A Patient Has Arrived by Ambulance at the Emergency Department

question 18

Multiple Choice

A patient has arrived by ambulance at the emergency department after a cervical spinal cord injury. Which assessment is a priority for the nurse to perform at this time?

• A)Mental status and blood pressure
• B)Heart rate and rhythm
• C)Muscle strength and reflexes
• D)Respiratory pattern and airway

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Definitions:

Piaget

A reference to Jean Piaget, a psychologist known for his work on child development and cognitive theory.

Conservation

In Piaget’s Theory the ability to understand that simply changing the appearance of an object does not change the object’s nature.

Climacteric

A phase in the aging process of humans during which there is a gradual decline in reproductive capacity and possibly the onset of other physiological changes.

Perimenopause

The transitional phase leading up to menopause, characterized by changes in menstrual cycle length, hormone levels, and the onset of menopausal symptoms.