A nurse is caring for a patient who was involved in a motor vehicle accident.The patient is alert and oriented and reports a loss of consciousness immediately after the accident.
Which of the following additional symptoms should the nurse assess the patient for? (Select All that Apply.)
Pupillary dilation
Persistent headache
Presence of hand tremors
Difficulty waking
Foot drop
Correct Answer : A,B,D
Choice A rationale
Pupillary dilation can be a sign of increased intracranial pressure, which could be a result of a traumatic brain injury following a motor vehicle accident. It’s important to assess for this symptom as it may indicate a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Choice B rationale
Persistent headache is a common symptom following a head injury and can be a sign of a concussion or more serious brain injury. It’s crucial to monitor for this symptom as it can provide important information about the patient’s condition.
Choice C rationale
Presence of hand tremors is not typically associated with a head injury from a motor vehicle accident. While tremors can be a symptom of various neurological conditions, they are not commonly seen immediately after a traumatic head injury.
Choice D rationale
Difficulty waking can be a sign of a serious head injury. It could indicate a concussion or other type of traumatic brain injury. This symptom should be closely monitored as it may require immediate medical intervention.
Choice E rationale
Foot drop is not typically a symptom observed immediately after a motor vehicle accident. It’s more commonly associated with peripheral nerve conditions or stroke, rather than a head injury.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A patient reporting a burning sensation is a subjective sign of pain. It relies on the patient’s personal experience and verbal report.
Choice B rationale
A patient grimacing when they move is an objective sign of pain. It is observable and does not rely on the patient’s verbal report.
Choice C rationale
A patient rating their pain as an 8 on a scale of 0 to 10 is a subjective sign of pain. It relies on the patient’s personal experience and verbal report.
Choice D rationale
A patient stating the pain is located in their abdomen is a subjective sign of pain. It relies on the patient’s personal experience and verbal report.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Rebleeding of the injury is a significant factor related to a high mortality rate for a client who has a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). SAH is a devastating event with substantial mortality and high morbidity among survivors. The most common primary causes of death or neurological devastation leading to withdrawal of support are direct effects of the primary hemorrhage (55%) and aneurysm rebleeding (17%)2. Therefore, rebleeding of the injury is a critical concern in the management of SAH.
Choice B rationale
Decreased cerebrospinal fluid is not directly linked to a high mortality rate in SAH. While changes in cerebrospinal fluid dynamics can occur after SAH, it’s not typically a primary factor contributing to mortality.
Choice C rationale
The use of nimodipine is actually part of the treatment protocol for SAH. Nimodipine is a calcium channel blocker that is used to prevent cerebral vasospasm, a complication of SAH. It does not contribute to a higher mortality rate.
Choice D rationale
Poor functional ability could be a result of SAH due to neurological damage, but it is not a direct cause of high mortality. The severity of the initial hemorrhage and subsequent
complications like rebleeding or medical complications are more directly tied to mortality rates.
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