The Emergency Department nurse is expecting a patient with a spinal cord transection at C1. Which of the following assessments take priority upon the patient's arrival? (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY)
Blood pressure
Bladder function
Heart rate
Reflexes
Respirations
Correct Answer : A,C,E
A. Blood pressure monitoring is essential, as spinal cord injuries at high levels can cause disruptions in autonomic regulation, leading to significant blood pressure fluctuations.
B. Bladder function is impacted by spinal cord injuries; however, it is not the initial priority in an emergency setting when life-threatening complications must be managed first.
C. Heart rate is critical as high spinal cord injuries can impact cardiac function by affecting autonomic control, potentially leading to bradycardia.
D. Reflexes are often assessed in cases of spinal injury, but they are not the immediate priority when stabilizing the patient upon arrival.
E. Respirations are a priority, as a C1 spinal cord injury can compromise respiratory function, necessitating immediate assessment to ensure adequate oxygenation and airway management.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. The occipital lobe primarily processes visual information and is less involved in object identification errors.
B. The frontal lobe governs behavior, personality, and decision-making rather than object identification.
C. The parietal lobe is involved in processing sensory information and object recognition. Misidentifying objects can indicate damage to this area of the brain.
D. The temporal lobe is associated with auditory processing and memory, not typically object recognition errors.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Elevating the head of the bed, loosening clothing, and checking for urinary catheter obstruction are key steps to lower blood pressure and relieve triggers of autonomic dysreflexia, a potentially life-threatening condition.
B. A cool compress may provide comfort but does not directly address the primary triggers or symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia.
C. Semi-Fowler's position is insufficient compared to a full 90-degree sitting position, which helps reduce blood pressure.
D. IV access and oxygen may be required if symptoms do not resolve, but immediate actions focus on relieving the cause of dysreflexia.
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