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After undergoing a thyroidectomy, a client is monitored for signs of damage to the parathyroid glands postoperatively. The nurse would determine which finding suggests damage to the parathyroid glands?
- A. Fever
- B. Neck pain
- C. Hoarseness
- D. Tingling around the mouth
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The parathyroid glands can be damaged or their blood supply impaired during thyroid surgery. Hypocalcemia and tetany result when parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels decrease. The nurse monitors for complaints of tingling around the mouth or of the toes or fingers and muscular twitching because these are signs of calcium deficiency. Additional later signs of hypocalcemia are positive Chvostek's and Trousseau's signs. Fever may be expected in the immediate postoperative period but is not an indication of damage to the parathyroid glands. However, if a fever persists the primary health care provider is notified. Neck pain and hoarseness are expected findings postoperatively.
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A client is diagnosed with hypothyroidism. The nurse performs an assessment on the client, expecting to note which findings? Select all that apply.
- A. Weight loss
- B. Bradycardia
- C. Hypotension
- D. Dry, scaly skin
- E. Heat intolerance
- F. Decreased body temperature
Correct Answer: B,C,D,F
Rationale: The manifestations of hypothyroidism are the result of decreased metabolism from low levels of thyroid hormones. Some of these manifestations are bradycardia; hypotension; cool, dry, scaly skin; decreased body temperature; dry, coarse, brittle hair; decreased hair growth; cold intolerance; slowing of intellectual functioning; lethargy; weight gain; and constipation.
A primary health care provider prescribes 1000 mL of normal saline to infuse at 100 mL/hour. The drop factor is 10 drops/mL. The nurse should set the flow rate at how many drops per minute?
Correct Answer: 17
Rationale: It will take 10 hours for 1000 mL to infuse at 100 mL/hour (1000 mL ÷ 100 mL = 10 hour × 60 min = 600 min). Next, use the intravenous (IV) flow rate formula. Formula: Total volume × Drop factor ÷ Time in minutes. 1000 mL × 10 Drops/mL = 10,000 ÷ 600 min = 16.6, or 17 Drops/minute.
The nurse is preparing to administer eardrops to an infant. The nurse should plan to proceed by taking which step to assure the appropriate instillation of the medication?
- A. Pull down and back on the auricle, and direct the solution onto the eardrum.
- B. Pull up and back on the earlobe, and direct the solution toward the wall of the ear canal.
- C. Pull up and back on the auricle, and direct the solution toward the wall of the ear canal.
- D. Pull down and back on the auricle, and direct the solution toward the wall of the ear canal.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The infant should be turned on the side with the affected ear uppermost. With the nondominant hand, the nurse pulls down and back on the auricle. The wrist of the dominant hand is rested on the infant's head. The medication is administered by aiming it at the wall of the ear canal rather than directly onto the eardrum. The infant should be held or positioned with the affected ear uppermost for 10 to 15 minutes to retain the solution. In the adult, the auricle is pulled up and back to straighten the auditory canal.
A prenatal client is being evaluated for possible gestational diabetes. Which data identified and documented after the client's initial nursing assessment would support that diagnosis?
- A. 22 years old
- B. A gravida 4, para 0, aborta 3
- C. 5^{\prime} 6^{\prime \prime tall, weighs 130 pounds
- D. Stated, 'I get really tired after working all day'
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A history of unexplained stillbirths or miscarriages puts the client at high risk for gestational diabetes. Fatigue is a normal occurrence during pregnancy. The client's height (5'6†tall) and weight (130 pounds) do not meet the criteria of 20% over ideal weight. Therefore, the client is not obese, a possible factor related to gestational diabetes. To be at high risk for gestational diabetes, the maternal age should be greater than 25 years.
The nurse is performing an assessment on a female client who is suspected of having mittelschmerz. Which subjective finding supports the possibility of this condition?
- A. Experiences pain during intercourse
- B. Has pain at the onset of menstruation
- C. Experiences profuse vaginal bleeding
- D. Has sharp pelvic pain during ovulation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Mittelschmerz (middle pain) refers to pelvic pain that occurs midway between menstrual periods or at the time of ovulation. The pain is caused by a growth follicle within the ovary, or rupture of the follicle and subsequent spillage of follicular fluid and blood into the peritoneal space. The pain is fairly sharp and is felt on the right or left side of the pelvis. It generally lasts 1 to 3 days, and slight vaginal bleeding may accompany the discomfort.