Question

On the second post-operative day after a subtotal thyroidectomy, the client tells the nurse, "I feel numbness and my face is twitching." What is the nurse's best initial action?

Offer mouth care.
Loosen the neck dressing.
Notify the physician.
Document the finding as the only action.

Answer 1

The best initial action for a nurse when a client reports numbness and facial twitching after thyroid surgery is to notify the physician, as these symptoms could indicate a serious condition like hypocalcemia, which requires prompt treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's best initial action when a client reports numbness and facial twitching on the second post-operative day after a subtotal thyroidectomy is to notify the physician immediately. This is vital as these symptoms may indicate a complication such as hypocalcemia or damage to the parathyroid glands, which can occur after thyroid surgery.

Numbness and twitching, particularly around the mouth, may be a sign of low calcium levels in the blood. This condition, called hypocalcemia, can be serious if left untreated. It's essential for the nurse to assess the patient comprehensively and report these findings to the physician for further evaluation and to ensure prompt treatment if needed. Documentation of these findings should follow after notifying the physician.