Which term would the nurse use to document a patient who is comatose from a head injury and display flexion of the arms, wrists, and fingers, as well as adduction of the upper extremities?
Decorticate posturing
Epileptic
Stroke
Decerebrate posturing
The Correct Answer is A
A. Decorticate posturing indicates severe brain injury, characterized by flexion of the arms and adduction of the upper extremities.
B. Epileptic is not a term used to describe posturing related to head injury.
C. Stroke does not describe posturing.
D. Decerebrate posturing is characterized by extension and pronation of the arms, not flexion.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Thrombotic stroke typically presents with gradual symptom onset, not the sudden headache and vomiting seen here.
B. Embolic stroke is associated with symptoms that appear suddenly and usually do not present with vomiting or seizures.
C. A hemorrhagic stroke is characterized by the sudden onset of a severe headache, vomiting, altered mental status, and sometimes seizures, which are all present in this patient. The high blood pressure and fever may indicate a hemorrhage in the brain or an associated infection.
D. Transient ischemic attack (TIA) presents with temporary neurological deficits and does not cause persistent symptoms like a seizure or vomiting.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. BP 126/54 mm Hg, pulse 58 beats/min, respirations 10 breaths/min - While the low pulse and respirations should be assessed, this blood pressure isn't as concerning.
B. BP 112/56 mm Hg, pulse 98 beats/min, respirations 28 breaths/min - These vital signs are within a safer range compared to the critical changes in D.
C. BP 129/65 mm Hg, pulse 60 beats/min, respirations 20 breaths/min - These are stable vital signs.
D. The BP of 172/54 mm Hg, combined with bradycardia (pulse of 58 beats/min) and hypoventilation (respirations of 10 breaths/min), is indicative of Cushing's triad, a late sign of increased intracranial pressure, which is an emergency requiring immediate attention.
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