Following a total thyroidectomy, the nurse plans to observe a client for complications. Which finding indicates that the client has developed a complication?

Denies muscle spasms in extremities.

Complains of back and joint tenderness and pain.

Complains of muscle twitching in hands and feet.

Diaphoretic, but denies any headache.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: Denying muscle spasms is normal and not a complication. Muscle twitching indicates hypocalcemia, a thyroidectomy risk due to parathyroid damage. Absence of spasms is reassuring, per postoperative complication monitoring and endocrine surgical care standards in nursing.

Choice B reason: Back and joint pain are nonspecific and not typical thyroidectomy complications. Muscle twitching suggests hypocalcemia, a critical issue post-thyroidectomy. Pain requires assessment but is less urgent, per postoperative monitoring and complication management protocols in surgical nursing.

Choice C reason: Muscle twitching in hands and feet indicates hypocalcemia, a serious complication from parathyroid gland damage during thyroidectomy. This requires immediate calcium replacement to prevent tetany, per postoperative complication monitoring and endocrine surgical care protocols in nursing practice.

Choice D reason: Diaphoresis without headache is nonspecific and not a primary thyroidectomy complication. Muscle twitching signals hypocalcemia, needing urgent intervention. Diaphoresis requires monitoring but is less critical, per postoperative assessment and complication management standards in surgical nursing.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: A soft diet with milk products may worsen diverticulosis, as dairy can cause bloating or intolerance. High fiber and fluids prevent constipation, reducing diverticular pressure. This is inappropriate, per dietary management and gastrointestinal health guidelines for diverticulosis in nursing education.

Choice B reason: A high fiber diet and increased fluid intake prevent constipation, reducing pressure in diverticula and preventing complications like diverticulitis. This promotes bowel regularity, critical for managing diverticulosis, per evidence-based dietary recommendations and gastrointestinal health protocols in patient education for nursing care.

Choice C reason: Small frequent meals and sitting up after meals aid digestion but do not address diverticulosis-specific needs. High fiber and fluids directly prevent constipation, reducing diverticular strain. This is less effective, per dietary management and patient teaching standards for diverticulosis in nursing.

Choice D reason: A bland diet avoiding spicy foods is unrelated to diverticulosis, which requires fiber to prevent constipation. Spicy foods do not directly affect diverticula. High fiber and fluids are critical, per gastrointestinal health and dietary management guidelines for diverticulosis in nursing education.

A. Complete an assessment of the client's pain. B. Determine if the client has had a shingles vaccination. C. Perform a complete mental status exam. D. Teach the client about phantom pain symptoms.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Persistent pain after Herpes zoster suggests postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a neuropathic condition from varicella-zoster virus damaging sensory nerves. Assessing pain intensity, location, and characteristics guides treatment with analgesics or anticonvulsants like gabapentin. This step differentiates PHN from other causes, ensuring targeted therapy to alleviate nerve pain and improve quality of life.

Choice B reason: Checking shingles vaccination status is irrelevant for current pain, as the client already had Herpes zoster. Vaccination prevents initial infection but does not treat PHN, which results from nerve damage during active infection. Pain assessment is critical to address neuropathic symptoms caused by viral-induced sensory nerve dysfunction, making this less urgent.

Choice C reason: A mental status exam evaluates cognition but is not indicated for PHN, a physiological condition from nerve damage, not a cognitive issue. Pain is neuropathic, driven by damaged sensory neurons, not psychological factors. Assessing pain directly addresses the client’s complaint, guiding treatment for nerve-related discomfort, making this action inappropriate.

Choice D reason: Teaching about phantom pain is incorrect, as phantom pain occurs post-amputation, not after shingles. PHN involves persistent nerve pain in the affected dermatome due to viral nerve damage. Misdiagnosing this could delay proper management, as pain assessment is needed to confirm PHN and initiate therapies like gabapentin, not phantom pain education.

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Following a total thyroidectomy, the nurse plans to observe a client for complications. Which finding indicates that the client has developed a complication?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

When conducting discharge teaching for a client diagnosed with diverticulosis, which diet instruction should the nurse include?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Five months following treatment for Herpes zoster (shingles), an older adult client tells the home health nurse of continuing to experience pain where the rash occurred. Which action should the nurse implement?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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