Author Question: Immediately after being struck by a motor vehicle, a patient is unconscious, but the patient ... (Read 107 times)

CBme · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

Immediately after being struck by a motor vehicle, a patient is unconscious, but the patient re-gains consciousness before arriving at the hospital and appears alert and oriented.

The next morning the patient is confused and demonstrates impaired responsiveness. The pa-tient's history and symptoms support which medical diagnosis?
a. Mild concussion
b. Subdural hematoma
c. Extradural (epidural) hematoma
d. Mild diffuse axonal injury

Question 2

A nurse recalls that neural systems basic to cognitive functions include _____ systems. (select all that apply)

a. attentional
b. memory and language
c. affective
d. sensory and motor
e. tactile

irishcancer18 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Individuals with extradural hematomas lose consciousness at injury; one third then become lucid for a few minutes to a few days. Mild concussion is characterized by immediate but transitory confusion that lasts for one to several minutes, possibly with amnesia for events preceding the trauma. Subdural hematomas begin with headache, drowsiness, restlessness or agitation, slowed cognition, and confusion. These symptoms worsen over time and progress to loss of conscious-ness, respiratory pattern changes, and pupillary dilation. Individuals with mild diffuse axonal in-jury display decerebrate or decorticate posturing and may experience prolonged periods of stupor or restlessness.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A, B, C
The neural systems that are essential to cognitive function are: (i) attentional systems that provide arousal and maintenance of attention over time; (ii) memory and language systems by which in-formation is communicated; and (iii) affective or emotive systems that mediate mood, emotion, and intention. The sensory, motor, and somatic systems are not involved. The tactile system is not involved in cognitive functioning.