PrepU Chapter 66

A nurse assesses the patient's LOC using the Glasgow Coma Scale. What score indicates severe impairment of neurologic function?

3

A nurse caring for a patient with head trauma will be monitoring the patient for Cushing's triad. What will the nurse recognize as the symptoms associated with Cushing's triad? Select all that apply.

Bradycardia Bradypnea Hypertension

Which interventions are appropriate for a client with increased intracranial pressure (ICP)? Select all that apply.

Administering prescribed antipyretics Maintaining aseptic technique with an intraventricular catheter Frequent oral care

The nurse is educating a patient with a seizure disorder. What nutritional approach for seizure management would be beneficial for this patient?

High in protein and low in carbohydrate

When obtaining the vital signs of a client with multiple traumatic injuries, a nurse detects bradycardia, bradypnea, and systolic hypertension. The nurse must notify the physician immediately because these findings may reflect which complication?

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP)

Which is the priority nursing diagnosis when caring for a client with increased ICP who has an intraventricular catheter?

Ineffective cerebral tissue perfusion

A nurse is assessing a patient's urinary output as an indicator of diabetes insipidus. The nurse knows that an hourly output of what volume over 2 hours may be a positive indicator?

More than 200 mL/h

When educating a patient about the use of antiseizure medication, what should the nurse inform the patient is a result of long-term use of the medication in women?

Osteoporosis

A patient is admitted to the hospital for management of an extrapyramidal disorder. Included in the physician's admitting orders are the medications levodopa, benztropine, and selegiline. The nurse knows that most likely, the client has a diagnosis of:

Parkinson's disease.

After a transsphenoidal adenohypophysectomy, a client is likely to undergo hormone replacement therapy. A transsphenoidal adenohypophysectomy is performed to treat which type of cancer?

Pituitary carcinoma

A client is sitting in a chair and begins having a tonic-clonic seizure. The most appropriate nursing response is to:

carefully move the client to a flat surface and turn him on his side.

What is one of the earliest signs of increased ICP?

decreased level of consciousness (LOC)

The initial sign of increasing intracranial pressure (ICP) includes

decreased level of consciousness.

To meet the sensory needs of a client with viral meningitis, the nurse should:

minimize exposure to bright lights and noise.

A nurse is caring for a client with a brain tumor and increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Which intervention should the nurse include in the care plan to reduce ICP?

Administer stool softeners.

A client is transferred to the intensive care unit after evacuation of a subdural hematoma. Which nursing intervention reduces the client's risk of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?

Administering a stool softener as ordered

Which medication classification is used preoperatively to decrease the risk of postoperative seizures?

Anticonvulsants

A nurse working on a medical-surgical floor walks into a patient's room to find the patient with an altered level of consciousness (LOC). Which of the following nursing diagnoses would be the first priority for the plan of care?

Ineffective airway clearance related to altered LOC

A client is exhibiting signs of increasing intracranial pressure (ICP). Which intravenous solution (IV) would the nurse anticipate hanging?

Mannitol

A nurse is providing care to a client with a brain tumor. The client has experienced seizures as a result of the tumor. Which area would be a priority for this client?

Safety

Which is the earliest sign of increasing intracranial pressure?

Change in level of consciousness

A client with a brain tumor is complaining of a headache upon awakening. Which nursing action would the nurse take first?

Elevate the head of the bed.

A patient is admitted to the hospital with an ICP reading of 20 mm Hg and a mean arterial pressure of 90 mm Hg. What would the nurse calculate the CPP to be?

70 mm Hg

An older client complains of a constant headache. A physical examination shows papilledema. What may the symptoms indicate in this client?

Brain tumor

A client is admitted to an acute care facility after an episode of status epilepticus. After the client is stabilized, which factor is most beneficial in determining the potential cause of the episode?

Compliance with the prescribed medication regimen

A client is receiving hypothermic treatment for uncontrolled fever related to increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?

Shiverings

A client whose physical findings suggest a hyperpituitary condition undergoes an extensive diagnostic workup. Test results reveal a pituitary tumor, which necessitates a transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. The evening before the surgery, the nurse reviews preoperative and postoperative instructions given to the client earlier. Which postoperative instruction should the nurse emphasize?

"You must avoid coughing, sneezing, and blowing your nose."

The nurse is aware that burr holes may be used in neurosurgical procedures. Which of the following is a reason why a neurosurgeon may choose to create a burr hole in a patient?

Aspiration of a brain abscess

A client is admitted for scheduled gamma-knife radiosurgery, in the treatment of a brain tumor. Which nursing measure is primary in the postsurgical care of this client?

Assess neurological findings.

A client undergoes a craniotomy with supratentorial surgery to remove a brain tumor. On the first postoperative day, the nurse notes the absence of a bone flap at the operative site. How should the nurse position the client's head?

Elevated 30 degrees

A nurse working on a medical-surgical floor walks into a patient's room to find the patient with an altered level of consciousness (LOC). Which of the following actions would be the first priority?

Maintenance of a patent airway

An osmotic diuretic such as mannitol is given to the client with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) toA patient with epilepsy is having a seizure. Which of the following should the nurse do after the seizure?

dehydrate the brain and reduce cerebral edema.

The nurse is caring for a client immediately after supratentorial intracranial surgery. The nurse performs the appropriate action by placing the patient in the

supine position with the head slightly elevated.

The nurse is caring for a client who was involved in a motorcycle accident 7 days ago. Since admission the client has been unresponsive to painful stimuli. The client had a ventriculostomy placed upon admission to the ICU. The current assessment findings include ICP of 14 with good waveforms, pulse 92, respirations per ventilator, temperature 102.7°F (rectal), urine output 320 mL in 4 hours, pupils pinpoint and briskly reactive, and hot, dry skin. Which is the priority nursing action?

Administer acetaminophen per orders.

A nurse is working on a neurological unit with a nursing student who asks the difference between primary and secondary headaches. The nurse's correct response will include which of the following statements?

"A secondary headache is associated with an organic cause, such as a brain tumor."

A patient with epilepsy is having a seizure. Which of the following should the nurse do after the seizure?

Keep the patient to one side.

What does the nurse recognize as the earliest sign of serious impairment of brain circulation related to increasing ICP?

Lethargy and stupor

A client with neurological infection develops cerebral edema from syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Which is an important nursing action for this client?

Restricting fluid intake and hydration

After a seizure, the nurse should place the patient in which of the following positions to prevent complications?

Side-lying, to facilitate drainage of oral secretions

Which of the following teaching points is a priority in the management of symptoms for a client with Bell's palsy?

Use ophthalmic lubricant and protect the eye.

A nurse is caring for a client with a history of severe migraines. The client has a medical history that includes asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and three pregnancies. Which medication does the nurse anticipate the physician will order for the client's migraines?

Verapamil (Calan)

A nurse is assessing a client who has been in a motor vehicle collision. The client directly and accurately answers questions. The nurse notes a contusion to the client's forehead; the client reports a headache. Assessing the client's pupils, what reaction would confirm increasing

unequal response