A client is 6 hours postoperative after a thyroidectomy and … | MyMerci
Postsurgical ComplicationsROR
Question
A client is 6 hours postoperative after a thyroidectomy and develops stridor with increasing respiratory effort. Which action is the priority?
1Offer warm tea to soothe the throat.
2Place the client flat and apply a tight pressure dressing.
3Stay with the client, call for rapid help, and prepare for emergency airway management.✓ Correct answer
4Reassure the client that noisy breathing is expected after surgery.
Explanation
Stridor after thyroidectomy can indicate airway compromise from edema, bleeding, or laryngeal nerve complications. The priority is immediate airway support and rapid escalation. Reassurance or delaying intervention can be life-threatening.
In-depth explanation
Clinical Judgment Use the client cues, timing, labs, and safety risks to select the response that best fits Post-thyroidectomy airway compromise.
Memory Tip Match the strongest cue cluster to the safest nursing judgment.
KR vs US NCLEX items reward cue-based priority thinking rather than isolated recall.
Clinical scenario
Clinical Practice Guide For Post-thyroidectomy airway compromise, compare the complete cue pattern with the client's current stability, ordered data, and expected nursing scope.
Caution Do not choose an action from one isolated cue when the full scenario changes priority or safety.
Key concepts
Thyroidectomy — Surgical removal of all or part of the thyroid gland.
Stridor — A high-pitched airway sound that can signal upper airway obstruction.
Airway Management — Interventions to maintain or restore a patent airway.