Tetany.. Nurse Ruth is assessing a client after a thyroidectomy. The assessment reveals muscle twitching and tingling, along with numbness in the fingers, toes, and mouth area

Nurse Ruth is assessing a client after a thyroidectomy.

The assessment reveals muscle twitching and tingling, along with numbness in the fingers, toes, and mouth area. The nurse should suspect which complication?

• a- Tetany
• b- Hemorrhage
• c- Thyroid storm
• d- Laryngeal nerve damage

Answer A.

Tetany may result if the parathyroid glands are excised or damaged during thyroid surgery. Hemorrhage is a potential complication after thyroid surgery but is characterized by tachycardia, hypotension, frequent swallowing, feelings of fullness at the incision site, choking, and bleeding. Thyroid storm is another term for severe hyperthyroidism - not a complication of thyroidectomy. Laryngeal nerve damage may occur postoperatively, but its signs include a hoarse voice and, possibly, acute airway obstruction.

Tetany is a rare condition that is characterized by a state of nervous and muscular hyperexcitability evolving by crises: we speak of access or tetanus attacks. Spasmophilia is a light form. Different causes may explain tetanus attacks. Treatment will depend on the underlying disease.

Based on the symptoms presented, Nurse Ruth should suspect a. Tetany as the most likely complication after a thyroidectomy.

Here's why:

Symptoms:

- Muscle twitching and tingling:

These are classic signs of tetany, caused by low calcium levels in the blood. During thyroidectomy, the parathyroid glands, responsible for calcium regulation, can be accidentally damaged or removed, leading to hypocalcemia and tetany.

- Numbness in the fingers, toes, and mouth area:

This can also be a symptom of tetany, as low calcium levels affect nerve function.

Other options:

b. Hemorrhage:

While bleeding is a potential complication after any surgery, it wouldn't typically present with the specific symptoms of muscle twitching, tingling, and numbness. Nurse Ruth would likely observe visible signs of bleeding or hemodynamic instability if this were the case.

c. Thyroid storm:

This is a rare but serious complication characterized by hyperthyroidism symptoms like fever, tachycardia, and agitation. However, it wouldn't typically present with the neurological symptoms like tetany.

d. Laryngeal nerve damage:

This can occur during thyroidectomy, causing hoarseness or difficulty swallowing. While it might contribute to numbness in the throat area, it wouldn't explain the tingling and twitching in the extremities.

Therefore, based on the specific symptoms of muscle twitching, tingling, and numbness, tetany is the most likely complication Nurse Ruth should suspect.

Here are some additional points to consider:

• Nurse Ruth should immediately inform the doctor about her suspicion of tetany.
• Blood tests to measure calcium and parathyroid hormone levels will be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
• Treatment for tetany typically involves calcium supplementation and medication to regulate parathyroid hormone levels.