The client is being discharged from the ambulatory care unit following cataract removal.
The nurse provides instructions regarding home care.
Which of the following, if stated by the client, indicates an understanding of the instructions?

Choice A rationale

Administering recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) may be necessary, but confirming ischemic stroke via CT scan precedes treatment to rule out hemorrhagic stroke, which contraindicates t-PA.

Choice B rationale

Performing a STAT non-contrast CT scan of the head is the priority to differentiate between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, enabling appropriate and timely intervention.

Choice C rationale

A STAT EKG and chest X-ray, though helpful in identifying concurrent cardiac or pulmonary issues, are not immediate priorities in acute stroke evaluation.

Choice D rationale

While assessing dysphagia is critical post-stroke, it is not a priority during initial stroke evaluation, which focuses on rapid imaging and differentiation of stroke type. .

Choice A rationale

Cervical spinal cord injuries at or above C3 disrupt the phrenic nerve, impairing diaphragm control, leading to respiratory failure. Mechanical ventilation compensates for the loss of neural signals required for effective breathing.

Choice B rationale

Unconsciousness alone does not necessitate ventilation unless breathing is compromised. Here, respiratory failure stems from cervical nerve injury, not loss of consciousness, requiring mechanical support.

Choice C rationale

The lungs themselves are not damaged in cervical spinal cord injuries; the issue lies in disrupted nerve signals needed for diaphragm and respiratory muscle function, necessitating ventilatory assistance.

Choice D rationale

Smoking history does not explain the acute respiratory failure caused by cervical spinal cord injuries. The need for ventilation directly results from damage to the neural control of respiratory muscles.