The nurse is caring for a patient in the acute care setting with a spinal cord injury (SCI) at the level of C-3. What is the main cause of complications or death related to this injury?

Bradycardia

Sepsis

Hypertension

Respiratory compromise

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. Bradycardia is possible due to autonomic dysfunction but is not the leading cause of death.

B. Sepsis can occur due to immobility and pressure injuries but is secondary to respiratory compromise.

C. Hypertension is not directly linked to high cervical spine injuries and is less common than respiratory issues in this setting.

D. Respiratory compromise is the primary cause of complications or death in patients with a high cervical spine injury (C-3 and above) due to loss of innervation to the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, which impairs spontaneous breathing. Mechanical ventilation is often required to maintain adequate oxygenation.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Suctioning can increase ICP due to the Valsalva response and should only be done if absolutely necessary.

B. Documenting without intervention could lead to worsening of the patient's condition.

C. Notifying the physician and raising the head of the bed helps to reduce ICP by promoting venous drainage. An ICP of 30 mmHg is critically high, requiring immediate intervention to prevent further damage.

D. Lowering the head of the bed can increase ICP further; head elevation is recommended to improve cerebral drainage.

A. Surgery to remove the eye B. Referral for drug rehabilitation program C. Admission for IV and intravitreal antibiotics D. Follow up with eye specialist outpatient

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Surgery to remove the eye is not the immediate course of action and is only considered in severe cases where infection cannot be managed.

B. Referral for a drug rehabilitation program is beneficial for the patient's long-term health but is not the priority in this case where there is an active eye infection.

C. Admission for IV and intravitreal antibiotics is necessary to treat a possible severe eye infection, which can be sight-threatening, especially in immunocompromised patients, such as those with a history of IV drug use.

D. An outpatient follow-up with an eye specialist may be part of ongoing care but does not address the acute need for immediate antibiotic therapy to prevent further complications.

View Question and Answer

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

The nurse is caring for a patient in the acute care setting with a spinal cord injury (SCI) at the level of C-3. What is the main cause of complications or death related to this injury?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is caring for a patient in the ICU with a diagnosis of acute closed head injury whose intracranial pressure (ICP) is 30mmHg. What is the priority action by the nurse?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A patient admits to intravenous (IV) drug use and presents with red and severely painful right eye, floaters, photophobia and decreased visual acuity. The nurse explains to the patient and family that the plan of care will be as follows:

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a patient who will be discharged with a prescription for lisinopril. What discharge teaching should be provided related to this medication?

The nurse is teaching a patient who is prescribed valproic acid for seizures. The nurse would identify that the patient understands the teaching for the medication when they state, "I will notify my healthcare provider if I experience:

The nurse teaches a patient diagnosed with Bell's Palsy about the use of an eye patch to prevent which eye complication?

The nurse suspects a subarachnoid hemorrhage in a patient admitted to the emergency department. Which of the following symptoms is commonly seen in a patient diagnosed with a subarachnoid hemorrhage?

A patient diagnosed with a seizure disorder tells the nurse that they feel like they have "butterflies" in their stomach. The patient has felt this in the past before having a seizure. The nurse recognizes that this feeling is:

A physician prescribes Vancomycin 20 mg/kg intravenous (IV). The patient weighs 110 lbs. The medication is available in vials which contain 500 mg per 8 mL. What should the nurse withdraw from the vial? (round to the nearest whole number)

The nurse is performing the morning assessment on a patient. The patient suddenly screams loudly and begins to have a generalized tonic/clonic type seizure. What is the priority nursing intervention?