CFRN Neurological Trauma Management 5

Question 1

A patient with TBI is being transported and has a seizure lasting 3 minutes. What is the first-line pharmacological treatment?

Accepted Answer

Lorazepam or diazepam IV

Answer

Benzodiazepines (lorazepam or diazepam) are the first-line treatment for acute seizures, including post-traumatic seizures, due to rapid onset and efficacy.

Question 2

Battle's sign, a clinical indicator of basilar skull fracture, refers to ecchymosis over which anatomical area?

Accepted Answer

Mastoid process posterior to the ear

Answer

Battle's sign is ecchymosis over the mastoid process, resulting from blood tracking along the skull base fracture, typically appearing 12-24 hours post-injury.

Question 3

A patient with a diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is being transported. What GCS range and CT finding is most characteristic of DAI?

Accepted Answer

Low GCS (3-8) with normal or subtly abnormal CT scan

Answer

DAI is caused by rotational shear forces disrupting axons; CT is often normal or shows only small petechial hemorrhages despite severe neurological dysfunction.

Question 4

A patient with a C5 spinal cord injury is being transported on a backboard. What pressure injury concern requires immediate attention?

Accepted Answer

Occiput and sacrum are highest-risk bony prominences requiring padding

Answer

SCI patients have impaired sensation and vasomotor control, dramatically accelerating pressure injury formation; pad all bony prominences, especially occiput, sacrum, and heels, even during brief transports.

Question 5

When assessing spinal cord injury level, a patient has intact biceps (C5), absent wrist extensors, and no hand function. At what level is the neurological injury?

Accepted Answer

C6

Answer

Wrist extensors are innervated by C6; their absence with intact C5 function localizes the injury to C6 as the most caudal intact motor level.

CFRN - Certified Flight Registered Nurse Practice Test

CFRN - Certified Flight Registered Nurse Practice Test

CFRN Neurological Trauma Management 5