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 D
Explanation
A. "Your heart condition is caused by thickening of the ventricular walls and septum." Thickening of the ventricular walls and septum is characteristic of conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, not pericarditis. This statement does not accurately describe the cause of pericarditis.
B. "Your heart condition is caused by excessive stretching of the ventricles." Excessive stretching of the ventricles is not a typical cause of pericarditis. While stretching of the heart muscle may occur in certain conditions, it is not directly related to pericarditis.
C. "Your heart condition is caused when the ventricular tissue becomes fibrous and fatty." Fibrous and fatty changes in ventricular tissue are features of conditions such as ischemic cardiomyopathy, not pericarditis. This statement does not accurately explain the cause of pericarditis.
D. "Your heart condition is caused from stiffening of the walls of the ventricles." Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the sac-like membrane surrounding the heart. When the pericardium becomes inflamed, it can stiffen, restricting the heart's movement and leading to chest pain. Therefore, option D accurately explains the cause of pericarditis, attributing it to the stiffening of the pericardium.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. People who abstain from alcohol: Abstaining from alcohol does not necessarily increase the risk of sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI). In fact, excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of falls and accidents leading to TBIs, but abstaining from alcohol itself is not a risk factor for TBI.
B. People who live in rural areas: Living in rural areas may be associated with certain risk factors for TBIs, such as increased rates of motor vehicle accidents due to factors like higher speed limits and longer distances traveled. However, it is not a direct cause of TBIs.
C. People who play contact sports: Engaging in contact sports, such as football, soccer, or rugby, poses a higher risk of sustaining a traumatic brain injury due to the potential for collisions, falls, and impacts during gameplay.
D. People who are in their 30's: While traumatic brain injuries can occur at any age, individuals who are involved in activities with a higher risk of head injuries, such as contact sports or high-risk occupations, may be more prone to TBIs regardless of their age. Age alone is not a significant risk factor for TBIs.
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