Assignment task:
Hannah is a 46-year-old who has a history of hyperthyroidism. She presents to the ED with tachycardia, heart palpitations, diaphoresis, insomnia, increased anxiety, and unexpected weight loss without changes in dietary intake.
Lab work and ultrasound reveal a large mass on the thyroid causing a hyperthyroid crisis. This has been the third time Hannah has presented to the ED with these symptoms. It has been decided that she will have her thyroid removed.
Hannah had a successful thyroidectomy. She just arrived from the PACU to your unit after having a total thyroidectomy with parathyroidectomy for the treatment of thyroid cancer.
Tasks:
Q1. Which areas of our nursing assessment should we closely monitor? What are we looking for?
Q2. What labs/diagnostic tests do you expect to be done pre- and post-op on Hannah?
Q3. What are the top 3 nursing diagnoses?
Q4. Provide at least 1 nursing intervention for each nursing diagnosis.
Q5. What are the top 5 things to teach Hannah prior to discharge?
Q6. What potential complications should Hannah be made aware of?