Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the plan of care for a client who is 12 hours post-thyroidectomy?
Resume antithyroid drug therapy.
Anticipate and monitor for hypothermia.
Prepare to administer radioactive iodine treatments.
Maintain a semi-Fowler position.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Resume antithyroid drug therapy.
Antithyroid medications are typically not resumed immediately post-thyroidectomy unless specifically directed by the healthcare provider. The focus post-surgery is often on managing potential complications and ensuring proper healing.
B. Anticipate and monitor for hypothermia.
Hypothermia is not a common concern following thyroidectomy. The nurse should monitor for other more relevant complications such as bleeding, airway obstruction, and hypocalcemia.
C. Prepare to administer radioactive iodine treatments.
Radioactive iodine treatment is usually not administered immediately post-thyroidectomy. It may be considered later, depending on the reason for the thyroidectomy and the individual treatment plan.
D. Maintain a semi-Fowler position.
This is the correct intervention. Maintaining the client in a semi-Fowler position helps reduce strain on the surgical site, facilitates breathing, and minimizes the risk of complications such as bleeding and edema in the neck area. It is an essential part of postoperative care for
thyroidectomy patients.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Verify the prothrombin time (PT).
While it is important to verify coagulation status in patients with atrial fibrillation to ensure they are not at high risk for bleeding, this is not the most critical step immediately prior to
cardioversion. The PT is more relevant if anticoagulation therapy is being managed.
B. Administer prescribed sedative.
Administering a sedative is important for patient comfort during the procedure, but it is not the most critical step that directly affects the success and safety of the cardioversion itself.
C. Select a monitor lead with a tall R wave.
Selecting a monitor lead with a tall R wave helps in accurately synchronizing the cardioversion shock with the R wave, but this is secondary to activating the synchronization mode which is critical to avoid delivering a shock during the vulnerable period of the cardiac cycle.
D. Activate the synchronization mode.
This is the correct answer. The most important action before deploying the current for cardioversion is to ensure the defibrillator is in synchronization mode. Synchronization ensures that the electrical shock is delivered at the correct time during the cardiac cycle, specifically on the R wave of the QRS complex, to avoid inducing ventricular fibrillation. This is crucial for
patient safety.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. For the next 24 hours, notify the nurse when the bladder is full, and the nurse will collect
catheterized specimens: This instruction is incorrect for a 24-hour urine collection. Catheterized specimens are not typically used for creatinine clearance tests, and the nurse should not be notified when the bladder is full.
B. Urinate immediately into a urinal, and the lab will collect the specimen every 6 hours for the next 24 hours: This instruction is incorrect for a 24-hour urine collection. Creatinine clearance
tests require collection of all urine produced over a 24-hour period, not just specimens at specific intervals.
C. Urinate at a specified time, discard this urine, and collect all subsequent urine during the next 24 hours: This is the correct instruction for a 24-hour urine collection. The client should begin by discarding the first voided urine and then collect all subsequent urine produced over the next 24 hours, including the urine from the specified time.
D. Cleanse around the meatus, discard the first portion of voiding, and collect the rest in a sterile bottle: This instruction is not appropriate for a 24-hour urine collection. It describes a procedure for collecting a clean-catch urine sample, which is different from a 24-hour urine collection for creatinine clearance.
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