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The nurse has reviewed the Nurses' Notes and Vital Signs at 0900.

Complete the following sentence by using the lists of options.

The client is most at risk for

due to .
Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"C","dropdown-group-2":"C"}

  • seizures: If a thyroid storm occurs, the client can experience seizures due to the extreme metabolic disturbances and nervous system overstimulation it causes. Seizures would be a serious complication indicating worsening neurological function. Therefore, the client’s risk for seizures is directly related to the risk of developing a thyroid storm after surgery.
  • paralytic ileus: Paralytic ileus involves bowel inactivity post-surgery, but the client had normoactive bowel sounds before surgery and no current documentation of absent or significantly reduced bowel activity. Therefore, this is not the most immediate risk based on current findings.
  • pneumonia: The client is receiving oxygen therapy and has a slightly increased respiratory rate after surgery, but no signs of labored breathing, abnormal lung sounds, or infection are reported. Although inactivity can contribute to pneumonia risk postoperatively, there are no current findings indicating that pneumonia is developing right now.
  • thyroid storm: The client had a thyroidectomy after presenting with signs of severe hyperthyroidism (weight loss, heat intolerance, anxiety, exophthalmos, goiter) and elevated T3 and T4 levels. Thyroid storm is a critical risk after thyroidectomy due to sudden hormone release, and it can cause life-threatening complications such as high fever, hypertension, tachycardia, and altered mental status.
  • bowel sounds: The bowel sounds were normal before surgery, and there is no mention of significant gastrointestinal changes postoperatively. Bowel sounds alone are not the critical factor leading to the client’s highest current risk.
  • inactivity: The client is currently lethargic after surgery and under the effects of anesthesia, which reduces movement and activity. Inactivity can cause decreased lung expansion and increase the risk of pulmonary complications like pneumonia. Although this is a concern, inactivity is not the client's most critical immediate risk compared to thyroid storm.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"A"},"B":{"answers":"A,B"},"C":{"answers":"A,B"},"D":{"answers":"A"}}

Explanation

  • Blood pressure: The client's significantly elevated blood pressure (162/112 mm Hg and 166/110 mm Hg) is characteristic of preeclampsia, which is defined by new-onset hypertension after 20 weeks of gestation. Hypertension is a major diagnostic criterion for preeclampsia but is not required for diagnosing HELLP syndrome.
  • Platelet count: The platelet count of 98,000/mm³ is lower than normal, supporting both preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. In preeclampsia, thrombocytopenia can occur as the disease progresses, and in HELLP syndrome, low platelets are one of the triad components (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelet count).
  • Alanine aminotransferase (ALT): An ALT level of 40 Units/L is above the normal limit, indicating liver involvement. Elevated liver enzymes occur in both severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome, reflecting hepatic dysfunction or injury caused by systemic endothelial damage.
  • Hemoglobin: A hemoglobin of 18.0 g/dL is unusually high and suggests hemoconcentration, which is typical of preeclampsia due to fluid shifts out of the vascular space. In contrast, HELLP syndrome typically causes hemolysis leading to anemia, where hemoglobin would be expected to be low rather than elevated.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. "Have you thought about moving to a new neighborhood?": This response may dismiss the client’s feelings and doesn't directly address the anxiety. It also suggests an unrealistic solution without understanding the root cause of the client's anxiety.

B. "Let's discuss how you feel when you leave your house.": This response encourages open communication and invites the client to express their feelings. It focuses on understanding the client’s anxiety, which is the first step in addressing and managing it.

C. "Tell me why you have developed an aversion to leaving your house.": While exploring the cause of the anxiety is important, this response may come across as judgmental and could make the client feel defensive. A more open and empathetic approach would help the client feel more comfortable discussing their feelings.

D. "Have you tried leaving your house just once per day?": While this might be helpful in a later stage of treatment, it doesn't address the underlying anxiety and could be perceived as a directive instead of an empathetic, open-ended question to explore the client's emotions and experiences.

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