A patient is brought to the ER for treatment of injuries received in a motor vehicle accident. An MRI reveals spinal cord injury, and his body temperature fluctuates markedly. The most accurate explanation of this phenomenon is that:
a. he developed pneumonia.
b. his sympathetic nervous system has been damaged.
c. he has a brain injury.
d. he has septicemia from an unknown source.
ANS: B
The patient experiences disturbed thermal control because the sympathetic nervous system is damaged. The hypothalamus cannot regulate body heat through vasoconstriction and increased metabolism; therefore, the individual assumes the temperature of the air. In this situation there is no evidence to support the presence of pneumonia, brain injury, or septicemia.
You might also like to view...
The nurse is providing discharge education for her patient who is going home with a walker. Which statement by the patient indicates a good level of understanding of safety in the home? (Select all that apply.)
a. "I need to remove the throw rugs." b. "I should make sure I only take a bath." c. "I cannot use the stairs." d. "I need to place a nonskid mat in front of the kitchen sink."
A nurse would anticipate that a client receiving a sedative or hypnotic would experience an increased sedative effect if the client was also receiving which of the following? Select all that apply
A) Antihistamines B) Phenothiazines C) Opioid analgesics D) NSAIDs E) Anticoagulants
Nurses who empower clients emphasize the passive role of the patient
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
A patient is diagnosed with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Which medication does the nurse expect the provider to order for this patient?
a. Cimetidine [Tagamet] b. Esomeprazole [Nexium] c. Ranitidine [Zantac] d. Sucralfate [Carafate]