The nurse is caring for a patient who is admitted to a surgical unit after a thyroidectomy.
The nurse takes and maintains the inflated blood pressure cuff on the patient and observes a carpopedal spasm.
What does this result indicate to the nurse?
Thyroid storm and elevated triiodothyronine.
Homans sign and deep vein thrombosis.
Trousseau sign and overt tetany.
Chvostek sign and hypocalcemia.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Thyroid storm is a severe complication of hyperthyroidism and is characterized by high fever, tachycardia, and altered mental state, not carpopedal spasm.
Choice B rationale
Homans sign is an indicator of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and is not related to carpopedal spasms observed here.
Choice C rationale
Trousseau sign is a clinical sign of latent tetany seen in patients with hypocalcemia, characterized by carpopedal spasm when blood flow is occluded.
Choice D rationale
Chvostek sign is another sign of hypocalcemia, but it is indicated by facial muscle contraction when tapping the facial nerve, not carpopedal spasm.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Neutropenia is a common side effect of chemotherapy for prostate cancer. It involves a low neutrophil count, making patients more susceptible to infections.
Choice B rationale
Alopecia, or hair loss, is a frequent side effect of chemotherapy due to the treatment attacking rapidly dividing cells, including hair follicles.
Choice C rationale
Thrombosis, the formation of blood clots, is not a typical side effect of chemotherapy for prostate cancer. While cancer itself may increase clotting risk, chemotherapy is not directly linked to thrombosis.
Choice D rationale
Lymphadenopathy, the enlargement of lymph nodes, is not a common toxicity of chemotherapy. It may occur in cancer progression or other infections but not directly due to chemotherapy.
Choice E rationale
Infertility can result from chemotherapy as it can harm reproductive cells. Patients may need to discuss fertility preservation methods before starting treatment.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is Choice C.
Choice A rationale
Facial swelling and jugular vein distension (JVD) are indicative of superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS), not tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). SVCS occurs when the superior vena cava, which carries blood from the head, neck, upper chest, and arms to the heart, is obstructed. This can lead to facial swelling, cyanosis, and distended neck veins due to increased venous pressure.
Choice B rationale
Muscle weakness, confusion, polyuria, and polydipsia are symptoms of hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia is characterized by elevated levels of calcium in the blood, which can cause neuromuscular and cognitive symptoms, excessive urination, and increased thirst.
Choice C rationale
Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is characterized by rapid destruction of tumor cells, leading to elevated levels of uric acid, potassium, and phosphate. Symptoms include flank pain due to uric acid crystallization in the kidneys, and abnormal heart rhythms due to hyperkalemia.
Choice D rationale
Elevated liver function tests, jaundice, and blistering skin rash are symptoms of liver toxicity or hepatic dysfunction, possibly due to drug-induced liver injury. These symptoms are not related to tumor lysis syndrome (TLS).
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