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 D

Explanation

Choice A reason: A cathartic is contraindicated, as pain, distension, and absent bowel sounds suggest postoperative ileus or obstruction, where peristalsis is impaired. Cathartics risk perforation. A nasogastric tube decompresses the bowel, addressing gastrointestinal stasis, preventing complications like vomiting or rupture.

Choice B reason: Reducing IV fluids does not address pain, distension, or absent bowel sounds, indicating ileus or obstruction. Fluids maintain hydration, but nasogastric tube insertion relieves bowel pressure from gas and fluid, restoring function, making fluid reduction ineffective for this postoperative complication.

Choice C reason: Advancing to liquids is inappropriate with absent bowel sounds and distension, indicating ileus, risking vomiting or aspiration. A nasogastric tube removes gastric contents, allowing bowel recovery. Oral intake worsens obstruction, making this contraindicated compared to decompression for safe recovery.

Choice D reason: Nasogastric tube insertion is critical for pain, distension, and absent bowel sounds, suggesting postoperative ileus or obstruction. It decompresses the stomach, removing gas and fluid, reducing pressure and preventing perforation. This addresses the pathophysiological basis of impaired motility, ensuring safe postoperative recovery.

A. Review client’s history for vascular disease. B. Place a mark where DP pulse is auscultated. C. Assess capillary refill distal to the DP pulse. D. Use a Doppler to assess an audible DP pulse.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Reviewing vascular disease history provides context but does not confirm perfusion status. An absent DP pulse may indicate arterial occlusion, risking ischemia. Doppler assessment directly evaluates blood flow, detecting patency, critical for guiding interventions to ensure limb perfusion, making history review secondary.

Choice B reason: Marking an auscultated DP pulse is incorrect, as pulses are palpated or Doppler-assessed, not auscultated. Auscultation applies to heart or lungs. Doppler confirms arterial flow, addressing absent pulse’s potential occlusion, making this inaccurate compared to the precise Doppler technique.

Choice C reason: Capillary refill evaluates perfusion but is less specific than Doppler, which confirms arterial flow. Prolonged refill may indicate ischemia, but absent DP pulse suggests arterial compromise. Doppler acoustically detects flow, diagnosing critical limb ischemia, making it the priority over indirect perfusion measures.

Choice D reason: Using Doppler to assess DP pulse is critical, as an absent pulse may indicate occlusion from peripheral arterial disease, risking ischemia. Doppler detects blood flow, confirming patency or obstruction, guiding urgent interventions like angiography, ensuring limb viability by addressing vascular compromise directly.

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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

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Correct Answer is D

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