A patient is admitted with possible head and spinal cord injuries ...

[Deast7027]

A patient is admitted with possible head and spinal cord injuries sustained after falling from a ladder. Which diagnostic test should the nurse expect to be prescribed that will identify the type and extent of this patient's injuries?
 
  1. magnetic resonance imaging
  2. cervical spine x-rays
  3. spinal cord x-rays
  4. cerebral angiogram

Question 2

A victim of a multivehicle automobile crash is brought into the emergency department. The patient has slurred speech and is lethargic. The nurse anticipates that which diagnostic tests would be indicated for this patient?
 
  Select all that apply.
  1. blood alcohol level
  2. urine drug screen
  3. skull x-rays
  4. chest x-ray
  5. urinalysis

[Carissamariew]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1

Magnetic resonance imaging scans reveal injuries to the brain and spinal cord. Cervical spine and spinal cord x-rays can detect fractures of the vertebrae but not injuries to the brain. A cerebral angiogram can detect injuries to the brain but not to the spinal cord.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1, 2

Alcohol alters a person's level of consciousness, so a blood alcohol level would likely be ordered for a patient with slurred speech and lethargy. Some drugs can cause lethargy and slurred speech, so a urine drug screen would likely be ordered for this patient. Skull x-rays may or may not be indicated for the patient. A chest x-ray and urinalysis would likely be ordered, but not because of the slurred speech or lethargy.