Author Question: An adult patient who has died from traumatic injuries is an organ donor. What should the nurse do ... (Read 74 times)

corkyiscool3328 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

An adult patient who has died from traumatic injuries is an organ donor. What should the nurse do when caring for this patient?

1. Maintain systolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg.
2. Keep oxygen saturation level at 75.
3. Administer intravenous fluids to maintain a urine output of 25 mL per hour.
4. Perform external cardiac compressions to achieve a heart rate of 60 beats per minute.

Question 2

The spouse of a patient admitted with severe head injury tells the nurse that she believes her husband is going to recover because he is continuing to make movements without stimulation. What should the nurse explain to the spouse?

1. With head injuries, the patient can continue to make movements, but these are reflexes that do not reflect brain function.
2. Your husband will likely recover in time.
3. As long as he has oxygen to the brain, he will recover.
4. His movements indicate that his brain is dead.

chem1s3 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1

When caring for an adult patient who is an organ donor, the nurse should maintain systolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg to keep the patient's organs perfused until removal, maintain urine output at more than 30 mL per hour, and maintain oxygen saturation at 90 or greater. External cardiac compressions should not be performed.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1

One criterion of brain death is the lack of spontaneous movement; however, some spinal cord reflexes may be present. The nurse should not tell the spouse that the patient will recover in time or will recover as long as he has oxygen to the brain. The patient has a brain injury; his movements are likely spinal cord reflexes rather than spontaneous movements. Additional testing must be done before brain death is diagnosed.