Week 7 Quiz Flashcards
A patient with a head injury has admission vital signs of blood pressure 128/68, pulse 110, and respirations 26. Which of these vital signs, if taken 1 hour after admission, will be of most concern to the nurse?
a. Blood pressure 156/60, pulse 55, respirations 12
b. Blood pressure 130/72, pulse 90, respirations 32
c. Blood pressure 148/78, pulse 112, respirations 28
d. Blood pressure 110/70, pulse 120, respirations 30
ANS: A
Systolic hypertension with widening pulse pressure, bradycardia, and respiratory changes represent Cushing’s triad and indicate that the intracranial pressure (ICP) has increased, and brain herniation may be imminent unless immediate action is taken to reduce ICP. The other vital signs may indicate the need for changes in treatment, but they are not indicative of an immediately life-threatening process.
If you have a patient with a brain injury what vital signs would you be concerned about?
Bradycardia
Systolic blood pressure is high.
Choose the highest blood pressure***
What is cushings triad?
widened pulse pressure
decreased respirations
decreased heart rate
A 20-yr-old male patient is admitted with a head injury after a collision while playing football. After noting that the patient has developed clear nasal drainage, which action should the nurse take?
a. Have the patient gently blow the nose.
b. Check the drainage for glucose content.
c. Teach the patient that rhinorrhea is expected after a head injury.
d. Obtain a specimen of the fluid to send for culture and sensitivity.
Answer: b. Check the drainage for glucose content.
Rationale: Clear nasal drainage in a patient with a head injury suggests a dural tear and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. If the drainage is CSF, it will test positive for glucose. Fluid leaking from the nose will have normal nasal flora, so culture and sensitivity will not be useful. Blowing the nose is avoided to prevent CSF leakage.
A person with a concussion what are we going to do?
Keep patient awake; give instructions on neuro status (alert, respiratory, and pupils)
A person that has a skull fracture down by the basal and note they have racoon eyes with clear drainage from their nose. What order are we going to question from the provider?
Question the order for NG Tube to low suction (it can cause meningitis)
A person with a concussion and have post term concussion what are we going to see? Post concussion syndrome:
short term memory loss persistent headache lethargy
personality
behavior changes
A person with a concussion getting discharged in the ER what statement would require further instruction?
b. Do not go to sleep early
The client diagnosed with a mild concussion is being discharged from the emergency department. Which discharge instruction should the nurse teach the client’s significant other?
- Awaken the client every two (2) hours.
- Monitor for increased intracranial pressure.
- Observe frequently for hypervigilance.
- Offer the client food every three (3) to four (4) hours.
- Awakening the client every two (2) hours allows the identification of headache, dizziness, lethargy, irritability, and anxiety—all signs of postconcussion syndrome—that would warrant the significant other’s taking the client back to the emergency department.
A patient with a brain injury what do we need to report to the provider?
Report anticoagulants (it can increase intracranial hemorrhage)
A person has intracranial hemorrhage and have ICP what can we look at the neck for that indicates an increase in ICP
Jugular vein distention: indicates increased ICP
What is the tx plan for increased ICP?
mannitol
reduce stimuli
increase HOB
normal ICP range?
5-15 mm Hg
what is a bad ICP level?
hennythanggg ovaaa 20
SATA
Poor gag reflex (dysphagia)
Absent bowel sounds
Low blood pressure (hypotension)
Do NOT select polyuria and hyperthermia
A patient with a spinal cord injury has paraplegia. What are we going to do?
Establish a plan of care to set attainable goals
A person with dysreflexia because T4 paralysis from chest down what are they going to have?
A. Hyperreflexia
B. Bladder distended (catheter placed)
C> Elevated BP and headache, flushed face
B. Bladder distended (catheter placed)
If a person has a injury at level of T2-T3 what is it going to cause?
A. Paraplegia: paralysis of both legs (injury at or below T1)
B. Hemiplegia: paralysis on one side (CVA or Stroke)
C. Quadriplegia: above C7
A. Paraplegia: paralysis of both legs (injury at or below T1)
SATA 2 answers: skin breakdown for patient with spinal cord injury and paralysis: cervical spinal cord injury from a fall
a. Raise heels with pillow
b. Prevent moisture
A person with autonomic dysreflexia with a high BP after having a spinal cord injury what position are we going to place them in to reduce BP and ICP ?
Semi or High Fowler to reduce BP and ICP
Halo fixation device: what is it trying to immobilize what part of the spine?
Cervical Spine: it is on for 8-12 weeks
immobilization of the upper spine
Spinal cord injury about autonomic dysreflexia. What will we do to prevent persons BP high and ICP high? What will we do to decrease them?
Reposition the patient between Semi and High Fowler
A person with a spinal cord injury What are we going to assess for in the C4 & C5 function what are we going to do?
Have patient shrug their shoulders and push down (cranial nerve 11)
A person who has a spinal cord injury and assisting the client with bathing what are we going to give them to promote independence?
Give the patient a long handle sponge to assist with bathing, bathwater no more than 115 degrees, wall mounted soap dispenser, hand held shower head
A laminectomy down to the lumbar what part of the body has been affected to the legs what are we going to do?
Make sure patient has sensory perception of lower extremities, check motor skills of legs (raise legs)
A person with paraplegia from a Motor Vehicle Accident what indicated the need for catheterization?
Need for catheterization if patient has dribbling or incontinence of urine
A person with traumatic head injury which will indicate the motor function response?
Response to pain and push hand away
A patient with a halo fixation device what are we going to report?
Report elevated temperature (infection from screws in skull, purulent drainage)
Bell’s palsy SATA (3 answers) CN 7
Impaired taste (difficulty with speech)
Pain behind the ear *tinnitus nor hearing loss) Muscle distortion (Facial paralysis)
A person who has sustained a head injury and is receiving IV fluids, what are we going to do the IV fluids if its above 100ml/hr?
Decrease infusion rate from 100 ml/hr to 50 ml/hr (to decrease cerebral edema and ICP)
call provider
A person with a head injury and brief loss of consciousness and they have clear fluid coming out of the ear what does that mean?
The fluid can be CSF and can indicate skull fracture
A person has dysphagia and rhizotomy, how would you encourage the patient to eat their food?
Dysphagia: cut food into small bites