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What should the nurse do to decrease the potential for a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a patient who is a paraplegic from a spinal cord injury?
- A. Massage the patient's legs daily.
- B. Perform passive range-of-motion exercises.
- C. Encourage frequent warm baths.
- D. Allow the patient's legs to dangle for a period of 10 minutes several times a day.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DVTs are a problem for patients with a spinal cord injury. Passive range-of-motion exercises manipulate the muscles, which improves venous return, reducing the probability of DVT.
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The nurse takes special care to be gentle in caring for patients with spinal cord injuries to avoid stimulating the autonomic nervous system and triggering which condition?
- A. Paresis
- B. Heterotopic ossification
- C. Postural hypotension
- D. Autonomic dysreflexia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Autonomic dysreflexia is a sudden and extreme elevation in blood pressure caused by a reflex action of the autonomic nervous system. It is the result of stimulation of the body below the level of the spinal cord injury.
The nurse explains that the main roles of the gerontological rehabilitation nurse are to provide rehabilitative care and what other role?
- A. Provide restoration.
- B. Teach prevention.
- C. Teach adaptive skills.
- D. Provide positive reinforcement.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Teaching prevention is the dual role of the geriatric rehabilitation nurse. Restoration, adaptive skills, and positive reinforcements are all part of providing rehabilitative care.
The spinal cord injury patient has paralysis of all extremities and bowel and bladder disturbance. The nurse recognizes the injury as most likely occurring at what vertebral level?
- A. C1 to C2
- B. C3 to C4
- C. C2 to C7
- D. C4 to C7
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The vertebral level of injury for a cervical cord is C2 to C7 if the patient has paralysis of all extremities and trunk, and has lost control of bowel and bladder function.
The nurse recognizes that the rehabilitation process involves the efforts of various disciplines. The focus of rehabilitation is to build on which area?
- A. A person's losses
- B. A person's long-term plans
- C. A person's drives
- D. A person's abilities
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The underlying philosophy of rehabilitation is to focus on the abilities of the patient.
The nurse who helps a patient with a disability rejoice in the acquisition of the smallest new skill is embracing which rehabilitation philosophy?
- A. Resolving impairments
- B. Removing disabilities
- C. Increasing quality of life
- D. Eliminating complications
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A philosophy of rehabilitation is to increase the quality of life. Impairments may not be able to be resolved, disabilities may not be able to be completely removed, and complications may not be totally eliminated. However, with rehabilitation, the individual can learn to adjust to the new lifestyle.