Question

A nurse is monitoring a client's status 24 hours after a total thyroidectomy. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

a. Mild swelling at the incision site
b. Complaints of a sore throat
c. Hoarseness in the client's voice
d. Tingling and numbness in the fingers

Answer 1

The nurse should report tingling and numbness in the fingers to the provider. It could indicate hypocalcemia, a complication of a total thyroidectomy that requires treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should report to the provider the finding of tingling and numbness in the fingers 24 hours after a total thyroidectomy. This could indicate a complication called hypocalcemia, which can occur due to damage to the parathyroid glands during the surgery. Hypocalcemia can cause nerve irritability and lead to symptoms such as tingling and numbness in the fingers. The provider should be notified so that appropriate treatment can be initiated.