A nurse is assessing a client who has a spinal cord injury with heterotopic ossifications. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Hypertension
Bradycardia
Fecal impaction
Arthralgia
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A Reason:
Hypertension is not typically associated with heterotopic ossifications. However, it may occur in individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) due to autonomic dysreflexia, a condition characterized by an exaggerated sympathetic response to stimuli below the level of injury. Autonomic dysreflexia can lead to a sudden increase in blood pressure, which, if left untreated, can result in complications such as stroke or seizure. However, hypertension is not directly related to heterotopic ossifications.
Choice B Reason:
Bradycardia is also not typically associated with heterotopic ossifications. Like hypertension, bradycardia may occur in individuals with SCI due to autonomic dysreflexia. Autonomic dysreflexia can lead to a sudden increase in blood pressure and a reflex bradycardia in response to the increased sympathetic outflow. However, bradycardia is not directly related to heterotopic ossifications.
Choice C Reason:
Fecal impaction is a potential complication of spinal cord injury (SCI) due to impaired bowel function, but it is not directly related to heterotopic ossifications. SCI can disrupt normal bowel motility and result in neurogenic bowel dysfunction, leading to symptoms such as constipation, fecal impaction, and bowel obstruction. However, fecal impaction is not specific to heterotopic ossifications.
Choice D Reason:
Arthralgia is correct. Heterotopic ossifications (HO) involve the abnormal formation of bone in soft tissues around joints, muscles, tendons, or ligaments. When HO occurs around joints, it can lead to symptoms such as pain, swelling, and decreased range of motion, collectively known as arthralgia. Therefore, arthralgia is a common finding associated with heterotopic ossifications in individuals with spinal cord injuries.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Flail chest is incorrect. Flail chest is a condition characterized by multiple rib fractures, causing instability in the chest wall. While it can lead to respiratory distress, it doesn't directly cause ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch. Instead, it impairs the mechanics of breathing by compromising chest wall integrity.
Choice B Reason:
Emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) where the alveolar walls are destroyed, leading to a loss of surface area for gas exchange. This results in areas of the lungs that are well-perfused but poorly ventilated, causing a V/Q mismatch. The damage to alveoli leads to impaired ventilation, while blood flow may still be adequate, leading to hypoxemia (low oxygen levels in the blood).
Choice C Reason:
CHF primarily affects the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively, leading to pulmonary congestion and impaired gas exchange. However, it typically causes diffusion defects rather than a direct ventilation-perfusion mismatch. V/Q mismatch may occur secondary to pulmonary edema, but it’s not the primary mechanism of respiratory failure in CHF.
Choice D Reason:
Guillain-Barré syndrome is incorrect. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a neurological disorder that affects the peripheral nervous system, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis. While respiratory muscle weakness can occur in GBS, it doesn't directly cause ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch. GBS primarily affects nerve function rather than lung function.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Dulaglutide is inappropriate. Dulaglutide is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes by improving blood sugar control. It is not indicated for the management of neurogenic bladder or urinary incontinence.
Choice B Reason:
Montelukast sodium is inappropriate. Montelukast sodium is a medication primarily used to treat asthma and allergic rhinitis by blocking leukotrienes, which are inflammatory substances that contribute to asthma and allergy symptoms. It is not indicated for the management of neurogenic bladder or urinary incontinence.
Choice C Reason:
Glatiramer acetate is inappropriate. Glatiramer acetate is a medication used to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) by modulating the immune system. It is not indicated for the management of neurogenic bladder or urinary incontinence.
Choice D Reason:
Oxybutynin is appropriate. Oxybutynin is a medication commonly prescribed for the management of neurogenic bladder and urinary incontinence. It belongs to a class of medications called anticholinergics, which work by relaxing the bladder muscles and reducing bladder spasms. Oxybutynin helps control urinary urgency, frequency, and incontinence associated with neurogenic bladder, including spasm-induced incontinence.
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