*what is covered by medicare and medicaid - inpatient stay with 5 days - rest for family member caring for patient {Ans: respite care}The nurse is caring for a client who had a thyroidectomy and is at risk for hypocalcemia. What should the nurse do? 1. Monitor laboratory values daily for an elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone. 2. Observe for swelling of the neck, tracheal deviation, and severe pain. 3. Evaluate the quality of the client's voice postoperatively, noting any drastic changes. 4. Observe for muscle twitching and numbness or tingling of the lips, fingers, and toes. {Ans: 4. Observe for muscle twitching and numbness or tingling of the lips, fingers, and toes. Muscle twitching and numbness or tingling of the lips, fingers, and toes are signs of hyperirritability of the nervous system due to hypocalcemia. The other options describe complications for which the nurse should also be observing; however, tetany and neurologic alterations are primary indications of hypocalcemia.}Following a transsphenoidal hypophysectomy, the nurse should assess the client carefully for which condition? 1. Hypocortisolism 2. Hypoglycemia 3. Hyperglycemia 4. Hypercalcemia {Ans: 1. Hypocortisolism The nurse should assess for hypocortisolism. Abrupt withdrawal of endogenous cortisol may lead to severe adrenal