AH3 Exam 2 PrepU Questions (NEURO =Head Injuries and ICP)

The nurse enters the client's room and finds the client with an altered level of consciousness (LOC). Which is the nurse's priority concern? Airway clearance Risk of injury Deficient fluid volume Risk for impaired skin integrity

Airway clearance

Which is a late sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)? Irritability Slow speech Altered respiratory patterns Headache

Altered respiratory patterns

When caring for a client who is post-intracranial surgery what is the most important parameter to monitor? Extreme thirst Intake and output Nutritional status Body temperature

Body temperature

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

Bradycardia Bradypnea Hypertension

Which is the earliest sign of increasing intracranial pressure? Vomiting Change in level of consciousness Headache Posturing

Change in level of consciousness

The nurse is evaluating the transmission of a report from a paramedic unit to the emergency department. The medic reports that a client is unconscious with edema of the head and face and Battle sign. What clinical picture would the nurse anticipate? Edema to the head and a blackened eye Edema to the head with a large scalp laceration Edema to the head with fixed pupils Edema to the head with bruising of the mastoid process

Edema to the head with bruising of the mastoid process

A client is exhibiting signs of increasing intracranial pressure (ICP). Which intravenous solution (IV) would the nurse anticipate hanging? Dextrose 5% in water (D5W) Half-normal saline (0.45% NSS) One-third normal saline (0.33% NSS) Lactated Ringer's

Lactated Ringer's

What does the nurse recognize as the earliest sign of serious impairment of brain circulation related to increasing ICP? A bounding pulse Bradycardia Hypertension Lethargy and stupor

Lethargy and stupor

A nurse working on a medical-surgical floor walks into a patient's room to find the patient with an altered level of consciousness (LOC). Which of the following actions would be the first priority? Positioning to prevent complications Maintenance of a patent airway Assessment of pupillary light reflexes Determination of the cause

Maintenance of a patent airway

A nurse is assessing a patient's urinary output as an indicator of diabetes insipidus. The nurse knows that an hourly output of what volume over 2 hours may be a positive indicator? 50 to 100 mL/h 100 to 150 mL/h 150 to 200 mL/h More than 200 mL/h

More than 200 mL/h

A patient 3 days postoperative from a craniotomy informs the nurse, "I feel something trickling down the back of my throat and I taste something salty." What priority intervention does the nurse initiate? Give the patient some mouthwash to gargle with. Request an antihistamine for the postnasal drip. Ask the patient to cough to observe the sputum color and consistency. Notify the physician of a possible cerebrospinal fluid leak.

Notify the physician of a possible cerebrospinal fluid leak.

A client with neurologic infection develops cerebral edema from syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Which is an important nursing action for this client? Maintaining adequate hydration Administering prescribed antipyretics Restricting fluid intake and hydration Hyperoxygenation before and after tracheal suctioning

Restricting fluid intake and hydration

A nurse completes the Glasgow Coma Scale on a patient with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Her assessment results in a score of 6, which is interpreted as: Mild TBI. Moderate TBI. Severe TBI. Brain death.

Severe TBI.

Which method is used to help reduce intracranial pressure? Using a cervical collar Keeping the head of bed flat Rotating the neck to the far right with neck support Extreme hip flexion, with the hip supported by pillows

Using a cervical collar

Which finding indicates increasing intracranial pressure (ICP) in the client who has sustained a head injury? Increased pulse Increased respirations Widened pulse pressure Decreased body temperature

Widened pulse pressure

When the nurse observes that the client has extension and external rotation of the arms and wrists and plantar flexion of the feet, the nurse records the client's posture as normal. flaccid. decorticace. decerebrate.

decerebrate.

A client has been diagnosed with a concussion and is to be released from the emergency department. The nurse teaches the family or friends who will be caring for the client to contact the physician or return to the ED if the client reports a headache. reports generalized weakness. sleeps for short periods of time. vomits.

vomits. I DO NOT AGREE Vomiting is a sign of increasing intracranial pressure and should be reported immediately. In general, the finding of headache in a client with a concussion is an expected abnormal observation. However, a severe headache, weakness of one side of the body, and difficulty in waking the client should be reported or treated immediately.

The earliest sign of serious impairment of brain circulation related to increased ICP is: A bounding pulse. Bradycardia. Hypertension. A change in consciousness.

A change in consciousness.

Which signs are considered cardinal signs of brain death? Select all that apply. Absence of brainstem reflexes No brain waves Apnea Coma

Absence of brainstem reflexes Apnea Coma

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

Administer acetaminophen per orders

A client is transferred to the intensive care unit after evacuation of a subdural hematoma. Which nursing intervention reduces the client's risk of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)? Encouraging oral fluid intake Suctioning the client once each shift Elevating the head of the bed 90 degrees Administering a stool softener as ordered

Administering a stool softener as ordered

client is demonstrating an altered level of consciousness from a traumatic brain injury. Which assessment will the nurse use as a sensitive indicator of neurologic function? Cerebellar function Glasgow Coma Scale Cranial nerve function Mental status evaluation

Glasgow Coma Scale

The nurse is caring for a client with a head injury. The client is experiencing CSF rhinorrhea. Which order should the nurse question? Insertion of a nasogastric (NG) tube Urine testing for acetone Serum sodium concentration testing Out of bed to the chair three times a day

Insertion of a nasogastric (NG) tube Clients with brain injury are assumed to be catabolic, and nutritional support consultation should be considered as soon as the client is admitted. Parenteral nutrition via a central line or enteral feedings administered via an NG or nasojejunal feeding tube should be considered. If cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea occurs, an oral feeding tube should be inserted instead of a nasal tube. Serial studies of blood and urine electrolytes and osmolality are done because head injuries may be accompanied by disorders of sodium regulation. Urine is tested regularly for acetone. An intervention to maintain skin integrity is getting the client out of bed to a chair three times daily

A client with a concussion is discharged after the assessment. Which instruction should the nurse give the client's family? Have the client avoid physical exertion Emphasize complete bed rest Look for signs of increased intracranial pressure Look for a halo sign

Look for signs of increased intracranial pressure The nurse informs the family to monitor the client closely for signs of increased intracranial pressure if findings are normal and the client does not require hospitalization. Signs of increased intracranial pressure include headache, blurred vision, vomiting, and lack of energy or sleepiness. The nurse looks for a halo sign to detect any cerebrospinal fluid drainage.

The nurse in the neurologic ICU is caring for a client who sustained a severe brain injury. Which nursing measures will the nurse implement to help control intracranial pressure (ICP)? Position the client in the supine position Maintain cerebral perfusion pressure from 50 to 70 mm Hg Restrain the client, as indicated Administer enemas, as needed

Maintain cerebral perfusion pressure from 50 to 70 mm Hg The nurse should maintain cerebral perfusion pressure from 50 to 70 mm Hg to help control increased ICP. Other measures include elevating the head of the bed as prescribed, maintaining the client's head and neck in neutral alignment (no twisting or flexing the neck), initiating measures to prevent the Valsalva maneuver (e.g., stool softeners), maintaining body temperature within normal limits, administering O2 to maintain PaO2 greater than 90 mm Hg, maintaining fluid balance with normal saline solution, avoiding noxious stimuli (e.g., excessive suctioning, painful procedures), and administering sedation to reduce agitation.

A client with a traumatic brain injury is showing early signs of increasing intracranial pressure (ICP). While planning care for this client, what would be the priority expected outcome? Attains desired fluid balance Displays no signs or symptoms of infection Maintains a patent airway Demonstrates optimal cerebral tissue perfusion

Maintains a patent airway

A client who is disoriented and restless after sustaining a concussion during a car accident is admitted to the hospital. Which nursing diagnosis takes the highest priority in this client's care plan? Disturbed sensory perception (visual) Dressing or grooming self-care deficit Impaired verbal communication Risk for injury

Risk for injury Because the client is disoriented and restless, the most important nursing diagnosis is Risk for injury. Although Disturbed sensory perception (visual), Dressing or grooming self-care deficit, and Impaired verbal communication may all be appropriate, they're secondary because they don't immediately affect the client's health or safety.

A client is receiving hypothermic treatment for uncontrolled fever related to increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention? Capillary refill of 2 seconds Shivering Cool, dry skin Urine output of 100 mL/hr

Shivering Shivering can increase intracranial pressure by increasing vasoconstriction and circulating catecholamines. Shivering also increases oxygen consumption. A capillary refill of 2 seconds, urine output of 100mL/hr, and cool, dry skin are expected findings.

A client with spinal trauma tells the nurse she cannot cough. What nursing intervention should the nurse perform when a client with spinal trauma may not be able to cough? Administer oxygen as prescribed. Use mechanical ventilation. Let the airway stay as it currently is. Suction the airway.

Suction the airway.

A client has sustained a traumatic brain injury with involvement of the hypothalamus. The nurse is concerned about the development of diabetes insipidus. Which of the following would be an appropriate nursing intervention to monitor for early signs of diabetes insipidus? Take daily weights. Reposition the client frequently. Assess for pupillary response frequently. Assess vital signs frequently.

Take daily weights.

The nurse is caring for a client with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Which clinical finding, observed during the reassessment of the client, causes the nurse the most concern? Temperature increase from 98.0°F to 99.6°F Urinary output increase from 40 to 55 mL/hr Heart rate decrease from 100 to 90 bpm Pulse oximetry decrease from 99% to 97% room air

Temperature increase from 98.0°F to 99.6°F

The nurse is aware that burr holes may be used in neurosurgical procedures. Which of the following is a reason why a neurosurgeon may choose to create a burr hole in a patient? Visualization of a hemorrhage Aspiration of a brain abscess Access for intravenous (IV) fluids To assess visual acuity

Visualization of a hemorrhage

A nurse is monitoring a client for increasing intracranial pressure (ICP). Early signs of increased ICP include: pupillary changes. diminished responsiveness. decreasing blood pressure. elevated temperature.

diminished responsiveness.

The nurse is caring for a client immediately after supratentorial intracranial surgery. The nurse performs the appropriate action by placing the patient in the dorsal recumbent position. supine position with the head slightly elevated. prone position with the head turned to the unaffected side. Trendelenburg position.

supine position with the head slightly elevated.

When performing a postoperative assessment on a client who has undergone surgery to manage increased intracranial pressure (ICP), a nurse notes an ICP reading of 0 mm Hg. Which action should the nurse perform first? Check the equipment. Contact the physician to review the care plan. Continue the assessment because no actions are indicated at this time. Document the reading because it reflects that the treatment has been effective.

Check the equipment. A reading of 0 mm Hg indicates equipment malfunction. The nurse should check the equipment and report problems. Normal and stable ICP values are less than 15 mm Hg. Some pressure is always present in the cranial vault. The nurse shouldn't contact the physician to review the care plan at this time. The nurse needs to complete the assessment of the client and equipment before making a report to the physician.

A nurse is assisting with the clinical examination for determination of brain death for a client, related to potential organ donation. All 50 states in the United States recognize uniform criteria for brain death. The nurse is aware that the three cardinal signs of brain death on clinical examination are all of the following except: Coma Absence of brain stem reflexes Apnea Glasgow Coma Scale of 6

Glasgow Coma Scale of 6