A nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about spinal cord injuries in clients who are aged 65 years and older. Which of the following should the nurse identify as the most common cause of spinal cord injuries for this age group?
Falls
Gunshot wounds
Sporting accidents
Motor vehicle accidents
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
Falls is correct. Among individuals aged 65 years and older, falls are the most common cause of spinal cord injuries. As people age, they may experience changes in balance, mobility, and bone density, which can increase their risk of falling. Falls can occur both at home and in other environments, such as during outdoor activities or in healthcare settings. Spinal cord injuries resulting from falls in older adults can have significant consequences, including decreased mobility, chronic pain, and loss of independence.
Choice B Reason:
Gunshot wounds is incorrect. Gunshot wounds can cause spinal cord injuries, but they are not the most common cause for individuals aged 65 years and older. Gunshot wounds tend to be more common in younger age groups or in specific contexts such as violence-related incidents, which are less frequent in older adults.
Choice C Reason:
Sporting accidents is incorrect. Sporting accidents can also lead to spinal cord injuries, especially in younger and more active individuals participating in high-impact sports. However, among individuals aged 65 years and older, participation in sporting activities that could result in spinal cord injuries is generally less common compared to younger age groups.
Choice D Reason:
Motor vehicle accidents is incorrect.
Motor vehicle accidents can cause spinal cord injuries, but they are not as common in the elderly population as they are in younger age groups. Older adults may have reduced driving frequency or may be more cautious on the road, which decreases their risk of motor vehicle accidents compared to younger individuals.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
"I have signed up for an aerobics class three times a week." This statement is incorrect. Participating in aerobics classes three times a week may not be suitable for someone with spinal stenosis, as certain movements and high-impact activities common in aerobics classes can exacerbate symptoms and increase the risk of injury to the spine.
Choice B Reason:
"I ride my bicycle every day." This statement is correct. Cycling is generally considered a low-impact exercise that can be beneficial for individuals with spinal stenosis, as it helps improve cardiovascular fitness without placing excessive stress on the spine. Riding a bicycle regularly may be a suitable exercise option for this client.
Choice C Reason:
"I like to jog a half a mile every day." This statement is incorrect. Jogging involves repetitive impact and can place significant stress on the spine, which may exacerbate symptoms of spinal stenosis. It is generally not recommended for individuals with spinal stenosis due to the high-impact nature of the activity.
Choice D Reason:
"I enjoy doing circuit training once a week.": Circuit training typically involves a combination of aerobic and strength-training exercises performed in rapid succession. While some components of circuit training, such as strength training, can be beneficial for individuals with spinal stenosis, the intensity and variety of exercises in circuit training may not be suitable for everyone with this condition.
Correct Answer is ["B","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Metoprolol is incorrect. Metoprolol is a beta-blocker medication commonly used to treat conditions such as hypertension, angina, and heart failure. However, in the context of neurogenic shock following a spinal cord injury, the use of beta-blockers such as metoprolol is generally contraindicated. Beta-blockers antagonize the effects of sympathetic activation, leading to a reduction in heart rate and myocardial contractility, which can exacerbate hypotension and bradycardia, the hallmarks of neurogenic shock. Therefore, the nurse would not anticipate a prescription for metoprolol in the management of neurogenic shock.
Choice B Reason:
Lactated Ringers intravenous fluid is correct. Fluid resuscitation with isotonic crystalloid solutions such as lactated Ringers is essential to restore intravascular volume and improve perfusion.
Choice C Reason:
Furosemide is incorrect. Furosemide is a loop diuretic medication commonly used to treat conditions such as heart failure, edema, and hypertension by promoting diuresis and reducing fluid volume. However, in the context of neurogenic shock, the use of diuretics such as furosemide is generally not indicated unless there is concurrent volume overload. Neurogenic shock is characterized by hypotension due to vasodilation and decreased systemic vascular resistance, often leading to relative hypovolemia rather than volume overload. Therefore, administering furosemide could further decrease intravascular volume, exacerbating hypotension and compromising perfusion. As a result, the nurse would not anticipate a prescription for furosemide in the management of neurogenic shock.:
Choice D Reason:
Dopamine is correct. Dopamine is a vasopressor medication that acts to increase vascular tone and blood pressure by stimulating alpha-adrenergic receptors. It is commonly used in the management of neurogenic shock to augment blood pressure.
Choice E Reason:
Epinephrine is correct. Epinephrine is a potent vasopressor that acts on both alpha and beta-adrenergic receptors, leading to vasoconstriction and increased cardiac output. It is used in the treatment of refractory hypotension in neurogenic shock.
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