128k views
3 votes
One morning, as you enter Mr. Wright's room, you find his wife wiping perspiration from his face.

Mrs. Wright states that her husband suddenly became flushed and sweaty, and has a pounding headache. You note that Mr. Wright has gooseflesh.

Mrs. Wright asks you for a blanket since "My husband probably has a chill."

Your next action should be to:

A) Provide a blanket and reassure Mrs. Wright
B) Check Mr. Wright's vital signs and assess for autonomic dysreflexia
C) Ignore her request and continue your routine care
D) Administer a fever-reducing medication

1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

D) Administer a fever-reducing medication Mr. Wright should have his vital signs checked and be assessed for autonomic dysreflexia given the symptoms described.

Step-by-step explanation:

Check Mr. Wright's vital signs and assess for autonomic dysreflexia as his symptoms suggest this condition may be present.Sudden onset of flushed skin, profuse sweating, gooseflesh, and a pounding headache in a patient could be signs of autonomic dysreflexia, a potentially life-threatening condition commonly seen in individuals with spinal cord injuries above T6. This condition arises due to an unregulated response by the autonomic nervous system to a stimulus below the level of the injury. Symptoms typically include severe hypertension, which can lead to stroke, seizures, or cardiac complications if left untreated. Providing a blanket to warm Mr. Wright, as Mrs. Wright suggests, should not be the first response without further assessment.

The elevation in body temperature and visible autonomic symptoms warrant an immediate evaluation. Checking vital signs is critical, as they can provide clues to the patient's cardiovascular status, and assessment can be used to determine the cause of dysreflexia and initiate appropriate immediate interventions to lower the blood pressure and address the triggering stimulus.dysreflexia, which is a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by an exaggerated response of the autonomic nervous system. Checking his vital signs, such as blood pressure and heart rate, can help confirm the presence of autonomic dysreflexia. Providing a blanket alone would not address the underlying cause of his symptoms and may worsen his condition if it is autonomic dysreflexia. Therefore, it is important to prioritize assessing and managing this potential medical emergency.

User Haynes
by
8.0k points