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Difficulty: HardPhysiological Adaptation

A practical nurse (PN) is monitoring a client who is three hours postoperative following a subtotal thyroidectomy. The client expresses feeling a tight sensation in the throat and is noted to be swallowing repeatedly. The client's heart rate has increased to 112 beats per minute, and blood pressure is 98/60 mm Hg. What is the priority action for the PN?

  1. Examine the surgical dressing and the posterior area of the neck for blood pooling.Answer
  2. B
    Provide oral ice chips to soothe the throat and decrease the urge to swallow.
  3. C
    Document the vital signs as expected postoperative variations and continue routine checks.
  4. D
    Retrieve the prescribed PRN analgesic to manage the reported incisional tightness.

Answer

Examine the surgical dressing and the posterior area of the neck for blood pooling.
The correct answer addresses the highest priority threat: Airway and Circulation. Frequent swallowing, a tight sensation in the neck, tachycardia, and borderline hypotension in a post-thyroidectomy client are cardinal signs of hemorrhage and hematoma formation. The practical nurse must immediately perform a focused assessment by checking the anterior dressing and the back of the neck, as gravity causes blood to pool posteriorly. This data is essential to confirm the emergency before quickly escalating the findings to the registered nurse and provider.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the client's reported symptoms and behaviors.
Frequent swallowing and a tight sensation in the throat are identified as classic signs of bleeding or hematoma formation after neck surgery.
Blood can pool internally, causing a feeling of fullness and triggering the swallow reflex before external bleeding is readily visible.
2
Evaluate the client's vital signs.
The heart rate of 112 beats per minute and blood pressure of 98/60 mm Hg are recognized as borderline physiological parameters.
Tachycardia and a slightly lowered blood pressure are early compensatory mechanisms for hypovolemia due to acute hemorrhage.
3
Determine the priority nursing intervention based on the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation).
The practical nurse must immediately collect focused data to confirm the presence of hemorrhage before escalating the situation.
Because hemorrhage in the neck can rapidly compress the trachea and cause a loss of the airway, verifying the bleeding by checking the dressing and behind the neck is the absolute first step.

Key Concept

Recognition of post-thyroidectomy hemorrhage and airway compromise
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Physiological Adaptation

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