A victim of a motor vehicle crash has an acute cervical spinal ...

[captainjonesify]

A victim of a motor vehicle crash has an acute cervical spinal cord injury. Which problem should the nurse identify as the priority for this patient?
 
  1. fluid maintenance
  2. changes in mobility
  3. problems with the airway
  4. altered blood flow

Question 2

The nurse notes on the surgical schedule that a patient is scheduled for cranial burr holes. For which health problems does the nurse realize this type of surgical approach is indicated?
 
  Select all that apply.
 
  1. Ischemic stroke
  2. Migraine headache
  3. Epidural hematoma
  4. Hemorrhagic stroke
  5. Acute subdural hematoma

[ally]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 3
Because the injury is in the cervical area, the patient is at risk for losing the ability to maintain respirations and clear the airway. This is the priority for the patient at this time. There is no reason to believe that this patient will have issues maintaining fluid balance. Although the patient has a cervical spinal cord injury that will affect mobility, this is not the priority problem at this time. Once the patient's airway is secured the next priority problem would be blood flow maintenance.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 3, 5
The treatment of choice for epidural hematomas and large acute subdural hematomas is surgical evacuation of the clot. This can often be performed through burr holes made into the skull. Cranial burr holes are not the treatment of choice for an ischemic stroke, migraine headaches, or hemorrhagic stroke.