Author Question: A client just involved in a motor vehicle accident has sustained blunt chest trauma as part of his ... (Read 88 times)

mia · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A client just involved in a motor vehicle accident has sustained blunt chest trauma as part of his injuries

The nurse assessment reveals absent breath sounds in the left lung field. A left-sided pneumothorax is suspected and is further validated when assessment of the trachea reveals

a. a shift to the right.
b. a shift to the left.
c. no deviation.
d. subcutaneous emphysema.

Question 2

A critically injured patient can be aroused only by vigorous and continuous external stimuli. The patient's level of consciousness is considered

a. lethargic.
b. obtunded.
c. stuporous.
d. comatose.

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

Answer to Question 1

A
With a pneumothorax, the trachea shifts to the opposite side of the problem; with atelectasis, the trachea shifts to the same side as the problem. Subcutaneous emphysema is more commonly related to a pneumomediastinum and is not specifically related to the trachea but to air trapped in the mediastinum and general neck area.

Answer to Question 2

C
Stuporous means the patient can be aroused only by vigorous and continuous external stimuli. Motor response is often withdrawal or localizing to stimulus. Obtunded means the patient displays dull indifference to external stimuli, and response is minimally maintained. Questions are answered with a minimal response. Lethargic means the patient displays a state of drowsiness or inaction in which the patient needs an increased stimulus to be awakened. Comatose means vigorous stimulation fails to produce any voluntary neural response in the patient.