Author Question: A professional football player is seen in the emergency department after losing consciousness from ... (Read 56 times)

tingc95 · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

A professional football player is seen in the emergency department after losing consciousness from an illegal block. Prior to discharge, the nurse assists the patient to schedule an outpatient computed tomography (CT) scan for the next day.

Which strategy should the nurse use to ensure the patient remembers the appointment?

a. Write the appointment day, time, and location on a piece of paper and give it to the player.
b. Log the appointment day, time, and location into the player's cell phone calendar feature.
c. Ask the health care provider to admit the patient to the hospital overnight.
d. Verbally inform the patient of the appointment day, time, and location.

Question 2

An individual hiking in the forest encounters a large poisonous snake on the path. Which change in this individual's vital signs is most likely?

a. Pulse rate changes from 90 to 72.
b. Respiratory rate changes from 22 to 18.
c. Complaints of intestinal cramping begin.
d. Blood pressure changes from 114/62 to 136/78.

tjayeee · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
This player may have suffered repeated head injuries with damage to the hippocampus. The hippocampus has significant role in maintaining memory. Logging the appointment into the player's cell phone calendar will remind him of the appointment the next day. Paper will be lost, and the patient is unlikely to remember verbal instruction. Hospitalization is unnecessary. See relationship to audience response question. Caution: This question requires students to apply previous learning regarding central nervous system anatomy and physiology.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
This frightening experience would stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, causing a release of norepinephrine, an excitatory neurotransmitter. It prepares the body for fight or flight. Increased blood pressure, pupil size, respiratory rate, and pulse rate signify release of norepinephrine. Intestinal cramping would be associated with stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system.