A 30-year-old diagnosed with Graves disease is admitted to a hospital unit for the surgical re-moval of the thyroid gland. During the postoperative period, the nurse notes that the patient's serum calcium is low
The nurse should observe the patient for which of the following signs/symptoms?
a. Muscle weakness and constipation
b. Laryngeal spasms and hyperreflexia
c. Abdominal pain and fever
d. Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting
ANS: B
Symptoms of low calcium are associated with tetany, a condition characterized by muscle spasms, hyperreflexia, tonic-clonic convulsions, and laryngeal spasms. Symptoms of low calcium are not associated with muscle weakness, constipation, abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea, or vomiting.
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