A 20-year-old experiences a severe closed head injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident. Which of the following structures is most likely keeping the patient in a vegetative state (VS) 1 month after the accident?
a. Cerebral cortex
b. Brainstem
c. Spinal cord
d. Cerebellum
ANS: B
When a person loses cerebral function, the reticular activating system and brainstem can maintain a crude waking state known as a VS. Cognitive cerebral functions, however, cannot occur with-out a functioning reticular activating system. A VS is not associated with the cerebral cortex, spinal cord, or cerebellum.
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A patient has had an air embolus. What should be the immediate action of the quick-thinking nurse?
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The nurse is analyzing a phenomenological research study. Which data would the nurse evaluate as matching this study design? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply
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A patient has been taking warfarin (Coumadin), which is highly protein-bound. The patient will begin taking gemfibrozil, which is also highly protein-bound. The nurse will observe the patient closely for
a. decreased effects of warfarin. b. increased effects of warfarin. c. decreased effects of gemfibrozil. d. decreased effects of both drugs.