A nurse is caring for a client who has a complete spinal cord injury. Based on the nurse's understanding about the degree of this type of injury, what can the nurse expect will be the client's level of function?
The client will need 24-hour a day care.
The client will be able to assist with transfer and perform self-care.
The client will be able to roll over independently.
The client will be able to drive an electric wheelchair.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason: This is the correct choice because a complete spinal cord injury is a condition where there is no motor or sensory function below the level of injury. The client will have paralysis of all four limbs (quadriplegia) and loss of bladder, bowel, and sexual function. The client will also have impaired thermoregulation, breathing, and blood pressure. The client will need 24-hour a day care to assist with mobility, hygiene, elimination, nutrition, and prevention of complications.
Choice B) Reason: This is incorrect because a client who is able to assist with transfer and perform self-care has a partial spinal cord injury, not a complete one. A partial spinal cord injury is a condition where there is some motor or sensory function below the level of injury. The degree of impairment depends on the extent and location of the damage.
Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because a client who is able to roll over independently has a lower spinal cord injury, not a complete one. A lower spinal cord injury is a condition where there is damage to the lumbar or sacral segments of the spinal cord. The client will have paralysis of the lower limbs (paraplegia) and some loss of bladder, bowel, and sexual function. The client will still have some control over the upper limbs and trunk.
Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because a client who is able to drive an electric wheelchair has an upper spinal cord injury, not a complete one. An upper spinal cord injury is a condition where there is damage to the cervical or thoracic segments of the spinal cord. The client will have paralysis of all four limbs (quadriplegia) and loss of bladder, bowel, and sexual function. However, the client may still have some movement or sensation in the shoulders, arms, or hands.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B","D","E"]
Explanation
The correct answers are b, d, and e.
Choice A: Slurred speech.
Slurred speech can be associated with increased ICP due to the pressure effects on the brain areas responsible for speech production. However, it is not typically considered a late sign of increased ICP. It may occur earlier in the progression as the brain's ability to coordinate muscle movements is affected.
Choice B: Bradycardia with a bounding pulse.
Bradycardia with a bounding pulse is a classic sign of Cushing's triad, which is a late and ominous sign of significantly increased ICP. It indicates that the body is attempting to increase arterial blood pressure to overcome the increased ICP and maintain cerebral perfusion. The normal range for adult heart rate is 60-100 beats per minute.
Choice C: Confusion.
Confusion can be an early sign of increased ICP as it can indicate changes in cerebral function. However, it is not specifically a late sign of increased ICP. Early signs of increased ICP can include headache, nausea, and confusion, as the brain is initially responding to the pressure changes.
Choice D: Hypertension with an increasing pulse pressure.
Hypertension with an increasing pulse pressure is another component of Cushing's triad. It reflects the body's compensatory mechanism to preserve cerebral blood flow in the face of rising ICP. An increasing pulse pressure (the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure) is a late sign of increased ICP. Normal pulse pressure is typically 30-40 mm Hg.
Choice E: Nonreactive dilated pupils.
Nonreactive dilated pupils are a late sign of increased ICP and indicate pressure on the cranial nerves that control pupil size and reaction to light. This is a grave sign and often indicates impending brain herniation.
Choice F: Hypotension with a decreasing pulse pressure.
Hypotension with a decreasing pulse pressure is not typically associated with increased ICP. In fact, hypertension with a widening pulse pressure would be more indicative of increased ICP as part of Cushing's triad.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason: This choice is incorrect. Losing bladder control is not a feature of complex partial seizures, but rather of generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Complex partial seizures are a type of focal seizures that affect a specific area of the brain and cause impaired awareness and automatisms. Automatisms are repetitive and involuntary movements or behaviors that occur during a seizure.
Choice B Reason: This choice is incorrect. Having fixed and dilated eyes is not a feature of complex partial seizures, but rather of brain death or severe brain injury. Complex partial seizures do not affect the pupils or eye movements, but rather the level of consciousness and motor activity.
Choice C Reason: This choice is incorrect. Making involuntary groaning sounds is not a feature of complex partial seizures, but rather of simple partial seizures. Simple partial seizures are a type of focal seizures that affect a specific area of the brain and do not impair awareness or cause automatisms. They can cause sensory, motor, or psychic symptoms, such as auditory or visual hallucinations, tingling sensations, or emotional changes.
Choice D Reason: This is the correct choice. Having involuntary facial movements, such as lip-smacking, is a feature of complex partial seizures. Complex partial seizures often originate from the temporal lobe of the brain, which is involved in memory, language, and emotion. They can cause automatisms that affect the mouth, face, or hands, such as chewing, swallowing, picking, or fidgeting.
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