A nurse is collecting data from a client who underwent a thyroidectomy 4 hr ago. Which of the following client findings indicates a complication of the procedure?

A. Tingling of the fingers: Tingling or numbness in the fingers suggests hypocalcemia, which can occur when the parathyroid glands are inadvertently damaged during thyroidectomy. A drop in calcium can lead to neuromuscular irritability and may progress to tetany if untreated. This finding requires prompt evaluation to prevent airway or cardiac complications. B. Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing: Light serosanguineous drainage is expected in the early postoperative hours as the incision begins healing. Small amounts do not indicate active bleeding or infection and typically decrease over time. Monitoring continues, but this finding aligns with normal recovery. C. Soreness at the incision site: Mild soreness occurs as tissues respond to surgical manipulation and is common within the first 24 hours. This discomfort often improves with scheduled pain control and does not reflect postoperative complications. It represents a routine part of healing after neck surgery. D. Report of sore throat: A sore throat is common after intubation because the endotracheal tube can irritate the airway. This symptom generally resolves as swelling decreases and mucosa heals. Because it is expected after general anesthesia, it does not suggest surgical complications.