While in the postanesthesia care unit, a patient recovering from spinal surgery tells the nurse that she cannot feel her right hand and that her right shoulder is painful. The nurse realizes the patient is exhibiting signs of:
1. Brachial plexus nerve injury.
2. Infiltrated intravenous access site.
3. Thromboembolism in the brachial artery.
4. Residual effects of spinal anesthesia.
Brachial plexus nerve injury.
Rationale: One complication due to patient positioning during a surgical procedure is injury to nerves. The patient's complaint of reduced sensation of the right hand with right shoulder pain would indicate an injury to the brachial plexus nerve region. There is no information to support that the patient has an infiltrated intravenous access site or that the patient has a thromboembolism in the brachial artery. The patient had spinal surgery and most likely did not have spinal anesthesia.
You might also like to view...
The nurse is caring for a frail, elderly client with a persistent, dry cough. Which of the following would be the result if this persistent, dry cough is not resolved promptly?
A) Consumes the client's energy B) Eliminates respiratory secretions C) Contributes to retention of secretions D) Influences the production of respiratory secretions
Which best describes a prospective study?
A) Descriptive study in which participants are enrolled before the health outcome of interest has occurred B) Analytic study in which participants are enrolled before the health outcome of interest has occurred C) Descriptive study in which participants are enrolled after the health outcome of interest has occurred D) Analytic study in which participants are enrolled after the health outcome of interest has occurred
What example illustrates the conclusion that can be drawn from deductive reasoning?
a. All men are mortal and the Dalai Lama is a man; therefore, the Dalai Lama is mortal. b. The planet Earth orbits the Sun; therefore, all planets orbit the Sun. c. Five marbles taken from the bag are blue; therefore, all marbles from the bag are blue. d. The first five people you met at a work interview were nice; therefore, everyone at this office is nice.
Before administering antiprotozoal drugs, the nurse should review which baseline assessment?
A. Prothromin time B. Serum magnesium level C. Hemoglobin level D. Arterial blood gas concentrations