The nurse is caring for a patient following a thyroidectomy. Which postoperative assessment activity is most important in detecting thyrotoxic crisis?
a. Monitor the surgical dressing.
b. Monitor vital signs.
c. Assess hand grips and foot presses.
d. Assess for confusion and delirium.
ANS: B
Symptoms include tachycardia, high fever, hypertension (with eventual heart failure and hypotension), dehydration, restlessness, and delirium or coma; it is important to monitor vital signs to detect symptoms early. Monitoring the dressing and neurological status (C, D) are good routine care but do not help detect thyrotoxic crisis.
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