303 Hinkle PrepU Chapter 65: Assessment of Neurologic Function
If a client has a lower motor neuron lesion, the nurse would expect the client to exhibit
decreased muscle tone A client with a lower motor neuron lesion would be expected to have decreased muscle tone. Those with upper motor neuron lesions would have hyperactive reflexes, no muscle atrophy, and muscle spasticity.
The spinal cord is composed of 31 pairs of spinal nerves. How many pairs of thoracic nerves are contained within the spinal column?
12 There are twelve pairs of thoracic nerves, five lumbar and sacral nerves, eight cervical, and one coccygeal.
What part of the brain controls and coordinates muscle movement?
Cerebellum The cerebellum, which is located behind and below the cerebrum, controls and coordinates muscle movement.
The Family Nurse Practitioner is assessing a 55-year-old who came to the clinic complaining of being "unsteady" on their feet. What would be a test for equilibrium?
Romberg test In the Romberg test, the client stands with feet close together and eyes closed. If the client sways and tends to fall, this is considered a positive Romberg test, indicating a problem with equilibrium. The examiner stands fairly close to the client during this test in case the client loses balance.
A high school soccer player sustained five concussions before she was told that she should never play contact sports again. After her last injury, she began experiencing episodes of double vision. She was told that she had most likely incurred damage to which cranial nerve?
VI (Abducens) The abducens cranial nerve supports movement of the eye laterally. Damage to the nerve can cause double vision.
The trochlear nerve controls which function? q
eye muscle movement
Which of the following areas of the brain are responsible for temperature regulation?
hypothalamus The hypothalamus also controls and regulates the autonomic nervous system and maintains temperature by promoting vasoconstriction or vasodilation. The thalamus acts primarily as a relay station for all sensation except smell. The medulla and pons are essential for respiratory function.
The cerebral circulation receives approximately what percentage of the cardiac output?
15% The cerebral circulation receives approximately 15% of the cardiac output, or 750 mL per minute.
The nurse is completing the physical assessment of a patient suspected of a neurologic disorder. The patient reports to the nurse that he has recently suffered a head trauma. In such a case, which of the following precautions should the nurse take for the patient?
The nurse should not move or manipulate the patient's head while assessing for bleeding or swelling. The nurse evaluates the patient's body posture and any abnormal position of the head, neck, trunk, or extremities. The nurse carefully examines the head for bleeding, swelling, or wounds. The nurse does not move or manipulate the patient's head during physical assessment, especially if there is a recent history of trauma. The nurse should not make the patient sit on a chair or seek the help of an assistant while doing the head assessment. The nurse need not explain in detail about the procedure of head assessment to the patient.
A patient comes to the emergency department with severe pain in the face that was stimulated by brushing the teeth. What cranial nerve does the nurse understand can cause this type of pain?
V The trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) innervates the forehead, cheeks, and jaw, so pain in the face elicited when brushing the teeth would most likely involve this nerve.
A nurse is performing a neurologic assessment on the client and notes a positive Romberg test. This test for balance is related to which of the following cranial nerves?
VIII CN VIII is the acoustic nerve. It has to do with hearing, air and bone conduction, and balance. CN X is the vagus nerve and has to do with the gag reflex, laryngeal hoarseness, swallowing ability, and the symmetrical rise of the uvula and soft palate. CN III is the oculomotor and has to do with pupillary response, conjugate movements, and nystagmus. CN VII is the facial nerve and has to do with symmetry of facial movements and the ability to discriminate between the taste of sugar and salt.
The nurse who is employed in a neurologist's office is performing a history and assessment on a client experiencing hearing difficulty. The nurse is most correct to gather equipment to assess the function of cranial nerve:
VIII There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves. Cranial nerve VIII is the vestibulocochlear or auditory nerve responsible for hearing and balance. Cranial nerve II is the optic nerve. Cranial nerve VI is the abducens nerve responsible for eye movement. Cranial nerve XI is the accessory nerve and is involved with head and shoulder movement.
Which term refers to the inability to recognize objects through a particular sensory system?
agnosia Agnosia may be visual, auditory, or tactile. Dementia refers to organic loss of intellectual function. Ataxia refers to the inability to coordinate muscle movements. Aphasia refers to loss of the ability to express oneself or to understand language.
The nurse is assessing the pupils of a patient who has had a head injury. What does the nurse recognize as a parasympathetic effect?
constricted pupils Constricted pupils are a parasympathetic effect; dilated pupils are a sympathetic effect.
Which of the following is a sympathetic nervous system effect?
decreased peristalsis Sympathetic effects of the nervous system include decreased peristalsis, increased blood pressure, dilated pupils, and dilated bronchioles.
The nurse is caring for a client in the emergency department with a diagnosis of head trauma secondary to a motorcycle accident. The nurse aide is assigned to clean the client's face and torso. The nurse would provide further instruction after seeing that the nurse aide:
move the client's head to clean behind the ears Further instruction would be provided to the nurse aide when the nurse aide attempted to move the client's head to clean behind the ears. There should be no movement of the client's head when there is a history of head trauma. Cleaning the client's face with soapy water, cleaning the eye area, and cleaning the neck and upper chest are all appropriate actions completed by the nurse aide.
A nurse is performing a neurologic assessment on a client. The nurse observes the client's tongue for symmetry, tremors, and strength, and assesses the client's speech. Which cranial nerve is the nurse assessing?
XII Cranial nerve XII, the hypoglossal nerve, controls tongue movements involved in swallowing and speech. The tongue should be midline, symmetrical, and free from tremors and fasciculations. The nurse tests tongue strength by asking the client to push his tongue against his cheek as the nurse applies resistance. To test the client's speech, the nurse may ask him to repeat the sentence, "Round the rugged rock that ragged rascal ran." The trochlear nerve (IV) is responsible for extraocular movement (inferior medial). The glossopharyngeal nerve (IX) is responsible for swallowing movements and throat sensations. It's also responsible for taste in the posterior third of the tongue. The abducent nerves (VI) are responsible for lateral extraocular movements.
A patient is scheduled for an electroencephalogram (EEG) in the morning. What food on the patient's tray should the nurse remove prior to the test?
coffee Antiseizure agents, tranquilizers, stimulants, and depressants should be withheld 24 to 48 hours before an EEG, because these medications can alter the EEG wave patterns or mask the abnormal wave patterns of seizure disorders (Pagana & Pagana, 2009). Coffee, tea, chocolate, and cola drinks are omitted from the meal before the test because of their stimulating effect. However, the meal itself is not omitted, because an altered blood glucose level can cause changes in brain wave patterns.
Which is a sympathetic effect of the nervous system?
dilated pupils Dilated pupils are a sympathetic effect of the nervous system, whereas constricted pupils are a parasympathetic effect. Decreased blood pressure is a parasympathetic effect, whereas increased blood pressure is a sympathetic effect. Increased peristalsis is a parasympathetic effect, but decreased peristalsis is a sympathetic effect. Decreased respiratory rate is a parasympathetic effect, and increased respiratory rate is a sympathetic effect.
The nurse has completed evaluating the client's cranial nerves. The nurse documents impairment of the right cervical nerves (CN IX and CN X). Based on these findings, the nurse should instruct the client to
refrain from eating or drinking for now Significant findings of CN IX (glossopharyngeal) include difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) and impaired taste, and significant findings of CN X (vagus) include weak or absent gag reflex, difficulty swallowing, aspiration, hoarseness, and slurred speech (dysarthria). Based on these findings, the nurse should instruct the client to refrain from eating and drinking and should contact the health care provider. The other instructions are associated with abnormalities of CN II (optic) and CN VIII (acoustic).
When learning about the nervous system, students learn that which nervous system regulates the expenditure of energy?
sympathetic Sympathetic Nervous System: This division of the autonomic nervous system regulates the expenditure of energy.
A client is scheduled for standard EEG testing to evaluate a possible seizure disorder. Which nursing intervention should the nurse perform before the procedure?
withhold anticonvulsant medications for 24-48 hours before the exam Anticonvulsant agents, tranquilizers, stimulants, and depressants should be withheld 24 to 48 hours before an EEG because these medications can alter EEG wave patterns or mask the abnormal wave patterns of seizure disorders. To increase the chances of recording seizure activity, it is sometimes recommended that the client be deprived of sleep on the night before the EEG. Coffee, tea, chocolate, and cola drinks are omitted in the meal before the test because of their stimulating effect. However, meals are not omitted, because an altered blood glucose concentration can cause changes in brain wave patterns. The client is informed that a standard EEG takes 45 to 60 minutes; a sleep EEG requires 12 hours.
A nurse observes that decerebrate posturing is a comatose client's response to painful stimuli. Decerebrate posturing as a response to pain indicates:
dysfunction in the brain stem Decerebrate posturing indicates damage of the upper brain stem. Decorticate posturing indicates cerebral dysfunction. Increased intracranial pressure is a cause of decortication and decerebration. Alterations in sensation or paralysis indicate dysfunction in the spinal column.
A male client is scheduled for an electroencephalogram (EEG). When the nurse caring for the client is preparing him for the test, the client states that during childhood he was mildly electrocuted but miraculously lived. Therefore, he is quite afraid of going through an EEG. In what ways can the nurse help dispel the client's fear regarding the test?
inform the client that he will not experience any form of electrical shock An EEG records the electrical impulses generated by the brain. To prepare the client for the test, the nurse informs the client that he or she will not experience any electrical shock. The source of electrical energy is the client's neural activity within the brain and not any external electrical energy. Ensuring adequate water intake or distracting the attention of the client will not comfort the client about the technical nature of the test.
Which term describes the fibrous connective tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord?
meninges The meninges have three layers: the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater. The dura mater is the outermost layer of the protective covering of the brain and spinal cord. The arachnoid is the middle membrane, and the pia mater is the innermost membrane of this protective covering.
Which neurotransmitter demonstrates inhibitory action, helps control mood and sleep, and inhibits pain pathways?
serotonin The brain stem, hypothalamus, and dorsal horn of the spinal cord are sources of serotonin. Enkephalin is excitatory and associated with pleasurable sensations. Norepinephrine is usually excitatory and affects mood and overall activity. Acetylcholine is usually excitatory, but the parasympathetic effects are sometimes inhibitory.
A patient is being tested for a gag reflex. When the nurse places the tongue blade to the back of the throat, there is no response elicited. What dysfunction does the nurse determine the patient has?
dysfunction of the vagus nerve The vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) controls the gag reflex and is tested by depressing the posterior tongue with a tongue blade. An absent gag reflex is a significant finding, indicating dysfunction of this nerve.
To evaluate a client's cerebellar function, a nurse should ask:
"Do you have any problems with balance?" To evaluate cerebellar function, the nurse should ask the client about problems with balance and coordination. The nurse asks about difficulty speaking or swallowing to assess the functions of cranial nerves IX, X, and XII. Questions about muscle strength help her evaluate the client's motor system.
Age-related changes in the neurologic system must be carefully assessed. Which of the following changes does the nurse expect to find in some degree depending on the patient's age and medical condition? Select all that apply.
Decreased muscle mass Increased sensitivity to heat and cold Reduced papillary responses
During recovery from a stroke, a client is given nothing by mouth to help prevent aspiration. To determine when the client is ready for a liquid diet, the nurse assesses the client's swallowing ability once per shift. This assessment evaluates:
cranial nerves IX and X Swallowing is a motor function of cranial nerves IX and X. Cranial nerves I, II, and VIII don't possess motor functions. The motor functions of cranial nerve III include extraocular eye movement, eyelid elevation, and pupil constriction. The motor function of cranial nerve V is chewing. Cranial nerve VI controls lateral eye movement.
To assess a client's cranial nerve function, a nurse should assess:
gag reflex The gag reflex is governed by the glossopharyngeal nerve, cranial nerve IX. The other choices would not be involved in a cranial nerve assessment. Hand grip and arm drifting are part of motor function assessment. Orientation is an assessment parameter related to a mental status examination.
Which lobe of the brain is responsible for spatial relationships?
parietal The parietal lobe is essential to a person's awareness of body position in space, size and shape discrimination, and right-left orientation. The frontal lobe controls information storage or memory and motor function. The temporal lobe contains the auditory receptive area. The occipital lobe is responsible for visual interpretation.
The nurse is performing an assessment of cranial nerve function and asks the patient to cover one nostril at a time to see if the patient can smell coffee, alcohol, and mint. The patient is unable to smell any of the odors. The nurse is aware that the patient has a dysfunction of which cranial nerve?
CN I Cranial nerve (CN) I is the olfactory nerve, which allows the sense of smell. Testing of CN I is done by having the patient identify familiar odors with eyes closed, testing each nostril separately. An inability to smell an odor is a significant finding, indicating dysfunction of this nerve.
The nurse is caring for a client with a significant allergy history to various medications and shellfish. Because the client needs to have a diagnostic study with contrast, which medication classification is anticipated?
antihistamine Clients with an allergy history are administered a pretest dose of an antihistamine. Antihistamines block histamine receptors and reduce the manifestations of an allergic reaction. The other options are not administered in the pretest period.
Which term refers to the inability to coordinate muscle movements, resulting difficulty walking?
ataxia Ataxia is the inability to coordinate voluntary muscle action; tremors (rhythmic, involuntary movements) noted at rest or during movement suggest a problem in the anatomic areas responsible for balance and coordination. Agnosia is the loss of ability to recognize objects through a particular sensory system. Spasticity is the sustained increase in tension of a muscle when it is passively lengthened or stretched.
Lesions in the temporal lobe may result in which type of agnosia?
auditory Lesions in the temporal lobe (lateral and superior portions) may result in auditory agnosia. Lesions in the occipital lobe may result in visual agnosia. Lesions in the parietal lobe may result in tactile agnosia. Lesions in the parietal lobe (posteroinferior regions) may result in relationship and body part agnosia.
A client experienced a stroke that damaged the hypothalamus. The nurse should anticipate that the client will have problems with:
body temperature control The body's thermostat is located in the hypothalamus; therefore, injury to that area can cause problems with body temperature control. Balance and equilibrium problems are related to cerebellar damage. Visual acuity problems would occur following occipital or optic nerve injury. Thinking and reasoning problems are the result of injury to the cerebrum.
A patient who has suffered a stroke is unable to maintain respiration and is intubated and placed on mechanical ventilator support. What portion of the brain is most likely responsible for the inability to breathe?
brain stem The brain stem consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata (see Fig. 65-2). Portions of the pons help regulate respiration. Motor fibers from the brain to the spinal cord and sensory fibers from the spinal cord to the brain are located in the medulla. Reflex centers for respiration, blood pressure, heart rate, coughing, vomiting, swallowing, and sneezing are located in the medulla.
A nurse is preparing a client for a lumbar puncture. The client has heard about post-lumbar puncture headaches and asks what causes them. The nurse tells the client that these headaches are caused by which of the following?
cerebral spinal fluid leakage at the puncture site The headache is caused by cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leakage at the puncture site. The supply of CSF in the cranium is depleted so that there is not enough to cushion and stabilize the brain. When the client assumes an upright position, tension and stretching of the venous sinuses and pain-sensitive structures occur.
Which occurs when reflexes are hyperactive when the foot is abruptly dorsiflexed?
clonus Clonus occurs when the foot is abruptly dorsiflexed. It continues to "beat" two or three times before it settles into a position of rest. Sustained clonus always indicates the present of central nervous system disease and requires further evaluation. Ataxia is incoordination of voluntary muscle action. Rigidity is an increase in muscle tone at rest characterized by increased resistance to passive movement. Flaccid posturing is usually the result of lower brain stem dysfunction; the client has no motor function, is limp, and lacks motor tone.
The critical care nurse is giving end-of-shift report on a client she is caring for. The nurse uses the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) to assess the level of consciousness (LOC) of a female client and reports to the oncoming nurse that the client has an LOC of 6. What does an LOC score of 6 in a client indicate?
comatose The GSC is used to measure the LOC. The scale consists of three parts: eye opening response, best verbal response, and best motor response. A normal response is 15. A score of 7 or less is considered comatose. Therefore, a score of 6 indicates the client is in a state of coma and not in any other state such as stupor or somnolence. The evaluations are recorded on a graphic sheet where connecting lines show an increase or decrease in the LOC.
There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves. Only three are sensory. Select the cranial nerve that is affected with decreased visual fields.
cranial nerve II The three sensory cranial nerves are I, II and VIII. Cranial nerve II (optic) is affected with decreased visual fields and acuity.
The nurse is assessing the throat of a client with throat pain. In asking the client to stick out the tongue, the nurse is also assessing which cranial nerve?
cranial nerve VII Assessment of the movement of the tongue is cranial nerve XII . Cranial nerve I is the olfactory nerve. Cranial nerve V is the trigeminal nerve responsible for sensation to the face and chewing. Cranial nerve XI is the spinal or accessory nerve responsible for head and shoulder and shoulder movement.
A client with a suspected brain tumor is scheduled for a computed tomography (CT) scan. What should the nurse do when preparing the client for this test?
determine whether the client is allergic to iodine, contrast dyes, or shellfish. Because CT commonly involves use of a contrast agent, the nurse should determine whether the client is allergic to iodine, contrast dyes, or shellfish. Neck immobilization is necessary only if the client has a suspected spinal cord injury. Placing a cap over the client's head may lead to misinterpretation of test results; instead, the hair should be combed smoothly. The physician orders a sedative only if the client can't be expected to remain still during the CT scan.
A client has undergone a lumbar puncture as part of a neurological assessment. The client is put under the care of a nurse after the procedure. Which important postprocedure nursing intervention should be performed to ensure the client's maximum comfort?
encourage the client to drink liberal amounts of fluids The nurse should encourage the client to take liberal fluids and should inspect the injection site for swelling or hematoma. These measures help restore the volume of cerebrospinal fluid extracted. The client is administered antihistamines before a test only if he or she is allergic to contrast dye and contrast dye will be used. The room of the client who has undergone a lumbar puncture should be kept dark and quiet. The client should be encouraged to rest, because sensory stimulation tends to magnify discomfort.
Which safety action will the nurse implement for a client receiving oxygen therapy who is undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)?
ensure that no client care equipment containing metal enters the room where the MRI table is located For client safety the nurse must make sure that no client care equipment that contains metal or metal parts (e.g., portable oxygen tanks) enters the room where the MRI is located. The client must be assessed for the presence of medication patches with foil backing (e.g., nicotine patch) that may cause a burn. The magnetic field generated by the unit is so strong that any metal-containing items will be strongly attracted and can literally be pulled away with such great force that they can fly like projectiles toward the magnet.
Lower motor neuron lesions cause
flaccid muscles Lower motor neuron lesions cause flaccidity, muscle atrophy, decreased muscle tone, and loss of voluntary control. Upper motor neuron lesions cause increased muscle tone. Upper motor neuron lesions cause no muscle atrophy. Upper motor neuron lesions cause hyperactive and abnormal reflexes.
The nurse is performing the physical examination of a client with a suspected neurologic disorder. In addition to assessing other parts of the body, the nurse should assess for neck rigidity. Which method should help the nurse assess for neck rigidity correctly?
moving the head and chin toward the chest The neck is examined for stiffness or abnormal position. The presence of rigidity is assessed by moving the head and chin toward the chest. The nurse should not maneuver the neck if a head or neck injury is suspected or known. The neck should also not be maneuvered if trauma to any part of the body is evident. Moving the head toward the sides or pressing the bones on the neck will not help assess for neck rigidity correctly. While assessing for neck rigidity, sensation at the neck area is not to be assessed.
A client is diagnosed with a brain tumor. The nurse's assessment reveals that the client has difficulty interpreting visual stimuli. Based on these findings, the nurse suspects injury to which lobe of the brain?
occipital The occipital lobe is responsible for interpreting visual stimuli. The frontal lobe influences personality, judgment, abstract reasoning, social behavior, language expression, and movement. The temporal lobe controls hearing, language comprehension, and storage and memory recall (although memory recall is also stored throughout the brain). The parietal lobe interprets and integrates sensations, including pain, temperature, and touch; it also interprets size, shape, distance, and texture.
The pre-nursing class is learning about the nervous system in their anatomy class. What part of the nervous system would the students learn is responsible for digesting food and eliminating body waste?
parasympathetic The parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system works to conserve body energy and is partly responsible for slowing heart rate, digesting food, and eliminating body wastes.
During a routine physical examination to assess a client's deep tendon reflexes, a nurse should make sure to:
support the joint where the tendon is being tested The nurse should support the joint where the tendon is being tested to prevent the attached muscle from contracting. The nurse should use the flat, not pointed, end of the reflex hammer when striking the Achilles tendon. (The pointed end is used to strike over small areas, such as the thumb placed over the biceps tendon.) Tapping the tendon slowly and softly wouldn't provoke a deep tendon reflex response. The nurse should hold the reflex hammer loosely, not tightly, between the thumb and fingers so it can swing in an arc.
A client who has sustained a head injury to the parietal lobe cannot identify a familiar object by touch. The nurse knows that this deficit is which of the following?
tactile agnosia Tactile agnosia is the inability to identify a familiar object by touch. Visual agnosia is the loss of ability to recognize objects through sight. The Romberg test has to do with balance. Ataxia is defined as incoordination of voluntary muscle action.
Which cerebral lobe contains the auditory receptive areas?
temporal The temporal lobe plays the most dominant role of any area of the cortex in cerebration. The frontal lobe, the largest lobe, controls concentration, abstract thought, information storage or memory, and motor function. The parietal lobe contains the primary sensory cortex, which analyzes sensory information and relays interpretation to the thalamus and other cortical areas. The occipital lobe is responsible for visual interpretation.
A client is actively hallucinating during an assessment. The nurse would be correct in documenting the hallucination as a disturbance in
thought content Hallucinations are disturbances of thought content. They are not disturbances in motor ability, intellectual function, or emotional status.
The nurse is performing a neurologic assessment on a client diagnosed with a stroke and cannot elicit a gag reflex. This deficit is related to which of the following cranial nerves?
X CN X is the vagus nerve and has to do with the gag reflex, laryngeal hoarseness, swallowing ability, and the symmetrical rise of the uvula and soft palate. CN VII is the facial nerve and has to do with symmetry of facial movements and the ability to discriminate between the tastes of sugar and salt. The inability to close one eyelid indicates impairment of this nerve. CN VIII is the acoustic nerve. It has to do with hearing, air and bone conduction, and balance. CN III is the oculomotor nerve and has to do with pupillary response, conjugate movements, and nystagmus.
A nurse conducts the Romberg test on a client by asking the client to stand with the feet close together and the eyes closed. As a result of this posture, the client suddenly sways to one side and is about to fall when the nurse intervenes and saves the client from being injured. How should the nurse interpret the client's result?
a positive Romberg test, indicating a problem with equilibrium If the client sways and starts to fall during the Romberg test, it indicates a positive result. This means the client has a problem with equilibrium. The examiner or the nurse stands fairly close to the client during the test to prevent the client from falling. The Romberg test is used to assess the client's motor function, including muscle movement, size, tone, strength, and coordination. However, the Romberg test is not used to assess the client's level of consciousness, body mass, or vision.
Which term refers to a method of recording, in graphic form, the electrical activity of a muscle?
electromyography An electromyogram is obtained by inserting needle electrodes into the skeletal muscles to measure changes in the electrical potential of the muscles. Electroencephalography is a method of recording, in graphic form, the electrical activity of the brain. Electrocardiography is performed to assess the electrical activity of the heart. Electrogastrography is an electrophysiologic study performed to assess gastric motility disturbances.
After a plane crash, a client is brought to the emergency department with severe burns and respiratory difficulty. The nurse helps to secure a patent airway and attends to the client's immediate needs, then prepares to perform an initial neurologic assessment. The nurse should perform an:
evaluation of the corneal reflex response During an acute crisis, the nurse should check the corneal reflex response to rapidly assess brain stem function. Other components of the brief initial neurologic assessment usually include level of consciousness, pupillary response, and motor response in the arms and legs. If appropriate and if time permits, the nurse also may assess sensory responses of the arms and legs. Emergency assessment doesn't include fundus examination unless the client has sustained direct eye trauma. The client shouldn't be moved unnecessarily until the extent of injuries is known, making gait evaluation impossible. Bowel and bladder functions aren't vital, so the nurse should delay their assessment.
Which cerebral lobes is the largest and controls abstract thought?
frontal The frontal lobe also controls information storage or memory and motor function. The temporal lobe contains the auditory receptive area. The parietal lobe contains the primary sensory cortex, which analyzes sensory information and relays interpretation to the thalamus and other cortical areas. The occipital lobe is responsible for visual interpretation.
Which lobe of the brain is responsible for concentration and abstract thought?
frontal The major functions of the frontal lobe are concentration, abstract thought, information storage or memory, and motor function. The parietal lobe analyzes sensory information such as pressure, vibration, pain, and temperature. The occipital lobe is the primary visual cortex. The temporal lobe contains the auditory receptive areas located around the temples.
A patient sustained a head injury during a fall and has changes in personality and affect. What part of the brain does the nurse recognize has been affected in this injury?
frontal lobe The frontal lobe, the largest lobe, located in the front of the brain. The major functions of this lobe are concentration, abstract thought, information storage or memory, and motor function. It contains Broca's area, which is located in the left hemisphere and is critical for motor control of speech. The frontal lobe is also responsible in large part for a person's affect, judgment, personality, and inhibitions (Hickey, 2009).
A patient arrives to have an MRI done in the outpatient department. What information provided by the patient warrants further assessment to prevent complications related to the MRI?
"I'm trying to quit smoking and I have a patch on" Before the patient enters the room where the MRI is to be performed, all metal objects and credit cards (the magnetic field can erase them) must be removed. This includes medication patches that have a metal backing and metallic lead wires; these can cause burns if not removed (Bremner, 2005).
The nurse is assessing the client's mental status . Which question will the nurse include in the assessment?
"Who is the president of the united states?" Assessing orientation to time, place, and person assists in evaluating mental status. Does the client know what day it is, what year it is, and the name of the president of the United States? Is the client aware of where he or she is? Is the client aware of who the examiner is and why he or she is in the room? "Can you write your name on this piece of paper?" will assess language ability. "Can you count backward from 100?" assesses the client's intellectual function. "Are you having hallucinations?" assesses the client's thought content.
The nurse is caring for a patient who was involved in a motor vehicle accident and sustained a head injury. When assessing deep tendon reflexes (DTR), the nurse observes diminished or hypoactive reflexes. How will the nurse document this finding?
1+ Diminished or hypoactive DTRs are indicated by a score of 1+, no response by a score of 0, a normal response by a score of 2+, and an increased response by a score of 3+.
A client undergoes a scheduled electroencephalogram (EEG). Which of the following post-procedure activities should the nurse carry out for the client?
allow the client to rest and shampoo the client's hair After an EEG, the nurse should ensure rest for the sleep-deprived client and shampoo the client's hair to remove the glue used to affix electrodes to the scalp. The client is advised not to take sedative drugs and caffeine-related drinks before the EEG, and there is no reason to provide the client with them after the test. The nurse should not measure the LOC, the heart rate, or the pulse rate of the client unless advised by the physician.
The physician's office nurse is caring for a client who has a history of a cerebral aneurysm. Which diagnostic test does the nurse anticipate to monitor the status of the aneurysm?
cerebral angiography The nurse would anticipate a cerebral angiography, which detects distortion of the cerebral arteries and veins . A myelogram detects abnormalities of the spinal canal. An electroencephalogram records electrical impulses of the brain. An echoencephalography is an ultrasound of the structures of the brain.
A client in the emergency department has a suspected neurologic disorder. To assess gait, the nurse asks the client to take a few steps; with each step, the client's feet make a half circle. To document the client's gait, the nurse should use which term?
helicopod A helicopod gait is an abnormal gait in which the client's feet make a half circle with each step. An ataxic gait is staggering and unsteady. In a dystrophic gait, the client waddles with the legs far apart. In a steppage gait, the feet and toes rise high off the floor and the heel comes down heavily with each step.
A client is admitted to an acute care facility with a suspected dysfunction of the lower brain stem. The nurse should monitor this client closely for:
hypoxia Lower brain stem dysfunction alters bulbar functions, such as breathing, talking, swallowing, and coughing. Therefore, the nurse should monitor the client closely for hypoxia. Temperature control, vision, and gait aren't lower brain stem functions.
What is the function of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?
it cushions the brain and spinal cord CSF is produced primarily in the lateral ventricles of the brain. It acts as a shock absorber and cushions the spinal cord and brain against injury caused by sudden or extreme movement. CSF also functions in the removal of waste products from cerebral tissue. CSF doesn't act as an insulator or a barrier and it doesn't produce cerebral neurotransmitters.
A nurse is discussing a lumbar puncture with a nursing student who observed the procedure. The student noticed that the cerebrospinal fluid was blood tinged and asks what that means. The correct reply is which of the following?
"It could mean a traumatic puncture or a subarachnoid bleed" The needle is inserted below the level of the spinal cord, which prevents damage to the cord. The cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) should be clear and colorless. Pink or bloody CSF may indicate a subarachnoid bleed or local trauma from the puncture. The hypothalamus is located deep inside the brain and does not affect the color of the CSF.
Which of the following cranial nerves is responsible for salivation, tearing, taste, and sensation in the ear?
facial The vestibulocochlear (VIII) cranial nerve is responsible for hearing and equilibrium. The oculomotor (III) cranial nerve is responsible for the muscles that move the eye and lid, pupillary constriction, and lens accommodation. The trigeminal (V) cranial nerve is responsible for facial sensation, corneal reflex, and mastication. The facial (VII) nerve controls facial expression and muscle movement, salivation and tearing, taste, and sensation in the ear.
A client is weak and drowsy after a lumbar puncture. The nurse caring for the client knows that what priority nursing intervention should be provided after a lumbar puncture?
position the client flat for at least 3 hours A client who has undergone a lumbar puncture should be positioned flat for at least 3 hours and given adequate fluids. These measures help restore the cerebrospinal fluid volume extracted from the client and are priority activities. The client is administered antihistamines to manage any allergic reactions that may occur from the test. The nurse should assess the LOC or the pupil response of the client after a lumbar puncture. Parenteral administration of caffeine sodium benzoate may offset cerebral vasodilation.
A nurse is caring for a client with an injury to the central nervous system. When caring for a client with a spinal cord insult slowing transmission of the motor neurons, the nurse would anticipate a delayed reaction in:
response due to interrupted impulses from the central nervous system The central nervous system is composed of the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons transmit impulses from the central nervous system. Slowing transmission in this area would slow the response of transmission leading to a delay in reaction. Sensory neurons transmit impulses from the environment to the central nervous system, allowing identification of a stimulus. Cognitive centers of the brain interpret the information.
The nurse is assisting the physician in completing a lumbar puncture. Which would the nurse note as a concern?
cerebrospinal fluid is cloudy in nature The nurse would note cloudy cerebrospinal fluid as a concern. Cloudy fluid is an indication of infection. The physician is correct to maintain aseptic procedure. A piercing feeling and pressure relief are common during and after the procedure.
A patient is having a lumbar puncture and the physician has removed 20 mL of cerebrospinal fluid. What nursing intervention is a priority after the procedure?
have the client lay flat for 6 hours Post-lumbar puncture headache may be avoided if a small-gauge needle is used and if the patient remains prone after the procedure. When more than 20 mL of CSF is removed, the patient is positioned supine for 6 hours (Bader & Littlejohns, 2010).
A nurse is caring for a client with lower back pain who is scheduled for myelography using metrizamide (a water-soluble contrast dye). After the test, the nurse should place the client in which position?
head of the bed elevated 45 degrees After a myelogram, positioning depends on the dye injected. When a water-soluble dye such as metrizamide is injected, the head of the bed is elevated to a 45-degree angle to slow the upward dispersion of the dye. The prone and supine positions are contraindicated when a water-soluble contrast dye is used. The client should be positioned supine with the head lower than the trunk after an air-contrast study.
A client is admitted to an acute care facility for treatment of a brain tumor. When reviewing the chart, the nurse notes that the client's extremity muscle strength is rated 1/5. Which assessment finding should the nurse anticipate?
muscle contraction is palpable and visible Muscle strength is assessed and rated on a five-point scale in all four extremities, comparing one side to the other. Palpable, visible muscle contraction on the affected side and normal, full muscle strength on the unaffected side indicate a rating of 1/5. Normal, full muscle strength on both sides is rated 5/5. Active muscle movement against gravity alone on the affected side with normal, full muscle strength on the unaffected side is rated 3/5. Undetectable muscle contraction or movement on the affected side with normal, full muscle strength on the unaffected side is rated 0/5.
A patient has difficulty interpreting his awareness of body position in space. Which lobe is most likely to be damaged?
parietal The parietal lobe is the primary sensory cortex. It is essential to a person's awareness of his body in space, as well as orientation in space and spatial relations.
A nurse is working in an outpatient studies unit administering neurological tests. The client is surprised that paste is used to secure an electroencephalogram and asks how it will be removed from the hair. The nurse is most correct to state that the paste is removed with:
standard shampoo Standard shampoo is used to remove the paste, which attached the electrodes to the head. Acetone is not used on the hair. There is no special soap needed. More than warm water is needed to lift and remove the paste.
