Postoperative care after thyroidectomy should include which nursing intervention to reduce the risk of breathing difficulty?

Postoperative care after thyroidectomy should include which nursing intervention to reduce the risk of breathing difficulty?

• A. Maintain a supine position
• B. Monitor neck circumference frequently
• C. Maintain a pressure dressing on the operative site
• D. Encourage coughing and deep breathing exercises

Answer: (B)

Airway risk after thyroidectomy comes mainly from edema or a hematoma forming in the neck and compressing the trachea. The most direct way to detect this early is to monitor the neck for swelling over time. Frequently measuring neck circumference with a flexible tape at a consistent level provides an objective sign of rapid hematoma formation or progressive edema, allowing immediate intervention before breathing becomes compromised. Other actions have value for general recovery (like promoting lung expansion with coughing and deep breathing) but don’t specifically address the acute threat to the airway from neck swelling. A tight pressure dressing could worsen airway restriction, and a supine position isn’t reliably protective and can even worsen breathing difficulty in some patients.

Airway risk after thyroidectomy comes mainly from edema or a hematoma forming in the neck and compressing the trachea. The most direct way to detect this early is to monitor the neck for swelling over time. Frequently measuring neck circumference with a flexible tape at a consistent level provides an objective sign of rapid hematoma formation or progressive edema, allowing immediate intervention before breathing becomes compromised.

Other actions have value for general recovery (like promoting lung expansion with coughing and deep breathing) but don’t specifically address the acute threat to the airway from neck swelling. A tight pressure dressing could worsen airway restriction, and a supine position isn’t reliably protective and can even worsen breathing difficulty in some patients.