The nurse is caring for a patient who underwent thyroid surgery the day before. The patient reports feeling numb around the mouth and experiencing random muscle twitches. The nurse anticipates the physician will order which of the following intravenous medications?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient is likely experiencing hypocalcemia due to damage or removal of the parathyroid glands during thyroid surgery. Symptoms of hypocalcemia include numbness around the mouth and muscle twitches. Calcium gluconate is the appropriate medication to treat this condition. Sodium bicarbonate is used to treat acidosis, potassium chloride is used to treat hypokalemia, and iodine is not indicated for the patient's symptoms.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Underwent Thyroid