MedSurg: Saunders Neuro

The nurse is caring for a client with a head injury. The client's intracranial pressure reading is 8 mm Hg. Which condition should the nurse document? 1. The intracranial pressure reading is normal. 2. The intracranial pressure reading is elevated. 3. he intracranial pressure reading is borderline. 4. An intracranial pressure reading of 8 mm Hg is low.

Answer: 1. The intracranial pressure reading is normal. Rationale: The normal intracranial pressure is 5 to 15 mm Hg. A pressure of 8 mm Hg is within normal range.

The nurse is positioning a client who has increased intracranial pressure. Which position should the nurse avoid? 1. Head midline 2. Head turned to the side 3. Neck in neutral position 4. Head of bed elevated 30 to 45 degrees

Answer: 2. Head turned to the side Rationale: The head of a client with increased intracranial pressure should be kept in a neutral midline position. The nurse should avoid flexing or extending the client's neck or turning the head from side to side. The head of the bed should be raised to 30 to 45 degrees. Use of proper positions promotes venous drainage from the cranium to keep intracranial pressure down.

The nurse is reviewing the medical records of a client admitted to the nursing unit with a diagnosis of a thrombotic brain attack (stroke). The nurse would expect to note that which is documented in the assessment data section of the record? 1. Sudden loss of consciousness occurred. 2. Signs and symptoms occurred suddenly. 3. The client experienced paresthesias a few days before admission to the hospital. 4. The client complained of a severe headache, which was followed by sudden onset of paralysis.

Answer: 3. The client experienced paresthesias a few days before admission to the hospital. Rationale: Cerebral thrombosis does not occur suddenly. In the few hours or days preceding a thrombotic brain attack (stroke), the client may experience a transient loss of speech, hemiplegia, or paresthesias on 1 side of the body. Signs and symptoms of thrombotic brain attack (stroke) vary but may include dizziness, cognitive changes, or seizures. Headache is rare, but some clients with stroke (brain attack) experience signs and symptoms similar to those of cerebral embolism or intracranial hemorrhage.

The nurse is preparing to care for a client who had a supratentorial craniotomy. The nurse should plan to place the client in which position? 1. Prone 2. Supine 3. Side-lying 4. Semi Fowler's

Answer: 4. Semi Fowler's Rationale: After supratentorial surgery (surgery above the tentorium of the brain), the head of the client's bed usually is elevated 30 degrees to promote venous outflow through the jugular veins. Prone, supine, and side-lying denote incorrect positions after this surgery, and these positions could result in edema at the surgical site and increased intracranial pressure. The health care provider's prescriptions are always followed with regard to positioning the client.

A client has a cerebellar lesion. The nurse would plan to obtain which item for use by this client? 1. Walker 2. Slider board 3. Raised toilet seat 4. Adaptive eating utensils

Answer: 1. Walker Rationale: The cerebellum is responsible for balance and coordination. A walker provides stability for the client during ambulation. A raised toilet seat is useful if the client has sufficient mobility or ability to flex the hips. A slider board is used in transferring a client with weak or paralyzed legs from a bed to stretcher or wheelchair. Adaptive eating utensils are beneficial if the client has partial paralysis of the hand.

The nurse is caring for a client who is in the chronic phase of stroke (brain attack) and has a right-sided hemiparesis. The nurse identifies that the client is unable to feed self. Which is the appropriate nursing intervention? 1. Assist the client to eat with the left hand to build strength. 2. Provide a pureed diet that is easy for the client to swallow. 3. Inform the client that a feeding tube will be placed if progress is not made. 4. Provide a variety of foods on the meal tray to stimulate the client's appetite.

Answer: 1. Assist the client to eat with the left hand to build strength. Rationale: Right-sided hemiparesis is weakness of the right arm and leg. The nurse should teach the client to use both sides of the body to increase strength and build endurance. Providing a pureed diet is incorrect. The question does not mention swallowing difficulty, so there is no need to puree the food. Informing the client that a feeding tube may need to be placed is incorrect. That information would come from the health care provider. Providing a variety of foods is also incorrect because the problem is not the food selection but the client's ability to eat the food independently.

The nurse is planning to perform an assessment of the client's level of consciousness using the Glasgow Coma Scale. Which assessments should the nurse include in order to calculate the score? Select all that apply. 1. Eye opening 2. Reflex response 3. Best verbal response 4. Best motor response 5. Pupil size and reaction

Answers: 1. Eye opening 3. Best verbal response 4. Best motor response Rationale: Assessment of pupil size and reaction and reflex response are not part of the Glasgow Coma Scale. The 3 categories included are eye opening, best verbal response, and best motor response. Pupil assessment and reflex response is a necessary part of a total assessment of the neurological status of a client but is not part of this particular scale.

A client who is experiencing an inferior wall myocardial infarction has had a drop in heart rate into the 50 to 56 beats/minute range. The client is also complaining of nausea. Which cranial nerve damage should the nurse expect that the client is experiencing? 1. Vagus (CN X) 2. Hypoglossal (CN XII) 3. Spinal accessory (CN XI) 4. Glossopharyngeal (CN IX)

Answer: 1. Vagus (CN X) Rationale: The vagus nerve is responsible for sensations in the thoracic and abdominal viscera. It is also responsible for the decrease in heart rate because approximately 75% of all parasympathetic stimulation is carried by the vagus nerve. CN IX is responsible for taste in the posterior two thirds of the tongue, pharyngeal sensation, and swallowing. CN XI is responsible for neck and shoulder movement. CN XII is responsible for tongue movement.

A client is newly admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of stroke (brain attack) manifested by complete hemiplegia. Which item in the medical history of the client should the nurse be most concerned about? 1. Glaucoma 2. Emphysema 3. Hypertension 4. Diabetes mellitus

Answer: 2. Emphysema Rationale: The nurse should be most concerned about emphysema. The respiratory system is the priority in the acute phase of a stroke. The client with a stroke is vulnerable to respiratory complications such as atelectasis and pneumonia. Because the client has complete hemiplegia (is unable to move) and has emphysema, these risks are very significant. Although the other conditions of glaucoma, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are important, they are not as significant as emphysema.

The nurse is caring for a client who was admitted for a stroke (brain attack) of the temporal lobe. Which clinical manifestations should the nurse expect to note in the client? 1. The client will be unable to recall past events. 2. The client will have difficulty understanding language. 3. The client will demonstrate difficulty articulating words. 4. The client will have difficulty moving 1 side of the body.

Answer: 2. The client will have difficulty understanding language. Rationale: Wernicke'sarea consists of a small group of cells in the temporal lobe, the function of which is the understanding of language. {Receptive aphasia}The hippocampus is responsible for the storage of memory (the client will be unable to recall past events). Damage to Broca's area is responsible for aphasia (the client will demonstrate difficulty articulating words). {Expressive aphasia}. The motor cortex in the precentral gyrus controls voluntary motor activity (the client will have difficulty moving one side of the body).

The nurse caring for a client following craniotomy who has a supratentorial incision understands that the client should most likely be maintained in which position? 1. Prone position 2. Supine position 3. Semi Fowler's position 4. Dorsal recumbent position

Answer: 3. Semi Fowler's position Rationale: In supratentorial surgery (surgery above the brain's tentorium), the client's head is usually elevated 30 degrees to promote venous outflow through the jugular veins. The client's head or the head of the bed is not lowered in the acute phase of care after supratentorial surgery. An exception to this is the client who has undergone evacuation of a chronic subdural hematoma, but a health care provider's (HCP's) prescription is required for positions other than those involving head elevation. In addition, the HCP's prescription regarding positioning is always checked and agency procedures are always followed.

A client has suffered a head injury affecting the occipital lobe of the brain. What is the focus of the nurse's immediate assessment? 1. Taste 2. Smell 3. Vision 4. Hearing

Answer: 3. Vision Rationale: The occipital lobe is responsible for reception of vision and contains visual association areas. This area of the brain helps the individual to visually recognize and understand the surroundings. The other senses listed are not a function of the occipital lobe.

A postoperative craniotomy client who sustained a severe head injury is admitted to the neurological unit. What nursing intervention is necessary for this client? 1. Take and record vital signs every 4 to 8 hours. 2. Prophylactically hyperventilate during the first 24 hours. 3. Treat a central fever with the administration of antipyretic medications such as acetaminophen. 4. Keep the head of the bed elevated at least 30 degrees, and position the client to avoid extreme flexion or extension of the neck and head.

Answer: 4. Keep the head of the bed elevated at least 30 degrees, and position the client to avoid extreme flexion or extension of the neck and head. Rationale: Avoiding extreme flexion and extension of the neck can enhance venous drainage and help prevent increased intracranial pressure. As a general rule, hyperventilation is avoided during the first 24 hours postoperatively because it may produce ischemia caused by cerebral vasoconstriction. Vital signs need to be taken and recorded at least every 1 to 2 hours. Central fevers caused by hypothalamic damage respond better to cooling (hypothermia blankets, sponge baths) than to the administration of antipyretic medications.

A client who has had a stroke (brain attack) has residual dysphagia. When a diet prescription is initiated, the nurse should take which actions? Select all that apply. 1. Giving the client thin liquids 2. Thickening liquids to the consistency of oatmeal 3. Placing food on the unaffected side of the mouth 4. Allowing plenty of time for chewing and swallowing 5. Leave the client alone so that the client will gain independence by feeding self

Answers: 2. Thickening liquids to the consistency of oatmeal 3. Placing food on the unaffected side of the mouth 4. Allowing plenty of time for chewing and swallowing Rationale: The client with dysphagia is started on a diet only after the gag and swallow reflexes have returned. The client is assisted with meals as needed and is given ample time to chew and swallow. Food is placed on the unaffected side of the mouth. Liquids are thickened to avoid aspiration. The client is not left alone because of the risk of aspiration.

A client with a history of myasthenia gravis presents at a clinic with bilateral ptosis and is drooling, and myasthenic crisis is suspected. The nurse assesses the client for which precipitating factor? 1. Getting too little exercise 2. Taking excess medication 3. Omitting doses of medication 4. Increasing intake of fatty foods

Answers: 3. Omitting doses of medication Rationale: Myasthenic crisis often is caused by undermedication and responds to the administration of cholinergic medications. Cholinergic crisis (the opposite problem) is caused by excess medication and responds to withholding of medications. Too little exercise and excessive fatty food intake are incorrect. Overexertion and overeating possibly could trigger myasthenic crisis.

A client with a spinal cord injury at the level of C5 has a weakened respiratory effort and ineffective cough and is using accessory neck muscles in breathing. The nurse carefully monitors the client and suspects the presence of which problem? 1. Altered breathing pattern 2. Increased likelihood of injury 3. Ineffective oxygen consumption 4. Increased susceptibility to aspiration

Answer: 1. Altered breathing pattern Rationale: Altered breathing pattern indicates that the respiratory rate, depth, rhythm, timing, or chest wall movements are insufficient for optimal ventilation of the client. This is a risk for clients with spinal cord injury in the lower cervical area. Ineffective oxygen consumption occurs when oxygenation or carbon dioxide elimination is altered at the alveolar-capillary membrane. Increased susceptibility to aspiration and increased likelihood of injury are unrelated to the subject of the question.

A client admitted to the nursing unit from the hospital emergency department has a C4 spinal cord injury. In conducting the admission assessment, what is the nurse's priority action? 1. Take the temperature. 2. Listen to breath sounds. 3. Observe for dyskinesias. 4. Assess extremity muscle strength.

Answer: 2. Listen to breath sounds. Rationale: Because compromise of respiration is a leading cause of death in cervical cord injury, respiratory assessment is the highest priority. Assessment of temperature and strength can be done after adequate oxygenation is ensured. Because dyskinesias occur in cerebellar disorders, this is not as important a concern as in cord-injured clients unless head injury is suspected.

A client with myasthenia gravis arrives at the hospital emergency department in suspected crisis. The health care provider plans to administer edrophonium to differentiate between myasthenic and cholinergic crises. The nurse ensures that which medication is available in the event that the client is in cholinergic crisis? 1. Atropine sulfate 2. Morphine sulfate 3. Protamine sulfate 4. Pyridostigmine bromide

Answer: 1. Atropine sulfate Rationale: Clients with cholinergic crisis have experienced overdosage of medication. Edrophonium will exacerbate symptoms in cholinergic crisis to the point at which the client may need intubation and mechanical ventilation. Intravenous atropine sulfate is used to reverse the effects of these anticholinesterase medications. Morphine sulfate and pyridostigmine bromide would worsen the symptoms of cholinergic crisis. Protamine sulfate is the antidote for heparin.

The nurse in the neurological unit is monitoring a client for signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). The nurse reviews the assessment findings for the client and notes documentation of the presence of Cushing's reflex. The nurse determines that the presence of this reflex is obtained by assessing which item? 1. Blood pressure 2. Motor response 3. Pupillary response 4. Level of consciousness

Answer: 1. Blood pressure Rationale: Cushing's reflex is a late sign of increased ICP and consists of a widening pulse pressure (systolic pressure rises faster than diastolic pressure) and bradycardia. The remaining options are unrelated to monitoring for Cushing's reflex.

The nurse is caring for a client who sustained a spinal cord injury. During administration of morning care, the client begins to exhibit signs and symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia. Which initial nursing action should the nurse take? 1. Elevate the head of the bed. 2. Examine the rectum digitally. 3. Assess the client's blood pressure. 4. Place the client in the prone position.

Answer: 1. Elevate the head of the bed. Rationale: Autonomic dysreflexia is a serious complication that can occur in the spinal cord-injured client. Once the syndrome is identified, the nurse elevates the head of the client's bed and then examines the client for the source of noxious stimuli. The nurse also assesses the client's blood pressure, but the initial action would be to elevate the head of the bed. The client would not be placed in the prone position; lying flat will increase the client's blood pressure. {Nursing interventions in this serious emergency are 1st elevate HOB 45 degrees or sit pt upright to decrease the elevated BP (priority if BP is high) then loosen any tight clothing & assess to determine the cause (e.g. bladder distention, kinks in the tubing of Foley, etc.)}

The nurse is caring for a client who is on bed rest as part of aneurysm precautions. The nurse should avoid doing which action when giving respiratory care to this client? 1. Encouraging hourly coughing 2. Assisting with incentive spirometer 3. Encouraging hourly deep breathing 4. Repositioning gently side to side every 2 hours

Answer: 1. Encouraging hourly coughing Rationale: With aneurysm precautions, any activity that could raise the client's intracranial pressure (ICP) is avoided. For this reason, activities such as straining, coughing, blowing the nose, and even sneezing are avoided whenever possible. The other interventions (repositioning, deep breathing, and incentive spirometry) do not provide added risk of increasing ICP and are beneficial in reducing the respiratory complications of bed rest.

The nurse is performing a neurological assessment on a client and is assessing the function of cranial nerves III, IV, and VI. Assessment of which aspect of function will yield the best information about these cranial nerves? 1. Eye movements 2. Response to verbal stimuli 3. Affect, feelings, or emotions 4. Insight, judgment, and planning

Answer: 1. Eye movements Rationale: Eye movements are under the control of cranial nerves III, IV, and VI. Level of consciousness (response to verbal stimuli) is controlled by the reticular activating system and both cerebral hemispheres. Feelings are part of the role of the limbic system and involve both hemispheres. Insight, judgment, and planning are part of the function of the frontal lobe in conjunction with association fibers that connect to other areas of the cerebrum.

Members of the family of an unconscious client with increased intracranial pressure are talking at the client's bedside. They are discussing the client's condition and wondering whether the client will ever recover. The nurse intervenes on the basis of which interpretation? 1. It is possible the client can hear the family. 2. The family needs immediate crisis intervention. 3. The client might have wanted a visit from the hospital chaplain. 4. The family could benefit from a conference with the health care provider.

Answer: 1. It is possible the client can hear the family. Rationale: Some clients who have awakened from an unconscious state have remembered hearing specific voices and conversations. Family and staff should assume that the client's sense of hearing is intact and act accordingly. {The last sense a person loses is the hearing}. In addition, positive outcomes are associated with coma stimulation-that is, speaking to and touching the client. The remaining options are incorrect interpretations.

A thymectomy accomplished via a median sternotomy approach is performed in a client with a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. The nurse creates a postoperative plan of care for the client that should include which intervention? 1. Monitor the chest tube drainage. 2. Restrict visitors for 24 hours postoperatively. 3. Maintain intravenous infusion of lactated Ringer's solution. 4. Avoid administering pain medication to prevent respiratory depression.

Answer: 1. Monitor the chest tube drainage. Rationale: The thymus has played a role in the development of myasthenia gravis. A thymectomy is the surgical removal of the thymus gland and may be used for management of clients with myasthenia gravis to improve weakness. The procedure is performed through a median sternotomy or a transcervical approach. Postoperatively the client will have a chest tube in the mediastinum. Lactated intravenous solutions usually are avoided because they can increase weakness. Pain medication is administered as needed, but the client is monitored closely for respiratory depression. There is no reason to restrict visitors.

The nurse is providing care to a client with increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Which approach is beneficial in controlling the client's ICP from an environmental viewpoint? 1. Reduce environmental noise. 2. Allow visitors as desired by the client and family. 3. Awaken the client every 2 to 3 hours to monitor mental status. 4. Cluster nursing activities to reduce the number of interruptions.

Answer: 1. Reduce environmental noise. Rationale: Nursing interventions to control ICP include maintaining a calm, quiet, and restful environment. Environmental noise should be kept at a minimum. Visiting should be monitored to avoid emotional stress and interruption of sleep. Interventions should be spaced out over the shift to minimize the risk of a sustained rise in ICP.

The nurse is teaching a client with paraplegia measures to maintain skin integrity. Which instruction will be most helpful to the client? 1. Shift weight every 2 hours while in a wheelchair. 2. Change bed sheets every other week to maintain cleanliness. 3. Place a pillow on the seat of the wheelchair to provide extra comfort. 4. Use a mirror to inspect for redness and skin breakdown twice a week.

Answer: 1. Shift weight every 2 hours while in a wheelchair. Rationale: To maintain skin integrity, the client should shift weight in the wheelchair every 2 hours and use a pressure relief pad. A pillow is not sufficient to relieve the pressure. While the client is in bed, the bottom sheet should be free of wrinkles and wetness. Sheets should be changed as needed and more frequently than every other week. The client should use a mirror to inspect the skin twice daily (morning and evening) to assess for redness, edema, and breakdown. General additional measures include a nutritious diet and meticulous skin care.

The nurse is reviewing a discharge teaching plan for a post-craniotomy client that was prepared by a nursing student. The nurse would intervene and provide teaching to the student if the student included which home care instruction? 1. Sounds will not be heard clearly unless they are loud. 2. Obtain assistance with ambulation if the client is lightheaded. 3. Tub bath or shower is permitted, but the scalp is kept dry until the sutures are removed. 4. Use a check-off system for administering anticonvulsant medications to avoid missing doses.

Answer: 1. Sounds will not be heard clearly unless they are loud. Rationale: The post-craniotomy client typically is sensitive to loud noises and can find them excessively irritating. Control of environmental noise by others will be helpful for this client. Seizures are a potential complication that may occur for up to 1 year after surgery. For this reason, the client must diligently take anticonvulsant medications. The client and family are encouraged to keep track of the doses administered. The family should learn seizure precautions and should accompany the client during ambulation if dizziness or seizures tend to occur. The suture line is kept dry until sutures are removed to prevent infection.

A client has suffered damage to Broca's area of the brain. Which priority assessment should the nurse perform? 1. Speech 2. Hearing 3. Balance 4. Level of consciousness

Answer: 1. Speech Rationale: Broca's area in the brain is responsible for the motor aspects of speech, through coordination of the muscular activity of the tongue, mouth, and larynx. The term assigned to damage in this area is aphasia. The items listed in the other options are not the responsibility of Broca's area.

The nurse is teaching a client with myasthenia gravis about the prevention of myasthenic and cholinergic crises. Which client activity suggests that teaching is most effective? 1. Taking medications as scheduled 2. Eating large, well-balanced meals 3. Doing muscle-strengthening exercises 4. Doing all chores early in the day while less fatigued

Answer: 1. Taking medications as scheduled Rationale: Clients with myasthenia gravis are taught to space out activities over the day to conserve energy and restore muscle strength. Taking medications correctly to maintain blood levels that are not too low or too high is important. Muscle-strengthening exercises are not helpful and can fatigue the client. Overeating is a cause of exacerbation of symptoms, as is exposure to heat, crowds, erratic sleep habits, and emotional stress.

A client who had a stroke (brain attack) has right-sided hemianopsia. What should the nurse plan to do to help the client adapt to this problem? 1. Teach the client to scan the environment. 2. Place all objects within the left visual field. 3. Place all objects within the right visual field. 4. Ensure that the family brings the client's eyeglasses to hospital.

Answer: 1. Teach the client to scan the environment. Rationale: Hemianopsia is blindness in half of the visual field. The client with hemianopsia is taught to scan the environment. This allows the client to take in the entirety of the visual field, which is necessary for proper functioning within the environment and helps to prevent injury to the client. Options 2 and 3 will not help the client adapt to this visual impairment. Eyeglasses are useful if the client already wears them, but they will not correct this visual field deficit.

A client arrives in the hospital emergency department with a closed head injury to the right side of the head caused by an assault with a baseball bat. The nurse assesses the client neurologically, looking primarily for motor response deficits that involve which area? 1. The left side of the body 2. The right side of the body 3. Both sides of the body equally 4. Cranial nerves only, such as speech and pupillary response

Answer: 1. The left side of the body Rationale: Motor responses such as weakness and decreased movement will be seen on the side of the body that is opposite an area of head injury. Contralateral deficits result from compression of the cortex of the brain or the pyramidal tracts. Depending on the severity of the injury, the client may have a variety of neurological deficits.

A client who is experiencing an inferior wall myocardial infarction has had a drop in heart rate into the range of 50 to 56 beats/minute. The client also is complaining of nausea. On the basis of these findings, the nurse determines that the client is experiencing parasympathetic stimulation of which cranial nerve? 1. Vagus (CN X) 2. Hypoglossal (CN XII) 3. Spinal accessory (CN XI) 4. Glossopharyngeal (CN IX)

Answer: 1. Vagus (CN X) Rationale: The vagus nerve is responsible for sensations in the thoracic and abdominal viscera. It also is responsible for the decrease in heart rate because approximately 75% of all parasympathetic stimulation is carried by the vagus nerve. {Treatment of Bradycardia is Atropine, an anticholinergic medication that blocks the vagus nerve "cranial nerve X}. CN XII is responsible for tongue movement. CN XI is responsible for neck and shoulder movement. CN IX is responsible for taste in the posterior two thirds of the tongue, pharyngeal sensation, and swallowing.

The nurse has completed discharge instructions for a client with application of a halo device. Which statement indicates that the client needs further clarification of the instructions? 1. "I will use a straw for drinking." 2. "I will drive only during the daytime." 3. "I will be careful because the device alters balance." 4. "I will wash the skin daily under the lamb's wool liner of the vest."

Answer: 2. "I will drive only during the daytime." Rationale: The halo device alters balance and can cause fatigue because of its weight. The client should cleanse the skin daily under the vest to protect the skin from ulceration and should avoid the use of powder or lotions. The liner should be changed if odor becomes a problem. The client should have food cut into small pieces to facilitate chewing and use a straw for drinking. Pin care is done as instructed. The client cannot drive at all because the device impairs the range of vision.

The nurse is admitting a client to the hospital emergency department from a nursing home. The client is unconscious with an apparent frontal head injury. A medical diagnosis of epidural hematoma is suspected. Which question is of the highest priority for the emergency department nurse to ask of the transferring nurse at the nursing home? 1. "When did the injury occur?" 2. "Was the client awake and talking right after the injury?" 3. "What medications has the client received since the fall?" 4. "What was the client's level of consciousness before the injury?"

Answer: 2. "Was the client awake and talking right after the injury?" Rationale: Epidural hematomas frequently are characterized by a "lucid interval" that lasts for minutes to hours, during which the client is awake and talking. After this lucid interval, signs and symptoms progress rapidly, with potentially catastrophic intracranial pressure increase. Epidural hematomas are medical emergencies. It is important for the nurse to assist in the differentiation between epidural hematoma and other types of head injuries.

The home care nurse is making extended follow-up visits to a client discharged from the hospital after a moderately severe head injury. The family states that the client is behaving differently than before the accident. The client is more fatigued and irritable and has some memory problems. The client, who was previously very even tempered, is prone to outbursts of temper now. The nurse determines that these behaviors are indicative of which problem? 1. Intracranial pressure changes 2. A long-term sequela of the injury 3. A worsening of the original injury 4. A short-term problem that will resolve in about 1 month

Answer: 2. A long-term sequela of the injury Rationale: Clients with moderate to severe head injury usually have residual physical and cognitive disabilities; these include personality changes, increased fatigue and irritability, mood alterations, and memory changes. The client also may require frequent to constant supervision. The nurse assesses the family's ability to cope and makes appropriate referrals to respite services, support groups, and state or local chapters of the National Head Injury Foundation.

The nurse is evaluating a function of the limbic system as a part of the neurological status of a client. What should the nurse assess? 1. Experience of pain 2. Affect or emotions 3. Response to verbal stimuli 4. Insight, judgment, and planning

Answer: 2. Affect or emotions Rationale: Affect and emotions are part of the role of the limbic system and involve both hemispheres of the brain. Pain is a complex experience involving several areas of the central nervous system. The response to verbal stimuli is part of the level of consciousness, which is under the control of the reticular activating system and both cerebral hemispheres. Insight, judgment, and planning are part of the functions of the frontal lobes of the brain in conjunction with association fibers connecting to other areas of the cerebrum.

A client with myasthenia gravis is having difficulty with airway clearance and difficulty with maintaining an effective breathing pattern. The nurse should keep which most important items available at the client's bedside? 1. Oxygen and metered-dose inhaler 2. Ambu bag and suction equipment 3. Pulse oximeter and cardiac monitor 4. Incentive spirometer and cough pillow

Answer: 2. Ambu bag and suction equipment Rationale: The client with myasthenia gravis may experience episodes of respiratory distress if excessively fatigued or with development of myasthenic or cholinergic crisis. For this reason, an Ambu bag, intubation tray, and suction equipment should be available at the bedside.

The nurse is assessing the client's gait and notes it is unsteady and staggering. Which description should the nurse use when documenting the assessment finding? 1. Spastic 2. Ataxic 3. Festinating 4. Dystrophic or broad-based

Answer: 2. Ataxic Rationale: An ataxic gait is characterized by unsteadiness and staggering. A spastic gait is characterized by stiff, short steps with the legs held together, hip and knees flexed, and toes that catch and drag. A festinating gait is best described as walking on the toes with an accelerating pace. A dystrophic or broad-based gait is seen as waddling, with the weight shifting from side to side and the legs far apart.

The nurse assesses a client who is diagnosed with a stroke (brain attack). On assessment, the client is unable to understand the nurse's commands. Which condition should the nurse document? 1. Occipital lobe impairment 2. Damage to the auditory association areas 3. Frontal lobe and optic nerve tracts damage 4. Difficulty with concept formation and abstraction areas

Answer: 2. Damage to the auditory association areas Rationale: Auditory association and storage areas are located in the temporal lobe and relate to understanding spoken language. {Wernicke's Aphasia (receptive- temporoparietal damage)} The occipital lobe contains areas related to vision. The frontal lobe controls voluntary muscle activity, including speech, and an impairment can result in expressive aphasia. The parietal lobe contains association areas for concept formation, abstraction, spatial orientation, body and object size and shape, and tactile sensation.

The nurse is performing an assessment on a client with a head injury and notes that the client is assuming this posture. The nurse contacts the health care provider and reports that the client is exhibiting which posture? Refer to Figure. 1. Opisthotonos 2. Decorticate rigidity 3. Decerebrate rigidity 4. Flaccid quadriplegia

Answer: 2. Decorticate rigidity Rationale: In decorticate rigidity, the upper extremities (arms, wrists, and fingers) are flexed with adduction of the arms. The lower extremities are extended with internal rotation and plantar flexion. Decorticate rigidity indicates a hemispheric lesion of the cerebral cortex. Opisthotonos is prolonged arching of the back with the head and heels bent backward. Opisthotonos indicates meningeal irritation. In decerebrate rigidity, the upper extremities are stiffly extended and adducted with internal rotation and pronation of the palms. The lower extremities are stiffly extended with plantar flexion. The teeth are clenched, and the back is hyperextended. Decerebrate rigidity indicates a lesion in the brainstem at the midbrain or upper pons. Flaccid quadriplegia is complete loss of muscle tone and paralysis of all four extremities, indicating a completely nonfunctional brainstem.

Which assessment finding should the nurse expect to note in the client hospitalized with a diagnosis of stroke who has difficulty chewing food? 1. Dysfunction of vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) 2. Dysfunction of trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) 3. Dysfunction of hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII) 4. Dysfunction of spinal accessory nerve (cranial nerve XI)

Answer: 2. Dysfunction of trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) Rationale: The motor branch of cranial nerve V is responsible for the ability to chew food. The vagus nerve is active in parasympathetic functions of the autonomic nervous system. The hypoglossal nerve aids in swallowing. The spinal accessory nerve is responsible for shoulder movement, among other things.

The nurse is trying to help the family of an unconscious client cope with the situation. Which intervention should the nurse plan to incorporate into the care routine for the client and family? 1. Discouraging the family from touching the client 2. Explaining equipment and procedures on an ongoing basis 3. Ensuring adherence to visiting hours to ensure the client's rest 4. Encouraging the family not to "give in" to their feelings of grief

Answer: 2. Explaining equipment and procedures on an ongoing basis Rationale: Families often need assistance to cope with the illness of a loved one. The nurse should explain all equipment, treatments, and procedures and should supplement or reinforce information given by the health care provider. Family members should be encouraged to touch and speak to the client and to become involved in the client's care to the extent they are comfortable. The nurse should allow the family to stay with the client to the extent possible and should encourage them to eat and sleep adequately to maintain strength. The nurse can help family members of an unconscious client by assisting them to work through their feelings of grief.

The nurse is assessing the function of cranial nerve XII in a client who sustained a stroke. To assess function of this nerve, which action should the nurse ask the client to perform? 1. Extend the arms. 2. Extend the tongue. 3. Turn the head toward the nurse's arm. 4. Focus the eyes on the object held by the nurse.

Answer: 2. Extend the tongue. Rationale: Impairment of cranial nerve XII can occur with a stroke. To assess the function of cranial nerve XII (the hypoglossal nerve), the nurse would assess the client's ability to extend the tongue. The maneuvers noted in the remaining options do not test the function of cranial nerve XII.

The nurse notes that a client who has suffered a brain injury has an adequate heart rate, blood pressure, fluid balance, and body temperature. Based on these clinical findings, the nurse determines that which brain area is functioning properly? 1. Thalamus 2. Hypothalamus 3. Limbic system 4. Reticular activating system

Answer: 2. Hypothalamus Rationale: The hypothalamus is responsible for autonomic nervous system functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and fluid and electrolyte balance (among others). The thalamus acts as a relay station for sensory and motor information. The limbic system is responsible for emotions. The reticular activating system is responsible for the sleep-wake cycle.

The nurse assigned to the care of an unconscious client is making initial daily rounds. On entering the client's room, the nurse observes that the client is lying supine in bed, with the head of the bed elevated approximately 5 degrees. The nasogastric tube feeding is running at 70 mL/hr, as prescribed. The nurse assesses the client and auscultates adventitious breath sounds. Which judgment should the nurse formulate for the client? 1. Impaired nutritional intake 2. Increased risk for aspiration 3. Increased likelihood for injury 4. Susceptibility to fluid volume deficit

Answer: 2. Increased risk for aspiration Rationale: Increased risk for aspiration is a condition in which an individual is at risk for entry of gastrointestinal (GI) secretions, oropharyngeal secretions, or solids or fluids into tracheobronchial passages. Conditions that place the client at risk for aspiration include reduced level of consciousness, depressed cough and gag reflexes, and feeding via a GI tube. There is no information in the question indicating that the remaining options are a concern.

The nurse is caring for the client with increased intracranial pressure. The nurse would note which trend in vital signs if the intracranial pressure is rising? 1. Increasing temperature, increasing pulse, increasing respirations, decreasing blood pressure 2. Increasing temperature, decreasing pulse, decreasing respirations, increasing blood pressure 3. Decreasing temperature, decreasing pulse, increasing respirations, decreasing blood pressure 4. Decreasing temperature, increasing pulse, decreasing respirations, increasing blood pressure

Answer: 2. Increasing temperature, decreasing pulse, decreasing respirations, increasing blood pressure Rationale: A change in vital signs may be a late sign of increased intracranial pressure. Trends include increasing temperature and blood pressure and decreasing pulse and respirations. Respiratory irregularities also may occur.

The nurse has made a judgment that a client who had a craniotomy is experiencing a problem with body image. The nurse develops goals for the client but determines that the client has not met the outcome criteria by discharge if the client performs which action? 1. Wears a turban to cover the incision 2. Indicates that facial puffiness will be a permanent problem 3. Verbalizes that periorbital bruising will disappear over time 4. States an intention to purchase a hairpiece until hair has grown back

Answer: 2. Indicates that facial puffiness will be a permanent problem Rationale: After craniotomy, clients may experience difficulty with altered personal appearance. The nurse can help by listening to the client's concerns and by clarifying any misconceptions about facial edema, periorbital bruising, and hair loss (all of which are temporary). The nurse can encourage the client to participate in self-grooming and use personal articles of clothing. Finally, the nurse can suggest the use of a turban, followed by a hairpiece, to help the client adapt to the temporary change in appearance.

A client has a high level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the bloodstream, as measured by arterial blood gases. The nurse anticipates that which underlying pathophysiology can occur as a result of this elevated CO2? 1. It will cause arteriovenous shunting. 2. It will cause vasodilation of blood vessels in the brain. 3. It will cause blood vessels in the circle of Willis to collapse. 4. It will cause hyperresponsiveness of blood vessels in the brain.

Answer: 2. It will cause vasodilation of blood vessels in the brain. Rationale: CO2 is one of the metabolic end products that can alter the tone of the blood vessels in the brain. High CO2 levels cause vasodilation, which may cause headache, whereas low CO2 levels cause vasoconstriction, which may cause lightheadedness. The statements included in the other options are incorrect effects.

The home care nurse is making a visit to a client who requires use of a wheelchair after a spinal cord injury sustained 4 months earlier. Just before leaving the home, the nurse ensures that which intervention has been done to prevent an episode of autonomic dysreflexia (hyperreflexia)? 1. Updating the home safety sheet 2. Leaving the client in an unchilled area of the room 3. Noting a bowel movement on the client progress note 4. Recording the amount of urine obtained with catheterization

Answer: 2. Leaving the client in an unchilled area of the room Rationale: The most common cause of autonomic dysreflexia is visceral stimuli, such as with blockage of urinary drainage or with constipation. Barring these, other causes include noxious mechanical and thermal stimuli, particularly pressure and overchilling. For this reason, the nurse ensures that the client is positioned with no pinching or pressure on paralyzed body parts and that the client will be sufficiently warm.

The nurse is reviewing the record for a client seen in the health care clinic and notes that the health care provider has documented a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Which initial clinical manifestation of this disorder should the nurse expect to see documented in the record? 1. Muscle wasting 2. Mild clumsiness 3. Altered mentation 4. Diminished gag reflex

Answer: 2. Mild clumsiness Rationale: The initial symptom of ALS is a mild clumsiness, usually noted in the distal portion of one extremity. The client may complain of tripping and drag one leg when the lower extremities are involved. Mentation and intellectual function usually are normal. Diminished gag reflex and muscle wasting are not initial clinical manifestations.

A client was seen and treated in the hospital emergency department for a concussion. The nurse determines that the family needs further teaching if they verbalize to call the health care provider (HCP) for which client sign or symptom? 1. Vomiting 2. Minor headache 3. Difficulty speaking 4. Difficulty awakening

Answer: 2. Minor headache Rationale: A concussion after head injury is a temporary loss of consciousness (from a few seconds to a few minutes) without evidence of structural damage. After concussion, the family is taught to monitor the client and call the HCP or return the client to the emergency department for signs and symptoms such as confusion, difficulty awakening or speaking, one-sided weakness, vomiting, and severe headache. Minor headache is expected.

The nurse is assessing the motor and sensory function of an unconscious client. The nurse should use which technique to test the client's peripheral response to pain? 1. Sternal rub 2. Nail bed pressure 3. Pressure on the orbital rim 4. Squeezing of the sternocleidomastoid muscle

Answer: 2. Nail bed pressure Rationale: Nail bed pressure tests a basic motor and sensory peripheral response. Cerebral responses to pain are tested using a sternal rub, placing upward pressure on the orbital rim, or squeezing the clavicle or sternocleidomastoid muscle.

A client has sustained damage to Wernicke's area from a stroke (brain attack). On assessment of the client, which sign or symptom would be noted? 1. Difficulty speaking 2. Problem with understanding language 3. Difficulty controlling voluntary motor activity 4. Problem with articulating events from the remote past

Answer: 2. Problem with understanding language Rationale: Wernicke's area consists of a small group of cells in the temporal lobe whose function is the understanding of language. Damage to Broca's area is responsible for aphasia. The motor cortex in the precentral gyrus controls voluntary motor activity. The hippocampus is responsible for the storage of memory. {Receptive aphasia is associated with the Wernicke's area in the temporal lobe. Expressive aphasia is associated with Broca's area in the frontal lobe of the brain}. {Note: a term of similar pronounciation and that is commonly asked in NCLEX is Wernich's syndrome: Thiamine deficiency in pt with alcohol dependence and causes confusion, ataxia, visual problems. Imp. Q. Wernich's syndrome can be prevented by giving the patient Thiamin}.

At the beginning of the work shift, the nurse assesses the status of the client wearing a halo device. The nurse determines that which assessment finding requires intervention? 1. Tightened screws 2. Red skin areas under the jacket 3. Clean and dry lamb's wool jacket lining 4. Finger-width space between the jacket and the skin

Answer: 2. Red skin areas under the jacket Rationale: Red skin areas under the jacket indicate that the jacket is too tight. The resulting pressure could lead to altered skin integrity and needs to be relieved by loosening the jacket. The screws all should be properly tightened. A clean, dry lamb's wool lining should be in place underneath the jacket, and there should be a finger-width space between the jacket and the skin. In addition, the client should wear a clean white cotton T-shirt next to the skin to help prevent itching.

At the end of the work shift, the nurse is reviewing the respiratory status of a client admitted with a stroke (brain attack) earlier in the day. The nurse determines that the client's airway is patent if which data are identified? 1. Respiratory rate 24 breaths/min, oxygen saturation 94%, breath sounds clear 2. Respiratory rate 18 breaths/min, oxygen saturation 98%, breath sounds clear 3. Respiratory rate 16 breaths/min, oxygen saturation 85%, wheezes bilaterally 4. Respiratory rate 20 breaths/min, oxygen saturation 92%, diminished breath sounds in lung bases

Answer: 2. Respiratory rate 18 breaths/min, oxygen saturation 98%, breath sounds clear Rationale: The client's airway is most protected if all of the respiratory parameters measured fall within normal limits. Therefore, the respiratory rate should ideally be 16 to 20 breaths/min, the oxygen saturation should be greater than 95%, and the breath sounds should be clear. The correct option is the only one that meets all 3 criteria.

The nurse has applied a hypothermia blanket to a client with a fever. The nurse should inspect the skin frequently to detect which condition that is a complication of hypothermia blanket use? 1. Frostbite 2. Skin breakdown 3. Arterial insufficiency 4. Venous insufficiency

Answer: 2. Skin breakdown Rationale: When a hypothermia blanket is used, the skin is inspected frequently for pressure points, which over time could lead to skin breakdown. The hypothermia blanket decreases the blood flow to pressure areas and can cause numbness, making it so that the client is not aware of damage to the skin. The temperature of the blanket is not cold enough to cause frostbite. Arterial insufficiency and venous insufficiency are not complications of hypothermia blanket use.

A client is somewhat nervous about undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Which statement by the nurse would provide the most reassurance to the client about the procedure? 1. "The MRI machine is a long, narrow, hollow tube and may make you feel somewhat claustrophobic." 2. "You will be able to eat before the procedure unless you get nauseated easily. If so, you should eat lightly." 3. "Even though you are alone in the scanner, you will be in voice communication with the technologist at all times during the procedure." 4. "It is necessary to remove any metal or metal-containing objects before having the MRI done to avoid the metal being drawn into the magnetic field."

Answer: 3. "Even though you are alone in the scanner, you will be in voice communication with the technologist at all times during the procedure." Rationale: The MRI scanner is a hollow tube that gives some clients a feeling of claustrophobia. Metal objects must be removed before the procedure so that they are not drawn into the magnetic field. The client may eat and may take all prescribed medications before the procedure. If a contrast medium is used, the client may wish to eat lightly if he or she has a tendency to become nauseated easily. The client lies supine on a padded table that moves into the imager. The client must lie still during the procedure. The imager makes tapping noises during the scanning. The client is alone in the imager, but the nurse can reassure the client that the technologist will be in voice communication with the client at all times during the procedure.

The nurse has instructed a client with myasthenia gravis about strategies for self-management at home. The nurse determines a need for further teaching if the client makes which statement? 1. "Here's the Medic-Alert bracelet I obtained." 2. "I should take my medications an hour before mealtime." 3. "Going to the beach will be a nice, relaxing form of activity." 4. "I've made arrangements to get a portable resuscitation bag and home suction equipment."

Answer: 3. "Going to the beach will be a nice, relaxing form of activity." Rationale: Most ongoing treatment for myasthenia gravis is done in outpatient settings, and the client must be aware of the lifestyle changes needed to maintain independence. The client should carry medical identification about the presence of the condition. Taking medications an hour before mealtime gives greater muscle strength for chewing and is indicated. The client should have portable suction equipment and a portable resuscitation bag available in case of respiratory distress. The client should avoid situations and other factors, including stress, infection, heat, surgery, and alcohol, that could worsen the symptoms.

The nurse has provided instructions to a client with a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis about home care measures. Which client statement indicates the need for further teaching? 1. "I will rest each afternoon after my walk." 2. "I should cough and deep breathe many times during the day." 3. "I can change the time of my medication on the mornings when I feel strong." 4. "If I get abdominal cramps and diarrhea, I should call my health care provider."

Answer: 3. "I can change the time of my medication on the mornings when I feel strong." Rationale: The client with myasthenia gravis and the family should be taught information about the disease and its treatment. They should be aware of the side and adverse effects of anticholinesterase medications and corticosteroids and should be taught that timing of anticholinesterase medication is critical. It is important to instruct the client to administer the medication on time to maintain a chemical balance at the neuromuscular junction. If it is not given on time, the client may become too weak to even swallow. Resting after a walk, coughing and deep-breathing many times during the day, and calling the health care provider when experiencing abdominal cramps and diarrhea indicate a correct understanding of home care instructions to maintain health with this neurological degenerative disease.

The nurse is conducting home visits with a head-injured client with residual cognitive deficits. The client has problems with memory, has a shortened attention span, is easily distracted, and processes information slowly. The nurse plans to talk with the primary health care provider about referring the client to which professional? 1. A psychologist 2. A social worker 3. A neuropsychologist 4. A vocational rehabilitation specialist

Answer: 3. A neuropsychologist Rationale: Clients with cognitive deficits after head injury may benefit from referral to a neuropsychologist, who specializes in evaluating and treating cognitive problems. The neuropsychologist plans an individual program of therapy and initiates counseling to help the client reach maximal potential. The neuropsychologist works in collaboration with other disciplines that are involved in the client's care and rehabilitation. The remaining options are incorrect because these health care workers do not specialize in evaluating and treating cognitive problems.

At 8:00 a.m., A client who has had a stroke (brain attack) was awake and alert with vital signs of temperature 98°F (37.2°C) orally, pulse 80 beats/min, respirations 18 breaths/min, and blood pressure 138/80 mm Hg. At noon, the client is confused and only responsive to tactile stimuli, and vital signs are temperature 99°F (36.7°C) orally, pulse 62 beats/min, respirations 20 breaths/min, and blood pressure 166/72 mm Hg. The nurse should take which action? 1. Reorient the client. 2. Retake the vital signs. 3. Call the health care provider (HCP). 4. Administer an antihypertensive PRN (as needed).

Answer: 3. Call the health care provider (HCP). Rationale: The important nursing action is to call the HCP. The deterioration in neurological status, decreasing pulse, and increasing blood pressure with a widening pulse pressure all indicate that the client is experiencing increased intracranial pressure, which requires immediate treatment to prevent further complications and possible death. The nurse should retake the vital signs and reorient the client to surroundings. If the client's blood pressure falls within parameters for PRN antihypertensive medication, the medication also should be administered. However, options 1, 2, and 4 are secondary nursing actions.

The nurse in the neurological unit is caring for a client who was in a motor vehicle crash and sustained a blunt head injury. On assessment of the client, the nurse notes the presence of bloody drainage from the nose. Which nursing action is most appropriate? 1. Insert nasal packing. 2. Document the findings. 3. Contact the health care provider (HCP). 4. Monitor the client's blood pressure and check for signs of increased intracranial pressure.

Answer: 3. Contact the health care provider (HCP). Rationale: Bloody or clear drainage from either the nasal or the auditory canal after head trauma could indicate a cerebrospinal fluid leak. The appropriate nursing action is to notify the HCP, because this finding requires immediate intervention. The remaining options are inappropriate nursing actions in this situation.

A client with a neurological impairment experiences urinary incontinence. Which nursing action would be most helpful in assisting the client to adapt to this alteration? 1. Using adult diapers 2. Inserting a Foley catheter 3. Establishing a toileting schedule 4. Padding the bed with an absorbent cotton pad

Answer: 3. Establishing a toileting schedule Rationale: A bladder retraining program, such as use of a toileting schedule, may be helpful to clients experiencing urinary incontinence. A Foley catheter should be used only when necessary because of the associated risk of infection. Use of diapers or pads is the least acceptable alternative because of the risk of skin breakdown.

The nurse is evaluating the neurological signs of a client in spinal shock following spinal cord injury. Which observation indicates that spinal shock persists? 1. Hyperreflexia 2. Positive reflexes 3. Flaccid paralysis 4. Reflex emptying of the bladder

Answer: 3. Flaccid paralysis Rationale: Resolution of spinal shock is occurring when there is return of reflexes (especially flexors to noxious cutaneous stimuli), a state of hyperreflexia rather than flaccidity, and reflex emptying of the bladder.

The client with a head injury opens eyes to sound, has no verbal response, and localizes to painful stimuli when applied to each extremity. How should the nurse document the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score? 1. GCS = 3 2. GCS = 6 3. GCS = 9 4. GCS = 11

Answer: 3. GCS = 9 Rationale: The GCS is a method for assessing neurological status. The highest possible GCS score is 15. A score lower than 8 indicates that coma is present. Motor response points are as follows: Obeys a simple response = 6; Localizes painful stimuli = 5; Normal flexion (withdrawal) = 4; Abnormal flexion (decorticate posturing) = 3; Extensor response (decerebrate posturing) = 2; No motor response to pain = 1. Verbal response points are as follows: Oriented = 5; Confused conversation = 4; Inappropriate words = 3; Responds with incomprehensible sounds = 2; No verbal response = 1. Eye opening points are as follows: Spontaneous = 4; In response to sound = 3; In response to pain = 2; No response, even to painful stimuli = 1. Using the GCS, a score of 3 is given when the client opens the eyes to sound. Localization to pain is scored as 5. When there is no verbal response the score is 1. The total score is then equal to 9.

The nurse is caring for a client who has undergone a craniotomy and has a supratentorial incision. The nurse should place the client in which position postoperatively? 1. Head of bed flat, head and neck midline 2. Head of bed flat, head turned to the nonoperative side 3. Head of bed elevated 30 to 45 degrees, head and neck midline 4. Head of bed elevated 30 to 45 degrees, head turned to the operative side

Answer: 3. Head of bed elevated 30 to 45 degrees, head and neck midline Rationale: After supratentorial surgery, the head is kept at a 30- to 45-degree angle. The head and neck should not be angled either anteriorly or laterally but rather should be kept in a neutral (midline) position. This promotes venous return through the jugular veins, which will help prevent a rise in intracranial pressure. {The supratentorial region of the brain is the area located above the tentorium cerebelli. The area of the brain below the tentorium cerebelli is the infratentorial region. The supratentorial region contains the cerebrum, while the infratentorial region contains the cerebellum}.

The nurse is planning discharge teaching for a client started on acetazolamide for a supratentorial lesion. Which information about the primary action of the medication should be included in the client's education? 1. It will prevent hypertension. 2. It will prevent hyperthermia. 3. It decreases cerebrospinal fluid production. 4. It maintains adequate blood pressure for cerebral perfusion.

Answer: 3. It decreases cerebrospinal fluid production. Rationale: Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and a diuretic. It is used in the client with or at risk for increased intracranial pressure to decrease cerebrospinal fluid production. The remaining options are not actions of this medication.

The nurse is assessing the nasal dressing on a client who had a transsphenoidal resection of the pituitary gland. The nurse notes a small amount of serosanguineous drainage that is surrounded by clear fluid on the nasal dressing. Which nursing action is most appropriate? 1. Document the findings. 2. Reinforce the dressing. 3. Notify the health care provider (HCP). 4. Mark the area of drainage with a pen and monitor for further drainage.

Answer: 3. Notify the health care provider (HCP). Rationale: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage after cranial surgery may be detected by noting drainage that is serosanguineous surrounded by an area of straw-colored or pale drainage. The physical appearance of CSF drainage is that of a halo. If the nurse notes the presence of this type of drainage, the HCP needs to be notified. The remaining options are inappropriate nursing actions.

The client with a spinal cord injury at the level of T4 is experiencing a severe throbbing headache with a blood pressure of 180/100 mm Hg. What is the priority nursing intervention? 1. Notify the health care provider (HCP). 2. Loosen tight clothing on the client. 3. Place the client in a sitting position. 4. Check the urinary catheter tubing for kinks or obstruction.

Answer: 3. Place the client in a sitting position. Rationale: The client is demonstrating clinical manifestations of autonomic dysreflexia, which is a neurological emergency. The first priority is to place the client in a sitting position to prevent hypertensive stroke. Loosening tight clothing and checking the urinary catheter can then be done, and the HCP can be notified once initial interventions are done.

A client has a difficulty with the ability to flex the hips. The nurse determines that the client is adapting successfully to this problem if the client demonstrates proper use of which item? 1. Walker 2. Slider board 3. Raised toilet seat 4. Adaptive eating utensils

Answer: 3. Raised toilet seat Rationale: A raised toilet seat is useful if the client does not have the mobility or ability to flex the hips. The cerebellum is responsible for balance and coordination. A walker would provide stability for the client during ambulation. A slider board is used in transferring a client from a bed to a stretcher or wheelchair. Adaptive eating utensils may be beneficial if the client has partial paralysis of the hand.

A client is anxious about an upcoming diagnostic procedure. The client's pupils are dilated, and the respiratory rate, heart rate, and blood pressure are increased from baseline. The nurse determines that the client's clinical manifestations are due to what type of physiologic response? 1. Vagal 2. Peripheral nervous system 3. Sympathetic nervous system 4. Parasympathetic nervous system

Answer: 3. Sympathetic nervous system Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the so-called fight or flight response, which is characterized by dilated pupils, increases in heart rate and cardiac output, and increases in respiratory rate and blood pressure. The sympathetic nervous system response affects some type of change in most systems of the body. The responses stated in the other options do not produce these effects.

A client recovering from a head injury is participating in care. The nurse determines that the client understands measures to prevent elevations in intracranial pressure if the nurse observes the client doing which activity? 1. Blowing the nose 2. Isometric exercises 3. Coughing vigorously 4. Exhaling during repositioning

Answer: 4. Exhaling during repositioning Rationale: Activities that increase intrathoracic and intraabdominal pressures cause an indirect elevation of the intracranial pressure. Some of these activities include isometric exercises, Valsalva's maneuver, coughing, sneezing, and blowing the nose. Exhaling during activities such as repositioning or pulling up in bed opens the glottis, which prevents intrathoracic pressure from rising.

The nurse is performing an assessment on a client with a diagnosis of thrombotic stroke (brain attack). Which assessment question would elicit data specific to this type of stroke? 1. "Have you had any headaches in the past few days?" 2. "Have you recently been having difficulty with seeing at nighttime?" 3. "Have you had any sudden episodes of passing out in the past few days?" 4. "Have you had any numbness or tingling or paralysis-type feelings in any of your extremities recently?"

Answer: 4. "Have you had any numbness or tingling or paralysis-type feelings in any of your extremities recently?" Rationale: Cerebral thrombosis (thrombotic stroke) does not occur suddenly. In the few days or hours preceding the thrombotic stroke, the client may experience a transient loss of speech, hemiparesis, or paresthesias on 1 side of the body. Signs and symptoms of this type of stroke vary but may also include dizziness, cognitive changes, or seizures. Headache is rare, but some clients with stroke experience signs and symptoms similar to those of cerebral embolism or intracranial hemorrhage. The client does not complain of difficulty with night vision as part of this clinical problem. In addition, most clients do not have repeated episodes of loss of consciousness.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is prescribed for a client with pain, and the nurse instructs the client about the purpose of the TENS unit. Which statement by the client indicates the need for further teaching? 1. "The unit relieves pain." 2. "Electrodes are attached to the skin." 3. "The unit will reduce the need for analgesics." 4. "Hospitalization is required because the unit is not portable."

Answer: 4. "Hospitalization is required because the unit is not portable." Rationale: The TENS unit is portable and the client controls the system for relieving pain and reducing the need for analgesics. It is attached to the skin of the body by electrodes. Hospitalization is not required.

The nurse has instructed the family of a client with stroke (brain attack) who has homonymous hemianopsia about measures to help the client overcome the deficit. Which statement suggests that the family understands the measures to use when caring for the client? 1. "We need to discourage him from wearing eyeglasses." 2. "We need to place objects in his impaired field of vision." 3. "We need to approach him from the impaired field of vision." 4. "We need to remind him to turn his head to scan the lost visual field."

Answer: 4. "We need to remind him to turn his head to scan the lost visual field." Rationale: Homonymous hemianopsia is loss of half of the visual field. The client with homonymous hemianopsia should have objects placed in the intact field of vision, and the nurse also should approach the client from the intact side. The nurse instructs the client to scan the environment to overcome the visual deficit and does client teaching from within the intact field of vision. The nurse encourages the use of personal eyeglasses, if they are available.

The nurse is caring for a client with an intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring device. The nurse should become most concerned if the ICP readings drifted to and stayed in the vicinity of which finding? 1. 5 mm Hg 2. 8 mm Hg 3. 14 mm Hg 4. 22 mm Hg

Answer: 4. 22 mm Hg Rationale: Normal ICP readings range from 5 to 15 mm Hg pressure. Pressures greater than 20 mm Hg are considered to represent increased ICP, which seriously impairs cerebral perfusion.

A client with a spinal cord injury becomes angry and belligerent whenever the nurse tries to administer care. The nurse should perform which action? 1. Ask the family to deliver the care. 2. Leave the client alone until ready to participate. 3. Advise the client that rehabilitation progresses more quickly with cooperation. 4. Acknowledge the client's anger and continue to encourage participation in care.

Answer: 4. Acknowledge the client's anger and continue to encourage participation in care. Rationale: Adjusting to paralysis is physically and psychosocially difficult for the client and family. The nurse recognizes that the client goes through the grieving process in adjusting to the loss and may move back and forth among the stages of grief. The nurse acknowledges the client's feelings while continuing to meet the client's physical needs and encouraging independence. The family also is in crisis and needs the nurse's support and should not be relied on to provide care. The nurse cannot simply neglect the client until the client is ready to participate. Option 3 represents a factual but noncaring approach to the client and is not therapeutic.

A client who has a spinal cord injury that resulted in paraplegia experiences a sudden onset of severe headache and nausea. The client is diaphoretic with piloerection and has flushing of the skin. The client's systolic blood pressure (BP) is 210 mm Hg. What should the nurse immediately suspect? 1. Return of spinal shock 2. Malignant hypertension 3. Impending brain attack (stroke) 4. Autonomic dysreflexia (hyperreflexia)

Answer: 4. Autonomic dysreflexia (hyperreflexia) Rationale: Autonomic dysreflexia (hyperreflexia) results from sudden strong discharge of the sympathetic nervous system in response to a noxious stimulus. Signs and symptoms include pounding headache, nausea, nasal stuffiness, flushed skin, piloerection {Piloerection means involuntary erection or bristling of body hairs due to a sympathetic reflex}, and diaphoresis. Severe hypertension can occur, with a systolic BP rising potentially as high as 300 mm Hg. It often is triggered by thermal or mechanical events such as a kinking of catheter tubing, constipation, urinary tract infection, or any variety of cutaneous stimuli. The nurse must recognize this situation immediately and take corrective action to remove the stimulus. If untreated, this medical emergency could result in stroke, status epilepticus, or possibly death.

The nurse is assessing the adaptation of a client to changes in functional status after a stroke (brain attack). Which observation indicates to the nurse that the client is adapting most successfully? 1. Gets angry with family if they interrupt a task 2. Experiences bouts of depression and irritability 3. Has difficulty with using modified feeding utensils 4. Consistently uses adaptive equipment in dressing self

Answer: 4. Consistently uses adaptive equipment in dressing self Rationale: Clients are evaluated as coping successfully with lifestyle changes after a stroke if they make appropriate lifestyle alterations, use the assistance of others, and have appropriate social interactions. Options 1 and 2 are not adaptive behaviors; option 3 indicates a not yet successful attempt to adapt.

A client has clear fluid leaking from the nose following a basilar skull fracture. Which finding would alert the nurse that cerebrospinal fluid is present? 1. Fluid is clear and tests negative for glucose. 2. Fluid is grossly bloody in appearance and has a pH of 6. 3. Fluid clumps together on the dressing and has a pH of 7. 4. Fluid separates into concentric rings and tests positive for glucose.

Answer: 4. Fluid separates into concentric rings and tests positive for glucose. Rationale: Leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the ears or nose may accompany basilar skull fracture. CSF can be distinguished from other body fluids because the drainage will separate into bloody and yellow concentric rings on dressing material, called a halo sign. The fluid also tests positive for glucose.

The nurse is caring for the client who suffered a spinal cord injury 48 hours ago. What should the nurse assess for when monitoring for gastrointestinal complications? 1. A history of diarrhea 2. A flattened abdomen 3. Hyperactive bowel sounds 4. Hematest-positive nasogastric tube drainage

Answer: 4. Hematest-positive nasogastric tube drainage Rationale: Development of a stress ulcer also can occur after spinal cord injury and can be detected by Hematest-positive nasogastric tube aspirate or stool. The client is also at risk for paralytic ileus, which is characterized by the absence of bowel sounds and abdominal distention. A history of diarrhea is irrelevant.

The nurse is caring for an unconscious client who is experiencing persistent hyperthermia with no signs of infection. On the basis of these findings the nurse suspects dysfunction in which area of the brain? 1. Cerebrum 2. Cerebellum 3. Hippocampus 4. Hypothalamus

Answer: 4. Hypothalamus Rationale: Hypothalamic damage causes persistent hyperthermia, which also may be called central fever. It is characterized by a persistent high fever wi th no diurnal variation. Another characteristic feature is absence of sweating. Hyperthermia would not result from damage to the cerebrum, cerebellum, or hippocampus.

The nurse is creating a plan of care for a client with a diagnosis of stroke (brain attack) with anosognosia. To meet the needs of the client with this deficit, the nurse should include activities that will achieve which outcome? 1. Encourage communication. 2. Provide a consistent daily routine. 3. Promote adequate bowel elimination. 4. Increase the client's awareness of the affected side.

Answer: 4. Increase the client's awareness of the affected side. Rationale: In anosognosia, the client exhibits neglect of the affected side of the body. The nurse will plan care activities that remind the client to perform actions that require looking at the affected arm or leg, as well as activities that will increase the client's awareness of the affected side. The remaining options are not associated with this deficit.

The nurse is creating a plan of care for a client with a stroke (brain attack) who has right homonymous hemianopsia. Which should the nurse include in the plan of care for the client? 1. Place an eye patch on the left eye. 2. Place personal articles on the client's right side. 3. Approach the client from the right field of vision. 4. Instruct the client to turn the head to scan the right visual field.

Answer: 4. Instruct the client to turn the head to scan the right visual field. Rationale: Homonymous hemianopsia is a loss of half of the visual field {Right homonymous hemianopsia means that the pt is losing the right field of vision on both eyes}. The nurse instructs the client to scan the environment and stands within the client's intact field of vision. The nurse should not patch the eye because the client does not have double vision. The client should have objects placed in the intact fields of vision, and the nurse should approach the client from the intact side.

The nurse in the neurological unit is caring for a client with a supratentorial lesion. The nurse assesses which measurement as the most critical index of central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction? 1. Temperature 2. Blood pressure 3. Ability to speak 4. Level of consciousness

Answer: 4. Level of consciousness Rationale: Level of consciousness is the most critical index of CNS dysfunction. Changes in level of consciousness can indicate clinical improvement or deterioration. Although blood pressure, temperature, and ability to speak may be components of the assessment, the client's level of consciousness is the most critical index of CNS dysfunction.

A client with a spinal cord injury expresses little interest in food and is very particular about the choice of meals that are actually eaten. How should the nurse interpret this information? 1. Anorexia is a sign of clinical depression, and a referral to a psychologist is needed. 2. The client has compulsive habits that should be ignored as long as they are not harmful. 3. The client probably has a naturally slow metabolism, and the decreased nutritional intake will not matter. 4. Meal choices represent an area of client control and should be encouraged as much as is nutritionally reasonable.

Answer: 4. Meal choices represent an area of client control and should be encouraged as much as is nutritionally reasonable. Rationale: Depression frequently may be seen in the client with spinal cord injury and may be exhibited as a loss of appetite. However, the client should be allowed to choose the types of food eaten and when they are eaten as much as is feasible because it is one of the few areas of control that the client has left. There is no information in the question that would indicate that the client is anorexic or obsessive-compulsive or has a slow metabolism.

A client with a traumatic brain injury is on mechanical ventilation. The nurse promotes normal intracranial pressure (ICP) by ensuring that the client's arterial blood gas (ABG) results are within which ranges? 1. PaO2 60 to 100 mm Hg (60 to 100 mm Hg), PaCo2 25 to 30 mm Hg (25 to 30 mm Hg) 2. PaO2 60 to 100 mm Hg (60 to 100 mm Hg), PaCo2 30 to 35 mm Hg (30 to 35 mm Hg) 3. PaO2 80 to 100 mm Hg (80 to 100 mm Hg), PaCo2 25 to 30 mm Hg (25 to 30 mm Hg) 4. PaO2 80 to 100 mm Hg (80 to 100 mm Hg), PaCo2 35 to 38 mm Hg (35 to 38 mm Hg)

Answer: 4. PaO2 80 to 100 mm Hg (80 to 100 mm Hg), PaCo2 35 to 38 mm Hg (35 to 38 mm Hg) Rationale: The goal is to maintain the partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCo2) at 35 to 38 mm Hg (35 to 38 mm Hg). Carbon dioxide is a very potent vasodilator that can contribute to increases in ICP. The PaO2 is not allowed to fall below 80 mm Hg (80 mm Hg), to prevent cerebral vasodilation from hypoxemia, which can also result in an increase in ICP. Therefore, the remaining options are incorrect.

The nurse is caring for a client who is brought to the hospital emergency department with a spinal cord injury. The nurse minimizes the risk of compounding the injury by performing which action? 1. Keeping the client on a stretcher 2. Logrolling the client onto a soft mattress 3. Logrolling the client onto a firm mattress 4. Placing the client on a bed that provides spinal immobilization

Answer: 4. Placing the client on a bed that provides spinal immobilization Rationale: Spinal immobilization is necessary after spinal cord injury to prevent further damage and insult to the spinal cord. Whenever possible, the client is placed on a special bed, such as a Stryker frame, which allows the nurse to turn the client to prevent complications of immobility while maintaining alignment of the spine. If a Stryker frame is not available, a firm mattress with a bed board under it should be used. The remaining options are incorrect and potentially harmful interventions.

The nurse has a prescription to begin aneurysm precautions for a client with a subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to aneurysm rupture. The nurse would plan to incorporate which intervention in controlling the environment for this client? 1. Keep the window blinds open. 2. Turn on a small spotlight above the client's head. 3. Make sure the door to the room is open at all times. 4. Prohibit or limit the use of a radio or television and reading.

Answer: 4. Prohibit or limit the use of a radio or television and reading. Rationale: Environmental stimuli are kept to a minimum with subarachnoid precautions to prevent or minimize increases in intracranial pressure. For this reason, lighting is reduced by closing window blinds and keeping the door to the client's room shut. Overhead lighting also is avoided for the same reason. The nurse prohibits television, radio, and reading unless this is so stressful for the client that it would be counterproductive. In that instance, minimal amounts of stimuli by these means are allowed with approval of the health care provider.

The client has an impairment of cranial nerve II. Specific to this impairment, what should the nurse plan to do to ensure client safety? 1. Speak loudly to the client. 2. Test the temperature of the shower water. 3. Check the temperature of the food on the dietary tray. 4. Provide a clear path for ambulation without obstacles.

Answer: 4. Provide a clear path for ambulation without obstacles. Rationale: Cranial nerve II is the optic nerve, which governs vision. The nurse can provide safety for the visually impaired client by clearing the path of obstacles when ambulating. Speaking loudly may help overcome a deficit of cranial nerve VIII (vestibulocochlear). Testing the shower water temperature would be useful if there was an impairment of peripheral nerves. Cranial nerves VII (facial) and IX (glossopharyngeal) control taste from the anterior two thirds and posterior third of the tongue, respectively.

A client had a transsphenoidal resection of the pituitary gland. The nurse notes drainage on the nasal dressing. Suspecting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, the nurse should look for drainage that is of which characteristic? 1. Serosanguineous only 2. Bloody with very small clots 3. Sanguineous only with no clot formation 4. Serosanguineous, surrounded by clear to straw-colored fluid

Answer: 4. Serosanguineous, surrounded by clear to straw-colored fluid Rationale: CSF leakage after cranial surgery may be detected by noting drainage that is serosanguineous (from the surgery) and surrounded by an area of clear or straw-colored drainage. The typical appearance of CSF drainage is that of a "halo." The nurse also would further verify actual CSF drainage by testing the drainage for glucose, which would be positive.

The nurse is assessing fluid balance in a client who has undergone a craniotomy. The nurse should assess for which finding as a sign of overhydration, which would aggravate cerebral edema? 1. Unchanged weight 2. Shift intake 950 mL, output 900 mL 3. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 10 mg/dL (3.6 mmol/L) 4. Serum osmolality 280 mOsm/kg H2O (280 mmol/kg)

Answer: 4. Serum osmolality 280 mOsm/kg H2O (280 mmol/kg) Rationale: After craniotomy the goal is to keep the serum osmolality on the high side of normal to minimize excess body water and control cerebral edema. The normal serum osmolality is 285 to 295 mOsm/kg H2O (285 to 295 mmol/kg). A higher value indicates dehydration; a lower value indicates overhydration. Stable weight indicates that there is neither fluid excess nor fluid deficit. A difference of 50 mL in intake and output for an 8-hour shift is insignificant. The BUN of 10 mg/dL (3.6 mmol/L) is within normal range and does not indicate overhydration or underhydration.

The nurse is creating a plan of care for a client with a diagnosis of stroke (brain attack). On reviewing the client's record, the nurse notes an assessment finding of anosognosia. The nursing care plan should address which manifestation related to this finding? 1. The client will be easily fatigued. 2. The client will have difficulty speaking. 3. The client will have difficulty swallowing. 4. The client will exhibit neglect of the affected side.

Answer: 4. The client will exhibit neglect of the affected side. Rationale: In anosognosia, the client neglects the affected side of the body. The client either may ignore the presence of the affected side (often creating a safety hazard as a result of potential injuries) or may state that the involved arm or leg belongs to someone else. The remaining options are not associated with anosognosia.

The nurse is caring for a client with intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring. Which intervention is appropriate to include in the plan of care? 1. Place the client in Sims' position. 2. Change the drainage tubing every 48 hours. 3. Level the transducer at the lowest point of the ear. 4. Use strict aseptic technique when touching the monitoring system.

Answer: 4. Use strict aseptic technique when touching the monitoring system. Rationale: Because there is a foreign body embedded in the client's brain, vigilant aseptic technique should be implemented. Sims' is a side-lying, flat position. With a client who has increased ICP, the head of the bed should be elevated at least 30 degrees to improve jugular outflow. The drainage tubing should not be routinely changed. It should remain for the duration of the monitoring. To obtain accurate ICP pressure readings, the transducer is zeroed at the level of the foramen of Monro, which is approximated by placing the transducer 1 inch above the level of the ear. Serial ICP readings should be done with the client's head in the same position.

An older client is brought to the hospital emergency department by a neighbor who heard the client talking and found him wandering in the street at 3 a.m. The nurse should first determine which data about the client? 1. His insurance status 2. Blood toxicology levels 3. Whether he ate his evening meal 4.Whether this is a change in usual level of orientation

Answer: 4.Whether this is a change in usual level of orientation Rationale: The nurse should first determine whether this behavior represents a change in the client's neurological status. The next item to determine is when the client last ate. Blood toxicology levels may or may not be needed, but the health care provider would likely prescribe these. Insurance information must be obtained at some point but is not the priority from a clinical care viewpoint.

The home health nurse is visiting a client with myasthenia gravis and is discussing methods to minimize the risk of aspiration during meals related to decreased muscle strength. Which suggestions should the nurse give to the client? Select all that apply. 1. Chew food thoroughly. 2. Cut food into very small pieces. 3. Sit straight up in the chair while eating. 4. Lift the head while swallowing liquids. 5. Swallow when the chin is tipped slightly downward to the chest.

Answers: 1. Chew food thoroughly. 2. Cut food into very small pieces. 3. Sit straight up in the chair while eating. 5. Swallow when the chin is tipped slightly downward to the chest. Rationale: The client avoids swallowing any type of food or drink with the head lifted upward, which could actually cause aspiration by opening the glottis. The client should be advised to sit upright while eating, not to talk with food in the mouth (talking requires opening the glottis), cut food into very small pieces, chew thoroughly, and tip the chin downward to swallow.

The nurse is caring for a client after a craniotomy and monitors the client for signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Which finding, if noted in the client, would indicate an early sign of increased ICP? 1. Confusion 2. Bradycardia 3. Sluggish pupils 4. A widened pulse pressure

Answers: 1. Confusion Rationale: Early manifestations of increased ICP are subtle and often may be transient, lasting for only a few minutes in some cases. These early clinical manifestations include episodes of confusion, drowsiness, and slight pupillary and breathing changes. Later manifestations include a further decrease in the level of consciousness, a widened pulse pressure, and bradycardia. Cheyne-Stokes respiratory pattern, or a hyperventilation respiratory pattern, and pupillary sluggishness and dilatation appear in the late stages.

A client with a neurological problem is experiencing hyperthermia. Which measures would be appropriate for the nurse to use in trying to lower the client's body temperature? Select all that apply. 1. Giving tepid sponge baths 2. Applying a hypothermia blanket 3. Covering the client with blankets 4. Administering acetaminophen per protocol 5. Placing ice packs over the client's abdomen and in the axilla and groin

Answers: 1. Giving tepid sponge baths 2. Applying a hypothermia blanket 4. Administering acetaminophen per protocol Rationale: Standard measures to lower body temperature include removing bed covers, providing cool sponge baths, using an electric fan in the room, administering acetaminophen, and placing a hypothermia blanket under the client. Ice packs are not used because they could cause shivering, which increases cellular oxygen demands, with the potential for increased intracranial pressure.

The nurse has just admitted to the nursing unit a client with a basilar skull fracture who is at risk for increased intracranial pressure. Pending specific health care provider prescriptions, the nurse should safely place the client in which positions? Select all that apply. 1. Head midline 2. Neck in neutral position 3. Head of bed elevated 30 to 45 degrees 4. Head turned to the side when flat in bed 5. Neck and jaw flexed forward when opening the mouth

Answers: 1. Head midline 2. Neck in neutral position 3. Head of bed elevated 30 to 45 degrees Rationale: Use of proper positions promotes venous drainage from the cranium to keep intracranial pressure from elevating. The head of the client at risk for or with increased intracranial pressure should be positioned so that it is in a neutral, midline position. The head of the bed should be raised to 30 to 45 degrees. The nurse should avoid flexing or extending the client's neck or turning the client's head from side to side.

The nurse has just admitted to the nursing unit a client with a basilar skull fracture who is at risk for increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Pending specific health care provider prescriptions, the nurse should plan to place the client in which positions? Select all that apply. 1. Head midline 2. Neck in neutral position 3. Flat, with head turned to the side 4. Head of bed elevated 30 to 45 degrees 5. Head of bed elevated with the neck extended

Answers: 1. Head midline 2. Neck in neutral position 4. Head of bed elevated 30 to 45 degrees Rationale: The client who is at risk for or who has increased ICP should be positioned so that the head is in a neutral, midline position. The nurse should avoid flexing or extending the client's neck or turning the head from side to side. The head of the bed should be raised to 30 to 45 degrees. Use of proper positions promotes venous drainage from the cranium to keep ICP down.

The nurse has determined that a client with a neurological disorder also has difficulty breathing. Which activities would be appropriate components of the care plan for this client? Select all that apply. 1. Keep suction equipment at the bedside. 2. Elevate the head of the bed 30 degrees. 3. Keep the client lying in a supine position. 4. Keep the head and neck in good alignment. 5. Administer prescribed respiratory treatments as needed.

Answers: 1. Keep suction equipment at the bedside. 2. Elevate the head of the bed 30 degrees. 4. Keep the head and neck in good alignment. 5. Administer prescribed respiratory treatments as needed. Rationale: The nurse maintains a patent airway for the client with difficulty breathing by keeping the head and neck in good alignment and elevating the head of the bed 30 degrees unless contraindicated. Suction equipment is kept at the bedside if secretions need to be cleared. The client should be kept in a side-lying position whenever possible to minimize the risk of aspiration.

A client with a spinal cord injury is prone to experiencing autonomic dysreflexia. The nurse should include which measures in the plan of care to minimize the risk of occurrence? Select all that apply. 1. Keeping the linens wrinkle-free under the client 2. Preventing unnecessary pressure on the lower limbs 3. Limiting bladder catheterization to once every 12 hours 4. Turning and repositioning the client at least every 2 hours 5. Ensuring that the client has a bowel movement at least once a week

Answers: 1. Keeping the linens wrinkle-free under the client 2. Preventing unnecessary pressure on the lower limbs 4. Turning and repositioning the client at least every 2 hours Rationale: The most frequent cause of autonomic dysreflexia is a distended bladder. Straight catheterization should be done every 4 to 6 hours (catheterization every 12 hours is too infrequent), and urinary catheters should be checked frequently to prevent kinks in the tubing. Constipation and fecal impaction are other causes, so maintaining bowel regularity is important. Ensuring a bowel movement once a week is much too infrequent. Other causes include stimulation of the skin from tactile, thermal, or painful stimuli. The nurse administers care to minimize risk in these areas.

The nurse is caring for a client with an intracranial aneurysm who has been alert. Which signs and symptoms are an early indication that the level of consciousness (LOC) is deteriorating? Select all that apply. 1. Mild drowsiness 2. Drooping eyelids 3. Ptosis of the left eyelid 4. Slight slurring of speech 5. Less frequent spontaneous speech

Answers: 1. Mild drowsiness 4. Slight slurring of speech 5. Less frequent spontaneous speech Rationale: Early changes in LOC relate to orientation, alertness, and verbal responsiveness. Mild drowsiness, slight slurring of speech, and less frequent spontaneous speech are early signs of decreasing LOC. Ptosis (drooping) of the eyelid is caused by pressure on and dysfunction of cranial nerve III. Once ptosis occurs, it is ongoing; it does not relate to LOC.

The nurse is preparing a plan of care for a client with a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). On assessment, the nurse notes that the client is severely dysphagic. Which intervention should be included in the care plan for this client? Select all that apply. 1. Provide oral hygiene after each meal. 2. Assess swallowing ability frequently. 3. Allow the client sufficient time to eat. 4. Maintain a suction machine at the bedside. 5. Provide a full liquid diet for ease in swallowing.

Answers: 1. Provide oral hygiene after each meal. 2. Assess swallowing ability frequently. 3. Allow the client sufficient time to eat. 4. Maintain a suction machine at the bedside. Rationale: A client who is severely dysphagic is at risk for aspiration. Swallowing is assessed frequently. The client should be given a sufficient amount of time to eat. Semisoft foods are easiest to swallow and require less chewing. Oral hygiene is necessary after each meal. Suctioning should be available for clients who experience dysphagia and are at risk for aspiration.

The nurse is planning care for a client who displays confusion secondary to a neurological problem. Which approaches by the nurse would be helpful in assisting this client? Select all that apply. 1. Providing sensory cues 2. Giving simple, clear directions 3. Providing a stable environment 4. Keeping family pictures at the bedside 5. Encouraging family members to visit at the same time

Answers: 1. Providing sensory cues 2. Giving simple, clear directions 3. Providing a stable environment 4. Keeping family pictures at the bedside Rationale: Clients with cognitive impairment from neurological dysfunction respond best to a stable environment that is limited in amount and type of sensory input. The nurse can provide sensory cues and give clear, simple directions in a positive manner. Confusion can be minimized by reducing environmental stimuli (such as television or multiple visitors) and by keeping familiar personal articles (such as family pictures) at the bedside.

The nurse is trying to communicate with a client who had a stroke and has aphasia. Which actions by the nurse would be most helpful to the client? Select all that apply. 1. Speaking to the client at a slower rate 2. Allowing plenty of time for the client to respond 3. Completing the sentences that the client cannot finish 4. Looking directly at the client during attempts at speech 5. Shouting words if it seems as though the client has difficulty understanding

Answers: 1. Speaking to the client at a slower rate 2. Allowing plenty of time for the client to respond 4. Looking directly at the client during attempts at speech Rationale: Clients with aphasia after brain attack often fatigue easily and have a short attention span. General guidelines when trying to communicate with the aphasic client include speaking more slowly and allowing adequate response time, listening to and watching attempts to communicate, and trying to put the client at ease with a caring and understanding manner. The nurse would avoid shouting (because the client is not deaf), appearing rushed for a response, and letting family members provide all responses for the client.

The nurse is assigned to care for a client with complete right-sided hemiparesis from a stroke (brain attack). Which characteristics are associated with this condition? Select all that apply. 1. The client is aphasic. 2. The client has weakness on the right side of the body. 3. The client has complete bilateral paralysis of the arms and legs. 4. The client has weakness on the right side of the face and tongue. 5. The client has lost the ability to move the right arm but is able to walk independently. 6. The client has lost the ability to ambulate independently but is able to feed and bathe himself or herself without assistance.

Answers: 1. The client is aphasic. 2. The client has weakness on the right side of the body. 4. The client has weakness on the right side of the face and tongue. Rationale: Hemiparesis is a weakness of one side of the body that may occur after a stroke. It involves weakness of the face and tongue, arm, and leg on one side. These clients are also aphasic: unable to discriminate words and letters. They are generally very cautious and get anxious when attempting a new task. Complete bilateral paralysis does not occur in hemiparesis. The client with right-sided hemiparesis has weakness of the right arm and leg and needs assistance with feeding, bathing, and ambulating.

The nurse is creating a plan of care for a client with dysphagia following a stroke (brain attack). Which should the nurse include in the plan? Select all that apply. 1. Thicken liquids. 2. Assist the client with eating. 3. Assess for the presence of a swallow reflex. 4. Place the food on the affected side of the mouth. 5. Provide ample time for the client to chew and swallow.

Answers: 1. Thicken liquids. 2. Assist the client with eating. 3. Assess for the presence of a swallow reflex. 5. Provide ample time for the client to chew and swallow. Rationale: Liquids are thickened to prevent aspiration. The nurse should assist the client with eating and place food on the unaffected side of the mouth. The nurse should assess for gag and swallowing reflexes before the client with dysphagia is started on a diet. The client should be allowed ample time to chew and swallow to prevent choking.

The client with a cervical spine injury has cervical tongs applied in the emergency department. What should the nurse include when planning care for this client? Select all that apply. 1. Using a RotoRest bed 2. Ensuring that weights hang freely 3. Removing the weights to reposition the client 4. Assessing the integrity of the weights and pulleys 5. Comparing the amount of prescribed traction with the amount in use

Answers: 1. Using a RotoRest bed 2. Ensuring that weights hang freely 4. Assessing the integrity of the weights and pulleys 5. Comparing the amount of prescribed traction with the amount in use Rationale: Cervical tongs are applied after drilling holes in the client's skull under local anesthesia. Weights are attached to the tongs, which exert pulling pressure on the longitudinal axis of the cervical spine. Serial x-rays of the cervical spine are taken, with weights being added gradually until the x-ray reveals that the vertebral column is realigned. After that, weights may be reduced gradually to a point that maintains alignment. The client with cervical tongs is placed on a Stryker frame or RotoRest bed. The nurse ensures that weights hang freely and the amount of weight matches the current prescription. The nurse also inspects the integrity and position of the ropes and pulleys. The nurse does not remove the weights to administer care.

The nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for increased intracranial pressure (ICP) after a stroke. Which activities performed by the nurse will assist with preventing increases in ICP? Select all that apply. 1. Clustering nursing activities 2. Hyper-oxygenating before suctioning 3. Maintaining 20-degree flexion of the knees 4. Maintaining the head and neck in midline position 5.Maintaining the head of the bed (HOB) at 30 degrees elevation

Answers: 2. Hyper-oxygenating before suctioning 4. Maintaining the head and neck in midline position 5.Maintaining the head of the bed (HOB) at 30 degrees elevation Rationale: Measures aimed at preventing increased ICP in the poststroke client include hyperoxgenating before suctioning to avoid transient hypoxemia and resultant ICP elevation from dilation of cerebral arteries; maintaining the head in a midline, neutral position to help promote venous drainage from the brain; and keeping the HOB elevated to between 25 and 30 degrees to prevent a decreased blood flow to the brain. Clustering activities can be stressful for the client and increase ICP. Maintaining 20-degree flexion of the knees increases intraabdominal pressure and consequently ICP.

The nurse is administering mouth care to an unconscious client. The nurse should perform which actions in the care of this person? Select all that apply. 1. Use products that contain alcohol. 2. Position the client on his or her side. 3. Brush the teeth with a small, soft toothbrush. 4. Cleanse the mucous membranes with soft sponges. 5. Use lemon glycerin swabs when performing mouth care.

Answers: 2. Position the client on his or her side. 3. Brush the teeth with a small, soft toothbrush. 4. Cleanse the mucous membranes with soft sponges. Rationale: The unconscious client is positioned on the side during mouth care to prevent aspiration. The teeth are brushed at least twice daily with a small toothbrush. The gums, tongue, roof of the mouth, and oral mucous membranes are cleansed with soft sponges to avoid encrustation and infection. The lips are coated with water-soluble lubricant to prevent drying, cracking, and encrustation. The use of products with alcohol and lemon glycerin swabs should be avoided because they have a drying effect.