18 year old male, brought in by ambulance following an alleged altercation where patient struck head on road curb at 2300 hrs. Patient is denies loss of consciousness but unable to recall all events....




  • 18 year old male, brought in by ambulance following an alleged altercation where patient struck head on road curb at 2300 hrs.

  • Patient is denies loss of consciousness but unable to recall all events. Patient appears alert but teary and takes a couple of moments to answer questions.

  • On examination, 4cm laceration noted with slow ooze from wound. Dressing insitu. Vital signs and GCS recorded at 2325 hrs as per chart. No other obvious injuries.

  • Patient denies drug use, states has had approximately ‘five beers since 7pm’. Breath alcohol taken at 2330 hours 0.06%.

  • Patient reports pain to be 5/10 at occipital region, no analgesia taken prior to presentation.

  • Patient states is usually fit and well.



Past medical history


Childhood asthma, up-to-date with immunisations (last tetanus 12 months ago).
Not on any medications and no known allergies.



Intervention:



  • The decision is made to keep Zac in hospital overnight, for observation.

  • Paracetamol is charted for pain. No other medications are charted.

  • Vital signs and neurological observations to be undertaken hourly.



You are the nurse who is allocated to care for Zac. You review all Zac's documentation and go to attend his observations at 0700. You gather the following data:



Vital signs:



  • BP: 146/98 mmHg

  • Pulse: 106 bpm

  • RR: 18

  • Sp02: 98%

  • Temp: 37.3C

  • Pain: he mumbles that his "head is hurting", but cannot rate the pain; he is holding his head with his hands



Neurological Assessment:



  • Best Eye Response: Eye opening to verbal stimuli

  • Best Verbal Response: Confused

  • Best Motor Response: Obeys commands - slow to respond

  • Pupils: Right - size 3 mm, sluggish reaction; Left - size 3 mm, sluggish reaction

  • Limb Movements: Left arm only - normal power; Bilateral legs - normal power.


Question:  Referring to other related cues/ data as collected by the assessment of zac, explain the most likely pathophysiological for Zac's heart rate trend between 2325-0700 ?.

Jun 05, 2022
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