A nurse is assessing a client for a positive Chvostek’s sign following a thyroidectomy. Which of the following areas on the client’s head should the nurse tap to assess the client for tetany?
To assess for a positive Chvostek’s sign, the nurse should tap on the client’s facial nerve, specifically on the area of the face just anterior to the ear and slightly below the zygomatic (cheek) bone.
Explanation:
- Chvostek’s sign is a clinical indicator of hypocalcemia, which can occur after a thyroidectomy due to potential damage or removal of the parathyroid glands, leading to low calcium levels.
- To test for Chvostek’s sign, the nurse taps the facial nerve in this region. A positive sign is indicated by a twitching or contraction of the facial muscles on the same side of the face where the nerve is tapped, which suggests neuromuscular excitability associated with hypocalcemia.