Final answer:
The priority for the nurse caring for a patient post parathyroidectomy is to assess for respiratory distress due to the risk of airway complications from surgery. After ensuring respiratory stability, monitoring calcium levels is critical due to the parathyroid's role in calcium regulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse planning care for a client who is postoperative following a parathyroidectomy must prioritize among several important actions. Among the options provided, the priority should be to c) Assess for respiratory distress. This is because, during a parathyroidectomy, there is a potential risk of damage or accidental removal of the vocal cords or laryngeal nerves, which can lead to airway obstruction and respiratory distress. Furthermore, the close proximity to the thyroid gland could result in swelling that affects the airway. Hence, ensuring the patient's airway is clear and they are breathing well is a critical immediate postoperative care step.
Once respiratory function is stable, the nurse should then consider the other actions. a) Monitoring calcium levels is also vital since the parathyroid gland plays a key role in regulating calcium levels, and removal or damage could lead to hypocalcemia, which requires prompt treatment. b) Administering pain medication and d) Encouraging early ambulation are also important for postoperative recovery, but they come after ensuring that the patient has a stable airway and adequate calcium levels.