The health care provider has ordered IV dopamine (Intropin) for a patient in the emergency department with a spinal cord injury. The nurse determines that the drug is having the desired effect when what is observed in patient assessment?
- A. Heart rate of 68 bpm
- B. Respiratory rate of 24
- C. Blood pressure of 106/82 mm Hg
- D. Temperature of 96.8°F (36.0°C)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Improved blood pressure indicates effective treatment.
You may also like to solve these questions
The resting membrane potential of a cell
- A. is dependent on the permeability of the cell membrane to K+ being greater than the permeability to Na+
- B. falls to zero immediately when Na+, K+ ATPase in the membrane is inhibited
- C. is usually equal to the equilibrium potential for K+
- D. is usually equal to the equilibrium potential for Na+
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The resting membrane potential is primarily determined by the permeability of the cell membrane to potassium ions (K+), which is greater than its permeability to sodium ions (Na+). This is because the membrane has more leak channels for K+ than for Na+, allowing K+ to diffuse out of the cell, creating a negative intracellular environment. The Na+, K+ ATPase pump maintains this gradient but does not directly set the resting potential. Inhibition of the pump would eventually disrupt the gradient, but the potential does not immediately fall to zero.
A patient has unilateral facial paralysis and is unable to close his or her right eye. He or she is diagnosed with Bell's palsy. He or she asks the physician if there is any special care required for his or her eye. What is the best response?
- A. No, since the symptoms will go away in a few weeks.
- B. Wear sunglasses.
- C. Increase fluid intake to prevent dryness of the eye.
- D. Yes, you will need to instill artificial teardrops and use an eye patch.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Protecting the eye from dryness and injury is essential when the eyelid cannot close properly.
What does the experiment in which a frog's eye is rotated tell us about the spatial relationships between the retina and the tectum?
- A. When the right retina makes connections to the right tectum, nasal (anterior) neurons go to the anterior tectum, and temporal (posterior) neurons go to the posterior tectum.
- B. When the right retina makes connections to the right tectum, nasal (anterior) neurons go to the posterior tectum, and temporal (posterior) neurons go to the anterior tectum.
- C. When the right retina makes connections to the left tectum, nasal (anterior) neurons go to the posterior tectum, and temporal (posterior) neurons go to the anterior tectum.
- D. When the right retina makes connections to the left tectum, nasal (anterior) neurons go to the anterior tectum, and temporal (posterior) neurons go to the posterior tectum.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The frog eye rotation experiment demonstrates that retinal axons have an intrinsic map of their position. Nasal (anterior) neurons project to the posterior tectum, and temporal (posterior) neurons project to the anterior tectum. This shows that spatial information is encoded within the retina and guides axon targeting.
All of these nursing activities are included in the care plan for a 78-year-old man with Parkinson's disease who has been referred to your home health agency. Which ones will you delegate to a nursing assistant (NA)? (Choose all that apply.)
- A. Check for orthostatic changes in pulse and blood pressure.
- B. Monitor for improvement in tremor after levodopa (L-dopa) is given.
- C. Remind the patient to allow adequate time for meals.
- D. Monitor for abnormal involuntary jerky movements of extremities.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tasks like reminding the patient about meals and assisting with exercises are suitable for delegation to a nursing assistant.
The patient with a cervical SCI has been placed in fixed skeletal traction with a halo fixation device. When caring for this patient the nurse may delegate which action(s) to the LPN/LVN? (Chooseone that doesn't apply.)
- A. Check the patient's skin for pressure from device.
- B. Assess the patient's neurologic status for changes.
- C. Observe the halo insertion sites for signs of infection.
- D. Clean the halo insertion sites with hydrogen peroxide.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Skin checks, observing for infection, and cleaning insertion sites are tasks that can be performed by an LPN/LVN under supervision.