MENU
The primary pathophysiology underlying acute respiratory failure in a patient with head trauma involves
Suggested Answer: A
Get Premium CCRN-Adult Questions
as Interactive Web-Based Practice Test or PDF
Real Exam Format
Detailed Explanations
Instant Access
Get Your Practice Test
In a patient with head trauma, the primary pathophysiology underlying acute respiratory failure often involves hypercapnia due to decreased minute ventilation. Head trauma can impair the central nervous system's ability to regulate breathing, leading to inadequate ventilation and a build-up of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood. Other factors like shifting of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve, increased intrapulmonary shunt, and dehydration due to diabetes insipidus may be present but are not the primary causes. Reference: CCRN Exam Handbook, AACN, page 25, section on Respiratory.
26 comments · newest first
GI
Giuseppe
1 month ago
I feel like A is the most straightforward answer.
BE
Berry
1 month ago
But what about C? Increased shunt could be an issue too.
ON
Ona
2 months ago
I agree, A seems right. Decreased ventilation is key.
HE
Hermila
2 months ago
I think it's A. Hypercapnia makes sense with head trauma.
NI
Nilsa
2 months ago
True, but A covers the basics of respiratory failure better.
RO
Roslyn
2 months ago
But what about C? Increased shunt could also be a factor.
DI
Dick
2 months ago
I agree, A seems most likely. Decreased ventilation is a big issue.
IV
Ivette
2 months ago
I think it's A. Hypercapnia makes sense with head trauma.
GE
German
3 months ago
C is less likely. A is more straightforward for acute respiratory failure.
JU
Juan
3 months ago
Not so sure about A. What about C? Increased shunt could be a factor.
DE
Deandrea
3 months ago
I agree, A seems right. Hypercapnia is common in head trauma.
CE
Cecilia
3 months ago
I think it's A. Decreased minute ventilation makes sense.
JO
Josephine
3 months ago
C) increased shunt? That's a stretch, isn't it?
MI
Miriam
4 months ago
B) shifting the curve to the left? Not really relevant here.
MI
Mickie
5 months ago
Wait, dehydration from diabetes insipidus? That seems off.
JE
Jeannetta
5 months ago
Totally agree, head trauma really messes with ventilation.
AN
Annice
5 months ago
A) hypercapnia related to decreased minute ventilation is spot on.
NA
Narcisa
6 months ago
Not sure about C), that seems off to me.
KA
Kati
6 months ago
Totally agree with A), it's all about ventilation.
KE
Kendra
6 months ago
Surprised that D) is even an option here!
EV
Evelynn
6 months ago
I think B) is a bit misleading, though.
AL
Allene
6 months ago
A) hypercapnia is definitely a big factor.
CE
Celeste
6 months ago
I'm leaning towards A as well, but I remember diabetes insipidus being mentioned in a different context. Is D even relevant here?
RE
Reuben
7 months ago
I practiced a similar question about respiratory failure, and I think it had to do with shunting. So, could it be C?
LA
Lauran
7 months ago
I feel like we discussed the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve in class, but I can't recall how it relates to acute respiratory failure. Maybe it's B?
DI
Dierdre
7 months ago
I think the answer might be A, but I'm not entirely sure. I remember something about decreased minute ventilation leading to hypercapnia in head trauma cases.