This topic contains a solution. Click here to go to the answer

Author Question: A male patient who has possible cerebral edema has a serum sodium level of 116 mEq/L (116 mmol/L) ... (Read 62 times)

crazycityslicker

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 537
A male patient who has possible cerebral edema has a serum sodium level of 116 mEq/L (116 mmol/L) and a decreasing level of consciousness (LOC). He is now complaining of a headache. Which prescribed interventions should the nurse implement first?
 
  a. Administer IV 5 hypertonic saline.
  b. Draw blood for arterial blood gases (ABGs).
  c. Send patient for computed tomography (CT).
  d. Administer acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg orally.

Question 2

After endotracheal suctioning, the nurse notes that the intracranial pressure for a patient with a traumatic head injury has increased from 14 to 17 mm Hg. Which action should the nurse take first?
 
  a. Document the increase in intracranial pressure.
  b. Ensure that the patient's neck is in neutral position.
  c. Notify the health care provider about the change in pressure.
  d. Increase the rate of the prescribed propofol (Diprivan) infusion.



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
Marked as best answer by a Subject Expert

josephsuarez

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 323
Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The patient's low sodium indicates that hyponatremia may be causing the cerebral edema. The nurse's first action should be to correct the low sodium level. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) will have minimal effect on the headache because it is caused by cerebral edema and increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Drawing ABGs and obtaining a CT scan may provide some useful information, but the low sodium level may lead to seizures unless it is addressed quickly.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Because suctioning will cause a transient increase in intracranial pressure, the nurse should ini-tially check for other factors that might be contributing to the increase and observe the patient for a few minutes. Documentation is needed, but this is not the first action. There is no need to noti-fy the health care provider about this expected reaction to suctioning. Propofol is used to control patient anxiety or agitation. There is no indication that anxiety has contributed to the increase in intracranial pressure.




crazycityslicker

  • Member
  • Posts: 537
Reply 2 on: Jun 25, 2018
Excellent


skipfourms123

  • Member
  • Posts: 343
Reply 3 on: Yesterday
Wow, this really help

 

Did you know?

Drug-induced pharmacodynamic effects manifested in older adults include drug-induced renal toxicity, which can be a major factor when these adults are experiencing other kidney problems.

Did you know?

For high blood pressure (hypertension), a new class of drug, called a vasopeptidase blocker (inhibitor), has been developed. It decreases blood pressure by simultaneously dilating the peripheral arteries and increasing the body's loss of salt.

Did you know?

Aspirin may benefit 11 different cancers, including those of the colon, pancreas, lungs, prostate, breasts, and leukemia.

Did you know?

Once thought to have neurofibromatosis, Joseph Merrick (also known as "the elephant man") is now, in retrospect, thought by clinical experts to have had Proteus syndrome. This endocrine disease causes continued and abnormal growth of the bones, muscles, skin, and so on and can become completely debilitating with severe deformities occurring anywhere on the body.

Did you know?

Carbamazepine can interfere with the results of home pregnancy tests. If you are taking carbamazepine, do not try to test for pregnancy at home.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library