A hospitalized patient with a C7 cord injury yells, "I can't feel my legs anymore." Which is the most appropriate action by the nurse?
1. remind the patient of her injury and try to comfort her
2. call the healthcare provider and get an order for radiologic evaluation
3. prepare the patient for surgery, as her condition is worsening
4. explain to the patient that this could be a common, temporary problem
Correct Answer: 4
Spinal shock is a condition almost half the people with acute spinal injury experience. It is characterized by a temporary loss of reflex function below level of injury and includes the following symptomatology: flaccid paralysis of skeletal muscles, loss of sensation below the injury, possibly bowel and bladder dysfunction, and loss of ability to perspire below the injury level. The nurse should explain to the patient what is happening. The healthcare provider does not need to be contacted. Radiologic evaluation is not necessary and surgery is not indicated.
You might also like to view...
When determining the health care agency's ability to provide the services offered to its client population, the nurse is taking part in which type of evaluation?
a. function c. process b. structure d. outcome
A patient is scheduled for major surgery tomorrow morning. You ask the patient if he or she has any questions about the surgery. The patient says "no" and then proceeds to tell you about the activity in the stock market that day
You believe that this patient is displaying: A) Denial B) Transference C) Regression D) Splitting
The nurse is reviewing an electrocardiogram (ECG) rhythm strip. The P waves and QRS complexes are regular. The PR interval is 0.16 second and QRS complexes measure 0.06 second. The overall heart rate is 64 beats/minute. What should the nurse interpret these findings as indicating?
A. Sinus bradycardia B. Normal heart function C. Sick sinus syndrome D. First-degree heart block
A dermoid cyst is apparently an attempt by the unfertilized ovum to realize its potential by producing diverse tissues like those of a fetus
Indicate whether the statement is true or false