Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 85%
Simulated
The nurse asks the client to state her name as soon as she regains consciousness postoperatively after a subtotal thyroidectomy and at each assessment. The nurse does this to monitor for signs of which of the following?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
Asking the client to speak monitors for laryngeal nerve damage, which can cause vocal cord paralysis and hoarseness, a potential complication of thyroidectomy.