A 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.
ANS: C
Airway obstruction is a possible complication after thyroidectomy because of swelling or bleeding at the site or tetany. The priority nursing action is to assess the airway. The other actions are also part of the standard nursing care postthyroidectomy but are not as high of a priority.
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