Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 84%
Simulated
The nurse is assessing the client immediately following a C5-C6 anterior cervical discectomy. Which potential problem should be the nurse's priority?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
A. Retractors used during surgery can injure the recurrent laryngeal nerve, resulting in the inability to cough effectively to clear secretions. Edema and bleeding can also compromise the airway and compress the spinal cord.