Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) Practice Exam

What sign should a nurse anticipate in a patient who has undergone a thyroidectomy if they are experiencing a thyrotoxic crisis?

1. Hyponatremia

2. Hypothermia

3. Tachycardia

4. Bradycardia

The correct answer is: Tachycardia

In a patient experiencing a thyrotoxic crisis, also known as thyroid storm, tachycardia is a significant and anticipated sign. A thyrotoxic crisis is characterized by an extreme hypermetabolic state due to excessive levels of thyroid hormones, which greatly accelerates the body's metabolism and can lead to a variety of symptoms. Tachycardia occurs because the enhanced metabolism driven by the elevated thyroid hormone levels increases cardiac output as the body attempts to manage the high metabolic demand. This results in a rapid heart rate, which is a hallmark of this condition. It is also crucial to monitor other cardiovascular manifestations, as the crisis may lead to complications such as heart failure or arrhythmias. The other options, such as hyponatremia, hypothermia, and bradycardia, do not align with the physiological effects of a thyrotoxic crisis. Instead, hyponatremia can occur due to various factors but is not specifically indicative of a thyrotoxic crisis. Hypothermia is contrary to the condition, as hyperthyroid states typically present with elevated body temperature, and bradycardia is more associated with hypothyroid conditions or other scenarios where the metabolic rate is diminished. Therefore, tach