Abnormal findings are charted as a chain — finding, severity, comparison to baseline, the risk it creates, and the skilled action taken.
Stridor, tracheal deviation, or other airway compromise — an emergency.
High fever with tachycardia or atrial fibrillation, agitation, and confusion in a hyperthyroid patient — concerning for thyroid storm (route to Endocrine/Metabolic).
Hypothermia with bradycardia and obtundation in a hypothyroid patient — concerning for myxedema.
After thyroidectomy, perioral numbness, tingling, or tetany with positive Chvostek or Trousseau signs — concerning for hypocalcemia; or expanding neck swelling with airway compromise — concerning for a hematoma.
A rapidly enlarging, hard, or fixed neck mass — warranting evaluation for malignancy.
A new or enlarging goiter with compressive symptoms — dysphagia, a choking sensation, or positional dyspnea.
New neck pain with limited motion and fever — concerning for a deep neck-space infection.
Systemic thyroid symptoms indicating over- or under-treatment — requiring regimen review (managed in Endocrine/Metabolic).
