While recovering at home from a total laryngectomy, a patient notices an increase in left shoulder weakness. With what should the nurse realize this symptom is consistent?
1. normal recovery
2. damage to the spinal accessory nerve
3. side effect of neck radiation therapy
4. medication complication
Correct Answer: 2
Left shoulder drop may be caused by damage to the spinal accessory nerve. This finding should be reported to the physician. Left shoulder weakness in not a normal finding in a post-laryngectomy patient. There is no mention of radiation treatments or medications in the history.
You might also like to view...
__________ is elimination of nutrients using self-induced vomiting, laxatives, enemas, or diuretics
Fill in the blank(s) with correct word
The nurse is admitting a healthy, 25-year-old male to the unit for outpatient knee surgery. During the nutrition assessment, it is determined that he weighs 78.2 kg
Using the rule-of-thumb guideline for calculating BMR, what is the approximate BMR of this client? A) 860 B) 1720 C) 1892 D) 2580
The greatest number of drug-related deaths each year results from
A. the drinking of alcohol and smoking of tobacco B. overdose of licit prescription and OTC medications C. abuse of illicit drugs D. heroin and cocaine abuse
To prevent accidental poisoning of a child, where should medications be placed in the home?
a. In a dresser drawer b. In the medicine cabinet c. In a locked cupboard d. On a high shelf