Asked by Jackie Stoughton on Jun 03, 2024
Verified
A 21-year-old patient has a head injury resulting from trauma and is unconscious. There are no other injuries. During the assessment what would the nurse expect to find when testing the patient's deep tendon reflexes?
A) Reflexes will be normal.
B) Reflexes cannot be elicited.
C) All reflexes will be diminished but present.
D) Some reflexes will be present, depending on the area of injury.
Deep Tendon Reflexes
Involuntary muscle contractions occurring when a tendon is tapped, testing the integrity of the nervous system.
Head Injury
A trauma to the head that can lead to various degrees of brain damage, ranging from mild concussions to severe brain injury.
Unconscious
A state where a person is not awake and not aware of their surroundings or able to react to stimuli.
- Understand the reflex action and its importance in neurological assessment.
Verified Answer
ZK
Zybrea KnightJun 08, 2024
Final Answer :
A
Explanation :
A reflex is a defense mechanism of the nervous system. It operates below the level of conscious control and permits a quick reaction to potentially painful or damaging situations.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the reflex action and its importance in neurological assessment.
Related questions
When the Nurse Is Testing the Triceps Reflex, What Is ...
During an Assessment of a 32-Year-Old Patient with a Recent ...
A 59-Year-Old Patient Has a Herniated Intervertebral Disk ...
The Nurse Is Assessing the Neurological Status of a Patient ...
The ____ of the Spinal Cord Carries Motor Information from ...