Question

A nurse is caring for a client following a thyroidectomy. The client tells the nurse that she is concerned because of voice hoarseness. The client asks the nurse whether the hoarseness will subside. The nurse appropriately tells the client that the hoarseness:

A. Indicates nerve damage
B. Is harmless but permanent
C. Will worsen before it subsides
D. Is normal and will gradually subside

Answer 1

Voice hoarseness after a thyroidectomy is commonly due to swelling or trauma and is expected to gradually subside, not indicating nerve damage or being a permanent condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

After a thyroidectomy, it is common for patients to experience some voice hoarseness as a result of the surgery. However, this symptom usually does not indicate nerve damage and is typically not permanent. In most cases, hoarseness after a thyroidectomy is due to swelling or trauma to the vocal cords or surrounding tissues during surgery. The nurse should reassure the client that this is a common postoperative symptom and it is expected to gradually subside as the healing process continues. It's important to note that there is a much less common, but possible risk of damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery, which can lead to long-term or permanent voice changes; however, transient hoarseness is much more likely and not necessarily indicative of permanent damage.

While voice hoarseness after a thyroidectomy is usually temporary, the return to normal thyroid function and the resolution of surgical symptoms, including hoarseness, can take some time. Often, it requires weeks or even months for thyroid hormone levels to balance out and for all of the postoperative symptoms to diminish. The nurse's response should be reassuring and provide accurate information on the recovery process.