The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Has Sustained

question 5

Multiple Choice

The nurse is caring for a patient who has sustained a traumatic head injury.The practitioner has asked the nurse to test the patient's oculocephalic reflex.What must the nurse verity prior to performing the test?

• A) The absence of cervical injury
• B) The depth and rate of respiration
• C) The patient's ability to swallow
• D) The patient's ability to follow a verbal command

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Definitions:

Cortisol Levels

The concentration of cortisol, a steroid hormone, in the blood which is often used as a biomarker of stress.

Wound Healing

The biological process by which the skin and tissues repair themselves after injury, involving stages such as inflammation, proliferation, and maturation.

Limbic System

A sophisticated network of neural pathways and connections in the brain, centered around several zones near the cortex's periphery that handle instinctual behavior and emotional states. This system regulates primary emotions (including fear, happiness, and rage) and basic motivations (such as eating, sexual behavior, power, and offspring nurturing).

Heart Rate

The number of heartbeats per unit of time, typically expressed in beats per minute (BPM), which can vary with physical activity, emotional states, and overall health conditions.