Nursing Care of Patients with Thyroidectomy

What position should the patient be placed in after a thyroidectomy?

• Supine position

• Semi-Fowler's position

• Prone position

• Lateral position

Why is it important to support the patient's head and neck in a neutral position?

• To prevent neck hyperextension

• To promote neck flexion

• To reduce blood pooling in the neck

• To prevent suture line disruption

What should be monitored for after a thyroidectomy?

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Respiratory rate

• Blood pressure

What are the signs and symptoms of parathyroid damage?

• Numbness and tingling around the mouth

• Muscle twitching

• Positive Chvostek sign

• All of the above

What is the Chvostek sign?

• Tapping the cheek to elicit facial muscle twitching

• Inflating a blood pressure cuff to cause hand and finger spasms

• Tapping the forehead to check for numbness

• Inflating a blood pressure cuff to check for muscle twitching

What is the Trousseau sign?

• Tapping the cheek to elicit facial muscle twitching

• Inflating a blood pressure cuff to cause hand and finger spasms

• Tapping the forehead to check for numbness

• Inflating a blood pressure cuff to check for muscle twitching

What should be provided to a patient with confirmed hypocalcemia?

• Calcium gluconate

• Levothyroxine

• Iodine supplements

• Potassium chloride

What should patients be instructed to avoid after a thyroidectomy?

• Extreme neck extension

• Extreme neck flexion

• Head rotation

• Shoulder shrugging

What medication will patients need to take for the rest of their lives after a thyroidectomy?

• Levothyroxine

• Calcium gluconate

• Iodine supplements

• Potassium chloride

When should levothyroxine be taken?

• Before bedtime

• After meals

• With a full glass of water

• On an empty stomach, about an hour before breakfast