Physiological Adaptation Flashcards
6 cards from real NACE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Physiological Adaptation flashcards as text
A patient with a traumatic brain injury has a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 6. What does this indicate about the patient's neurological status?
Answer: Severe brain injury
A GCS score of 3-8 indicates severe brain injury. The patient likely requires intubation and intensive neurological monitoring.
A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy. The nurse notes the oxygen saturation is 96%. What is the nurse's priority concern?
Answer: The saturation may be too high, potentially suppressing the hypoxic drive
COPD patients rely on hypoxic drive for respiratory stimulation. Target SpO2 for COPD patients is typically 88-92%. An SpO2 of 96% may indicate excessive oxygen administration.
A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing status epilepticus. Which intervention takes priority?
Answer: Maintaining a patent airway and administering IV benzodiazepine
Status epilepticus is a medical emergency requiring immediate airway management and IV benzodiazepine (typically lorazepam) to terminate the continuous seizure activity.
A patient presents with sudden severe headache described as 'the worst headache of my life.' Which condition should the nurse suspect?
Answer: Subarachnoid hemorrhage
A sudden, severe 'thunderclap' headache described as the worst of the patient's life is the hallmark presentation of subarachnoid hemorrhage until proven otherwise.
A patient with acute pancreatitis reports severe abdominal pain. Which position should the nurse help the patient assume for pain relief?
Answer: Side-lying fetal position with knees drawn to the chest
The fetal position with knees drawn to the chest reduces tension on the abdominal muscles and takes pressure off the inflamed pancreas, providing some pain relief.
A nurse is monitoring a patient after a thyroidectomy. Which complication should the nurse assess for within the first 24 hours?
Answer: Hypocalcemia
Accidental removal or damage to the parathyroid glands during thyroidectomy can cause hypocalcemia, which may present as tetany, tingling, or muscle spasms.