A nurse is caring for an older adult client in the emergency department who sustained a head injury due to a fall. Which of the following are common reasons for head injuries in older adults?
(Select All that Apply.)

Choice A Reason:

Air cannot pass freely into the thoracic cavity through a chest wound is incorrect because air can indeed pass freely into the thoracic cavity through the chest wound in an open pneumothorax.

Choice B Reason:

The air is trapped when it enters the cavity is incorrect because the characteristic feature of an open pneumothorax is that air is not trapped; rather, it enters the thoracic cavity with each inhalation and exits with each exhalation through the chest wound.

Choice C Reason:

Air moves in and out of a wound in the chest wall is correct. In an open pneumothorax, also known as a "sucking chest wound," air can freely move in and out of the thoracic cavity through a wound in the chest wall. This occurs due to the creation of a communication pathway between the external environment and the pleural space, typically caused by a penetrating injury to the chest.

Choice D Reason:

There are no audible sounds in an open pneumothorax is incorrect because in an open pneumothorax, there may be audible sounds associated with the movement of air in and out of the wound, such as a sucking or bubbling sound, depending on the size and location of the wound. These sounds can be clinically significant and aid in the diagnosis of an open pneumothorax.

Choice A Reason:

Vasogenic cerebral edema is appropriate response. Vasogenic cerebral edema occurs due to disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), leading to leakage of fluid and proteins from the blood vessels into the brain parenchyma. This type of cerebral edema is commonly associated with conditions such as brain tumors, abscesses, and ischemic stroke.

Choice B Reason:

Osmotic cerebral edema is inappropriate response. Osmotic cerebral edema occurs when there is an imbalance of osmotic forces across the blood-brain barrier, leading to the movement of water into the brain cells. This type of cerebral edema can result from conditions such as hyponatremia or the administration of hypertonic solutions.

Choice C Reason:

Cellular cerebral edema is inappropriate response. Cellular cerebral edema involves the swelling of brain cells (neurons and glial cells) due to various insults, such as ischemia, hypoxia, or metabolic disturbances. This type of cerebral edema can occur in conditions such as ischemic stroke or traumatic brain injury.

Choice D Reason:

Interstitial cerebral edema is incorrect response. Interstitial cerebral edema involves the accumulation of fluid within the interstitial spaces of the brain tissue. This type of cerebral edema can occur in conditions such as hydrocephalus, where there is obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow.