A patient with a severe head injury assumes a posture of flexed arms at the elbows and extended lower legs. The nurse recognizes this posturing as
decreasing intracranial pressure with decerebrate posturing.
increasing intracranial pressure with decorticate posturing.
decreasing intracranial pressure with decorticate posturing.
increasing intracranial pressure with decerebrate posturing.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Decreasing intracranial pressure with decerebrate posturing is not the correct answer. Decerebrate posturing is a sign of severe brain damage that involves the extension and outward rotation of the arms and legs, and the arching of the back. It is not associated with decreasing intracranial pressure, but rather with increased pressure or brainstem compression.
Choice B reason: Increasing intracranial pressure with decorticate posturing is the correct answer. Decorticate posturing is a sign of severe brain damage that involves the flexion of the arms at the elbows and the extension of the legs. It is associated with increased intracranial pressure or lesions in the cerebral hemispheres.
Choice C reason: Decreasing intracranial pressure with decorticate posturing is not the correct answer. Decorticate posturing is a sign of severe brain damage that involves the flexion of the arms at the elbows and the extension of the legs. It is not associated with decreasing intracranial pressure, but rather with increased pressure or lesions in the cerebral hemispheres.
Choice D reason: Increasing intracranial pressure with decerebrate posturing is not the correct answer. Decerebrate posturing is a sign of severe brain damage that involves the extension and outward rotation of the arms and legs, and the arching of the back. It is associated with increased intracranial pressure or brainstem compression, but it is not the posture described in the question.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is incorrect. After the age of 60, the plasma volume decreases and there is a decreased ability to fight infections. The decrease in plasma volume reduces the blood flow and oxygen delivery to the tissues, which impairs the immune function.
Choice B reason: This is correct. Healthy bone marrow function decreases with aging, which lowers the immune response to infection. The bone marrow produces fewer white blood cells, which are essential for fighting infections. The older adult also has a reduced response to vaccines, which makes them more susceptible to infections.
Choice C reason: This is incorrect. Older adults have an underactive antibody response to vaccines. This means that they do not produce enough antibodies to protect themselves from the pathogens that the vaccine is supposed to prevent.
Choice D reason: This is incorrect. An older person's blood is more prone to clotting, but this does not affect the infection-fighting cells. The infection-fighting cells can still travel through the blood vessels and reach the source of infection. However, the increased risk of clotting can lead to other complications such as stroke or heart attack.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is incorrect. The foot remaining in the same position prior to stroking the sole of the foot is a normal response in adults. It indicates that the spinal cord and the brain are intact and functioning properly.
Choice B reason: This is correct. Great toe bending upward, and smaller toes fanning outward is an abnormal response in adults. It indicates a positive Babinski reflex, which is a sign of damage to the cerebral cortex or the pyramidal tract. The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of the brain that controls higher functions such as thinking, reasoning, and movement. The pyramidal tract is a bundle of nerve fibers that connects the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord and controls voluntary movements.
Choice C reason: This is incorrect. Great toe bending downward is also a normal response in adults. It indicates that the spinal cord and the brain are intact and functioning properly.
Choice D reason: This is incorrect. The opposite foot assuming the same position as the foot being stroked is not related to the Babinski reflex. It is a phenomenon called mirror movement, which may occur in some people due to genetic or developmental factors. It does not indicate any abnormality in the cerebral cortex.
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.