A few hours after returning to the surgical nursing unit, a patient who has undergone a subtotal thyroidectomy develops laryngeal stridor and a cramp in the right hand. The nurse anticipates that intervention will include

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The patient's clinical manifestations are consistent with tetany caused by hypocalcemia resulting from damage to the parathyroid glands during surgery. Tracheostomy may be needed if the calcium does not resolve the stridor. There is no indication that morphine is needed. Endotracheal intubation may be done, but only if calcium is not effective in correcting the stridor.

A Few Hours After Returning to the Surgical Nursing Unit