A patient diagnosed with a spinal cord injury experienced spinal shock lasting 15 days. The patient is now experiencing an uncompensated cardiovascular response to sympathetic stimulation. What does the nurse suspect caused this condition?
Pain stimulation above the level of the spinal cord lesion
Toxic accumulation of free radicals below the level of the injury
A distended bladder or rectum
An abnormal vagal response
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Pain stimulation above the level of the spinal cord lesion can cause discomfort and an increase in sympathetic activity, but it is not the primary cause of an uncompensated cardiovascular response seen in autonomic dysreflexia. This condition typically results from stimuli below the level of the injury.
Choice B reason: Toxic accumulation of free radicals below the level of the injury can contribute to tissue damage and inflammation but is not the primary cause of the acute cardiovascular responses in autonomic dysreflexia. The condition is primarily triggered by noxious stimuli below the level of the injury.
Choice C reason: A distended bladder or rectum is a common cause of autonomic dysreflexia in patients with spinal cord injuries above the T6 level. This condition involves an exaggerated autonomic response to stimuli below the level of the injury, resulting in severe hypertension, bradycardia, and other cardiovascular symptoms. The distention of the bladder or rectum sends signals that the spinal cord cannot properly process, leading to an uncontrolled sympathetic response.
Choice D reason: An abnormal vagal response typically involves parasympathetic activity and can lead to symptoms such as bradycardia or fainting. However, it is not the primary cause of the sympathetic overactivity and hypertension seen in autonomic dysreflexia. The condition is driven by an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system due to spinal cord injury.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: There is not a 25% chance that the offspring will be a carrier. In the case of recessive disorders, if one parent is affected (homozygous recessive) and the other parent is a carrier (heterozygous), the offspring has a different probability of being a carrier or affected.
Choice B reason: There is a 50% chance that the offspring will be a carrier. If the mother is affected (aa) and the father is a carrier (Aa), each child has a 50% chance of inheriting one recessive allele (a) from the mother and one normal allele (A) from the father, making them a carrier (Aa).
Choice C reason: There is not a 75% chance that the offspring will be a carrier. The probability of the offspring being a carrier or affected follows specific Mendelian inheritance patterns, which do not result in a 75% carrier rate.
Choice D reason: There is not a 100% chance that the offspring will be a carrier. While there is a significant likelihood of the offspring being affected or a carrier, it is not guaranteed that all offspring will be carriers.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Cirrhosis of the liver is the most common cause of portal hypertension. Cirrhosis involves the scarring of liver tissue, which obstructs blood flow through the liver and increases pressure in the portal vein. This increased pressure can lead to complications such as varices (enlarged veins) that can rupture and cause bleeding, such as vomiting blood (hematemesis). The liver's inability to properly manage blood flow due to scar tissue buildup is central to the development of portal hypertension.
Choice B reason: Left ventricular failure can lead to pulmonary hypertension (increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries) but is not a common cause of portal hypertension. Portal hypertension specifically refers to increased pressure in the portal vein system, which is most often due to liver disease. Left ventricular failure affects the heart and lungs, not the liver or its blood vessels, thus not leading to the observed condition of portal hypertension.
Choice C reason: Renal stenosis refers to the narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys, which can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure) but not portal hypertension. Portal hypertension is related to the liver and its blood flow, not the renal arteries. Renal stenosis primarily causes problems in the kidney's function and systemic blood pressure rather than affecting the portal vein system.
Choice D reason: Thrombosis in the spleen can cause localized issues but is not a common cause of portal hypertension. Portal hypertension is typically related to liver conditions, such as cirrhosis, which affect the blood flow through the liver and portal vein system. Thrombosis in the spleen might complicate portal vein blood flow but is not a primary cause like liver cirrhosis is.
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