A patient who is diagnosed with a cervical herniated disc complains of pain. The nurse concludes that the patient's pain is caused by which of the following?
Inflammation of the lamina of the involved vertebra
Shifting of two adjacent vertebrae out of alignment
Increased pressure of cerebral spinal fluid within the vertebral column
Compression of the spinal cord by the extruding disc
The Correct Answer is D
A) Inflammation of the lamina of the involved vertebra: While inflammation can contribute to pain, it is not the primary cause in the context of a herniated disc. The pain associated with a herniated disc is typically related to nerve compression rather than inflammation of the lamina itself.
B) Shifting of two adjacent vertebrae out of alignment: This describes a different condition, such as spondylolisthesis. A herniated disc primarily involves the displacement of disc material, rather than a significant misalignment of the vertebrae.
C) Increased pressure of cerebral spinal fluid within the vertebral column: Increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure is not typically associated with herniated discs and does not directly cause the pain related to this condition.
D) Compression of the spinal cord by the extruding disc: This is the most accurate explanation for the patient's pain. A cervical herniated disc can protrude and compress nearby nerve roots or the spinal cord itself, leading to significant pain, weakness, and other neurological symptoms. This compression is the primary cause of pain in patients with this diagnosis.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Talking in a loud voice: While this may indicate some level of distress or confusion, it does not necessarily signal a specific neurological deficit. Clients may raise their voice for various reasons unrelated to neurological issues.
B) Grimacing with movement: This could suggest discomfort or pain but is not an explicit indicator of neurological impairment. Grimacing can occur for many reasons, including musculoskeletal issues or emotional responses, and does not specifically necessitate a focused neurological assessment.
C) Asymmetry of the client's smile: This finding is significant and raises concerns about potential neurological issues, such as a stroke or Bell's palsy. Facial asymmetry may indicate weakness or dysfunction in the cranial nerves responsible for facial movement, warranting a more thorough neurological examination to assess for underlying causes.
D) Inability to follow directions: While this may point to confusion or cognitive impairment, it is a more general indicator and could result from various factors, including anxiety or lack of understanding. It does not specifically highlight a localized neurological deficit as clearly as facial asymmetry does.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Eupnea: Eupnea refers to a normal respiratory rate, typically between 12 to 20 breaths per minute for adults. Given that the client’s respiratory rate is significantly lower than this range, documenting the finding as eupnea would not accurately reflect the client’s condition.
B) Bradypnea: Bradypnea is defined as a slower-than-normal respiratory rate, usually less than 12 breaths per minute. With the client's rate at 9 breaths per minute, this is an example of bradypnea. It is crucial for the nurse to document this finding accurately, even though the client denies feeling short of breath, as it could indicate an underlying issue requiring further assessment.
C) Tachypnea: Tachypnea indicates a faster-than-normal respiratory rate, typically over 20 breaths per minute. Since the client's respiratory rate is low at 9 breaths per minute, labeling it as tachypnea would be incorrect and misleading.
D) Dyspnea: Dyspnea refers to difficulty or discomfort in breathing. Although the client does not report feeling short of breath, it is essential to note that the low respiratory rate could still lead to respiratory distress, but it does not meet the criteria for dyspnea based on the client's self-report. Therefore, documenting this finding as dyspnea would not be appropriate.