The nurse is caring for the patient in the emergency department following a head  injury.  The patient momentarily lost consciousness at the time of the injury and  then regained it.  The patient now has lost consciousness again.  The nurse takes  quick action, knowing this is compatible with which problem?  

A patient has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy. On physical assessment, the nurse expects to find which signs and symptoms?

A patient with trigeminal neuralgia asks the nurse what can be done to minimize the episodes of pain.  The nurse understands that the symptoms can be triggered by which condition?

A patient arrives at the Emergency Department after suffering a spinal cord injury.  He is lying still, complaining of neck pain, has hand and arm paresthesias and states that his legs feel numb.  Which intervention is the highest priority?

The nurse has completed discharge instructions for a patient with a halo brace. Which action indicates that the patient needs further clarification of the instructions?

A patient is admitted to the hospital with a head injury resulting from an automobile accident.  On admission the patient’s vital signs are temperature 98.6 F, Blood pressure 128/68, pulse 110, and respirations 26.  One hour after admission, the nurse identifies the patient is losing the ability to compensate (Cushing’s Triad) by which vital signs?

When prioritizing care, which of the following patients should the nurse assess first?

A patient reports very loud, overpowering ringing in the ears, fluctuating hearing loss with severe vertigo accompanied by nausea and vomiting. What condition does the nurse suspect?

A patient is admitted to the emergency department, with possible fractures of the bones of the left lower extremity.  Prior to initiating treatment for the patient, it is most important for the nurse to complete which intervention?

The nurse is monitoring a patient’s intracranial pressure (ICP) after a traumatic head injury. The health care provider calls and asks for a report on the patient’s condition. Based on the documentation below, how would the nurse respond?