Exam 22: Care of Patients with Head and Spinal Cord Injuries

The nurse is caring for a patient with a spinal cord injury who develops autonomic dysreflexia (AD).Which action is most important for the nurse to take first?

Why is the older adult more at risk for a cranial bleed following a head injury?

Following a craniotomy to relieve increased intracranial pressure (ICP),which implementation should the nurse implement?

The nurse is caring for an adolescent who has lower limb paralysis after sustaining a spinal injury yesterday.The patient's anxious mother asks if the paralysis is permanent.Which response is most appropriate for the nurse to make?

The unconscious patient with a closed head injury is on mechanical ventilation.To improve brain perfusion through increased blood pressure,the carbon dioxide (CO₂) should be maintained at what level?

The student nurse is planning care for a patient with a recent spinal cord injury.Which intervention indicates that the student nurse requires further instruction regarding appropriate care for this patient?

In assessing the patient with a significant right intracerebral hemorrhage,the nurse anticipates that the patient will demonstrate which signs?

The nurse is caring for a patient with flaccid paralysis after sustaining a spinal cord injury 3 days earlier.The family excitedly notifies the nurse that the patient has flexed his arm.Which response is best for the nurse to make?

The nurse is aware that an epidural hematoma warrants immediate intervention based on which criteria?

A patient presents to the health clinic with low back pain that radiates into the buttocks and below the knee.The nurse suspects which condition?

If conservative measures are unsuccessful in treating a herniated disk,a(n)__________ may be necessary to remove the posterior arch of the vertebrae,along with the disk.

The nurse describes a concussion as a closed head injury in which:

The nurse is caring for an older adult patient who was admitted to the hospital following a closed head injury that resulted in a 5-minute period of unconsciousness.The nurse most carefully monitors the patient for which change?

The nurse is caring for a patient with spastic paralysis.Which technique is most appropriate for the nurse to use when moving the patient?

The patient with a suspected subdural hematoma is on an intravenous (IV)drip of mannitol infusing at 50 mL/hr.The nurse explains that the slow infusion rate is essential for what purpose?

The nurse is aware that increasing intracranial pressure can cause _____________ of the brain,which results in the brain impinging on the brainstem.

When turning the patient who is in Crutchfield tongs traction,the nurse should employ which technique?

The nurse is evaluating the patient to determine if adequate learning has occurred regarding care of lower back pain.Which activities indicate that the patient adequately understands the nurse's teaching?

After an older adult falls,the nurse suspects the development of a subdural hematoma based on which finding(s)?

The nurse documents which sign(s)of epidural hematoma in a patient with a closed head injury?