Exam 39: Coordinating Care for Critically Ill Patients With Neurological Dysfunction

An adolescent seeks medical care after being in a street fight.Which observation indicates that this patient has sustained a basilar skull fracture?

The nurse is caring for a patient in a barbiturate coma for increased intracranial pressure (ICP).What should the nurse assess to determine this patient's cerebral function?

A patient is diagnosed with a subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by a cerebral aneurysm that has a wide neck and tortuous vascular anatomy.For which procedure should the nurse prepare teaching material for this patient?

The family of a patient with a traumatic brain injury asks why the bed side rails are padded.What should the nurse explain to the family?

A patient with neurogenic shock has a sustained heart rate of 38 beats per minute.Based on this observation,for what should the nurse prepare the patient?

A patient in a barbiturate coma for increased intracranial pressure (ICP)has audible gurgling through the endotracheal tube.What should the nurse do first before suctioning this patient?

A patient recovering from a stroke has profound bradycardia.What should the nurse suspect as the cause of this manifestation?

A patient recovering from a hemorrhagic stroke has a blood pressure of 90/50 mm Hg.What action should the nurse take?

A patient with a cerebral vasospasm is receiving triple H therapy.What parameter should the nurse use to determine adequacy of hemodilution?

The nurse is assessing a patient who sustained a traumatic brain injury several years ago.What finding should the nurse expect when completing the assessment?

A patient with neurogenic shock is demonstrating vagal stimulation.What should the nurse expect to be prescribed for this patient?

The nurse suspects that a patient is experiencing a hemorrhagic stroke from a ruptured cerebral aneurysm.What assessment finding caused the nurse to make this conclusion?

The nurse is preparing a patient for insertion of an intraventricular catheter intracranial pressure (ICP)monitoring device.What is an advantage of this device?

The nurse is caring for a patient with hypotension caused by neurogenic shock.What action should the nurse take to reduce the risk of developing orthostatic hypotension?

The nurse is caring for a patient with neurogenic shock.What finding should the nurse expect to assess in this patient?

A patient with a traumatic brain injury is leaking clear fluid from the nose.What action should the nurse take?

A patient with increased intracranial pressure (ICP)has a body temperature of 100^°F.What action should the nurse take to address this temperature elevation?

The nurse is concerned that a patient is at high risk for having a stroke.What finding did the nurse use to make this clinical decision?

A patient recovering from an ischemic stroke is prescribed verapamil (Calan).In preparation for patient teaching,which medication category will the nurse review?

The nurse is preparing materials for the families of patients who have sustained a stroke.What information should the nurse include to reduce the risk for additional strokes?