Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the postoperative teaching for a patient diagnosed with thyroid cancer who had a thyroidectomy and is receiving levothyroxine?
Regular follow-up appointments and blood tests are necessary to monitor your thyroid hormone levels.
You may experience weight gain as a side effect of levothyroxine.
You should take your levothyroxine medication with food.
It is important to avoid any dietary restrictions while taking levothyroxine.
The Correct Answer is A
A. After a thyroidectomy and when receiving levothyroxine, it is essential for the patient to have regular follow-ups and blood tests (specifically TSH and free T4 levels) to ensure the dosage of levothyroxine is appropriate and to monitor for any complications related to the thyroid hormone levels.
B. Levothyroxine is a thyroid hormone replacement and, when taken appropriately, should help maintain a normal metabolism, potentially preventing weight gain. Weight changes can occur, but they are more likely to be due to improper dosing or underlying issues rather than a direct side effect of the medication itself.
C. Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, typically 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast, to ensure optimal absorption. Taking it with food can reduce its effectiveness.
D. While there are no strict dietary restrictions for most patients on levothyroxine, certain foods (such as those high in soy or fiber) can interfere with absorption if consumed around the time of taking the medication. Patients should be informed to take levothyroxine consistently and to wait a while before consuming certain foods that may impact absorption.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. A carotid endarterectomy does not involve bypassing the plaques; rather, it directly addresses the blockage.
B. Carotid endarterectomy is a surgical procedure that involves making an incision in the neck to access the carotid artery, where the surgeon removes the atherosclerotic plaques that are causing narrowing and restricting blood flow. This helps reduce the risk of stroke.
C. Carotid endarterectomy is not brain surgery; it is performed on the carotid arteries in the neck. The procedure aims to prevent strokes by improving blood flow to the brain, but it does not involve surgery on the brain itself.
D. This description does not accurately reflect carotid endarterectomy. The procedure does not involve resecting an artery in the brain or using a graft; rather, it focuses on removing plaques from the carotid artery in the neck.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. After a thyroidectomy and when receiving levothyroxine, it is essential for the patient to have regular follow-ups and blood tests (specifically TSH and free T4 levels) to ensure the dosage of levothyroxine is appropriate and to monitor for any complications related to the thyroid hormone levels.
B. Levothyroxine is a thyroid hormone replacement and, when taken appropriately, should help maintain a normal metabolism, potentially preventing weight gain. Weight changes can occur, but they are more likely to be due to improper dosing or underlying issues rather than a direct side effect of the medication itself.
C. Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, typically 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast, to ensure optimal absorption. Taking it with food can reduce its effectiveness.
D. While there are no strict dietary restrictions for most patients on levothyroxine, certain foods (such as those high in soy or fiber) can interfere with absorption if consumed around the time of taking the medication. Patients should be informed to take levothyroxine consistently and to wait a while before consuming certain foods that may impact absorption.
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