You are called to the home of a patient who suddenly "stopped breathing." The patient has a history of a neoplasm at C-3 and C-4. You suspect:
A) impingement on the phrenic nerve.
B) cervical fractures.
C) lung cancer.
D) myocardial infarction.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Impingement on the phrenic nerve can cause paralysis of the diaphragm, leading to difficulty or cessation of breathing. The location of the neoplasm in this case suggests that it may be affecting the phrenic nerve which innervates the diaphragm. Cervical fractures could also be a possibility, but the patient's history of neoplasm makes impingement on the phrenic nerve more likely. Lung cancer or myocardial infarction would not be the most likely cause of sudden cessation of breathing in this case.

You Are Called to the Home of a Patient Who