CNC2 Chapter 65
A client asks the nurse to explain the development of Parkinson disease (PD). Which response will the nurse provide the client?
"It is caused by low levels of dopamine that are not available to counteract the effects of acetylcholine." Explanation: Parkinson disease (PD) is a slowly progressing neurologic movement disorder that eventually leads to disability. It is associated with decreased levels of dopamine resulting from degeneration of dopamine storage cells in the substantia nigra in the basal ganglia region of the brain. The loss of dopamine stores in the area of the brain that control motor movements results in more excitatory neurotransmitters than inhibitory neurotransmitters, leading to an imbalance that affects voluntary movement. PD symptoms usually appear in the fifth decade of life and affect men more often than women. There is a definite reason for the development of PD. It is not precipitated by untreated or poorly treated bacterial or viral infections.
A client with a malignant glioma is scheduled for surgery. The client demonstrates a need for additional teaching about the surgery when he states which of the following?
"The surgeon will be able to remove all of the tumor." Explanation: For clients with malignant gliomas, complete removal of the tumor and cure are not possible but the rationale for resection includes relief of increased intracranial pressure, removal of any necrotic tissue, and reduction in the bulk of the tumor, which theoretically leaves behind fewer cells to become resistant to radiation or chemotherapy.
A client with cerebral metastasis suddenly experiences a seizure for which phenytoin 10 mg/kg intravenously is ordered as an initial loading dose. The client weighs 132 pounds. How many milligrams of phenytoin should the client receive? Enter the number ONLY.
600 Explanation: First, change the client's weight in pounds to kilograms by dividing the weight by 2.2 (2.2 pounds = 1 kg). The client's weight is 60 kg. Next, set up a proportion: 10/1 = x/60; cross multiply and solve for x, which is 600.
A client with cerebral metastasis suddenly experiences a seizure for which phenytoin 10 mg/kg intravenously is ordered as an initial loading dose. The client weighs 165 pounds. How many milligrams of phenytoin should the client receive? Enter the number ONLY.
750 Explanation: First, change the client's weight in pounds to kilograms by dividing the weight by 2.2 (2.2 pounds = 1 kg). The client's weight is 75 kg. Next, set up a proportion: 10/1 = x/75; cross multiply and solve for x, which is 750.
Which disease includes loss of motor neurons in the anterior horns of the spinal cord and motor nuclei of the lower brain stem?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Explanation:
The nurse teaches the client diagnosed with Huntington disease that it is transmitted as which type of genetic disorder?
Autosomal dominant Explanation: Huntington disease is transmitted as an autosomal dominant genetic disorder. It is a genetic mutation , caused by the presences of a repeat of the ( Huntington gene) HTT gene. This disease is a chronic, progressive, hereditary disorder of the nervous system and results in progressive involuntary choreiform movements and dementia.
The nurse is caring for a client who was diagnosed with a glioma 5 months ago. Today, the client was brought to the emergency department by his caregiver because he collapsed at home. The nurse suspects late signs of rising intracranial pressure (ICP) when which blood pressure and pulse readings are noted?
BP = 175/45 mm Hg; HR = 42 bpm Explanation: With a blood pressure of 175/45 mm Hg, it is evident that this client is experiencing progressively rising ICP, resulting from an advanced stage of the brain tumor. This blood pressure demonstrates a wide pulse pressure, meaning the difference between systolic and diastolic pressure is large. A heart rate of 42 bpm indicates the client is bradycardic. This finding paired with hypertensive blood pressure with a widening pulse pressure are part of the Cushing triad related to increased ICP.
The nurse reviews the patient's drug regimen for treatment of a brain tumor. She explains to the patient why one of the following drugs would not be prescribed, even though it might have therapeutic benefits. Which drug would not be prescribed for this patient?
Coumadin Explanation: Although deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism occur in about 15% of patients and cause significant morbidity, anticoagulants are not prescribed due to the risk for CNS hemorrhage.
Impaired balance and uncontrolled tremors of Parkinson's disease is correlated with which neurotransmitter?
Dopamine Explanation: The impaired balance and uncontrolled tremors of Parkinson's disease have been linked with low levels of dopamine. The other neurotransmitters have not been implicated in Parkinson's disease in this manner.
The nurse is performing an assessment for a patient in the clinic with Parkinson's disease. The nurse determines that the patient's voice has changed since the last visit and is now more difficult to understand. How should the nurse document this finding?
Dysphonia Explanation: Dysphonia (voice impairment or altered voice production) may occur as a result of weakness and incoordination of the muscles responsible for speech.
The nurse determines which nursing intervention would best assist the client with a brain tumor who may be at increased risk for aspiration?
Evaluation of gag reflex and ability to swallow Explanation: Evaluation of the gag reflex and ability to swallow to prevent the risk of aspiration is an important nursing intervention. Monitoring vital signs, assistance with self-care, and frequent reorientation are important, but are not the most important intervention.
A client is diagnosed with a brain angioma. When teaching the client about the risks associated with this type of brain tumor, the nurse would educate about signs and symptoms associated with which condition?
Hemorrhagic stroke Explanation: Brain angiomas (masses composed largely of abnormal blood vessels) are found either in the brain or on its surface. Because the walls of the blood vessels in angiomas are thin, affected clients are at risk for hemorrhagic stroke. Pituitary adenomas that produce hormones can lead to endocrine disorders, such as thyroid disorders. In addition, they can exert pressure on the optic nerves and optic chiasm, leading to vision loss. Acoustic neuromas are associated with hearing loss.
The nursing instructor gives their students an assignment of making a plan of care for a client with Huntington's disease. What would be important for the students to include in the teaching portion of the care plan?
How to facilitate tasks such as using both hands to hold a drinking glass Explanation: The nurse demonstrates how to facilitate tasks such as using both hands to hold a drinking glass, using a straw to drink, and wearing slip-on shoes. The teaching portion of the care plan would not include how to exercise, perform household tasks, or take a bath.
A male client who has undergone a cervical discectomy is being discharged with a cervical collar. Which of the following would be most appropriate to include the client's discharge plan?
Keeping the head in a neutral position Explanation: After a cervical discectomy, the client typically wears a cervical collar. The client should be instructed to keep his head in a neutral position and wear the collar at all times unless the physician has instructed otherwise. The front part of the collar is removed for shaving and the neck should be kept still while the collar is open or off.
After undergoing surgery for removal of a spinal cord tumor, the client is placed in the side-lying position. The nurse places a pillow between the client's knees to prevent:
Knee flexion Explanation: The side-lying position is usually the most comfortable because this position imposes the least pressure on the surgical site. Placement of a pillow between the knees of the client in a side-lying position helps to prevent extreme knee flexion. The pillow does not prevent CSF leakage, pressure injury, or body misalignment.
A nurse helps a patient recently diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma understand that:
Most tumors produce too much of one or more hormones. Explanation: The majority of these tumors are benign. In rare cases, they may be malignant. Functioning tumors produce hormones, frequently in excessive amounts, resulting in conditions such as hyperthyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, and gigantism or acromegaly.
Which of the following is a hallmark of spinal metastases?
Pain Explanation: Pain is the hallmark of spinal metastases. Nausea, fatigue, and change in LOC may occur, but these are not the hallmark of spinal metastases.
The nurse cares for a client with Huntington disease. What intervention is a priority for safe care?
Protecting the client from falls Explanation: The client with Huntington disease has a risk for injury from falls and skin breakdown. Protecting the client from falls is a priority for safe care. Electrolyte and cholesterol monitoring is not a priority for this condition. Range-of-motion exercises will not protect the client from injuries.
A patient has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, a glioblastoma multiforme. The nurse met with the family after the diagnosis to help them understand that:
Surgery can improve survival time but the results are not guaranteed. Explanation: The overall prognosis for this type of aggressive brain tumor is poor but surgery can improve survival time.
A client diagnosed with Parkinson's disease has developed slurred speech and drooling. The nurse knows that these symptoms indicate which of the following?
The disease has entered the late stages Explanation: In late stages, the disease affects the jaw, tongue, and larynx; speech is slurred; and chewing and swallowing become difficult. Rigidity can lead to contractures. Salivation increases, accompanied by drooling. In a small percentage of clients, the eyes roll upward or downward and stay there involuntarily (oculogyric crises) for several hours or even a few days. Options A, B, and C are therefore incorrect.
The nurse is seeing the mother of a client who states, "I'm so relieved because my son's doctor told me his brain tumor is benign." The nurse knows what is true about benign brain tumors?
They can affect vital functioning Explanation: Benign tumors are usually slow growing but can occur in a vital area, where they can grow large enough to cause serious effects. Surgical removal of a benign tumor is dependent on many factors; even if the tumor is slow growing or not growing at all, the location of the tumor in the brain factors into the decision for surgical removal. The prognosis for all brain tumors is not necessarily poor. Treatment is individualized and can have varying prognostic outcomes. Benign tumors are not metastatic, meaning they do not grow rapidly or spread into surrounding tissue, but they can still be considered life-threatening.
A nurse is caring for a client who underwent a lumbar laminectomy 2 days ago. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
Urine retention or incontinence Explanation: Urine retention or incontinence may indicate cauda equina syndrome, which requires immediate surgery. An increase in back pain is more common because on the second postoperative day the long-acting local anesthetic, which may have been injected during surgery, will wear off. Although paresthesia is common after surgery, progressive weakness or paralysis may indicate spinal nerve compression. A mild fever is also common after surgery but is considered significant only if the temperature reaches 101° F (38.3° C).
The nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who was admitted to hospital after having complex partial seizures secondary to a glioma. The client has been prescribed levetiracetam to manage the seizures. What should the nurse include in the discharge teaching for this medication?
"Driving a car should be avoided until the you know how this medication effects you." Explanation: The nurse should caution the client against driving until the client has a good understanding of how the medication affects his or her central nervous system. For some individuals, the degree of somnolence is much greater than for others and, in some cases, the somnolence is higher when the medication is first initiated and then begins to lesson with physiological adaptation. If a dose is forgotten, the client should be told to take the same dose as soon as he or she remembers. If the time is too close to the following day's dose, the client should be instructed to omit the previous day's dose and just take the current day's dose only. The client should never double up on the dose. There are no cautionary concerns about taking the medication at the same time as a glucocorticoid. There are no established drug-drug interactions between these two type of medications. Suicidal ideation is a rare side effect of levetiracetam. Although the nurse can provide education to the client about this rare side effect, the nurse must indicate this is not a common finding with this medication.
The nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who was admitted to hospital after having complex partial seizures secondary to a glioma. The client has been prescribed levetiracetam to manage the seizures. What should the nurse include in the discharge teaching for this medication?
"Driving a car should be avoided until the you know how this medication effects you." Explanation: The nurse should caution the client against driving until the client has a good understanding of how the medication affects his or her central nervous system. For some individuals, the degree of somnolence is much greater than for others and, in some cases, the somnolence is higher when the medication is first initiated and then begins to lesson with physiological adaptation. If a dose is forgotten, the client should be told to take the same dose as soon as he or she remembers. If the time is too close to the following day's dose, the client should be instructed to omit the previous day's dose and just take the current day's dose only. The client should never double up on the dose. There are no cautionary concerns about taking the medication at the same time as a glucocorticoid. There are no established drug-drug interactions between these two type of medications. Suicidal ideation is a rare side effect of levetiracetam. Although the nurse can provide education to the client about this rare side effect, the nurse must indicate this is not a common finding with this medication.
A home care nurse makes a visit to a client with Parkinson's disease who is being cared for by his spouse. During the visit, the spouse says, "I'm just so tired. I have to do just about everything for him." Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
"You sound a bit overwhelmed. Tell me more about what's happening." Explanation: The spouse appears to be under considerable stress from living with and caring for the husband. Therefore, the nurse's response about being overwhelmed addresses the spouse's concerns and feelings. Telling the nurse about what is happening provides the spouse with an opportunity to verbalize her concerns and provides the nurse with additional information from which to identify areas where additional assistance may be needed. Telling the spouse that she is doing a great job ignores the spouse's feelings. Although the statement about it being difficult for the spouse may be true, it does not address the underlying issues related to the spouse's original statement. Asking the spouse if she is upset about her husband's condition may be appropriate, but it is a closed-ended question that would not allow the spouse to verbalize what she is feeling.
Which disease includes loss of motor neurons in the anterior horns of the spinal cord and motor nuclei of the lower brain stem?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Explanation: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease of unknown cause in which there is a loss of motor neurons in the anterior horns of the spinal cord and the motor nuclei of the lower brain stem. Parkinson disease is a slowly progressing neurologic movement disorder that eventually leads to disability. Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and degenerative brain disorder that is accompanied by profound effects on memory, cognition and ability for self-care. Huntington disease is a chronic, progressive, hereditary disease of the nervous system that results in progressive involuntary choreiform movement and dementia.
The nurse responds to the call light of a client who has had a cervical discectomy earlier in the day. The client states that she is having severe pain that had a sudden onset. What is the nurse's most appropriate action?
Call the surgeon to report the client's pain. Explanation: If the client experiences a sudden increase in pain, extrusion of the graft may have occurred, requiring reoperation. A sudden increase in pain should be promptly reported to the surgeon. Administration of an NSAID would be an insufficient response and the dressing should not be removed without an order. Palpation could cause further damage.
The nurse is caring for a client hospitalized after a motor vehicle accident. The client has a comorbidity of Parkinson's disease. Why should the nurse closely monitor the condition and the drug regimen of a client with Parkinson's disease?
Drugs administered may cause a wide variety of adverse effects. Explanation: Drugs administered for Parkinsonism may cause a wide variety of adverse effects, which requires careful observation of the client. Over time, clients may respond less and less to their standard drug therapy and have more frequent "off episodes" of hypomobility. As a result, the nurse should administer the drugs closely to the schedule. Generally, a single drug called levodopa is administered to clients with Parkinson's disease. It is also not true that drugs may not cause the requisite therapeutic effect or such clients do not adhere to the drug regimen.
A nurse is providing care to a client who has been diagnosed with metastatic brain cancer. When developing the client's plan of care, which outcome would the nurse most likely identify?
Improved quality of life Explanation: The treatment of metastatic brain cancer is palliative and involves eliminating or reducing serious symptoms. Even when palliation is the goal, distressing signs and symptoms can be relieved, thereby improving the quality of life for both client and family. Removal of all or part of the tumor is the goal of surgery. Radiation therapy attempts to decrease the incidence of recurrence of incompletely resected tumors.
Which term is used to describe edema of the optic nerve?
Papilledema Explanation: Papilledema is edema of the optic nerve. Scotoma is a defect in vision in a specific area in one or both eyes. Lymphedema is the chronic swelling of an extremity due to interrupted lymphatic circulation, typically from an axillary dissection. Angioneurotic edema is a condition characterized by urticaria and diffuse swelling of the deeper layers of the skin.
The nurse teaches the client with which disorder that the disease is due to decreased levels of dopamine in the basal ganglia of the brain?
Parkinson disease Explanation: In some patients, Parkinson disease can be controlled; however, it cannot be cured. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, degenerative, progressive disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by the occurrence of small patches of demyelination in the brain and spinal cord. Huntington disease is a chronic, progressive, hereditary disease of the nervous system that results in progressive involuntary dancelike movements and dementia. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a rare, transmissible, progressive and fatal disease of the CNS characterized by spongiform degeneration of the gray matter of the brain.
Which disease is associated with decreased levels of dopamine due to destruction of pigmented neuronal cells?
Parkinson disease Explanation: In some clients, Parkinson disease can be controlled; however, it cannot be cured. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, degenerative, progressive disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by the occurrence of small patches of demyelination in the brain and spinal cord. Huntington disease is a chronic, progressive, hereditary disease of the nervous system that results in progressive involuntary dancelike movements and dementia. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a rare, transmissible, progressive and fatal disease of the CNS characterized by spongiform degeneration of the gray matter of the brain.
A 55-year-old female client presents at the walk-in clinic complaining of feeling like a mask is on her face. While doing the initial assessment, the nurse notes the demonstration of a pill-rolling movement in the right hand and a stooped posture. Physical examination shows bradykinesia and a shuffling gait. What would the nurse suspect is the causative factor for these symptoms?
Parkinson's disease Explanation: Early signs include stiffness, referred to as rigidity, and tremors of one or both hands, described as pill-rolling (a rhythmic motion of the thumb against the fingers). The hand tremor is obvious at rest and typically decreases when movement is voluntary, such as picking up an object. Bradykinesia, slowness in performing spontaneous movements, develops. Clients have a masklike expression, stooped posture, hypophonia (low volume of speech), and difficulty swallowing saliva. Weight loss occurs. A shuffling gait is apparent, and the client has difficulty turning or redirecting forward motion. Arms are rigid while walking. These symptoms are not indicative of MS, Myasthenia gravis, or Huntington's.
A client newly diagnosed with Huntington diease asks for information concerning management of symptoms. Which action would the nurse first take to address this request?
Perform a focused assessment on the client's needs and capabilities. Explanation: Nurses must look beyond the disease to focus on the patient's needs and capabilities first. While the client will benefit from the expertise of a Huntington disease multidisciplinary team, it is important to first establish their goals and individual needs. Only after a full assessment should medications be recommended by anyone on a health care team. In clients who present with rigidity, some temporary benefit may be obtained from antiparkinson medications, such as levodopa. Establishing a client's willingness to adhere to treatments is premature until the treatment plan is established. Huntington disease is characterized by a triad of symptoms that include motor dysfunction (the most prominent being chorea), impaired cognition, and behavioral features such as a blunted affect. Huntington disease is a progressive and terminal illness at this time. The focus for this client is optimizing quality of life with available medications and supportive treatments.
A new ancillary staff member is assisting the nurse with a client diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The client needs assistance with eating but doesn't require thickened liquids to aid swallowing. Which instruction should the nurse give the ancillary staff member about eating assistance?
Make sure the client is sitting with the head of bed elevated to 90 degrees Explanation: Clients with Parkinson's disease are at risk for aspiration; therefore, the nurse should instruct the ancillary staff member to make sure the head of the client's bed is elevated to 90 degrees before assisting the client with eating. A client doesn't always cough when he aspirates. A client with Parkinson's disease needs fluids to maintain fluid balance. Aspiration is a great concern with Parkinson's disease; therefore; the staff should take precautions to prevent this complication.
Which of the following is a late symptom of spinal cord compression?
Paralysis Explanation: Later symptoms include evidence of motor weakness and sensory deficits progressing to paralysis. Early symptoms associated with spinal cord compression include bladder and bowel dysfunction (urinary incontinence or retention; fecal incontinence or constipation).
The nurse is seeing a client who has just been diagnosed with a grade I meningioma. The nurse is correct when stating what information about the client's diagnosis?
"Grade 1 is the most common type of this tumor." Explanation: Grade I meningiomas are the most common of meningioma and can be cured by surgery. Grades II and III are less common and grow quickly. They can spread to the brain and spinal cord. These tumors have a poorer prognosis and usually cannot be completely resected. Despite this information, the nurse should not be making statements about prognosis as this is not within the nurse's scope. Manifestations depend on the area involved and are the result of compression rather than invasion of brain tissue.
The nurse responds to the call light of a client who has had a cervical discectomy earlier in the day. The client states that she is having severe pain that had a sudden onset. What is the nurse's most appropriate action?
Call the surgeon to report the client's pain Explanation: If the client experiences a sudden increase in pain, extrusion of the graft may have occurred, requiring reoperation. A sudden increase in pain should be promptly reported to the surgeon. Administration of an NSAID would be an insufficient response and the dressing should not be removed without an order. Palpation could cause further damage.
In which location are most brain angiomas located?
Cerebellum Explanation: Brain angiomas occur most often in the cerebellum. Most brain angiomas do not occur in the hypothalamus, thalamus, or brainstem (midbrain, pons, medulla).
The nurse is caring for a client with mid-to-late stage of an inoperable brain tumor. What teaching is important for the nurse to do with this client?
Explaining hospice care and services Explanation: The nurse explains hospice care and services to clients with brain tumors that no longer are at a stage where they can be cured. Managing muscle weakness and offering family support groups are important, but explaining hospice is the best answer. Optimizing nutrition at this point is not a priority.
Nursing students are reviewing the various types of brain tumors. The students demonstrate understanding of the material when they identify which of the following as the most common type?
Gliomas Explanation: Gliomas are the most common type of intracerebral brain tumor. Meningiomas account for approximately 15% of all primary brain tumors. Pituitary adenomas represent approximately 10% to 15% of all brain tumors. Acoustic neuromas are less common.
Excessive levels of which neurotransmitter has been implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?
Glutamate Explanation: Excessive levels of the neuro-excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate have been implicated in the neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Huntington's disease, and the sequelae of strokes.
A 37-year-old mother of three has just been diagnosed with a grade I meningioma. As part of patient education, the nurse tells the patient that:
Growth is slow and symptoms are caused by compression rather than tissue invasion. Explanation: A meningioma is benign, encapsulated, and slow-growing. Sometimes the patient has no symptoms because of the slow-growing nature of the tumor.
A client is admitted to undergo lumbar laminectomy for treatment of a herniated disk. Which action should the nurse take first to promote comfort preoperatively?
Help the client assume a more comfortable position Explanation: The nurse should first help the client assume a more comfortable position. After doing so, the nurse may administer pain medication as ordered. Next, the nurse should assess the client's knowledge of nonpharmacologic measures to relieve pain and provide teaching as necessary. If the client's pain isn't relieved after taking these actions, the nurse should notify the physician of the client's pain issues.
A client has undergone surgery for a spinal cord tumor that was located in the cervical area. The nurse would be especially alert for which of the following?
Respiratory dysfunction Explanation: When a spinal tumor is located in the cervical area, respiratory compromise may occur from postoperative edema. Hemorrhage would be a concern with any surgery. Bowel incontinence and skin breakdown are possible but not specific to cervical spinal tumors.
While assessing the client at the beginning of the shift, the nurse inspects a surgical dressing covering the operative site after the clients' cervical discectomy. The nurse notes that the drainage is 75% saturated with serosanguineous discharge. What is the nurse's most appropriate action?
Inform the surgeon of the possibility of a dural leak. Explanation: After a cervical discectomy, the nurse will monitor the operative site and dressing covering this site. Serosanguineous drainage may indicate a dural leak. This constitutes a risk for meningitis, but is not a direct sign of infection. This should be reported to the surgeon, not just reinforced and observed.
A client was undergoing conservative treatment for a herniated nucleus pulposus, at L5 - S1, which was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging. Because of increasing neurologic symptoms, the client undergoes lumbar laminectomy. The nurse should take which step during the immediate postoperative period?
Logroll the client from side to side. Explanation: Logrolling the client maintains alignment of his hips and shoulders and eliminates twisting in his operative area. The nurse should encourage ROM exercises to maintain muscle strength. Because of pressure on the operative area, having the client sit up in a chair or with the head of the bed elevated should be allowed only for short durations.
A client with spinal cord compression from a tumor must undergo diagnostic testing. Which of the following is the most likely procedure for this client?
MRI Explanation: Magnetic resonance imaging is the most commonly used diagnostic procedure. It is the most sensitive diagnostic tool that is particularly helpful in detecting epidural spinal cord compression and vertebral bone metastases.
A client seeks care for lower back pain of 2 weeks' duration. Which assessment finding suggests a herniated intervertebral disk?
Pain radiating down the posterior thigh Explanation: A herniated intervertebral disk may compress the spinal nerve roots, causing sciatic nerve inflammation that results in pain radiating down the leg. Slight knee flexion should relieve, not precipitate, lower back pain. If nerve root compression remains untreated, weakness or paralysis of the innervated muscle group may result; lower leg atrophy may occur if muscles aren't used. Homans' sign is more typical of phlebothrombosis.
The nurse is caring for a patient with Huntington's disease in the long-term care facility. What does the nurse recognize as the most prominent symptom of the disease that the patient exhibits?
Rapid, jerky, involuntary movements Explanation: The most prominent clinical features of the disease are chorea (rapid, jerky, involuntary, purposeless movements), impaired voluntary movement, intellectual decline, and often personality changes (Aubeeluck & Wilson, 2008).
The nurse teaches the client that corticosteroids will be used to treat his brain tumor to
Reduce cerebral edema Explanation: Corticosteroids may be used before and after treatment to reduce cerebral edema and to promote a smoother, more rapid recovery. Corticosteroids do not prevent extension of the tumor or facilitate regeneration of neurons. Stereotactic procedures identify the precise location of the tumor.
A nurse is providing care to a client recently diagnosed with a brain tumor. When planning this client's care, the nurse anticipates which therapy as providing the best outcome for the client?
Surgery Explanation: A variety of medical treatment modalities, including chemotherapy and external-beam radiation therapy, radiosurgery, or radiotherapy are used alone or in combination with surgical resection. However, surgical intervention provides the best outcome for most brain tumor types.
The nurse is seeing a client who is suspected of having a glioblastoma multiforme tumor. The nurse anticipates the client will require which diagnostic test to confirm the client has this form of brain tumor?
Tissue biopsy Explanation: Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and aggressive malignant brain tumor. In most cases, a tissue biopsy, which can be obtained at the time of surgical removal, is needed to confirm the diagnosis. A Weber and Rinne test may be useful in assessing asymmetric hearing loss associated with an acoustic neuroma, not glioblastoma multiforme. The diagnosis of an angioma is suggested by the presence of another angioma somewhere in the head or by a bruit (an abnormal sound) that is audible over the skull. Functioning pituitary adenoma can produce one or more hormones, normally by the anterior pituitary. Increase maybe seen in prolactin hormone, growth hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, or thyroid-stimulating hormone.
A client with suspected Parkinson disease is initially being assessed by the nurse. When is the best time to assess for the presence of a tremor?
When the client is resting Explanation: The tremor is present while the client is at rest; it increases when the client is walking, concentrating, or feeling anxious. Resting tremor characteristically disappears with purposeful movement, but is evident when the extremities are motionless. Consequently, the nurse should assess for the presence of a tremor when the client is not performing deliberate actions.
A client with suspected Parkinson disease is initially being assessed by the nurse. When is the best time to assess for the presence of a tremor?
When the client is resting Explanation: The tremor is present while the client is at rest; it increases when the client is walking, concentrating, or feeling anxious. Resting tremor characteristically disappears with purposeful movement, but is evident when the extremities are motionless. Consequently, the nurse should assess for the presence of a tremor when the client is not performing deliberate actions.
The nurse educator is providing orientation to a new group of staff nurses on an oncology unit. Part of the orientation is to help nurses understand the differences between various types of brain tumors. The nurse educator correctly identifies that glioma tumors are classified based on the fact that they originate where in the brain?
Within the brain tissue Explanation: Gliomas tumors are a type of intracerebral brain neoplasm. They originate within brain tissue. Tumors arising from the coverings of the brain include meningiomas. These tumors grow on the membrane covering of the brain, called the meninges. An acoustic neuroma is an example of tumors that grow out of or on cranial nerves and cause compression leading to sensory deficits. Metastasis refers to spreading of any kind of malignant primary tumor. This term is not specific to any one classification of tumor.