Final answer:
When managing a spinal cord injury patient with recent drowsiness, the nurse should consult the provider before administering medications such as Tizanidine or ITB therapy, which could increase drowsiness. Enoxaparin and Pantoprazole are less likely to be related to the symptom of drowsiness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student question pertains to the management of a patient with a spinal cord injury exhibiting recent drowsiness. Nurses must be cautious with the administration of medications, as some can exacerbate drowsiness. It's essential to communicate with the health care provider to ensure that the correct treatment is given.
In relation to the options provided:
- Enoxaparin is an anticoagulant that might be indicated to prevent blood clots but it is not directly related to drowsiness.
- Tizanidine is a muscle relaxant that could potentially increase drowsiness and should be used with caution.
- Administration of intrathecal Baclofen (ITB) therapy, which is used to treat muscle spasticity, could also be a concern if it worsens the patient's drowsiness.
- Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor used for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and is least likely associated with the symptom of drowsiness.
Given the patient's recent drowsiness, the nurse should clarify with the provider before administering medications like Tizanidine or ITB therapy, which could affect the central nervous system and potentially exacerbate the drowsiness.
It is also worth noting that treatment for patients with a condition like tetanus includes supportive care such as assisted breathing, wound debridement, maintaining fluid balance, and antibiotic therapy to halt the growth of C. tetani. Antitoxins and benzodiazepines are used to neutralize the toxin and for muscle relaxation respectively.