The nurse is caring for a patient who has had a spinal cord injury at level C5-C6 as a result of an automobile accident. The patient suddenly develops severe hypertension, throbbing headache, blurred vision, and bradycardia.
What is the priority nursing intervention?
Administer antihypertensive medication as prescribed.
Elevate the head of bed to 90 degrees.
Check for bladder distention or fecal impaction.
Apply a cooling blanket to lower body temperature.
The Correct Answer is C
The correct answer is C.
Check for bladder distention or fecal impaction.
Autonomic dysreflexia is a disorder of autonomic nervous system dysregulation that occurs in patients with a spinal cord injury above T6.
It is caused by an exaggerated reflex response of the sympathetic nervous system due to an irritating stimulus below the spinal cord injury. It leads to severe hypertension and is a medical emergency.
Bladder or bowel distension are the most common triggers of autonomic dysreflexia.
Therefore, the priority nursing intervention is to check for bladder distention or fecal impaction and relieve them as soon as possible.
This can help to eliminate the stimulus and lower the blood pressure.
Choice A is wrong because administering antihypertensive medication as prescribed may not be effective or appropriate for autonomic dysreflexia.
The hypertension is caused by a reflex mechanism and not by a primary cardiovascular disorder. Moreover, antihypertensive drugs may cause hypotension once the stimulus is removed.
Choice B is wrong because elevating the head of bed to 90 degrees may not be enough to lower the blood pressure. It may also increase the risk of orthostatic hypotension once the stimulus is removed. However, sitting the patient upright and loosening any tight clothing are recommended as initial steps to reduce the blood pressure.
Choice D is wrong because applying a cooling blanket to lower body temperature is not indicated for autonomic dysreflexia. There is no evidence that body temperature is elevated or contributes to the hypertension in this condition. A cooling blanket may also cause vasoconstriction and worsen the hypertension.
Normal ranges for blood pressure vary depending on age, sex, and other factors.
However, a general guideline is that systolic blood pressure should be less than 120 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure should be less than 80 mm Hg for most adults.
Normal ranges for heart rate also vary depending on age, activity level, and other factors.
However, a general guideline is that resting heart rate should be between 60 and 100 beats per minute for most adults.
References:.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]
Explanation
The correct answer is A, B, and D.These are some of the strategies to prevent orthostatic hypotension, which is a sudden drop in blood pressure caused by a change in posture, such as when a person stands up quickly.
Some explanations for the other choices are:.
• Choice C is wrong because drinking caffeinated beverages can cause dehydration, which can worsen orthostatic hypotension by reducing the fluid volume in the blood vessels.
• Choice E is wrong because increasing salt intake can raise blood pressure, but it can also cause fluid retention, which can strain the heart and kidneys.People with hypertension, heart failure, or kidney disease should limit their salt intake.
Some normal ranges for blood pressure are:.
• Systolic blood pressure (the top number) should be less than 120 mmHg for most adults.
• Diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) should be less than 80 mmHg for most adults.
• Orthostatic hypotension is diagnosed when there is a drop of 20 mmHg or more in systolic blood pressure or 10 mmHg or more in diastolic blood pressure within 2 to 5 minutes of standing.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is B.
The client needs assistance with two ADLs.This is because the Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) is a tool that measures the client’s ability to perform six basic ADLs independently: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and feeding.The score ranges from 0 to 6, with 6 indicating complete independence, 4 indicating moderate impairment, and 2 or less indicating severe dependence.The score is based on the number of ADLs that the client can perform without supervision, direction, personal assistance, or total care.
Therefore, a score of 4 out of 6 means that the client needs assistance with two ADLs.
Choice A is wrong because it implies that the client is independent in all ADLs, which would require a score of 6 out of 6.
Choice C is wrong because it implies that the client is dependent on others for all ADLs, which would require a score of 0 out of 6.
Choice D is wrong because it implies that the client has difficulty with four ADLs, which would require a score of 2 out of 6.
The normal range for the Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) depends on the setting and population of the client.For example, one study found that the average score for residents in skilled nursing facilities was 3.1 out of 6.Another study found that the hierarchy of difficulty of the six ADLs from least to greatest was: eating, maintaining continence, transferring, toileting, dressing, and bathing.
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.