A 40-year-old male undergoes an apparently uneventful total thyroidectomy for follicular carcinoma of the thyroid. 48 hours later he develops circumoral numbness, followed by laryngospasm, and then has a generalized seizure. Of the following, which is the first priority?
A. Proceed to OR for exploration of the operative site
B. Administer 25 ml of 10% calcium gluconate intravenously
C. Obtain a serum magnesium measurement and administer intravenous magnesium chloride STAT
D. Obtain a CT scan of the head to evaluate the possibility of brain metastases
Answer:B
A 40-year-old male undergoes an apparently uneventful total thyroidectomy for follicular carcinoma of the thyroid. 48 hours later he develops circumoral numbness, followed by laryngospasm, and then has a generalized seizure. Of the following, which is the first priority?
A. Proceed to OR for exploration of the operative site B. Administer 25 ml of 10% calcium gluconate intravenously C. Obtain a serum magnesium measurement and administer intravenous magnesium chloride STAT D. Obtain a CT scan of the head to evaluate the possibility of brain metastases