A nurse is assessing a client who has Lewy body dementia. The nurse should recognize that which of the following is responsible for changes in thinking, communication, movement, and emotional processing in Lewy body dementia?

A. A CT angiogram will reveal any edema within the brain tissue: CT angiography primarily focuses on visualizing blood vessels and blood flow within the brain. While it may incidentally detect areas of edema, its primary purpose is to assess vascular structures rather than brain tissue changes such as edema.

B. A CT angiogram will reveal any overproduction of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): CT angiography does not assess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production. Its main function is to visualize blood vessels and blood flow within the brain, particularly to detect abnormalities such as aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, or vasospasm.

C. A CT angiogram will reveal any fractures within the skull or spine: CT angiography primarily focuses on imaging blood vessels and is not the preferred modality for detecting fractures within the skull or spine. CT scans or plain radiography are typically used to assess bony structures for fractures.

D. A CT angiogram will reveal any decreased blood flow related to vasospasm: This statement is correct. CT angiography is a specialized imaging technique that combines computed tomography (CT) scanning with contrast dye to visualize blood vessels and blood flow within the brain. It is commonly used to detect and monitor vasospasm, a potentially serious complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage, where blood vessels in the brain constrict, leading to decreased blood flow. CT angiography allows for the visualization of these changes in blood vessel diameter and blood flow dynamics.

A. Poor functional ability: While poor functional ability may impact the overall prognosis and quality of life for a client with a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), it is not directly associated with a high mortality rate. Functional ability can be improved with rehabilitation and supportive care.

B. Rebleeding of the injury: Rebleeding of the SAH is a significant risk factor associated with a high mortality rate. Rebleeding can lead to increased intracranial pressure, worsening neurological deficits, and even death. Preventing rebleeding is a critical aspect of managing SAH to improve outcomes.

C. Decreased cerebrospinal fluid: Decreased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may indicate conditions such as hydrocephalus, which can complicate the management of SAH. However, it is not directly associated with a high mortality rate compared to rebleeding.

D. Use of nimodipine: Nimodipine is a calcium channel blocker commonly used in the management of SAH to prevent cerebral vasospasm, which can lead to ischemia and worsen outcomes. While nimodipine plays a role in improving outcomes by preventing vasospasm, its use is not directly associated with mortality rates.