An emergency department nurse is admitting a client brought in by the paramedics after falling from a tree stand. The client has fractured vertebrae at T3 and T4. The nurse knows the client is in the acute phase of neurologic deficit. What should the nurse know about the medical management of this client?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The focus of management during the acute phase is to stabilize the client and prevent further neurologic damage. The client with a CVA may require management of hypertension or hypotension through drug therapy. The client with a head or spinal cord injury may require respiratory support through mechanical ventilation or surgical intervention to stabilize the injured area or remove bone fragments, blood clots, or foreign objects. Sometimes, surgery is postponed until the client is stabilized and the acute phase has passed. In other instances, surgery is performed during the acute phase as a lifesaving measure. Keeping the client stable and preventing or treating complications is the aim of medical management of the recovery phase. Planning a rehabilitation program according to the client abilities and limitations and admit the client for treatment of complications are nursing goals, not medical goals for different phases of neurologic deficit.
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