A nurse is caring for a client who is four hours post-operative following a total thyroidectomy. The client suddenly becomes highly agitated and reports a sensation of intense pressure and fullness in the neck. Upon inspection, the surgical dressing is dry and intact, but the nurse auscultates high-pitched, harsh respiratory sounds during inspiration. The client's voice has become noticeably muffled. Which action should the nurse take immediately?
- Elevate the head of the bed to a semi-Fowler's position and activate the rapid response team.Cevap
- BLower the head of the bed to a supine position and hyperextend the neck to maximize airway patency.
- CAssess for a positive Trousseau's sign and prepare to administer intravenous calcium gluconate.
- DApply a pulse oximeter and obtain an arterial blood gas sample to evaluate the degree of respiratory acidosis.
Cevap
The nurse should immediately elevate the head of the bed to a semi-Fowler's position and activate the rapid response team.
The client's presentation of agitation, neck fullness, a muffled voice, and inspiratory stridor strongly indicates a rapidly expanding neck hematoma causing tracheal compression. This is a life-threatening airway emergency. The immediate priority is to elevate the head of the bed to a semi-Fowler's position to promote venous return, decrease local tissue edema, and facilitate breathing, while simultaneously activating the rapid response team for potential emergency intubation or bedside surgical decompression.
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Anahtar Kavram
Early recognition and management of an expanding neck hematoma and airway compromise following a thyroidectomy.