Chapter 36--Dysfunction of the Spinal Cord and Peripheral Nervous System: Nursing Management

Chapter 36–Dysfunction of the Spinal Cord and Peripheral Nervous System: Nursing Management

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. The nurse is preparing a community education program on the prevention of spinal cord injuries. Which of the following individuals would most likely benefit from this education?

ANS:  2

Most spinal cord injuries are caused by motor vehicle accidents; however, falls from horses and bicycles are common causes of these types of injuries. The average age of spinal cord injuries has risen to 40.2 in 2009. The adolescent female who plays golf is at a lower risk of sustaining a spinal cord injury than the adolescent male who rides horses. The 30-year-old female housewife and 50-year-old male computer technician are also at lower risk for experiencing this type of injury.

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Apply            REF:   Spinal Cord Injury: Epidemiology

2. A client being treated for a spinal cord injury needs immediate ventilatory support. The nurse realizes that this client’s level of injury is most likely:

ANS:  1

High cervical injuries above C3 will result in loss of respiratory function and death unless ventilator support is immediately provided. Spinal cord injuries at C6, T3, or L3 do not need immediate ventilatory support.

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Analyze         REF:   Spinal Cord Injuries: Level of Injury

3. A client experienced a spinal cord injury during a football game. The paramedics applied a neck brace prior to moving the client onto a hard board for transportation. The nurse realizes that the neck brace was provided because the area of the spinal cord most vulnerable to injury is:

ANS:  4

Because of greater movement, the cervical area is the most unstable area of the spinal cord and is the most vulnerable area for injury. The thoracic, lumbar, and coccygeal regions of the spinal cord are more stable and less vulnerable areas for injury.

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Analyze         REF:   Spinal Cord Injuries: Level of Injury

4. The nurse is caring for a client with a spinal cord injury located at T5. Which of the following should be included in this client’s plan of care?

ANS:  3

Because of the interruption in chest muscle innervation with spinal cord injuries located at level T7 and above, patients often need assistance with removal of secretions and have difficulty with inspiration and expiration. Mechanical ventilation is not needed for a spinal cord injury at level T5. A spinal cord injury does not precipitate the onset of diabetes. A client with a spinal cord injury at level T5 will not be able to use an assistive device to ambulate.

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Apply            REF:   Acute Management of Spinal Cord Injuries

5. The nurse is preparing to administer high-dose methylprednisolone to a client diagnosed with a spinal cord injury. The nurse realizes that for this medication to be most effective treatment should begin:

ANS:  1

Early treatment of spinal cord trauma with large doses of methylprednisolone have been shown to be extremely effective in the prevention of spinal cord damage after trauma occurs if administered within 8 hours of injury. Providing this medication after 8 hours following an injury is less effective in the prevention of spinal cord damage after a traumatic event.

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Analyze         REF:   Spinal Cord Injuries: Evidence-Based Care