A nurse is caring for a client who has a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Which of the following groups should the nurse understand has a higher risk of sustaining a TBI?

A. Basketball, office jobs, and listening to loud music: These activities are not typically associated with an increased risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). While some recreational and occupational activities may involve physical or environmental risks, they are not commonly linked to the repetitive head trauma seen in CTE.

B. Swimming, working as a nurse, and painting: These activities are not commonly associated with an increased risk of CTE. Swimming is generally a low-risk activity for head injuries, while working as a nurse and painting are not typically associated with repetitive head trauma.

C. Football, military service, and physical abuse: This is the correct answer. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is strongly associated with repetitive head trauma, particularly in contact sports like football, as well as in military service where blast injuries and combat-related head trauma are common. Physical abuse, especially in contact sports, can also increase the risk of CTE due to repetitive blows to the head.

D. Golfing, working in construction, and horse roping: While some occupational and recreational activities may involve a risk of head injury, they are not commonly associated with the repetitive head trauma seen in CTE. Golfing, construction work, and horse roping typically do not involve the level of repetitive head impacts seen in activities like football or military service.

A. Decrease sedation: Decreasing sedation may help reduce intracranial pressure (ICP) by allowing the client to have a more responsive level of consciousness. However, it is not a direct treatment for brain herniation. Sedation reduction should be done cautiously to prevent agitation and further increases in ICP.

B. Hyperventilate the client: Hyperventilation is a temporary intervention used to reduce intracranial pressure by inducing cerebral vasoconstriction, which decreases cerebral blood flow and intracranial volume. However, it is typically reserved for acute situations and is not considered a definitive treatment for brain herniation. Prolonged or excessive hyperventilation can lead to cerebral ischemia and should be used cautiously.

C. Lower blood pressure: Lowering blood pressure may help reduce cerebral perfusion pressure, which can mitigate the risk of further brain injury during herniation. However, lowering blood pressure alone is not a direct treatment for brain herniation. It may be part of the overall management strategy to prevent secondary injury.

D. Reduce the temperature in the room: Reducing the temperature in the room, or therapeutic hypothermia, is sometimes used in the management of elevated intracranial pressure and brain injury. Lowering body temperature can reduce metabolic demands and cerebral edema, thereby lowering intracranial pressure. However, it is not a direct treatment for brain herniation and should be implemented cautiously to prevent complications such as shivering and hypotension.