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 receives a dose of edrophonium (Tensilon) intravenously.  The patient shows improvement in muscle strength for a period of time following the injection.  The nurse interprets that this finding is compatible with which disorder?

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?