A patient is transferred from the Emergency Department (ED) to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). As part of the nursing assessment, it's crucial to understand the components of the cranial cavity that contribute to ICP. What are the components of the cranial cavity?
Brain, blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood, oxygen
Brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), air
Brain, blood, lymphatic fluid
The Correct Answer is A
A. Brain, blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): These are the three main components within the cranial vault as described by the Monro-Kellie doctrine. The total volume of these components remains constant, and any increase in one must be offset by a decrease in another to prevent elevated ICP.
B. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood, oxygen: While CSF and blood are intracranial components, oxygen is not a physical substance occupying volume in the cranial cavity. It is transported within the blood and does not contribute to changes in ICP in terms of physical space.
C. Brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), air: Air is not a normal component of the cranial cavity. The presence of air would indicate pathology, such as a skull fracture with pneumocephalus, which is abnormal and can contribute to increased ICP but is not a standard component.
D. Brain, blood, lymphatic fluid: While the brain and blood are correct components, the central nervous system, including the brain, does not have a conventional lymphatic system like other parts of the body. Waste products are primarily cleared by the glymphatic system, which utilizes CSF, rather than traditional lymphatic fluid.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["D"]
Explanation
A. Obtunded: Obtunded patients show decreased alertness and respond slowly to stimuli, often requiring repeated stimulation to maintain attention. This level of consciousness is more severe than confusion and typically involves reduced awareness.
B. Coma: Coma is a state of deep unconsciousness where the patient is unarousable and unresponsive to external stimuli. It is much more severe than confusion or disorientation and is unlikely in a patient who is still able to interact, even if confused.
C. Stupor: Stupor refers to a condition where the patient is mostly unresponsive and only responds to vigorous or painful stimuli. It is more severe than confusion and involves markedly diminished awareness.
D. Delirium: Delirium is characterized by acute onset of confusion, disorientation, impaired attention, and fluctuating levels of consciousness. It best matches the patient's symptoms of confusion, disorientation, and inability to focus.
E. Mild lethargy: Mild lethargy involves drowsiness and reduced energy but does not typically impair orientation or the ability to focus as severely as seen in this patient.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Hemorrhage: Hemorrhage leads to significant blood loss, resulting in decreased blood volume and reduced renal perfusion, which is a common cause of prerenal acute kidney injury (AKI).
B. Cirrhosis: Cirrhosis can cause systemic vasodilation and reduced effective circulating volume, leading to decreased renal blood flow and prerenal failure due to impaired kidney perfusion.
C. Kidney disease: Kidney disease itself is an intrinsic (renal) cause of kidney failure, involving direct damage to the kidney tissue, rather than prerenal failure caused by decreased perfusion.
D. Narrowing of the blood vessels leading to the kidneys: Renal artery stenosis reduces blood flow to the kidneys, causing prerenal failure by impairing kidney perfusion despite adequate circulating volume.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.
