Test Bank for Medical Surgical Nursing: Concepts for Interprofessional Collaborative Care 10th Edition - Care of Critically Ill Patients with Neurologic Problems Related

Review Test Bank for Medical Surgical Nursing: Concepts for Interprofessional Collaborative Care 10th Edition - Care of Critically Ill Patients with Neurologic Problems related questions and content

A client has a traumatic brain injury and a positive halo sign. The client is in the intensive care unit sedation and on a ventilator, and is in critical but stable condition. What collaborative problem takes priority at this time.

  • A. Inability to communicate
  • B. Nutritional deficit
  • C. Risk for acquiring an infection
  • D. Risk for skin breakdown
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The positive halo sign indicates a leak of cerebrospinal fluid. This places the client at high risk of acquiring an infection. Communication and nutrition are not priorities compared with preventing a brain infection. The client has a definite risk for a a skin breakdown, but it is not the immediate danger a brain infection would be.