyroidism due to increased metabolism raising body temperature. Myxedema causes cold intolerance from slowed metabolism, making this finding unlikely.

Choice C reason: Tachycardia is a hyperthyroid symptom from excess thyroid hormone speeding heart rate. Myxedema leads to bradycardia as metabolism and cardiac activity decrease significantly.

Choice D reason: Diarrhea aligns with hyperthyroidism’s accelerated gut motility. Myxedema causes constipation from slowed metabolism reducing peristalsis, so diarrhea contradicts this condition’s physiology.