A nurse is caring for a client who was admitted for observation following a head injury. Which of the following findings by the nurse indicates the client is experiencing increased intracranial pressure?
Pin-point pupils
Irritability
Pallor
Decreased blood pressure
The Correct Answer is B
A. Pinpoint pupils are more commonly associated with opioid intoxication or damage to the pons rather than increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Increased ICP typically causes pupils to become dilated and sluggish or nonreactive to light
B. Irritability can be an early sign of increased intracranial pressure. As pressure within the skull rises, it can affect the brain's ability to function normally, leading to changes in behavior such as restlessness, agitation, or irritability.
C. Pallor is not directly associated with increased intracranial pressure. It might indicate other issues such as anemia or poor circulation, but it is not a specific sign of increased ICP.
D. Increased intracranial pressure typically leads to hypertension (increased blood pressure) as part of the Cushing's triad, which includes hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations. Decreased blood pressure would not be a typical finding associated with increased ICP.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
This situation involves a medication error that could potentially harm the client, and it should be reported through an incident report.
The following examples may not require an incident report:
A nurse discovers that a client's family member has administered a PCA dose. PCA (Patient-Controlled Analgesia) is a method of pain management that allows the client to self-administer pain medication within predetermined limits. If a family member administers the PCA dose without proper authorization or understanding, it is a safety concern that should be reported.
A nurse observes a client vomiting after receiving an oral pain medication. While this situation should be assessed and managed appropriately, it does not necessarily warrant an incident report unless there are additional factors or complications involved.
A nurse observes another nurse remove wrist restraints one at a time from a client who is currently calm. This situation may raise concerns regarding proper restraint removal techniques or potential safety issues, but it does not inherently indicate an immediate need for an incident report. However, if the nurse's actions were contrary to policy or posed a risk to the client's safety, it should be reported.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Palliative care is an approach to care that focuses on improving the quality of life for individuals with serious or life-threatening illnesses. It aims to provide relief from pain, symptoms, and stress, rather than focusing solely on curing the underlying disease. Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatments and is not limited to clients with a specific life expectancy.
It does not involve the restriction of nutritional support but rather aims to address the overall physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the client.
While palliative care may be provided to clients with terminal illnesses, it is not exclusive to them, as it can be initiated at any stage of a serious illness.
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