Diagnostic studies reveal a temporal fracture with a pineal shift. The nurse would interpret this finding to indicate:

A man is brought to the ED by ambulance after hitting his head when he dove into a 4′ deep swimming pool. Which procedure would hold the highest priority after the patient’s level of consciousness and vital signs have been checked?

The nurse knows that all of the following statements about epidural and subdural hematomas are false except:

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?

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

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

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

One of the nurse’s major concerns in caring for a patient with a spinal cord injury is to maintain optimal respiratory function. Which development would not lead to hypoventilation in this patient?

Nursing assessment of the patient with a spinal cord injury reveals all of the following except: