Following a thyroidectomy, a patient reports "a tingling feeling around my mouth." Which assessment should the nurse complete first?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Test for presence of Chvostek's sign. After a thyroidectomy, tingling around the mouth could indicate hypocalcemia, which can lead to tetany. Chvostek's sign is a test for hypocalcemia, where facial twitching occurs when the facial nerve is tapped. This assessment is crucial to identify potential complications and initiate timely interventions. Incorrect choices: A: Verify the serum potassium level - While electrolyte imbalances can occur post-thyroidectomy, hypocalcemia is more likely to cause the tingling sensation around the mouth. C: Observe for blood on the neck dressing - While assessing for bleeding is important, it does not directly address the tingling sensation reported by the patient. D: Confirm a prescription for thyroid replacement - While important for long-term management post-thyroidectomy, it does not address the immediate concern of tingling sensation related to hypocalcemia.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because dialysis disequilibrium syndrome is a complication that can occur during hemodialysis, presenting with symptoms like headache due to rapid changes in electrolyte levels and osmolarity. The other choices are incorrect because: A: Symptoms mentioned are not specific to dialyzer membrane incompatibility. B: Shift in potassium levels might cause symptoms like muscle weakness or cardiac arrhythmias, not specifically headache. C: A shift in potassium levels is not the primary cause of a headache during hemodialysis.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Renal ultrasound. Renal ultrasound is a noninvasive diagnostic procedure commonly used to assess kidney function by visualizing the size, shape, and structure of the kidneys. It can detect abnormalities such as kidney stones or cysts. A: Kidney, ureter, bladder (KUB) is an imaging test that provides information on the size and location of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder but does not directly assess kidney function. B: X-ray can show the outline of the kidneys but is not specific for evaluating kidney function. D: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a more detailed imaging technique that can provide information about kidney structure but is not typically used as a first-line diagnostic tool for routine kidney function assessment.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: intracellular fluid. This is because approximately 2/3 of the body's water is found within the cells (intracellular fluid), making it the largest compartment. Synovial fluid (A) is found in joints, plasma (B) is the liquid part of blood, and interstitial fluid (C) is the fluid between cells. While all compartments play important roles, intracellular fluid contains the majority of the body's water.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because when water is lost from the ECF but electrolytes are retained, the osmolarity of the ECF increases. This creates an osmotic gradient for water to move from the ICF to the ECF through osmosis, in an attempt to balance the osmolarity between the two compartments. This results in an increase in the volume of the ECF and a decrease in the volume of the ICF. Choices B and C are incorrect because the ECF becomes more concentrated, not dilute, and the osmolarity of the ECF increases instead of dropping. Choice D is incorrect as there is no direct relationship between water loss from the ECF and an increase in the volume of the ICF.