Your spinal cord injury (SCI) patient complains of a throbbing headache and nausea. You observe the patient has marked diaphoresis, and you think the patient may have autonomic dysreflexia. Place the following interventions in the order you would complete them.
Check the blood pressure
Obtain a bladder scan
Notify the doctor
Elevate the head of the bed to 45 degrees
The Correct Answer is D,A,B,C
Choice D reason: Elevating the head of the bed to 45 degrees is the first intervention the nurse should perform. This position helps lower the patient's blood pressure by promoting venous pooling in the lower extremities and reducing the return of blood to the heart. It also aids in better breathing and overall comfort.
Choice A reason: Checking the blood pressure is crucial in this situation to confirm if the patient is experiencing autonomic dysreflexia, which is characterized by a sudden and severe increase in blood pressure. This step helps in assessing the severity of the condition and guiding subsequent interventions.
Choice B reason: Obtaining a bladder scan is important because a full bladder is a common trigger of autonomic dysreflexia. By identifying and addressing the cause of the distension, the nurse can help alleviate the symptoms and prevent further complications.
Choice C reason: Notifying the doctor is a critical step, as autonomic dysreflexia is a medical emergency that requires prompt medical intervention. The healthcare provider can give additional orders and may administer medication to control the patient's blood pressure and relieve symptoms.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Administering Furosemide (Lasix) 40 mg IV is important for reducing fluid overload, but the immediate priority is to address the patient's low oxygen saturation levels.
Choice B reason: Assessing lung sounds and peripheral edema is important for ongoing monitoring, but the immediate action should focus on stabilizing the patient's oxygen levels.
Choice C reason: Placing the patient on oxygen to titrate to oxygen saturations 94% or greater is the most immediate and critical intervention. The patient's oxygen saturation is significantly low at 86%, and addressing this ensures adequate oxygenation and reduces the risk of hypoxia.
Choice D reason: Educating the patient on lifestyle modifications is important for long-term management but is not the immediate priority in an acute situation.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: While blood glucose monitoring is essential for patients receiving TPN, it is not specifically necessary to obtain samples from a central line. Blood glucose levels can be monitored through peripheral blood samples.
Choice B reason: There is actually an increased risk of infection with central lines compared to peripheral lines due to the invasive nature of central line placement and its location. Proper aseptic technique is critical to minimize this risk.
Choice C reason: The hypertonic solution will be more rapidly diluted when given through a central line. This is a critical point because the central veins have a higher blood flow and larger volume, which helps to quickly dilute the hypertonic TPN solution. This reduces the risk of phlebitis and damage to the smaller peripheral veins, making central lines more suitable for infusing highly concentrated solutions like 25% dextrose.
Choice D reason: While a central line can allow for the rapid administration of infusions, this is not the primary reason for its use with TPN. The key factor is the dilution of the hypertonic solution, as central lines handle high osmolarity solutions better than peripheral veins.
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