The medical reports of a client who suffered an accident show injuries at the sixth thoracic vertebra, lack of normal sympathetic outflow, bradycardia and low blood pressure. Which condition does the nurse suspect in the client?
Conus medullaris syndrome
Concussion
Neurogenic shock
Diffuse axonal injury
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale: Conus medullaris syndrome involves injury or compression to the end portion of the spinal cord and can present with various symptoms but not necessarily lack of normal sympathetic outflow leading to shock.
Choice B rationale: Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury, and the symptoms described align more with spinal cord injury leading to neurogenic shock.
Choice C rationale: Neurogenic shock occurs due to the loss of sympathetic tone and is characterized by bradycardia, low blood pressure, and vasodilation following spinal cord injury at or above the level of the sixth thoracic vertebra.
Choice D rationale: Diffuse axonal injury typically presents with more widespread brain injury-related symptoms and is not associated with the specific spinal cord-related symptoms described.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale: Cri du chat syndrome involves a high-pitched cry in infants and other distinct physical and developmental features, but it doesn't present with the described symptoms.
Choice B rationale: Klinefelter syndrome, characterized by an extra X chromosome (XXY) in males, typically presents with small testicles, gynecomastia (enlarged breast tissues), sexual dysfunction, and altered body proportions, such as long legs and a shorter trunk, aligning with the client's symptoms.
Choice C rationale: Patau syndrome (Trisomy 13) manifests with severe developmental issues, facial abnormalities, and other physical malformations, but the described symptoms are not typically associated with this syndrome.
Choice D rationale: Turner syndrome involves females with a missing or partially missing X chromosome (45, X), resulting in specific physical features and medical problems not consistent with the described symptoms in a male client.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale: Anterior spinal artery syndrome is caused by ischemia of the anterior two-thirds of the spinal cord, resulting in loss of motor function and pain and temperature sensation below the level of the lesion.
Choice B rationale: This is a condition that occurs when the nerve roots in the lower end of the spinal cord are compressed, causing symptoms such as lower back pain, sciatica, saddle anesthesia, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and sexual dysfunction.
Choice C rationale: Horner's syndrome is caused by damage to the sympathetic nerve fibers in the neck or chest, resulting in drooping eyelid, constricted pupil, and lack of sweating on one side of the face.
Choice D rationale: Brown-Séquard syndrome is caused by hemisection of the spinal cord, resulting in ipsilateral loss of motor function and proprioception and contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation below the level of the lesion.
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