Question

A patient has just arrived on the unit after a thyroidectomy. Which action should the nurse take first?

a. Observe the dressing for bleeding.
b. Check the blood pressure and pulse.
c. Assess the patient's respiratory effort.
d. Support the patient's head with pillows.

Answer 1

The nurse should prioritize assessing the patient's respiratory effort first after a thyroidectomy.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient arrives on the unit after a thyroidectomy, the nurse should prioritize assessing the patient's respiratory effort first. This is because changes in respiratory effort can indicate complications such as airway obstruction or respiratory distress. The nurse should ensure that the patient is breathing adequately and monitor for any signs of respiratory distress.

Once the patient's respiratory effort has been assessed, the nurse should then proceed to check the blood pressure and pulse to monitor for any hemodynamic changes that may occur after surgery. Lastly, supporting the patient's head with pillows may be necessary for comfort, but it is not the highest priority.