Question

A nurse collects data on a client who is postoperative thyroid surgery. The client has a positive Chvostek's sign. Which laboratory finding supports the presence of this finding?

1) potassium 4.5 mEq/L (4.5 mmol/L)
2) calcium 7.1 mg/dL (1.77 mmol/L)
3) sodium 130 mg/dL (130 mmol/L)
4) magnesium 2.4mg/dL (0.99 mmol/L)

Answer 1

The laboratory finding supporting the presence of a positive Chvostek's sign in a postoperative thyroid surgery patient is a low calcium level of 7.1 mg/dL (1.77 mmol/L), indicating hypocalcemia.

Step-by-step explanation:

A positive Chvostek's sign is an indication of neuromuscular irritability often seen in hypocalcemia, a condition where there is a lower-than-normal level of calcium in the blood. Among the laboratory findings provided, the one that supports the presence of a positive Chvostek's sign is calcium 7.1 mg/dL (1.77 mmol/L). Normal blood calcium levels are typically around 8.5-10.5 mg/dL (2.12-2.62 mmol/L), and the given value is below this range, suggesting hypocalcemia. This is consistent with the signs of a postoperative thyroidectomy patient who may experience a drop in calcium levels due to potential injury or removal of the parathyroid glands which regulate calcium homeostasis.