A frantic family member is distressed about the flaccid paralysis of her son following a spinal cord injury several hours ago. What does the nurse know about this condition?
a. It is an ominous indicator of permanent paralysis.
b. It is possibly a temporary condition and will clear.
c. It degenerates into a spastic paralysis.
d. It will progress up the cord to cause seizures.
ANS: B
A period of flaccid paralysis following a cord injury is called areflexia, or spinal shock, and may be temporary.
You might also like to view...
You are caring for an 82-year-old patient with a diagnosis of tracheobronchitis. Your patient starts complaining of right-sided pain that gets worse when he coughs or breathes deeply. Vital signs are within normal limits
What would you suspect this patient is experiencing? A) A traumatic pneumothorax B) Empyema C) Pleuritic pain D) Pleural effusion
A medical-surgical nurse is discharging her client to home with discharge instructions from the doctor to make an appointment see him in 3 weeks
When individuals are the focus for the nurse, how does discharge teaching differ from that of teaching to families and communities? A) Focus is on the individual. B) Focus is on the family as participants of care. C) Focus is on the community in which they live. D) Focus is on all three of the aspects for the individual.
The main building blocks of a healthcare system include:
a. sound leadership and governance (stewardship). b. primary health care. c. social determinants of health. d. continual reform.
The nurse is assessing a 3-year-old boy whose parents brought him to the clinic when they noticed that the right side of his abdomen was swollen. What finding would suggest this child has a neuroblastoma?
A) The child has a maculopapular rash on his palms. B) The parents report that their son is vomiting and not eating well. C) The parents report that their son is irritable and not gaining weight. D) Auscultation reveals wheezing with diminished lung sounds.