What medication should a nurse expect to administer to a client post-subtotal thyroidectomy?

Following a subtotal thyroidectomy, the client may experience a decrease in thyroid hormone production due to the partial removal of the thyroid gland. Levothyroxine is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) and is commonly administered to manage hypothyroidism that may occur as a result of surgery, especially if a significant portion of the thyroid is removed.

Calcium gluconate is utilized to treat hypocalcemia, which can occur if the parathyroid glands are inadvertently damaged or removed during the thyroid surgery, leading to a drop in calcium levels in the body. Monitoring calcium levels after such a procedure is crucial, as patients may experience symptoms of low calcium due to potential parathyroid dysfunction. Thus, administering calcium gluconate would be essential in this scenario if there is abnormal calcium homeostasis.

Insulin is used to manage blood sugar levels and is not directly related to thyroid surgery or its postoperative care. Prednisone, a corticosteroid, is typically used to reduce inflammation and manage autoimmune disorders but is not routinely indicated following a thyroidectomy unless there are specific complications such as adrenal insufficiency or significant inflammation.

In summary, after subtotal thyroidectomy, monitoring for potential hypocalcemia and administering calcium gluconate in such cases is