A 37-year-old patient has just arrived in the postanesthesia recovery unit (PACU) after a thyroidectomy. Which information is most important to communicate to the surgeon?
a. The patient reports 7/10 incisional pain.
b. The patient has increasing neck swelling.
c. The patient is sleepy and difficult to arouse.
d. The patient's cardiac rate is 112 beats/minute.
Question 2A 23-year-old patient is admitted with diabetes insipidus. Which action will be most appropriate for the registered nurse (RN) to delegate to an experienced licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN)?
a. Titrate the infusion of 5 dextrose in water.
b. Teach the patient how to use desmopressin (DDAVP) nasal spray.
c. Assess the patient's hydration status every 8 hours.
d. Administer subcutaneous DDAVP.
Question 3Which assessment finding for a 33-year-old female patient admitted with Graves' disease requires the most rapid intervention by the nurse?
a. Bilateral exophthalmos
b. Heart rate 136 beats/minute
c. Temperature 103.8 F (40.4 C)
d. Blood pressure 166/100 mm Hg
Question 4The nurse is caring for a patient following an adrenalectomy. The highest priority in the immediate postoperative period is to
a. protect the patient's skin.
b. monitor for signs of infection.
c. balance fluids and electrolytes.
d. prevent emotional disturbances.
Question 5A 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.
Question 6Which prescribed medication should the nurse administer first to a 60-year-old patient admitted to the emergency department in thyroid storm?
a. Propranolol (Inderal)
b. Propylthiouracil (PTU)
c. Methimazole (Tapazole)
d. Iodine (Lugol's solution)
Question 7The nurse is caring for a patient admitted with diabetes insipidus (DI). Which information is most important to report to the health care provider?
a. The patient is confused and lethargic.
b. The patient reports a recent head injury.
c. The patient has a urine output of 400 mL/hr.
d. The patient's urine specific gravity is 1.003.
Question 8After a 22-year-old female patient with a pituitary adenoma has had a hypophysectomy, the nurse will teach about the need for
a. sodium restriction to prevent fluid retention.
b. insulin to maintain normal blood glucose levels.
c. oral corticosteroids to replace endogenous cortisol.
d. chemotherapy to prevent malignant tumor recurrence.
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