A patient is brought to the emergency department after a motorcycle accident. The patient is alert, responsive, and diagnosed with a broken leg. The patient's vital signs are temperature (T), 98.6° F; pulse (P), 72 beats per minute (bpm);
and respirations (R), 16 breaths per minute. After being informed that surgery is required for the broken leg, which vital sign readings would be expected?
a. T, 98.6°; P, 64; R, 14
b. T, 98.6°; P, 68; R, 12
c. T, 98.6°; P, 62; R, 16
d. T, 98.6°; P, 84; R, 22
ANS: D
The patient would experience stress associated with the anticipation of surgery. In times of stress, the sympathetic nervous system takes over (fight or flight response) and sends signals to the adrenal glands thereby releasing norepinephrine. The circulating norepinephrine increases the heart rate. Respirations increase bringing more oxygen to the lungs.
You might also like to view...
What is the leading cause of infection among young adults?
a. environmental exposure to pathogens b. illicit drug use and abuse c. neglect of personal hygiene d. sexually transmitted diseases
A student is working with a floor nurse who is admitting a new patient to the unit. The nurse asks the patient if he has traveled outside the United States in the past 12 months
The student knows that this information is part of what area of the comprehensive health history? A) Activities B) Present illness C) Demographical data D) History of illnesses
A woman has a pelvic organ prolapse. What treatments does the healthcare professional teach the woman about?
a. Pessary b. Kegel exercises c. Estrogen therapy d. Surgical repair e. Bearing down exercises
Maslow's theory of Humanistic Psychology has provided nursing with a framework for
A. holistic assessment. B. determining moral development. C. identifying potential for success in therapy. D. conducting nurse-client interpersonal interactions.