A client arrives to the emergency department after falling from a ladder. The client has a loss of sensation and flaccid paralysis. Which of the following complications of an acute spinal cord injury does the nurse suspect?

Choice A Reason: Seasonal allergies are not a cause of delirium, but a common condition that affects the respiratory system and causes symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, or coughing.

Choice B Reason: History of GERD is not a cause of delirium, but a chronic condition that affects the digestive system and causes symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, or difficulty swallowing.

Choice C Reason: Benzodiazepines are a cause of delirium, especially in older adults or those with cognitive impairment. Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that act on the central nervous system and cause sedation, relaxation, and reduced anxiety. However, they can also impair memory, attention, orientation, and judgment, and lead to confusion, agitation, hallucinations, or delusions.

Choice D Reason: Completed antibiotics 10 days ago are not a cause of delirium, but a treatment for bacterial infections. Antibiotics can have side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, rash, or allergic reactions, but they do not cause delirium unless they are toxic or interact with other medications.

Choice A Reason: The burned area is yellow in color with severe edema is not a finding of a deep partial-thickness burn, but a superficial partial-thickness burn. A superficial partial-thickness burn involves the epidermis and the upper layer of the dermis, causing pain, redness, swelling, and blistering.

Choice B Reason: The burned area is black in color and pain is absent is not a finding of a deep partial-thickness burn, but a full-thickness burn. A full-thickness burn involves the epidermis, dermis, and underlying tissues, causing necrosis, charred skin, and loss of sensation.

Choice C Reason:This description aligns with a superficial partial-thickness (first-degree or mild second-degree) burn rather than a deep partial-thickness burn. Superficial partial-thickness burns involve the epidermis and the upper portion of the dermis. These burns appear pink or red, often accompanied by moisture and blister formation due to fluid leakage from damaged capillaries. They are painful because nerve endings remain intact. Healing occurs within 10 to 21 days without significant scarring.

Choice D Reason:Deep partial-thickness burns extend deeper into the dermis, damaging a larger portion of skin structures, including sweat glands and hair follicles. These burns typically appear red or white and may have a soft eschar (dead tissue), which differentiates them from more superficial burns that do not develop eschar. Unlike full-thickness burns, nerve endings remain partially intact, so the patient may still experience some pain. These burns take more than 21 days to heal and often require skin grafting to prevent complications such as contractures or hypertrophic scarring.