Page 2006 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

2. Mixed nerve fibers are formed by the joining of the
anterior motor and posterior sensory roots.
3. Posterior roots contain afferent (sensory) nerve fibers.
4. Anterior roots contain efferent (motor) nerve fibers.
P. Autonomic nervous system
1. Sympathetic (adrenergic) fibers dilate pupils, increase
heart rate and rhythm, contract blood vessels, and
relax smooth muscles of the bronchi.
2. Parasympathetic (cholinergic) fibers produce the
opposite effect.
II. Diagnostic Tests
A. Skull and spinal radiography
1. Description
a. Radiographs of the skull reveal the size
and shape of the skull bones, suture
separation in infants, fractures or bony
defects, erosion, and calcification.
b. Spinal radiographs identify fractures,
dislocation, compression, curvature,
erosion, narrowed spinal cord, and
degenerative processes.
2. Preprocedure interventions
a. Provide nursing support for the
confused, combative, or ventilator-
dependent client.

b. Maintain immobilization of the

neck if a spinal fracture is suspected.
c. Remove metal items from the client.
d. If the client has thick and heavy hair,
this should be documented because it
could affect interpretation of the x-ray
film.
3. Postprocedure intervention: Maintain

immobilization until results are known.

Always check with the client about the possibility of pregnancy

before any radiographic procedures.
B. Computed tomography (CT)
1. Description
a. A type of brain scanning that may or
may not require injection of a dye.
b. It is used to detect intracranial bleeding,
space-occupying lesions, cerebral
edema, infarctions, hydrocephalus,

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