A client sustained a head injury as a result of trauma. The health care provider has instituted seizure prophylactic measures. The nurse anticipates which specific measures being initiated for this client?
Aspiration precautions on day four of injury
Anticonvulsant medications on day two of injury
Intubation and ventilator support on day one of injury
Antiemetic medications on day three of injury
The Correct Answer is B
Reasoning:
Choice A reason: Aspiration precautions are important in head injury to prevent pneumonia, particularly if consciousness is impaired, but they are not specific seizure prophylactic measures. Seizures require anticonvulsants to prevent neuronal hyperexcitability, making aspiration precautions a secondary concern unrelated to seizure prevention.
Choice B reason: Anticonvulsant medications, initiated early (e.g., day two), are standard for seizure prophylaxis in head injury. Trauma can cause cortical irritation, increasing seizure risk. Drugs like levetiracetam stabilize neuronal activity, preventing seizures, which could worsen brain injury or ICP, making this the primary measure.
Choice C reason: Intubation and ventilator support are used for severe head injuries with compromised airway or breathing but are not seizure prophylaxis. Seizures are managed with anticonvulsants, as mechanical ventilation does not address neuronal excitability, making this inappropriate for seizure prevention.
Choice D reason: Antiemetic medications manage nausea but are not seizure prophylactic measures. While vomiting may occur post-head injury, it does not prevent seizures, which result from cortical irritability. Anticonvulsants directly target seizure risk, making antiemetics irrelevant to this specific intervention goal.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Reasoning:
Choice A reason: Hyperthermia is not a primary risk in SIADH. This condition involves excessive ADH, leading to water retention and hyponatremia, not temperature dysregulation. Hyperthermia may occur in infections or neurological conditions, but it is not directly related to the fluid overload characteristic of SIADH pathophysiology.
Choice B reason: Peripheral neurovascular dysfunction is not a primary concern in SIADH. The condition causes water retention, leading to dilutional hyponatremia and potential cerebral edema, not vascular or nerve issues in the extremities. Peripheral dysfunction is more associated with conditions like diabetes mellitus or vascular disease.
Choice C reason: Ineffective airway clearance is not directly linked to SIADH. While severe hyponatremia could cause neurological symptoms like seizures, airway clearance issues are more typical in respiratory conditions. SIADH primarily affects fluid balance, leading to water overload, not mucus production or airway obstruction risks.
Choice D reason: Excess fluid volume is the primary risk in SIADH due to excessive ADH, which promotes water reabsorption in the kidneys, leading to fluid overload and dilutional hyponatremia. This can cause symptoms like edema, hypertension, and, in severe cases, cerebral edema, making it the most critical concern.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Reasoning:
Choice A reason: Impaired physical mobility is a concern in Addisonian crisis due to weakness from cortisol deficiency, but it is not the highest priority. Acute crisis causes severe hypovolemia and hypotension, which threaten cardiac output and organ perfusion, making mobility a secondary issue compared to life-threatening cardiovascular instability.
Choice B reason: Imbalanced nutrition is relevant in chronic Addison’s disease due to weight loss and poor appetite, but in acute crisis, it is not the priority. Severe hypotension and electrolyte imbalances from adrenal insufficiency pose immediate threats to life, requiring urgent correction before addressing nutritional deficits.
Choice C reason: Risk for infection is a concern in Addison’s disease due to cortisol’s role in immune function, but it is not the primary issue in acute crisis. Hypovolemia, hypotension, and electrolyte imbalances drive life-threatening cardiovascular collapse, making infection risk secondary to stabilizing cardiac output and fluid status.
Choice D reason: Decreased cardiac output is the highest priority in Addisonian crisis, as adrenal insufficiency causes severe hypotension and hypovolemia due to aldosterone and cortisol deficiencies. This leads to reduced cardiac preload and shock, requiring urgent fluid and steroid replacement to restore perfusion and prevent organ failure.
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