A nurse is planning care for a client who has a T4 spinal cord injury and is at risk for acquiring urinary tract infections. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the client's plan of care?
Encourage fluid intake at and between meals.
Cleanse the perineum from back to front.
Offer the client the bedpan every 2 hours.
Obtain a prescription for an indwelling urinary catheter.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Encouraging fluid intake at and between meals helps to dilute urine and can reduce the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) by promoting regular urination.
B. Cleansing the perineum should be done from front to back to prevent the introduction of bacteria from the rectal area to the urethra, so this option is incorrect.
C. Offering the bedpan every 2 hours may not be sufficient for individuals at risk for UTIs, as more frequent voiding can help prevent infection.
D. An indwelling urinary catheter increases the risk of urinary tract infections and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary; intermittent catheterization is generally preferred for those with spinal cord injuries to minimize this risk.
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Correct Answer is ["A","C","D"]
Explanation
A. Calcium binders are used to help decrease the amount of calcium absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, thus lowering calcium levels in the blood.
B. Vitamin D supplements would actually increase calcium levels by enhancing intestinal absorption, so this option is not appropriate in hypercalcemia.
C. Administering fluids helps to dilute serum calcium levels and promote renal excretion of calcium, making it a priority treatment.
D. Furosemide (Lasix) can help promote diuresis, thereby increasing the excretion of calcium through the urine, which is beneficial in managing hypercalcemia.
E. Oral phosphates may be used in some cases to manage hypercalcemia, but they are not a first-line treatment and their administration should be carefully considered in conjunction with other treatments.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]
Explanation
A. Hypertension can occur due to autonomic dysreflexia, especially in clients with cervical spinal cord injuries, as they may have exaggerated sympathetic responses.
B. A weakened gag reflex can result from cranial nerve involvement due to the cervical spinal cord injury, impacting the client's ability to protect their airway.
C. Absence of bowel sounds may indicate bowel immobility or dysfunction; however, it is not a direct complication of a cervical spinal cord injury.
D. Bradycardia is a common finding in cervical spinal cord injuries due to impaired sympathetic nervous system function, leading to decreased heart rate.
E. Tachycardia is less common in cervical injuries and is typically associated with lower injuries in the spinal cord.