Medical Surgical ATI Proctored Exam Related

Review Medical Surgical ATI Proctored Exam related questions and content

After a client's neck dissection surgery resulted in damage to the superior laryngeal nerve, what area of assessment should the nurse prioritize?

  • A. The client's swallowing ability
  • B. The client's ability to speak
  • C. The client's management of secretions
  • D. The client's airway patency
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: The client's swallowing ability. Damage to the superior laryngeal nerve can lead to swallowing difficulties, as it innervates the muscles involved in swallowing. Prioritizing assessment of swallowing ability is crucial to prevent aspiration and ensure adequate nutrition intake.

Incorrect choices:
B: The client's ability to speak - Damage to the superior laryngeal nerve mainly affects swallowing, not speech.
C: The client's management of secretions - While important, it is secondary to swallowing assessment in this context.
D: The client's airway patency - Although important, focusing on swallowing ability is more directly related to the nerve damage.