A patient is transferred from the Emergency Department (ED) to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). As part of the nursing assessment, it's crucial to understand the components of the cranial cavity that contribute to ICP. What are the components of the cranial cavity?
Brain, blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood, oxygen
Brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), air
Brain, blood, lymphatic fluid
The Correct Answer is A
A. Brain, blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): These are the three main components within the cranial vault as described by the Monro-Kellie doctrine. The total volume of these components remains constant, and any increase in one must be offset by a decrease in another to prevent elevated ICP.
B. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood, oxygen: While CSF and blood are intracranial components, oxygen is not a physical substance occupying volume in the cranial cavity. It is transported within the blood and does not contribute to changes in ICP in terms of physical space.
C. Brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), air: Air is not a normal component of the cranial cavity. The presence of air would indicate pathology, such as a skull fracture with pneumocephalus, which is abnormal and can contribute to increased ICP but is not a standard component.
D. Brain, blood, lymphatic fluid: While the brain and blood are correct components, the central nervous system, including the brain, does not have a conventional lymphatic system like other parts of the body. Waste products are primarily cleared by the glymphatic system, which utilizes CSF, rather than traditional lymphatic fluid.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Liver cirrhosis: Although chronic alcohol use can cause cirrhosis, the acute presentation with severe abdominal pain, fever, hypotension, and elevated amylase and lipase is more indicative of pancreatitis rather than cirrhosis, which typically presents with chronic symptoms.
B. Acute pancreatitis: Sudden severe abdominal pain, fever, low blood pressure, and elevated inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein along with elevated pancreatic enzymes (amylase and lipase) strongly suggest acute pancreatitis. Alcohol use is a common risk factor for this condition.
C. Hepatitis C: This usually presents with more chronic symptoms related to liver dysfunction fatigue, nausea, dark urine, and jaundice. It does not cause elevated pancreatic enzymes or acute abdominal pain.
D. Cholecystitis: While cholecystitis causes abdominal pain and fever, it does not typically cause elevated amylase and lipase levels unless there is associated pancreatitis. The vital signs and enzyme elevations point more directly to pancreatitis.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Atrophy of the remaining kidney: In cases of unilateral kidney loss, the remaining kidney typically does not atrophy but instead adapts to compensate for the lost function. Atrophy would be unlikely unless there is an underlying disease affecting the remaining kidney.
B. Compensatory hypertrophy of the remaining kidney: When one kidney is removed or nonfunctional, the remaining kidney often undergoes compensatory hypertrophy, increasing in size and function to handle the body's metabolic needs. This process helps maintain adequate renal function despite loss of one kidney.
C. Renal failure: While loss of one kidney reduces overall renal mass, a healthy remaining kidney usually compensates sufficiently to prevent renal failure. Renal failure is unlikely unless the remaining kidney has preexisting damage or disease.
D. Dysplasia in the remaining kidney: Dysplasia refers to abnormal development or growth of tissue, typically congenital. It is not an expected response to removal of the opposite kidney. The remaining kidney usually develops normally unless affected by a congenital abnormality.
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