A patient experiences a severe head injury hitting a tree while ...

[tingc95]

A patient experiences a severe head injury hitting a tree while riding a motorcycle. Breathing be-comes deep and rapid but with normal pattern. What term should the nurse use for this condi-tion?
 
  a. Gasping
  b. Ataxic breathing
  c. Apneusis
  d. Central neurogenic hyperventilation

Question 2

A teenager sustains a severe closed head injury following an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident and is in a state of deep sleep that requires vigorous stimulation to elicit eye opening. How should the nurse document this in the chart?
 
  a. Confusion
  b. Coma
  c. Obtundation
  d. Stupor

[carolinefletcherr]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Central neurogenic hyperventilation is a sustained, deep, rapid, but regular, pattern (hyperpnea) of breathing. Gasping is a pattern of deep all-or-none breaths accompanied by a slow respira-tory rate. Ataxic breathing is completely irregular breathing that occurs with random shallow and deep breaths and irregular pauses. Apneusis is manifested by a prolonged inspiratory pause alter-nating with an end-expiratory pause.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Stupor is a condition of deep sleep or unresponsiveness from which a person may be aroused or caused to open his or her eyes only by vigorous and repeated stimulation. Confusion is the loss of the ability to think rapidly and clearly and is characterized by impaired judgment and decision making. Coma is a condition in which there is no verbal response to the external environment or to any stimuli; noxious stimuli such as deep pain or suctioning do not yield motor movement. Obtundation is a mild-to-moderate reduction in arousal (awakeness) with limited response to the environment.

[tingc95]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[bulacsom]

Gracias!