A nurse is caring for a patient who has a T-4 spinal cord injury. Which of the following patient findings should the nurse identify as placing the at risk for developing autonomic dysreflexia?
The patient states having nasal congestion.
The patient's blood pressure becomes elevated.
The patient's bladder becomes distended.
The patient states having a severe headache.
The Correct Answer is C
A. The patient states having nasal congestion. – Incorrect. Nasal congestion is a symptom of autonomic dysreflexia, not a trigger.
B. The patient’s blood pressure becomes elevated. – Incorrect. Hypertension is a symptom of autonomic dysreflexia, not the cause.
C. The patient’s bladder becomes distended. – Correct Answer. Bladder distention is the most common trigger of autonomic dysreflexia, a life-threatening condition causing sudden hypertension, bradycardia, and severe headache. Immediate intervention is needed, such as catheterizing the bladder.
D. The patient states having a severe headache. – Incorrect. A severe headache is a symptom of autonomic dysreflexia, not a cause.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Infuse the transfusion at a rate of 200 mL/hr. – Incorrect. The initial infusion should be slow (e.g., 75-100 mL/hr) to monitor for reactions.
B. Check the patient's vital signs every hour during the transfusion. – Correct Answer. Frequent monitoring is necessary to detect adverse reactions, such as fever or hypotension.
C. Leave the patient 5 minutes after beginning the transfusion. – Incorrect. The nurse should remain with the patient for the first 15 minutes, as most transfusion reactions occur early.
D. Flush the blood tubing with dextrose 5% in water. – Incorrect. Only normal saline should be used to flush blood tubing, as dextrose can cause hemolysis.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Proper hand hygiene disrupts the transmission of pathogens and is the primary infection control strategy.
B. A high-protein diet helps with recovery but does not directly prevent transmission.
C. While hygiene is important, daily linen changes are not the primary preventive measure.
D. Restricting visitors is only necessary for highly contagious infections.
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