Chapter 68: Management of Patients With Neurologic Trauma
A client with a spinal cord injury is to receive Lovenox (enoxaparin) 50 mg subcutaneously twice a day. The medication is supplied in vials containing 80 mg per 0.8 mL. How many mL will constitute the correct dose? Enter the correct number ONLY.
0.5
A 24-year-old female rock climber is brought to the emergency department after a fall from the face of a rock. The young lady is admitted for observation after being diagnosed with a contusion to the brain. The client asks the nurse what having a contusion means. How should the nurse respond? Contusions are bruising, and sometimes, hemorrhage of superficial cerebral tissue. Contusions are deep brain injuries. Contusions are microscopic brain injuries. Contusions occur when the brain is jarred and bounces off the skull on the opposite side from the blow.
1
A client has sustained a traumatic brain injury with involvement of the hypothalamus. The nurse is concerned about the development of diabetes insipidus. Which of the following would be an appropriate nursing intervention to monitor for early signs of diabetes insipidus? Take daily weights. Reposition the client frequently. Assess for pupillary response frequently. Assess vital signs frequently.
1
A client with quadriplegia is in spinal shock. What finding should the nurse expect? Absence of reflexes along with flaccid extremities Positive Babinski's reflex along with spastic extremities Hyperreflexia along with spastic extremities Spasticity of all four extremities
1
The statements presented here match nursing interventions with nursing diagnoses. Which statements are appropriate for a client who has suffered a head injury? Select all that apply. Ineffective airway clearance: Apply suction as indicated Deficient fluid volume: Administer 1 L of normal saline daily Disturbed sleep pattern: Provide back rubs to the client Ineffective cerebral tissue perfusion: Maintain cerebral perfusion pressure ≤50 mm Hg Interrupted family process: Encourage the family to join a support group
1,3,5
A client with a spinal cord injury is to receive methylprednisolone sodium succinate 100 mg intravenously twice a day. The medication is supplied in vials containing 125 mg per 2 mL. How many mL will constitute the correct dose? Enter the correct number ONLY.
1.6
A patient was body surfing in the ocean and sustained a cervical spinal cord fracture. A halo traction device was applied. How does the patient benefit from the application of the halo device? It is the only device that can be applied for stabilization of a spinal fracture. It allows for stabilization of the cervical spine along with early ambulation. It is less bulky and traumatizing for the patient to use. The patient can remove it as needed.
2
There is a high risk for ineffective coping in a client with a recent spinal cord injury. Which nursing interventions will assist the client with this process? Select all that apply. Assist the client in accepting the severity of deficits. Offer encouragement as the client makes progress. Involve the client actively in self care. Reassure the client by stating, "Everything is going to be all right."
2,3
A client presents to the emergency department stating numbness and tingling occurring down the left leg into the left foot. When documenting the experience, which medical terminology would the nurse be most correct to report? Sciatic nerve pain Herniation Paresthesia Paralysis
3
A client with a concussion is discharged after the assessment. Which instruction should the nurse give the client's family? Have the client avoid physical exertion Emphasize complete bed rest Look for signs of increased intracranial pressure Look for a halo sign
3
A patient sustained a head trauma in a diving accident and has a cerebral hemorrhage located within the brain. What type of hematoma is this classified as? An epidural hematoma An extradural hematoma An intracerebral hematoma A subdural hematoma
3
After a motor vehicle crash, a client is admitted to the medical-surgical unit with a cervical collar in place. The cervical spinal X-rays haven't been read, so the nurse doesn't know whether the client has a cervical spinal injury. Until such an injury is ruled out, the nurse should restrict this client to which position? Flat Supine, with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees Flat, except for logrolling as needed A head elevation of 90 degrees to prevent cerebral swelling
3
A client has been diagnosed with a concussion and is to be released from the emergency department. The nurse teaches the family or friends who will be caring for the client to contact the physician or return to the ED if the client reports a headache. reports generalized weakness. sleeps for short periods of time. vomits.
4
A client has sustained a traumatic brain injury. Which of the following is the priority nursing diagnosis for this client? Deficient fluid balance related to decreased level of consciousness and hormonal dysfunction Ineffective cerebral tissue perfusion related to increased intracranial pressure Disturbed thought processes related to brain injury Ineffective airway clearance related to brain injury
4
The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with an acute subdural hematoma following a craniotomy. The nurse is preparing to administer an IV dose of dexamethasone (Decadron). The medication is available in a 20-mL IV bag and ordered to be infused over 15 minutes. At what rate (mL/hr) will the nurse set the infusion pump?
80
A client was hit in the head with a ball and knocked unconscious. Upon arrival at the emergency department and subsequent diagnostic tests, it was determined that the client suffered a subdural hematoma. The client is becoming increasingly symptomatic. How would the nurse expect this subdural hematoma to be classified? acute chronic subacute intracerebral
1
A client with weakness and tingling in both legs is admitted to the medical-surgical unit with a tentative diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome. On admission, which assessment is most important for this client? Lung auscultation and measurement of vital capacity and tidal volume Evaluation for signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) Evaluation of pain and discomfort Evaluation of nutritional status and metabolic state
1
Autonomic dysreflexia can occur with spinal cord injuries above which of the following levels? T6 S2 L4 T10
1
Which are possible long-term complications of spinal cord injury? Select all that apply. respiratory arrest areflexia autonomic dysreflexia respiratory infection
3,4
A client with a spinal cord injury has full head and neck control when the injury is at which level? C1 C2 to C3 C4 C5
4
A patient comes to the emergency department with a large scalp laceration after being struck in the head with a glass bottle. After assessment of the patient, what does the nurse do before the physician sutures the wound? Irrigates the wound to remove debris Administers an oral analgesic for pain Administers acetaminophen (Tylenol) for headache Shaves the hair around the wound
1
The nurse is caring for a client with a head injury. The client is experiencing CSF rhinorrhea. Which order should the nurse question? Insertion of a nasogastric (NG) tube Urine testing for acetone Serum sodium concentration testing Out of bed to the chair three times a day
1
The nurse is caring for a client with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Which clinical finding, observed during the reassessment of the client, causes the nurse the most concern? Temperature increase from 98.0°F to 99.6°F Urinary output increase from 40 to 55 mL/hr Heart rate decrease from 100 to 90 bpm Pulse oximetry decrease from 99% to 97% room air
1
When the nurse observes that the patient has extension and external rotation of the arms and wrists, and extension, plantar flexion, and internal rotation of the feet, she records the patient's posturing as which of the following? Decerebrate Normal Flaccid Decorticate
1
A patient sustained a head injury and has been admitted to the neurosurgical intensive care unit (ICU). The patient began having seizures and was administered a sedative-hypnotic medication that is ultra-short acting and can be titrated to patient response. What medication will the nurse be monitoring during this time? Lorazepam (Ativan) Midazolam (Versed) Phenobarbital Propofol (Diprivan)
4
The nurse in the emergency department is caring for a patient brought in by the rescue squad after falling from a second-story window. The nurse assesses ecchymosis over the mastoid and clear fluid from the ears. What type of skull fracture is this indicative of? Occipital skull fracture Temporal skull fracture Frontal skull fracture Basilar skull fracture
4
When caring for a client who is post-intracranial surgery what is the most important parameter to monitor? Extreme thirst Intake and output Nutritional status Body temperature
4
You are a neurotrauma nurse working in a neuro ICU. What would you know is an acute emergency and is seen in clients with a cervical or high thoracic spinal cord injury after the spinal shock subsides? Tetraplegia Areflexia Autonomic dysreflexia Paraplegia
3
A client is being admitted to a rehabilitation hospital as a result of the tetraplegia caused a stroke. The client's condition is stable, and after admission the client will begin physical and psychological therapy. An important part of nursing management is to reposition the client every 2 hours. What is the rationale behind this intervention? maintain sufficient integument capillary pressure provide a change of scenery maintain psychological well-being passive exercise
1
Clinical manifestations of neurogenic shock include which of the following? Select all that apply. Venous pooling in the extremities Bradycardia Warm skin Tachycardia Profuse bilateral sweating
1,2,3
The nurse is caring for a client following a spinal cord injury who has a halo device in place. The client is preparing for discharge. Which statement by the client indicates the need for further instruction? "I will change the vest liner periodically." "If a pin becomes detached, I'll notify the surgeon." "I can apply powder under the liner to help with sweating." "I'll check under the liner for blisters and redness."
3
The nurse received the report from a previous shift. One of her clients was reported to have a history of basilar skull fracture with otorrhea. What assessment finding does the nurse anticipate? The client has cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leaking from the ear. The client has ecchymosis in the periorbital region. The client has an elevated temperature. The client has serous drainage from the nose.
1
Which condition occurs when blood collects between the dura mater and arachnoid membrane? Intracerebral hemorrhage Epidural hematoma Extradural hematoma Subdural hematoma
4
The nurse working on the neurological unit is caring for a client with a basilar skull fracture. During assessment, the nurse expects to observe Battle's sign, which is a sign of basilar skill fracture. Which of the following correctly decribes Battle's sign? Ecchymosis over the mastoid Bruising under the eyes Drainage of cerebrospinal fluid from the nose Drainage of cerebrospinal fluid from the ears
1
Which of the following is not a manifestation of Cushing's Triad? Tachycardia Bradycardia Hypertension Bradypnea
1
The nurse in the neurologic ICU is caring for a client who sustained a severe brain injury. Which nursing measures will the nurse implement to help control intracranial pressure (ICP)? Position the client in the supine position Maintain cerebral perfusion pressure from 50 to 70 mm Hg Restrain the client, as indicated Administer enemas, as needed
2
A client has been diagnosed with a concussion and is preparing for discharge from the ED. The nurse teaches the family members who will be caring for the client to contact the physician or return to the ED if the client demonstrates reports which complications? Select all that apply. Headache Slurred speech Sleeps for short periods of time Vomiting Weakness on one side of the body
2,4,5
A nurse completes the Glasgow Coma Scale on a patient with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Her assessment results in a score of 6, which is interpreted as: Mild TBI. Moderate TBI. Severe TBI. Brain death.
3
The nurse is caring for a client immediately after a spinal cord injury. Which assessment finding is essential when caring for a client in spinal shock with injury in the lower thoracic region? Numbness and tingling Respiratory pattern Pulse and blood pressure Pain level
3
The nurse is caring for a patient in the emergency department with a diagnosed epidural hematoma. What procedure will the nurse prepare the patient for? Hypophysectomy Application of Halo traction Burr holes Insertion of Crutchfield tongs
3
A client who is disoriented and restless after sustaining a concussion during a car accident is admitted to the hospital. Which nursing diagnosis takes the highest priority in this client's care plan? Disturbed sensory perception (visual) Dressing or grooming self-care deficit Impaired verbal communication Risk for injury
4
