A nurse is caring for a client who was involved in a motor vehicle accident. The client is alert and oriented and reports a loss of consciousness immediately after the accident. Which of the following additional manifestations should the nurse assess the client for?
(Select All that Apply.)
Pupillary dilation
Persistent headache
Presence of hand tremors
Difficulty waking
Foot drop
Correct Answer : A,B,D
Choice A Reason:
Pupillary dilation is correct. Pupillary changes can indicate neurological dysfunction following a head injury. Dilated pupils may suggest increased intracranial pressure or damage to specific brain structures.
Choice B Reason:
Persistent headache is correct .Headaches are a common symptom following a head injury. Persistent or worsening headaches can indicate ongoing neurological issues and should be monitored closely.
Choice C Reason:
Presence of hand tremors is incorrect. Hand tremors are not typically associated with loss of consciousness following a motor vehicle accident. While hand tremors can occur in various conditions, such as essential tremor or Parkinson's disease, they are not typically a direct manifestation of a head injury. The primary concern immediately following a motor vehicle accident with loss of consciousness is assessing for signs of neurological dysfunction, such as altered level of consciousness, pupillary changes, and persistent headache. Hand tremors may be assessed in other contexts, but they are not directly related to the immediate assessment of a client following a motor vehicle accident with loss of consciousness.
Choice D Reason:
Difficulty waking is correct. Difficulty waking or altered level of consciousness can indicate neurological impairment and may be indicative of a concussion or other brain injury.
E. Foot drop is incorrect. Foot drop refers to difficulty lifting the front part of the foot, which can cause dragging of the foot or toes along the ground while walking. While foot drop can result from various neurological conditions or injuries, it is not typically associated with loss of consciousness following a motor vehicle accident. Loss of consciousness after a motor vehicle accident is more indicative of potential head trauma or concussion, which may present with symptoms such as altered level of consciousness, headache, pupillary changes, or difficulty waking. Foot drop would be more relevant to assess in contexts related to peripheral nerve injury, spinal cord injury, or neurological conditions affecting the lower extremities. Given the scenario provided, foot drop is not a typical manifestation that the nurse would assess for immediately following a motor vehicle accident with loss of consciousness. Therefore, option E is not relevant in this scenario.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Sexual intercourse is correct. Stimulation of the genitalia or other areas below the level of injury can trigger autonomic dysreflexia in individuals with spinal cord injuries.
Choice B Reason:
Tight clothing is correct. Any form of tight or restrictive clothing, including belts or waistbands, can stimulate the body below the level of injury and trigger autonomic dysreflexia.
Choice C Reason:
Nausea is incorrect. While nausea itself is not a common trigger for autonomic dysreflexia, it may occur as a result of the condition. Autonomic dysreflexia can cause a variety of symptoms, including nausea, due to the sudden increase in blood pressure.
Choice D Reason:
Surgery below the level of injury is correct. Surgical procedures performed below the level of the spinal cord injury can lead to stimulation of the body below the injury site, triggering autonomic dysreflexia.
Choice E Reason:
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) is correct. Infections of the urinary tract, especially those involving the bladder or urethra, can stimulate the body below the level of injury, leading to autonomic dysreflexia.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Manual wheelchair is inappropriate. A manual wheelchair requires the use of the client's upper extremities to propel the wheelchair forward by pushing on the wheels. With a spinal cord injury at the fourth cervical level, the client may have limited or no function in their upper extremities, making it difficult to self-propel a manual wheelchair.
Choice B Reason:
Sip-and-puff device is appropriate. A sip-and-puff device allows individuals with limited or no hand function to control a powered wheelchair using their breath. This device enables the client to navigate the wheelchair by inhaling or exhaling into a straw-like device, which activates controls to move the wheelchair forward, backward, and turn.
Choice C Reason:
Drive-adapted wheelchair is inappropriate. A drive-adapted wheelchair is a powered wheelchair that can be modified with adaptive controls to accommodate individuals with limited hand function or mobility. These wheelchairs may include joystick controls, head arrays, chin controls, or other adaptive devices that allow the client to operate the wheelchair independently despite limited hand function.
Choice D Reason:
Ultra-light wheelchairs is inappropriate. Ultra-light wheelchairs are manual wheelchairs that are lightweight and often customized to fit the client's specific needs and preferences. While ultra-light wheelchairs may offer advantages in terms of maneuverability and ease of transportation, they still require sufficient upper extremity function to self-propel the wheelchair.
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