When assessing the patient’s motor function, the nurse determines spinothalamic tract function by:

The nurse assesses a comatose patient who is exhibiting decerebrate posturing. Which brain areas are likely to have been injured in this patient?

The nurse would anticipate further assessment of a patient with a basal skull fracture to possibly reveal:

A patient is admitted to the ED with possible spinal cord injury between T4 and T12. Which clinical finding would the nurse not expect to note?

The primary objective in the plan of care for a patient with a traumatic head injury typically involves:

Which drug is the treatment of choice to prevent seizures from traumatic head injury?

Which assessment finding would indicate deterioration of this patient’s respiratory status?

At which level does the phrenic nerve innervate the diaphragm?

Which nursing diagnosis would be the highest priority for a patient with a cervical spinal cord injury?

Which symptom is least likely to be exhibited by a patient who sustains a cerebral concussion?