When a patient who is 8 hours postoperative from a total thyroidectomy shows a positive Chvostek's sign and complains of muscle cramps, the nurse interprets these assessments as in-dicative of:
a. imminent convulsion.
b. hypoparathyroidism.
c. hyperkalemia.
d. thyroid storm.
B
Hypoparathyroidism results when the parathyroid glands are accidentally removed during a total thyroidectomy. Chvostek's sign is consistent with the removal of the parathyroid glands. Chvos-tek sign manifests as muscle irritability when the facial nerve is gently tapped.
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