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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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Completing hourly endotracheal suctioning: Hourly endotracheal suctioning is not typically indicated for a client with increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Frequent suctioning can lead to increased intrathoracic pressure and potentially compromise venous return, which may further elevate ICP. Suctioning should be performed as needed to maintain airway patency while minimizing the risk of increasing ICP.
B. Ensuring proper ventriculostomy transducer levels: Ensuring proper ventriculostomy transducer levels is important for accurate measurement of intracranial pressure (ICP) but may not directly alleviate elevated ICP. Monitoring ICP through ventriculostomy allows for timely detection of changes in ICP, which can guide interventions to manage elevated pressure levels. However, it is not a direct intervention to reduce ICP.
C. Monitoring volume status: Monitoring volume status is important in managing a client with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) as both hypovolemia and hypervolemia can impact ICP. However, monitoring volume status alone does not directly address elevated ICP. Interventions to optimize volume status, such as fluid administration or diuresis, may be implemented based on assessment findings, but they should be done cautiously to avoid exacerbating cerebral edema or altering cerebral perfusion.
D. Elevating the head of the bed 15°: Elevating the head of the bed 15° (or higher) is a crucial intervention for managing a client with increased intracranial pressure (ICP). This position helps promote venous drainage from the brain, reducing venous congestion and intracranial pressure. Elevating the head of the bed also helps prevent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from pooling in the brain, which can further increase ICP. Placing the client in a semi-upright position is a standard practice in managing ICP and is recommended in various clinical guidelines.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. "Vision changes occur when blood vessels leak fluid or blood under a portion of the retina": This statement describes a symptom of diabetic retinopathy, not open-angle glaucoma. In open-angle glaucoma, vision changes primarily result from increased intraocular pressure (IOP) due to impaired drainage of aqueous humor, not leakage of fluid or blood under the retina.
B. "Vision changes occur when the cloudy lens alters the passage of light through the eye": This statement describes a symptom of cataracts, not open-angle glaucoma. Cataracts involve clouding of the lens inside the eye, which affects the passage of light and leads to visual disturbances. Open-angle glaucoma, however, primarily affects the optic nerve and visual field due to increased intraocular pressure.
C. "Vision changes occur when retinal tissue pulls away from the blood vessels in the eye": This statement describes a symptom of retinal detachment, not open-angle glaucoma. Retinal detachment occurs when the retina detaches from the underlying layers of the eye, leading to vision changes and potentially vision loss. Open-angle glaucoma, on the other hand, primarily involves increased intraocular pressure and optic nerve damage.
D. "Vision changes occur when pressure in the eye is increased due to a decrease of aqueous humor": This statement is accurate. In open-angle glaucoma, vision changes occur due to increased intraocular pressure resulting from inadequate drainage of aqueous humor from the eye. This increased pressure can lead to damage of the optic nerve, resulting in peripheral vision loss and potentially blindness if left untreated.
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