I client with a spinal cord injury reports hot, burning, tingling, pain that shoots down his extremities. When the client asks why this occurs, what is the nurse's best response?
We need to reposition you.
This is caused by a continual inflammatory process.
This is related to nerve damage in the spinal cord
This will go away in 2 weeks
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A Rationale: Repositioning may be important for preventing complications, but it does not explain the pain described by the client.
Choice B Rationale: A continual inflammatory process is not typically the cause of the pain described by the client with a spinal cord injury.
Choice C Rationale: Nerve damage in the spinal cord is a common cause of neuropathic pain with these characteristics.
Choice D Rationale: Telling the client that the pain will go away in 2 weeks without further assessment or explanation is not accurate and may raise unrealistic expectations.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Rationale: Hemiplegia involves paralysis of one side of the body and is typically associated with brain injuries or lesions, not spinal cord injuries.
Choice B Rationale: Quadriplegia involves paralysis of all four limbs and is more commonly associated with higher spinal cord injuries, not T2-T3.
Choice C Rationale: Paresthesia refers to abnormal sensations, such as tingling or numbness, and may be present in various spinal cord injuries, but it is not a type of disability.
Choice D Rationale: Paraplegia involves paralysis of the lower extremities and trunk, and it is commonly associated with spinal cord injuries at the T2-T3 level.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Rationale: Urinary output is also an important assessment in clients with a C3 spinal cord injury because it helps monitor for urinary retention and potential complications but it is not a priority compared to assessing the respiratory function of this client.
Choice B Rationale: Blood pressure is important to monitor but may not be the top priority assessment in this context.
Choice C Rationale: The nurse should prioritize counting respirations for a client with a C3 spinal cord injury, as this level of injury affects the phrenic nerve that innervates the diaphragm. The client may have difficulty breathing and require mechanical ventilation.
Choice D Rationale: Bowel sounds are important but may not be the priority assessment in this case.
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