N2

Neck ROM full, no mass

Skilled assessment of the neck in a patient reporting mild stiffness. Range of motion is full in flexion, extension, and rotation without pain; there is no new mass or asymmetry and the trachea is midline. The full range of motion and absence of a mass, compared to baseline, confirm no compressive or structural change; gentle range-of-motion and posture strategies and the changes that would warrant evaluation were reinforced, with the patient verbalizing them correctly.

N3

Post-thyroidectomy site healed, calcium stable

Skilled assessment weeks after a total thyroidectomy. The incision is well healed without swelling, drainage, or tenderness; there is no perioral or hand tingling, no cramps, and Chvostek and Trousseau are negative; the trachea is midline. The healed incision and absence of hypocalcemia and airway signs, compared to the early post-operative visits, confirm an uncomplicated recovery; incision care, the signs of hypocalcemia, and thyroid-replacement adherence were reinforced, with the patient return-demonstrating recognition of the warning signs (managed in Endocrine/Metabolic).

N4

Stable goiter monitored

Skilled assessment of a patient with a known nontoxic goiter. The goiter is unchanged in size from baseline, soft and non-tender, with no new compressive symptoms; the trachea is midline and there is no dysphagia or positional dyspnea. The stable size without compressive symptoms, compared to baseline, confirms no progression requiring escalation; the compressive symptoms that would warrant evaluation were taught, with the patient verbalizing them correctly.

N5

Thyroid-symptom surveillance, adherent

Skilled assessment of a patient managed for hypothyroidism. There are no symptoms of under- or over-replacement — no fatigue beyond baseline, cold intolerance, palpitations, or tremor; the thyroid is non-enlarged. The absence of symptoms and confirmed adherence, evaluated against baseline, confirm the replacement dose is appropriate; symptom recognition and medication timing were reinforced, with the patient verbalizing them correctly (managed in Endocrine/Metabolic).

N6

Neck-mass monitoring stable

Skilled assessment of a patient with a previously evaluated benign neck mass under monitoring. The mass is unchanged in size, mobile, soft, and non-tender, without new overlying skin change; the trachea is midline. The stable, benign-appearing mass, compared to baseline, confirms no concerning evolution requiring escalation this visit; the changes that would warrant re-evaluation (rapid growth, fixation, hardness) were taught, with the patient verbalizing them correctly (cross-reference Lymphatic).

N7

Post-neck-surgery recovery

Skilled assessment after neck surgery. The incision is healing without infection or hematoma; range of motion is improving as expected with the activity precautions observed; there is no airway concern. The healing incision and improving motion, compared to the early post-operative state, confirm an uncomplicated recovery; incision care, activity precautions, and the warning signs of complication were reinforced, with the patient return-demonstrating correct incision care.