Immediately after being struck by a motor vehicle, a patient is unconscious, but the patient re-gains consciousness before arriving at the hospital and appears alert and oriented
The next morning the patient is confused and demonstrates impaired responsiveness. The pa-tient's history and symptoms support which medical diagnosis?
a. Mild concussion
b. Subdural hematoma
c. Extradural (epidural) hematoma
d. Mild diffuse axonal injury
ANS: C
Individuals with extradural hematomas lose consciousness at injury; one third then become lucid for a few minutes to a few days. Mild concussion is characterized by immediate but transitory confusion that lasts for one to several minutes, possibly with amnesia for events preceding the trauma. Subdural hematomas begin with headache, drowsiness, restlessness or agitation, slowed cognition, and confusion. These symptoms worsen over time and progress to loss of conscious-ness, respiratory pattern changes, and pupillary dilation. Individuals with mild diffuse axonal in-jury display decerebrate or decorticate posturing and may experience prolonged periods of stupor or restlessness.
You might also like to view...
To relieve the pain and pruritus associated with vulvovaginitis, you would suggest
A) applying metronidazole (Flagyl) vaginally. B) coating the perineum with petroleum ointment (Vaseline). C) applying a heating pad for 20 minutes at a time. D) applying cornstarch to the area.
The nurse is admitting an infant to the care area. The parents and grandmother are present. What should the nurse use as the best source of data for this client?
1. Medical record from the child's birth 2. Grandmother 3. Parents 4. Admitting physician
The patient is in traction and is at risk for fat embolism syndrome. Signs and symptoms of fat embolism include which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
a. Chest pain b. Tachypnea c. Tachycardia d. Apprehension e. Altered LOC
A patient is admitted to the unit for treatment for an infection. The patient receives IV amikacin (Amikin) twice a day. When planning for obtaining a peak aminoglycoside level, when should the nurse see that the blood is drawn?
a. 30 minutes after the IV infusion is complete b. 1 hour after the IV infusion is complete c. 1 hour before administration of the IV infusion d. A peak level is not indicated with twice-daily dosing.