Answer: Today's NCLEX Question of the Day

The answer is B) Assess for Chvostek's and Trousseau's signs and notify the provider. During a thyroidectomy the parathyroid glands can be bruised or removed, which drops blood calcium. Tingling around the mouth and in the fingers is an early sign of hypocalcemia, and it can progress to muscle spasms, laryngospasm and seizures. Check for Chvostek's sign (facial twitch when you tap the cheek) and Trousseau's sign (hand spasm with a BP cuff inflated), report it, and expect a calcium level and IV calcium gluconate if ordered. Why not the others: A ignores a warning sign; C is wrong because these clients are kept in semi-Fowler's with the head and neck supported; D does nothing for low calcium. NCLEX tip: after thyroid or parathyroid surgery, think "calcium and airway." How did you do? Tell us below.