A nurse is planning care for a client who has a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Which of the following should the nurse include in the plan of care? (Select All that Apply.)
Assess palmar reflex.
Assess for cough reflex.
Assess the ability to follow simple commands.
Assess for Cushing's Triad.
Assess for abnormal posturing.
Correct Answer : A,B,C,D,E
A. Assess palmar reflex. Assessing the palmar reflex helps evaluate the integrity of the nervous system, particularly in response to tactile stimuli. In clients with severe TBI, abnormal reflexes may indicate neurological impairment and guide further assessment and intervention.
B. Assess for cough reflex. Assessing the cough reflex is important for evaluating airway protection and the risk of aspiration, especially in clients with reduced consciousness level due to TBI.
C. Assess the ability to follow simple commands. Assessing the client's ability to follow simple commands provides valuable information about their level of consciousness and cognitive function. It helps determine the extent of neurological impairment and guides the plan of care, including interventions for communication and cognitive deficits.
D. Assess for Cushing's Triad. Cushing's Triad, characterized by hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations, may occur as a late sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in clients with severe TBI. Monitoring for Cushing's Triad is crucial for early recognition of elevated ICP and prompt intervention to prevent further neurological damage.
E. Assess for abnormal posturing. Assessing for abnormal posturing, such as decerebrate or decorticate posturing, helps evaluate neurological function and localize brain injury in clients with TBI. Abnormal posturing indicates severe brain damage and may guide decisions regarding treatment and prognostication.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","C"]
Explanation
A. Colchicine:
Colchicine is commonly used in the treatment of pericarditis, especially in cases of recurrent or refractory pericarditis.
It helps reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms by inhibiting the migration of neutrophils to the inflamed pericardium.
Colchicine is often used in conjunction with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids for the management of pericarditis.
B. Acetaminophen:
Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer commonly used to manage mild to moderate pain associated with various conditions, including pericarditis.
While acetaminophen may provide symptomatic relief, it is not typically considered a primary treatment for pericarditis, especially in cases of severe or recurrent pericarditis.
C. Indomethacin:
Indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain associated with pericarditis.
NSAIDs are often used as first-line therapy for acute pericarditis to alleviate symptoms such as chest pain and fever.
However, caution should be exercised when using NSAIDs in certain populations, such as older adults or those with preexisting gastrointestinal or renal conditions.
D. Amiodarone:
Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic medication used to treat various types of arrhythmias, including ventricular arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation.
While pericarditis may lead to certain arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, amiodarone is not a first-line treatment for pericarditis itself.
However, it may be used in cases where pericarditis is complicated by arrhythmias or concomitant cardiac conditions.
E. Nitroglycerine:
Nitroglycerine is a vasodilator medication commonly used to treat angina and heart failure.
While pericarditis may cause chest pain similar to angina, nitroglycerine is not typically used as a primary treatment for pericarditis.
In fact, nitroglycerine may exacerbate symptoms of pericarditis by causing venodilation and increasing cardiac preload.
Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]
Explanation
A. Confusion: Individuals with Alzheimer's disease often experience confusion due to memory loss, disorientation, and difficulty processing information. Confusion can contribute to wandering behavior as the individual may become lost or disoriented in familiar surroundings, leading them to wander in search of familiar people or places.
C. Agitation: Agitation, characterized by restlessness, pacing, or irritability, is commonly observed in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Agitation can be triggered by various factors such as environmental stimuli, changes in routine, or unmet needs. It can escalate and prompt wandering behavior as the individual seeks to alleviate discomfort or agitation.
E. Distraction: Individuals with Alzheimer's disease may easily become distracted by environmental stimuli or sensory cues, which can lead to wandering behavior. Distraction can impair the individual's ability to maintain attention to their surroundings, increasing the likelihood of wandering episodes.
The following options are not directly associated with wandering behavior in individuals with Alzheimer's disease:
B. Distress: While distress may be experienced by individuals with Alzheimer's disease due to various factors such as confusion, agitation, or environmental changes, it is not a specific manifestation that puts the client at risk for wandering. Distress may exacerbate wandering behavior in some cases but is not a primary risk factor.
D. Depression: Depression is a common comorbidity in individuals with Alzheimer's disease and can contribute to overall behavioral changes and functional decline. However, depression alone is not a direct manifestation that puts the client at risk for wandering. Wandering behavior is more closely associated with cognitive impairment, agitation, and environmental factors rather than depression.
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