Nokea
A patient with spinal cord injury has a nursing diagnosis of altered mobility and the nurse recognizes the increased the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which of the following would be included as an appropriate nursing intervention to prevent a DVT from occurring?
- A. Placing the patient on a fluid restriction as ordered
- B. Applying thigh-high elastic stockings
- C. Administering an antifibrinolyic agent
- D. Assisting the patient with passive range of motion (PROM) exercises
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Elastic stockings promote venous return, reducing DVT risk. Fluid restriction increases clotting risk, antifibrinolytics promote clotting, and PROM does not prevent DVT.
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An 82-year-old man is admitted for observation after a fall. Due to his age, the nurse knows that the patient is at increased risk for what complication of his injury?
- A. Hematoma
- B. Skull fracture
- C. Embolus
- D. Stroke
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Elderly patients are at higher risk for hematomas due to adherent dura and frequent anticoagulant use. Other complications are less age-specific.
Following a spinal cord injury a patient is placed in halo traction. While performing pin site care, the nurse notes that one of the traction pins has become detached. The nurse would be correct in implementing what priority nursing action?
- A. Complete the pin site care to decrease risk of infection.
- B. Notify the neurosurgeon of the occurrence.
- C. Stabilize the head in a lateral position.
- D. Reattach the pin to prevent further head trauma.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A detached halo pin requires immediate neurosurgeon notification to prevent injury. Stabilizing the head in neutral, not lateral, position is secondary, and reattaching or cleaning is unsafe.
The school nurse has been called to the football field where player is immobile on the field after landing awkwardly on his head during a play. While awaiting an ambulance, what action should the nurse perform?
- A. Ensure that the player is not moved.
- B. Obtain the players vital signs, if possible.
- C. Perform a rapid assessment of the players range of motion.
- D. Assess the players reflexes.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Immobilizing the patient prevents worsening of a potential SCI. Assessing vitals, ROM, or reflexes risks further injury.
A patient is admitted to the neurologic ICU with a spinal cord injury. In writing the patients care plan, the nurse specifies that contractures can best be prevented by what action?
- A. Repositioning the patient every 2 hours
- B. Initiating range-of-motion exercises (ROM) as soon as the patient initiates
- C. Initiating (ROM) exercises as soon as possible after the injury
- D. Performing ROM exercises once a day
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Early passive ROM exercises prevent contractures. Waiting for patient initiation or daily exercises is insufficient, and repositioning alone does not address contractures.
A patient is brought to the trauma center by ambulance after sustaining a high cervical spinal cord injury 1 hours ago. Endotracheal intubation has been deemed necessary and the nurse is preparing to assist. What nursing diagnosis should the nurse associate with this procedure?
- A. Risk for impaired skin integrity
- B. Risk for injury
- C. Risk for autonomic dysreflexia
- D. Risk for suffocation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Intubation in cervical spinal cord injury risks exacerbating the injury if the neck is flexed or extended, making 'risk for injury' the primary concern. Other diagnoses are less directly related to intubation.