A patient is admitted with possible head and spinal cord injuries sustained after falling from a ladder. Which diagnostic test should the nurse expect to be prescribed that will identify the type and extent of this patient's injuries?
1. magnetic resonance imaging
2. cervical spine x-rays
3. spinal cord x-rays
4. cerebral angiogram
Correct Answer: 1
Magnetic resonance imaging scans reveal injuries to the brain and spinal cord. Cervical spine and spinal cord x-rays can detect fractures of the vertebrae but not injuries to the brain. A cerebral angiogram can detect injuries to the brain but not to the spinal cord.
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