RNSG 2539 Exam 1 | 99 Questions and Answers
(verified answers) | 2026 Update | Graded A+
Shock, MODS, Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Encephalopathy, Brain
Death
What is the minimum mean arterial pressure (MAP) needed to maintain adequate
tissue perfusion? - ANSWERS 60 mm Hg
What is the priority action for a patient with septic shock? - ANSWERS
antibiotic administration
Afterload reducing medications (such as sodium nitroprusside-a vasodilator ) are
given for what type of shock? - ANSWERS cardiogenic
A nurse is assessing a patient who is in shock, which of the following symptoms
should the nurse expect?
A. HR 60 bmp
B. seizure activity
C. RR of 42/min
D. Increased urine output
E. Weak, thready pulse - ANSWERS B. Seizure activity
C. RR 42/min
E. Weak, thready pulse
,When placed in an upright position, clients experiencing this kind of shock will
experience postural hypotension? - ANSWERS neurogenic
*Above this level* of injury presents special problems because of total loss of
respiratory muscle function; mechanical ventilation is required to keep the patient
alive? - ANSWERS C4
This nerve controls the diaphragm muscle, which controls the breathing process;
it arises from the 3rd through 5th (cervical) spinal nerves. - ANSWERS phrenic
nerve
This always occurs with diaphragmatic breathing? - ANSWERS Hypoventilation
What is a good way to assess respiratory function? - ANSWERS Have the
patient count to ten, if they cannot count to ten without taking a breath they need
immediate attention
Diaphragmatic breathing can occur *below* this level if the phrenic nerve is
functioning? - ANSWERS C4
Cervical and Thoracic injuries can cause paralysis of _________ and _________
muscles - ANSWERS abdominal and intercostal
Persons with cervical and thoracic injuries cannot __________ effectively. -
ANSWERS cough
, Persons with cervical and thoracic injuries are at risk for ____________ or
_____________ because they cannot cough effectively. - ANSWERS atelectasis
or pneumonia
Any interruption of the sympathetic nervous system with spinal cord injuries can
put clients at risk for cardiovascular instability which can result in slow heart rate
(bradycardia) of <60 beats/min because of unopposed ________ __________. -
ANSWERS vagal response
Any increase in vagal stimulation can cause cardiac arrest. Vagal stimulation is
caused by what two things? - ANSWERS Turning and suctioning (so just be
aware how your patient responds)
Treatment for cardiovascular instability - ANSWERS -Frequently assess vital
signs
-Anticholinergic (*atropine sulfate*) for *bradycardia*
-Temporary/permanent pacemaker
-Compression gradient stockings
(remove q8hrs for skin care)
-Prophylactic heparin or low-molecular weight heparin)
Clients with spinal cord injury also have problems with thermoregulation which
results in the decreased ability to __________ and _________. - ANSWERS
Sweat and Shiver (the degree of which depends on the level of injury)
During the first 48 hrs after spinal cord injury, this increases the level of
dysfunction? - ANSWERS Spinal cord edema
(verified answers) | 2026 Update | Graded A+
Shock, MODS, Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Encephalopathy, Brain
Death
What is the minimum mean arterial pressure (MAP) needed to maintain adequate
tissue perfusion? - ANSWERS 60 mm Hg
What is the priority action for a patient with septic shock? - ANSWERS
antibiotic administration
Afterload reducing medications (such as sodium nitroprusside-a vasodilator ) are
given for what type of shock? - ANSWERS cardiogenic
A nurse is assessing a patient who is in shock, which of the following symptoms
should the nurse expect?
A. HR 60 bmp
B. seizure activity
C. RR of 42/min
D. Increased urine output
E. Weak, thready pulse - ANSWERS B. Seizure activity
C. RR 42/min
E. Weak, thready pulse
,When placed in an upright position, clients experiencing this kind of shock will
experience postural hypotension? - ANSWERS neurogenic
*Above this level* of injury presents special problems because of total loss of
respiratory muscle function; mechanical ventilation is required to keep the patient
alive? - ANSWERS C4
This nerve controls the diaphragm muscle, which controls the breathing process;
it arises from the 3rd through 5th (cervical) spinal nerves. - ANSWERS phrenic
nerve
This always occurs with diaphragmatic breathing? - ANSWERS Hypoventilation
What is a good way to assess respiratory function? - ANSWERS Have the
patient count to ten, if they cannot count to ten without taking a breath they need
immediate attention
Diaphragmatic breathing can occur *below* this level if the phrenic nerve is
functioning? - ANSWERS C4
Cervical and Thoracic injuries can cause paralysis of _________ and _________
muscles - ANSWERS abdominal and intercostal
Persons with cervical and thoracic injuries cannot __________ effectively. -
ANSWERS cough
, Persons with cervical and thoracic injuries are at risk for ____________ or
_____________ because they cannot cough effectively. - ANSWERS atelectasis
or pneumonia
Any interruption of the sympathetic nervous system with spinal cord injuries can
put clients at risk for cardiovascular instability which can result in slow heart rate
(bradycardia) of <60 beats/min because of unopposed ________ __________. -
ANSWERS vagal response
Any increase in vagal stimulation can cause cardiac arrest. Vagal stimulation is
caused by what two things? - ANSWERS Turning and suctioning (so just be
aware how your patient responds)
Treatment for cardiovascular instability - ANSWERS -Frequently assess vital
signs
-Anticholinergic (*atropine sulfate*) for *bradycardia*
-Temporary/permanent pacemaker
-Compression gradient stockings
(remove q8hrs for skin care)
-Prophylactic heparin or low-molecular weight heparin)
Clients with spinal cord injury also have problems with thermoregulation which
results in the decreased ability to __________ and _________. - ANSWERS
Sweat and Shiver (the degree of which depends on the level of injury)
During the first 48 hrs after spinal cord injury, this increases the level of
dysfunction? - ANSWERS Spinal cord edema
