{"id":640,"date":"2024-03-22T00:43:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-22T00:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/?p=640"},"modified":"2025-10-01T11:39:36","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T19:39:36","slug":"usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy","title":{"rendered":"USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question of the Day: Thyroidectomy"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">In This Article<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy\/#The_correct_answer_to_todays_USMLE%C2%AE_Step_1_Question_is%E2%80%A6\" >The correct answer to today&#8217;s USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question is&#8230;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy\/#Incorrect_answer_explanations\" >Incorrect answer explanations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy\/#Main_Explanation\" >Main Explanation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy\/#Major_Takeaway\" >Major Takeaway<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy\/#References\" >References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>This week, we are sharing another USMLE\u00ae Step 1-style practice question to test your knowledge of medical topics.&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>Today&#8217;s case focuses on a 56-year-old woman who reported a sensation of numbness on her mouth and intermittent twitching of her extremities. Physical examination demonstrates an intact incision over the anterior neck without edema or erythema. Which of the following laboratory findings is most likely to be present based on this patient\u2019s clinical presentation?&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>Can you figure it out?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A 56-year-old woman is currently postoperative day two in the surgical intensive care unit post total thyroidectomy for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. During rounds, the patient reports a sensation of numbness around her lips and mouth and intermittent twitching of her upper and lower extremities. The patient&#8217;s temperature is 37\u00b0C (98.6\u00b0F), pulse is 101\/min, respirations are 18\/min, blood pressure is 156\/67 mmHg, and O2.\u00a0is 95% on room air. Physical examination demonstrates an intact incision over the anterior neck without edema or erythema. A routine electrocardiogram is demonstrated below. Which of the following laboratory findings is most likely to be present based on this patient\u2019s clinical presentation?<br><em>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"896\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/81.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-642\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/81.png 896w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/81.png?resize=300,171 300w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/81.png?resize=768,439 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 896px) 100vw, 896px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em> Reproduced from:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Long_QT_syndrome\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wikipedia<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><\/td><td>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>&nbsp;Ca2+&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<strong>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; PO43-<\/strong><\/td><td>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<strong>&nbsp; &nbsp; PTH<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>A<\/strong>.<\/td><td>\u2193<\/td><td>\u2191<\/td><td>\u2193<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>B.<\/strong><\/td><td>\u2193<\/td><td>\u2191<\/td><td>\u2191<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>C.<\/strong><\/td><td>\u2193<\/td><td>\u2193<\/td><td>\u2191<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>D.<\/strong><\/td><td>\u2193<\/td><td>\u2193<\/td><td>\u2193<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>E.<\/strong><\/td><td>\u2191<\/td><td>\u2191<\/td><td>\u2193<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Scroll down to find the answer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_correct_answer_to_todays_USMLE%C2%AE_Step_1_Question_is%E2%80%A6\"><\/span>The correct answer to today&#8217;s USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question is&#8230;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>A.<\/strong><\/td><td>\u2193<\/td><td>\u2191<\/td><td>\u2193<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before we get to the Main Explanation, let&#8217;s look at the incorrect answer explanations. Skip to the bottom if you want to see the correct answer right away!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Incorrect_answer_explanations\"><\/span>Incorrect answer explanations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The incorrect answers to today&#8217;s USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question are&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>B<\/strong>.<\/td><td>\u2193<\/td><td>\u2191<\/td><td>\u2191<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Incorrect:&nbsp;<\/strong>Secondary hypoparathyroidism, due to chronic kidney disease, manifests with decreased levels of calcium, increased levels of phosphate, and increased parathyroid hormone. These effects are secondary to the kidney\u2019s inability to respond to parathyroid hormone appropriately.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>C.<\/strong><\/td><td>\u2193<\/td><td>\u2193<\/td><td>\u2191<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Incorrect:&nbsp;<\/strong>Vitamin D deficiency is characterized by decreased calcium, decreased phosphate, and increased parathyroid hormone levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>D.<\/strong><\/td><td>\u2193<\/td><td>\u2193<\/td><td>\u2193<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Incorrect:&nbsp;<\/strong>These findings are not consistent with calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone homeostasis disorders.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>E.<\/strong><\/td><td>\u2191<\/td><td>\u2191<\/td><td>\u2193<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Incorrect:&nbsp;<\/strong>These findings are not consistent with calcium, phosphorus, or parathyroid hormone homeostasis disorders.&nbsp;<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\/md\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\/md\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/79.png?w=700\" alt=\"Osmosis ad\" class=\"wp-image-513\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/79.png 700w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/79.png?resize=300,107 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Main_Explanation\"><\/span><strong>Main Explanation<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This patient presents after total thyroidectomy with findings of&nbsp;<strong>circumoral numbness, tetany,<\/strong>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<strong>prolonged QT interval<\/strong>&nbsp;on routine electrocardiographic screening, consistent with hypocalcemia. In the setting of a recent thyroidectomy, the most likely etiology of hypocalcemia is removal or damage to the parathyroid glands, resulting in&nbsp;<strong>hypoparathyroidism<\/strong>. The laboratory findings most reflective of this clinical condition is choice A.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Multiple structures are at risk of injury during&nbsp;<strong>thyroidectomy or hemithyroidectomy<\/strong>, including surrounding glands, vasculature, and nerves (e.g., recurrent laryngeal nerves, external branches of the superior laryngeal nerves). Injury to the parathyroid glands can produce transient or permanent hypoparathyroidism. For this reason, many patients undergoing this procedure are empirically prescribed calcium supplementation to avoid complications associated with hypocalcemia.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Symptoms of hypoparathyroidism and associated hypocalcemia include&nbsp;<strong>muscle tetany, paresthesias, seizures<\/strong>, and&nbsp;<strong>psychiatric symptoms<\/strong>&nbsp;(e.g., emotional instability, anxiety, depression). Moreover, hypocalcemia can cause cardiovascular compromise, resulting in&nbsp;<strong>QT interval prolongation<\/strong>&nbsp;on ECG, which can degenerate into torsade de pointes. Physical exam findings include the Chvostek sign and&nbsp;<strong>Trousseau sign<\/strong>&nbsp;(carpal spasms triggered by inflation of a sphygmomanometer).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Major_Takeaway\"><\/span><strong>Major Takeaway<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Multiple structures are at risk of injury during thyroid surgery, including the surrounding parathyroid glands. Damage to or accidental removal of these glands may result in transient or permanent hypoparathyroidism symptoms and subsequent hypocalcemia.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"References\"><\/span><strong>References<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Loyo M, Tufano RP, Gourin CG.&nbsp;<em>National trends in thyroid surgery and the effect of volume on short-term outcomes<\/em>. Laryngoscope 2013; 123:2056.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kandil E, Noureldine SI, Abbas A, Tufano RP.&nbsp;<em>The impact of surgical volume on patient outcomes following thyroid surgery<\/em>. Surgery 2013; 154:1346.&nbsp;<em><strong>_________________________<\/strong><br><br><strong>Want more USMLE\u00ae Step 1 practice questions? Try Osmosis today! Access your&nbsp;<em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/login?type=create\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">free trial<\/a><\/strong><\/em>&nbsp;and find out why millions of current and future clinicians and caregivers love learning with us.<\/strong><\/em><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/ultimate-guide\/usmle-step-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/ultimate-guide\/usmle-step-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/usmle-step-1-everything-you-need-to-know-banner.png?w=700\" alt=\"Osmosis ad\" class=\"wp-image-615\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/usmle-step-1-everything-you-need-to-know-banner.png 700w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/usmle-step-1-everything-you-need-to-know-banner.png?resize=300,107 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><sub>The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE\u00ae) is a joint program of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB\u00ae) and National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME\u00ae). Osmosis is not affiliated with NBME nor FSMB.&nbsp;<\/sub><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This week, we are sharing another USMLE\u00ae Step 1-style practice question to test your knowledge of medical topics.&nbsp;Today&#8217;s case focuses on a 56-year-old woman who reported a sensation of numbness on her mouth and intermittent twitching of her extremities. Physical examination demonstrates an intact incision over the anterior neck without edema or erythema. Which of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":202,"featured_media":641,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27,20,1366,1369,44],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-640","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-medicine","category-exam-prep","category-questions","category-step-1-questions","category-step-1"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question of the Day: Thyroidectomy - Osmosis Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question of the Day: Thyroidectomy - Osmosis Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"This week, we are sharing another USMLE\u00ae Step 1-style practice question to test your knowledge of medical topics.&nbsp;Today&#8217;s case focuses on a 56-year-old woman who reported a sensation of numbness on her mouth and intermittent twitching of her extremities. Physical examination demonstrates an intact incision over the anterior neck without edema or erythema. Which of [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Osmosis Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-03-22T00:43:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-01T19:39:36+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/23.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1081\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Marina Horiates Kerekes, MD &amp; Team\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":[\"Article\",\"BlogPosting\"],\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Marina Horiates Kerekes, MD &amp; Team\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/c7e60a94ecf3ec6e6cfe4855957afafc\"},\"headline\":\"USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question of the Day: Thyroidectomy\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-03-22T00:43:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-01T19:39:36+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy\"},\"wordCount\":737,\"commentCount\":2,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/23.webp\",\"articleSection\":[\"Allopathic Medicine (MD)\",\"Exam Prep\",\"Questions of the Day\",\"USMLE Step 1\",\"USMLE\u00ae Step 1\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy\",\"name\":\"USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question of the Day: Thyroidectomy - Osmosis Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/23.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-03-22T00:43:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-01T19:39:36+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/23.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/23.webp\",\"width\":1081,\"height\":1080,\"caption\":\"USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question of the Day: Thyroidectomy\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question of the Day: Thyroidectomy\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Osmosis Blog\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Osmosis Blog\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/07\/OsmosisElsevierStacked.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/07\/OsmosisElsevierStacked.png\",\"width\":1276,\"height\":596,\"caption\":\"Osmosis Blog\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/c7e60a94ecf3ec6e6cfe4855957afafc\",\"name\":\"Marina Horiates Kerekes, MD &amp; Team\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c4eaddbf095676223204097f8973e0eed2b2b435a8c32f8f6b8c06da77819aa6?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c4eaddbf095676223204097f8973e0eed2b2b435a8c32f8f6b8c06da77819aa6?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Marina Horiates Kerekes, MD &amp; Team\"},\"description\":\"Authors: Marina Horiates Kerekes, MD &amp; Osmosis Question Writing Team\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/author\/marinahoriateskerekesandteam\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question of the Day: Thyroidectomy - Osmosis Blog","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question of the Day: Thyroidectomy - Osmosis Blog","og_description":"This week, we are sharing another USMLE\u00ae Step 1-style practice question to test your knowledge of medical topics.&nbsp;Today&#8217;s case focuses on a 56-year-old woman who reported a sensation of numbness on her mouth and intermittent twitching of her extremities. Physical examination demonstrates an intact incision over the anterior neck without edema or erythema. Which of [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy","og_site_name":"Osmosis Blog","article_published_time":"2024-03-22T00:43:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-10-01T19:39:36+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1081,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/23.webp","type":"image\/webp"}],"author":"Marina Horiates Kerekes, MD &amp; Team","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":["Article","BlogPosting"],"@id":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy"},"author":{"name":"Marina Horiates Kerekes, MD &amp; Team","@id":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/c7e60a94ecf3ec6e6cfe4855957afafc"},"headline":"USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question of the Day: Thyroidectomy","datePublished":"2024-03-22T00:43:00+00:00","dateModified":"2025-10-01T19:39:36+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy"},"wordCount":737,"commentCount":2,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/23.webp","articleSection":["Allopathic Medicine (MD)","Exam Prep","Questions of the Day","USMLE Step 1","USMLE\u00ae Step 1"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy","url":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy","name":"USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question of the Day: Thyroidectomy - Osmosis Blog","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/23.webp","datePublished":"2024-03-22T00:43:00+00:00","dateModified":"2025-10-01T19:39:36+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/23.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/23.webp","width":1081,"height":1080,"caption":"USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question of the Day: Thyroidectomy"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroidectomy#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question of the Day: Thyroidectomy"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/","name":"Osmosis Blog","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/#organization","name":"Osmosis Blog","url":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/07\/OsmosisElsevierStacked.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/07\/OsmosisElsevierStacked.png","width":1276,"height":596,"caption":"Osmosis Blog"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/c7e60a94ecf3ec6e6cfe4855957afafc","name":"Marina Horiates Kerekes, MD &amp; Team","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c4eaddbf095676223204097f8973e0eed2b2b435a8c32f8f6b8c06da77819aa6?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c4eaddbf095676223204097f8973e0eed2b2b435a8c32f8f6b8c06da77819aa6?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Marina Horiates Kerekes, MD &amp; Team"},"description":"Authors: Marina Horiates Kerekes, MD &amp; Osmosis Question Writing Team","url":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/author\/marinahoriateskerekesandteam"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/23.webp","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":905,"url":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-thyroid-surgery-complications","url_meta":{"origin":640,"position":0},"title":"USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question of the Day: Thyroid Surgery Complications","author":"Marina Horiates Kerekes, MD &amp; Team","date":"July 20, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Enhance your USMLE\u00ae Step 1 exam preparation with a clinical case. A patient develops voice changes after thyroid surgery. Learn which nerve injury is most likely and how it presents clinically.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Allopathic Medicine (MD)&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Allopathic Medicine (MD)","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/category\/medicine"},"img":{"alt_text":"USMLE Step 1 Question of the Day Thyroid Surgery Complications","src":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/thyroid-surgery-complications.webp","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/thyroid-surgery-complications.webp 1x, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/thyroid-surgery-complications.webp 1.5x, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/thyroid-surgery-complications.webp 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1897,"url":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-2-question-of-the-day-thyroid-management","url_meta":{"origin":640,"position":1},"title":"USMLE\u00ae Step 2 Question of the Day: Thyroid management","author":"Marina Horiates Kerekes, MD &amp; Team","date":"February 28, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Assess clinical features and management strategies in a thyroid case presenting with hyperthyroidism and eye symptoms, highlighting key considerations in treatment choices. What's the answer? Let's find out!","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Allopathic Medicine (MD)&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Allopathic Medicine (MD)","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/category\/medicine"},"img":{"alt_text":"USMLE Step 2 Question of the Day Thyroid management","src":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/70.webp","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/70.webp 1x, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/70.webp 1.5x, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/70.webp 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2900,"url":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-2-ck-question-of-the-day-pheochromocytoma","url_meta":{"origin":640,"position":2},"title":"USMLE\u00ae Step 2 CK Question of the Day: Pheochromocytoma","author":"Marina Horiates Kerekes, MD &amp; Team","date":"September 7, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Here's another USMLE\u00ae Step 2 CK Question of the Day!\u00a0Today's case involves a 31-year-old woman with recurrent episodes of headache, palpitations, and anxiety. Can you figure it out? A 31-year-old woman comes to her physician for evaluation of recurrent episodes of headache, palpitations, and anxiety. She works as a lawyer\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Allopathic Medicine (MD)&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Allopathic Medicine (MD)","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/category\/medicine"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/usmle-step-2-ck-question-of-the-day-pheochromocytoma.webp","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/usmle-step-2-ck-question-of-the-day-pheochromocytoma.webp 1x, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/usmle-step-2-ck-question-of-the-day-pheochromocytoma.webp 1.5x, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/usmle-step-2-ck-question-of-the-day-pheochromocytoma.webp 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9230,"url":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-lower-teeth-sensation","url_meta":{"origin":640,"position":3},"title":"USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question of the Day:\u00a0Lower teeth sensation","author":"Rowan Bell, MD &amp; Marina Horiates Kerekes, MD","date":"February 25, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A woman post-wisdom tooth extraction has numbness in lower teeth and chin. Learn more about nerve anatomy and surgical risks.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Allopathic Medicine (MD)&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Allopathic Medicine (MD)","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/category\/medicine"},"img":{"alt_text":"USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question of the Day:\u00a0Lower teeth sensation","src":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/Step-1-Question-of-the-day-Lower-teeth-sensation.png","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/Step-1-Question-of-the-day-Lower-teeth-sensation.png 1x, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/Step-1-Question-of-the-day-Lower-teeth-sensation.png 1.5x, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/Step-1-Question-of-the-day-Lower-teeth-sensation.png 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":923,"url":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-compression-of-the-esophagus","url_meta":{"origin":640,"position":4},"title":"USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question of the Day: Compression of the esophagus","author":"Marina Horiates Kerekes, MD &amp; Team","date":"May 10, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Explore today\u2019s USMLE\u00ae Step 1 question focusing on a clinical case of dysphagia, and identify the anatomical site likely causing the patient\u2019s symptoms.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Allopathic Medicine (MD)&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Allopathic Medicine (MD)","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/category\/medicine"},"img":{"alt_text":"USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question of the Day Compression of the esophagus","src":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/45.webp","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/45.webp 1x, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/45.webp 1.5x, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/45.webp 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3222,"url":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-2-ck-question-of-the-day-urgency-incontinence","url_meta":{"origin":640,"position":5},"title":"USMLE\u00ae Step 2 CK Question of the Day: Urgency Incontinence","author":"Marina Horiates Kerekes, MD &amp; Team","date":"September 15, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"We're back with a USMLE\u00ae Step 2 CK Question of the Day!\u00a0Today's case involves a 31-year-old woman with urinary incontinence. Which of the following interventions is used in treating this patient\u2019s condition? A 31-year-old woman has come to an outpatient clinic for urinary incontinence over the past week. Since the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Allopathic Medicine (MD)&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Allopathic Medicine (MD)","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/category\/medicine"},"img":{"alt_text":"USMLE\u00ae Step 2 CK Question of the Day: Urgency Incontinence","src":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/2024-09-18T085952.318.webp","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/2024-09-18T085952.318.webp 1x, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/2024-09-18T085952.318.webp 1.5x, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/2024-09-18T085952.318.webp 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/640","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/202"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=640"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/640\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":643,"href":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/640\/revisions\/643"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/641"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=640"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=640"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=640"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}