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Example Video:

TODAY’S TEST QUESTION:

CORRECT ANSWER

A) BP 86/50

MORE INFO:

• Monitoring the patients blood pressure is extremely important after surgery because a drop could mean hemorrhage.

• It’s also important to assess the drainage from the dressing.

• Usually hemorrhage risk is greatest in the first 24 hrs

OTHER ANSWERS:

• Laryngeal nerve damage is important to assess post op.
  • A patient may have permanent hoarseness and/or not able to talk quite as loud.
  • Often however, hoarseness is common normal finding immediately after surgery.
  • This hoarseness is related to the use of the endotracheal tube & also likely edema post-op. Usually this resolves.
  • Most patient’s hoarseness resolves within 6 weeks, however can take up to 6 months.
  • Unresolved hoarseness and other changes in the voice are a concern for laryngeal nerve damage.
• The normal calcium range is 8.5-10.2 (epocrates).
  • Although 8.2 is lower than the normal it wouldn’t be priority over the blood pressure answer.
  • And an ionized calcium should be checked as well.
  • Hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy is a possibility and may need to be replaced.
  • It’s important to check for twitches, chvostek & trousseau sign, confusion, psychosis. Seizures can also happen.
  • During a thyroidectomy there is potential that the parathyroid glands are damaged and or removed. This may lead to hypocalcemia.
• Sitting semi-fowlers helps to decrease the strain on suture line.
  • It’s also a good idea to support the back of the neck with pillows.