The nurse is caring for a patient who underwent a thyroidectomy. Which of the following items should the nurse keep at the patient's bedside?
Explanation
• Due to the location of the thyroid gland, the patient is at risk for airway edema and obstruction. An emergency tracheostomy kit should be at the bedside at all times.
• Hypokalemia is not associated with a thyroidectomy.
• A heated blanket may be needed due to cold intolerance, but this does not need to be at the bedside.
• Tachycardia may occur due to a thyroid storm after a thyroidectomy. This seems counterintuitive, but it can occur intraoperatively and postoperatively due to thyroid gland manipulation during surgery. It is a very rare occurrence and does not require the nurse to keep adenosine next to the bedside.