NCLEX PN Practice Test Related

Review NCLEX PN Practice Test related questions and content

The nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism who had a parathyroidectomy 4 hours ago. Which technique should the nurse use to check for complications in this client?

  • A. Ask the client to place the backs of the hands against each other to provide hyperextension of the wrist while the elbows remain flexed
  • B. Perform the Romberg test by asking the client to stand with the eyes closed and the feet together
  • C. Place a blood pressure (BP) cuff on the client's arm, inflate to pressure greater than systolic BP, and monitor for carpal spasm
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Post-parathyroidectomy, hypocalcemia is a potential complication due to reduced parathyroid hormone levels. Trousseau’s sign (C), elicited by inflating a BP cuff to induce carpal spasm, indicates hypocalcemia, a critical complication requiring prompt intervention. The wrist hyperextension test (A) is unrelated to hypocalcemia, and the Romberg test (B) assesses balance, not relevant to this scenario.