A nurse is caring for a client who has a spinal cord injury at T-4. The nurse should recognize that the client is at risk for autonomic dysreflexia. Which of the following interventions should the nurse take to prevent autonomic dysreflexia?
Monitor for elevated blood pressure.
Provide analgesia for headaches.
Prevent bladder distention.
Elevate the client's head.
The Correct Answer is C
To prevent autonomic dysreflexia, the nurse should take the intervention of preventing bladder distention. Autonomic dysreflexia is a serious medical problem that can happen if a person has injured the spinal cord in their upper back¹. It makes their blood pressure dangerously high and can lead to a stroke, seizure, or cardiac arrest¹. One way to lower the chance of complications is to use the bathroom on a regular schedule and keep the bladder and bowels from becoming too full.
a. Monitoring for elevated blood pressure is important but not an intervention to prevent autonomic dysreflexia.
b. Providing analgesia for headaches is important but not an intervention to prevent autonomic dysreflexia.
d. Elevating the client's head is important but not an intervention to prevent autonomic dysreflexia.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The highest priority nursing intervention for a client who is unconscious following a stroke is to suction saliva from the client's mouth. This can help prevent aspiration and maintain a patent airway, which is essential for the client's survival.
Performing passive range of motion on each extremity, recording the client's intake and output, and monitoring the client's electrolyte levels are also important nursing interventions for this client. However, these interventions are not as high of a priority as maintaining a patent airway.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The nurse should call emergency medical services if they find a woman who has collapsed with right-sided weakness and slurred speech. These symptoms could indicate a stroke or other serious medical condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Finding a location for the client to sit, driving the client to the nearest emergency room, and obtaining the number of the client's provider are not appropriate initial actions for the nurse to take in this situation. The priority is to get the client immediate medical attention by calling emergency medical services.
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