Following a thyroidectomy, the client complains to the nurse that she is having leg spasms and cramps. The nurse realizes that these symptoms could indicate:
1. postanesthesia reaction.
2. potassium depletion.
3. damage to the parathyroid glands during surgery.
4. damage to the cervical nerves.
Answer: 3
1. Anesthesia would not cause the spasms.
2. Hypokalemia might manifest as leg cramps, but they are more likely caused by the surgery.
3. During a thyroidectomy, the parathyroid glands (which lie under the thyroid gland and regulate calcium balance) can be accidentally damaged or removed. The resulting low serum calcium could lead to tetany, reflected by the leg spasm and cramps.
4. Cervical nerve damage would not cause the spasms.
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