25.C Cerebral Palsy
The parents of a child with cerebral palsy (CP) ask if there are any medications available to help control the child's symptoms. Which type of medication should the nurse discuss with the parents? (Select all that apply.) A. Benzodiazepines B. Muscle relaxants C. Baclofen D. Diphenhydramine
A, B, C
The parents of a child with cerebral palsy (CP) are concerned about possible future health problems. The nurse knows the client is at risk for which complication? (Select all that apply.) A. Premature aging B. Hypotension C. Depression D. Decreased cognitive ability E. Urinary incontinence
A, C, D, E
A pregnant patient is scheduled for an ultrasound to attempt to diagnose the possibility of cerebral palsy (CP).Which statement should the nurse use to explain to the patient how this test is used to identify the possibility of CP? A. "An ultrasound can detect abnormalities of the brain that can increase the likelihood of the presence of CP." B. "An ultrasound can detect specific deformities and developmental disorders that are associated with CP." C. "An ultrasound can determine the position of the fetus in the uterus, which can identify any possible abnormality leading to CP." D. "An ultrasound can positively detect CP by measuring the size of the brain."
A. "An ultrasound can detect abnormalities of the brain that can increase the likelihood of the presence of CP."
The parents of a 3-year-old child with cerebral palsy (CP) do not wish to begin any physical therapy or use braces or positioning devices until the child is older. Which response should the nurse make to the parents? A. "The earlier the intervention is started, the better the long-term result to optimize independence." B. "You may want to wait until walking occurs." C. "You shouldn't wait because that could make the condition much worse." D. "It's up to you. It really doesn't matter when therapy is started."
A. "The earlier the intervention is started, the better the long-term result to optimize independence."
A family caregiver asks why a 40-year-old patient with cerebral palsy (CP) developed hypertension at such a young age. Which response should the nurse make? A. "The effects of constant stress on the body caused by CP leads to the development of conditions earlier in life." B. "There may be a family history of hypertension that you did not know about." C. "People with CP are at increased risk of developing hypertension and other cardiovascular problems due to immobility." D. "You may want to reduce salt and fat in his diet. He obviously has not been eating a healthy diet."
A. "The effects of constant stress on the body caused by CP leads to the development of conditions earlier in life."
The nurse is obtaining a health history from the parents of a child with cerebral palsy (CP). Which question should the nurse use to determine whether the child's brain insult happened after birth? A. "Were there any accidents before age 3?" B. "Was the mother older than 40 years when the child was born?" C. "Was the child born prematurely?" D. "Was the child born subsequent to the fourth child?"
A. "Were there any accidents before age 3?"
A 9-year-old patient with cerebral palsy (CP) is being evaluated for a procedure that will assist with improving ambulation. For which procedure should the nurse prepare teaching? A. Achilles tendon lengthening B. Selective dorsal rhizotomy C. Hamstring release D. Joint stabilization
A. Achilles tendon lengthening
The nurse is discussing surgery treatment options with the parents of a child with cerebral palsy (CP). Which surgical intervention should the nurse review for applicability prior to discussing with the parents? A. Achilles tendon shortening B. Surgically implanted intrathecal pump C. Releasing the hamstrings D. Dorsal rhizotomy
A. Achilles tendon shortening The Achilles tendon may be lengthened, not shortened to increase range of motion in the ankle
During a routine exam, the nurse notices that a 2-year-old child shows signs of inadequate coordination and muscle stiffness. Which developmental disorder should the nurse suspect in this patient? A. Cerebral palsy B. Failure to thrive C. Autism spectrum disorder D. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
A. Cerebral palsy
A 9-month-old child is diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect to assess in this patient? A. Hypertonia and rigidity B. Hemiplegia and hypotonia C. Bizarre twitching movements D. Tremors and exaggerated posturing
A. Hypertonia and rigidity
A 22-year-old patient with cerebral palsy (CP) is experiencing chronic pain. Which reason should the nurse identify that explains the most common cause of chronic pain in adults with this health problem? A. Muscle contractions B. Skin breakdown C. Skeletal deformities D. Brain lesions
A. Muscle contractions
A 1-year-old child is being evaluated for cerebral palsy (CP). Which finding should the nurse least expect to assess in this client? A. Normal muscle tone in all extremities B. Arching of the back C. Developmental delay D. Strabismus
A. Normal muscle tone in all extremities
Which conditions most frequently shorten the life of adults with cerebral palsy (CP)? A. Respiratory disorders and seizures B. Incontinence and skin breakdown C. Muscle atrophy and brain tumors D. Arthritis and contractures
A. Respiratory disorders and seizures
A child is newly diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP). For which type of cerebral palsy should the nurse most likely plan care? A. Spastic cerebral palsy B. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy C. Ataxic cerebral palsy D. Mixed cerebral palsy
A. Spastic cerebral palsy 80% OF CASES
A 3-year-old patient with cerebral palsy (CP) has begun having seizures. Which recommendation should the nurse make to enhance this patient's safety? A. Wear a helmet. B. Ensure adequate lighting in walkways. C. Use specialized safety belts when seated. D. Apply leg braces.
A. Wear a helmet.
A small-for-gestational age neonate is showing signs of poor development. Which factor should the nurse identify that increases this client's risk of cerebral palsy (CP) before or during birth? (Select all that apply.) A. Neonatal sepsis B. Premature birth C. Hyperbilirubinemia D. Injury to the cerebral cortex E. Fetal viral infection
B, D, E
The parents of a 5-year-old patient with mixed cerebral palsy (CP) ask why a baclofen pump is scheduled to be surgically implanted in the child. Which explanation should the nurse give about the purpose of this medication pump? A. It increases ankle range of motion. B. It controls muscle spasms. C. It allows flat-footed walking. D. It prevents infections.
B. It controls muscle spasms.
The nurse prepares a teaching tool about cerebral palsy (CP) for a community clinic.Which complication should the nurse include that can lead to life-threatening health problems as a person with CP ages? A. Weak blood vessels B. Premature aging C. Muscle atrophy D. Vision and hearing loss
B. Premature aging
Which intervention should improve self-feeding ability in a child with spasticity caused by cerebral palsy (CP)? A. Providing a low-fiber diet B. Providing a high calorie high protein diet C. Restricting hydration D. Presenting large portions of food all at one time
B. Providing a high calorie high protein diet
A 3-year-old has cerebral palsy (CP) and is hospitalized for orthopedic surgery. The child's mother states the child has difficulty swallowing and cannot hold a utensil to self-feed. The child is slightly underweight for height. What is the most appropriate nursing action related to feeding? A. Bottle-feed or tube-feed the child with a specialized formula until sufficient weight is gained. B. Stabilize the child's jaw with one hand (either from a front or side position) to facilitate swallowing. C. Place the child in a well-supported, semireclining position to make use of gravity flow. D. Place the child in a sitting position with the neck hyperextended to make use of gravity flow.
B. Stabilize the child's jaw with one hand (either from a front or side position) to facilitate swallowing.
The parent of a child with cerebral palsy (CP) ask the nurse, "What is the purpose of these braces?" Which response by the nurse is correct? A. "Braces will help promote flexibility." B. "Braces will help strengthen muscles." C. "Braces help with mobility and provide stabilization." D. "Braces will protect your child from broken bones."
C. "Braces help with mobility and provide stabilization."
The nurse is giving an overview of cerebral palsy (CP) to a group of new nurses.Which statement should the nurse include in the teaching? A. "CP is a progressive disease that is inherited." B. "CP is identified during the prenatal period." C. "Not all patients with CP have an intellectual disability." D. "The pathogenesis of CP is the same in most cases."
C. "Not all patients with CP have an intellectual disability."
The nurse is conducting an in-service about cerebral palsy (CP). Which lifespan considerations should the nurse include? A. Premature aging is uncommon in CP. B. Most patients with CP are severely disabled and dependent. C. Comorbidities often shorten the lifespan of those with CP. D. Bowel and bladder incontinence is uncommon in CP.
C. Comorbidities often shorten the lifespan of those with CP.
The nurse notes a high level of stress between the parents of a child with cerebral palsy (CP). Which action should the nurse take to support the parents? A. Refer all medical questions to the healthcare provider B. Make a referral for marriage counseling C. Listen to concerns and encourage expression of feelings D. Explain that all children with CP are eventually placed in long-term care facilities
C. Listen to concerns and encourage expression of feelings
The nurse is reviewing the care of a patient with cerebral palsy (CP) with a new nurse. Which medication should the nurse emphasize would be effective in minimizing gastrointestinal side effects of CP? A. Baclofen B. Dantrolene C. Ranitidine D. Botulinum toxin
C. Ranitidine
The parents of a 7-year-old patient with cerebral palsy (CP) ask for strategies to help with mealtime for their child. Which statement should the nurse provide? A. "Provide a liquid diet only." B. "Provide foods that require chewing to prevent aspiration." C. "Continue feeding your child for nutrition purposes." D. "Provide soft foods with the use of large, padded utensils."
D. "Provide soft foods with the use of large, padded utensils."
An infant, who is not meeting developmental goals and is displaying spastic motion, will be evaluated for possible cerebral palsy (CP). Which component of the infant's medical history should the nurse identify as the greatest risk factor for the health problem? A. Family history of CP B. The mother having had numerous respiratory infections during pregnancy C. No prenatal care during pregnancy D. Born premature at 29 weeks of gestation
D. Born premature at 29 weeks of gestation
The mother of an 18-month-old child is concerned about the child not meeting developmental milestones and wants the child tested for cerebral palsy.Which diagnostic approach should the nurse explain to this mother? A. CT scan B. Laboratory test for certain proteins C. Urinalysis D. Observation of symptoms and ruling out other disorders
D. Observation of symptoms and ruling out other disorders
A 4-year-old child with cerebral palsy (CP) becomes frustrated because of difficulty using utensils when eating. Which action should the nurse take? A. Feed the child B. Schedule an appointment with a nutritionist C. Discuss tube feedings with the healthcare provider D. Provide large, padded utensils
D. Provide large, padded utensils
A 7-year-old girl with dyskinetic cerebral palsy (CP) uses either a stroller or wheelchair for mobility since birth. Which assessment should the nurse consider the priority? A. Height and weight B. Nutrition status and bowel function C. Swallowing difficulty D. Skin integrity and body alignment
D. Skin integrity and body alignment
An 8-year-old has been diagnosed with moderate cerebral palsy (CP). The child recently began participation in a regular classroom for part of the day. The child's mother asks the school nurse about joining the after-school Scout troop. The nurse's response should be based on knowledge that A. most activities such as Scouts cannot be adapted for children with CP. B. after-school activities usually result in extreme fatigue for children with CP. C. trying to participate in activities such as Scouts leads to lowered self-esteem in children with CP. D. after-school activities often provide children with CP with opportunities for socialization and recreation.
D. after-school activities often provide children with CP with opportunities for socialization and recreation.
The major goal of therapy for children with cerebral palsy (CP) is A. reversing degenerative processes that have occurred. B. curing the underlying defect causing the disorder. C. preventing spread to individuals in close contact with the children. D. recognizing the disorder early and promoting optimal development.
D. recognizing the disorder early and promoting optimal development.
Is there a cure for cerebral palsy?
No There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but treatment can improve the lives of those who have the condition. It is important to begin a treatment program as early as possible.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is usually diagnosed during the first or second year after birth. True False
True Cerebral palsy generally is diagnosed during the first or second year after birth. But if a child's symptoms are mild, it is sometimes difficult to make a diagnosis until the child is a few years older.
Can a person with cerebral palsy walk? a. Yes b. No c. Maybe
c. Maybe A CDC study based on children who were 8 years old and living in four communities showed that 58.2% of children with CP could walk independently, 11.3% walked using a hand-held mobility device, and 30.6% had limited or no walking ability. Previous
What are some symptoms of cerebral palsy? a. Baby doesn't roll over in either direction b. Baby cannot bring her hands together c. Baby has difficulty bringing her hands to her mouth d. All of the above
d. All of the above
What causes cerebral palsy? a. Brain damage that happened before, during or immediately after birth b. An infection such as meningitis c. Head injury d. The cause is unknown e. All of the above
e. All of the above Cerebral palsy (CP) is caused by abnormal development of the brain or damage to the developing brain that affects a child's ability to control his or her muscles. There are several possible causes of the abnormal development or damage. People used to think that CP was mainly caused by lack of oxygen during the birth process. Now, scientists think that this causes only a small number of CP cases.
Which of the following are ways to help prevent cerebral palsy after a child is born? a. Treating jaundice early b. Get your child vaccinated c. Use a car seat, booster seat, or seat belt d. Carefully watch young children at all times around water e. All of the above
e. All of the above In many cases, the cause or causes of congenital cerebral palsy (CP) aren't fully known, which means that currently little can be done to prevent it. CP related to genetics is not preventable. However, there are actions people can take before and during pregnancy, as well as after birth that might help reduce the risk of developmental problems, including CP.
A 6-year-old child with cerebral palsy (CP) new to a school district is experiencing severe rigidity and spasticity. What should the school nurse say to the parents? A. "Look into special schools for the handicapped." B. "Discourage the use of a computer." C. "What exercises can we do during school to help with the rigidity?" D. "Offer only low-carbohydrate, low-calorie foods to the child."
C. "What exercises can we do during school to help with the rigidity?"
The caregiver of a 30-year-old client with cerebral palsy (CP) asks if there are any changes in health that might develop. Which response should the nurse make? A. "He will gradually become more and more independent as the spasticity in the muscles diminishes." B. "It is impossible to predict which health changes he will experience." C. "People with CP don't often live past 30." D. "He will likely develop signs of premature aging as a result of constant stress on the body."
D. "He will likely develop signs of premature aging as a result of constant stress on the body."
