A 14-year-old girl is in the intensive care unit after a spinal cord injury 2 days ago. Nursing care for this child includes which action(s)? (Select all that apply.)
A) Monitoring and maintaining systemic blood pressure
B) Administering corticosteroids
C) Minimizing environmental stimuli
D) Discussing long-term care issues with the family
E) Monitoring for respiratory complications

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Spinal cord injury patients are physiologically labile, and close monitoring is required. They may be unstable for the first few weeks after the injury. Corticosteroids are administered to minimize the inflammation present with the injury. It is not necessary to minimize environmental stimuli for this type of injury. Discussing long-term care issues with the family is inappropriate. The family is focusing on the recovery of their child. It will not be known until the rehabilitation period how much function the child may recover.

A 14-Year-Old Girl Is in the Intensive Care Unit After