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.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Positioning right lateral with head elevation may shift fluid but does not restore drain suction. Compressing the bulb creates negative pressure, promoting drainage. Positioning is less effective, per surgical drain management and postoperative care standards in nursing practice.

Choice B reason: Compressing the bulb with the tab open, then reinserting it, restores negative pressure, enhancing drainage in the surgical drain. This ensures fluid removal, preventing hematoma or infection, per evidence-based surgical drain management and postoperative care protocols in nursing practice.

Choice C reason: Irrigating the drain with saline risks infection and is not standard for low drainage. Compressing the bulb restores suction, promoting drainage safely. Irrigation is inappropriate, per surgical drain management and infection control standards in postoperative nursing care.

Choice D reason: Reinforcing dressings and assessing drainage addresses symptoms, not the cause of low drainage. Compressing the bulb restores suction, increasing drainage effectively. Dressings are secondary, per surgical drain management and postoperative wound care protocols in nursing practice.

A. Performs activities of daily living. B. Explains answers to open-ended questions. C. Reports enjoyment from assigned activities. D. Shares a personal story with peers.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Avolition in schizophrenia is lack of motivation for goal-directed tasks, linked to prefrontal dopamine deficits. Performing activities of daily living (e.g., hygiene) shows improved motivation, achieving the goal. This reflects enhanced frontal lobe function, addressing the negative symptom of avolition, critical for functional recovery in schizophrenia.

Choice B reason: Explaining answers to open-ended questions shows cognitive ability, not motivation. Avolition impairs initiative for tasks like self-care, not verbal skills. Schizophrenia’s negative symptoms reduce drive, and this behavior does not address the motivational deficit targeted, making it less relevant than performing daily activities.

Choice C reason: Reporting enjoyment suggests improved affect but not motivation. Avolition involves initiating tasks, not emotional response. Performing daily activities directly demonstrates overcoming avolition, a negative symptom of reduced drive, aligning with the goal of enhancing goal-directed behavior in schizophrenia, making this less indicative.

Choice D reason: Sharing a story indicates social engagement, impaired in schizophrenia but not specific to avolition, which affects motivation for routine tasks. Performing daily activities directly shows improved initiative, addressing the treatment goal’s focus on overcoming dopamine-related motivational deficits, making social sharing less relevant.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

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

A client who had a radical neck dissection returns to the surgical unit with two surgical drains in the right side of the incision. One drain bulb is open and has minimal drainage. Which action should the nurse take to increase drainage into the drain?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The mental health team working with a homeless client with chronic schizophrenia establishes the treatment goal of, “Improvement in avolition prior to discharge.” Which behavior demonstrates achievement of this goal to the nurse?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

During a home visit, the nurse assesses the skin of a client with eczema who reports that an exacerbation of symptoms has occurred during the last week. Which information is most useful in determining the possible cause of the symptoms?

A client with a history of schizophrenia, and drug and alcohol abuse is admitted to the hospital for hepatitis. The nurse should contact the healthcare provider before implementing which prescription?

An older adult client, who is insulin-dependent, arrives at the diabetic clinic with concerns of thick, crusty, and long toenails that are piercing the adjacent toes. Which action should the nurse take?

Which instruction should the nurse include in the discharge teaching plan of a client who is prescribed ibuprofen for arthritic pain?

When performing postural drainage on a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which approach should the nurse use?

Following admission for a cardiac catheterization, the nurse is providing discharge teaching to the parents of a 2-year-old toddler with Tetralogy of Fallot. Which instruction should the nurse give the parents if their child becomes pale, cool, and lethargic?

The nurse observes an adult client perform a return demonstration of diaphragmatic breathing. The client inhales while holding the abdomen, then removes the hand to allow expansion of the abdomen during exhalation. Which action should the nurse take after observing the client’s demonstration?