A nurse is assessing a client who has a spinal cord injury. Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse expect with neurogenic shock? (Select all that apply.)
(Select All that Apply.)

Choice A Reason:

Pleural cavity decompression via needle aspiration is inappropriate. Pleural cavity decompression via needle aspiration may be indicated in cases of tension pneumothorax, a potentially life-threatening condition in which air accumulates in the pleural space and compresses the lung. While it is an intervention rather than a diagnostic tool, it may be performed emergently if tension pneumothorax is suspected based on clinical findings.

Choice B Reason:

Focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) is appropriate. FAST is a bedside ultrasound examination commonly used in trauma settings to rapidly assess for the presence of free fluid in the pericardial, pleural, and peritoneal spaces. It can help identify hemopericardium, hemothorax, or intra-abdominal hemorrhage, which may be indicative of thoracic injury.

Choice C Reason:

Chest x-ray is appropriate. Chest x-ray is a commonly used imaging modality for evaluating thoracic injuries. It can help visualize abnormalities such as rib fractures, pneumothorax, hemothorax, pulmonary contusions, or other traumatic injuries to the chest.

Choice D Reason:

Thoracentesis is appropriate. Thoracentesis is a procedure used to sample fluid from the pleural space for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. It may be indicated if there is a suspicion of pleural effusion or if fluid accumulation is seen on imaging studies such as chest x-ray or ultrasound.

Choice E Reason:

Ultrasound is appropriate. Ultrasound can be used to evaluate various aspects of thoracic injuries, including the presence of pneumothorax, hemothorax, or pleural effusion. It is often used as part of the FAST examination but can also be performed separately for more detailed assessment.

Choice A Reason:

Bronchopneumonia is incorrect. Bronchopneumonia is characterized by patchy areas of consolidation involving multiple lobules scattered throughout the lungs. It typically results from bronchial obstruction and aspiration of infected material into the smaller airways and alveoli.

Choice B Reason:

Severe pneumonia is incorrect. "Severe pneumonia" is a broad term that can refer to pneumonia with various degrees of severity. It does not specifically describe the pattern of consolidation involving the entire lobe of the lung.

Choice C Reason:

Empyema is incorrect. Empyema refers to the accumulation of pus in the pleural cavity, often as a complication of pneumonia. It does not describe the pattern of consolidation within the lung tissue.

Choice D Reason:

Lobar pneumonia is correct. Lobar pneumonia is characterized by consolidation involving an entire lobe or lobes of the lung. It typically results from infection by a single pathogen, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, which leads to inflammation and consolidation of an entire lobe of the lung.