A nurse is reviewing home medications with a client scheduled for a cataract extraction procedure. Which of the following medications should the nurse question administering?

A. "Your heart condition is caused by excessive stretching of the ventricles": This statement is incorrect. Excessive stretching of the ventricles typically occurs in dilated cardiomyopathy, not restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM). In RCM, the primary issue is not excessive stretching but rather stiffening of the ventricular walls.

B. "Your heart condition is caused from stiffening of the walls of the ventricles": This statement is correct. Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is characterized by abnormal stiffening (fibrosis) of the ventricular walls, which impairs the heart's ability to fill properly during the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle. This stiffening restricts the heart's ability to relax and fill with blood efficiently.

C. "Your heart condition is caused by thickening of the ventricular walls and septum": This statement describes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), not restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM). In HCM, there is abnormal thickening of the ventricular walls and septum, leading to impaired filling of the ventricles and potential obstruction of blood flow out of the heart.

D. "Your heart condition is caused when the ventricular tissue becomes fibrous and fatty": This statement describes arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), not restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM). ARVC is characterized by replacement of myocardial tissue with fibrous and fatty tissue, primarily affecting the right ventricle.

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.