Final answer:
The most immediate action to anticipate after a thyroidectomy patient develops laryngeal stridor and hand cramps is administering IV calcium gluconate. These symptoms suggest hypocalcemia, likely due to parathyroid damage during surgery, rather than an airway obstruction.
Step-by-step explanation:
A patient who develops laryngeal stridor and a cramp in the right hand following a subtotal thyroidectomy may be exhibiting signs of hypocalcemia as a result of accidental damage or removal of the parathyroid glands during surgery. The most immediate collaborative action to anticipate would be b. Administer IV calcium gluconate. Calcium gluconate is the treatment of choice for hypocalcemia, which can present as neuromuscular irritability, including laryngeal stridor and circumoral numbness or tingling. This condition requires prompt treatment to prevent more severe complications such as cardiac issues or convulsions. While suctioning the patient's airway and preparing for emergency airway management (like an emergency tracheostomy or endotracheal intubation) are critical for ensuring the patient's airway is clear, the cramp in the patient's hand more specifically suggests a complication related to calcium levels rather than an obstructed airway.