The nurse is giving report to a licensed practical nurse (LPN) who will be helping to monitor a client who just had a total thyroidectomy. What will the nurse emphasize as most important to report immediately?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Respiratory distress is a life-threatening complication of thyroid surgery that occurs when swelling in the surgical area at the base of the neck compresses the airway. Stridor and/or difficulty breathing in the client who has had thyroid surgery should be reported immediately to the registered nurse, and a rapid response should be activated. (Option A) Although elevated blood pressure is important to monitor, it is a less serious symptom than stridor. (Option B) An irregular heart rate is a less serious symptom than stridor, and it may be a baseline finding in the client with hyperthyroidism. (Option C) Although low oxygen saturation is a sign of impending airway compromise, it is also commonly seen in all types of postoperative clients, making it a less specific sign of airway obstruction than noisy breathing in the thyroidectomy client. Educational objective: Airway swelling is a life-threatening complication of thyroid surgery. Signs of respiratory distress such as stridor and dyspnea require rapid intervention.

The Nurse Is Giving Report to a Licensed Practical Nurse