Med Surg Quiz 5 -- Ch. 65, 66, 67, 69
A patient is brought by ambulance to the ED after suffering what the family thinks is a stroke. The nurse caring for this patient is aware that an absolute contraindication for thrombolytic therapy is what?
Evidence of hemorrhagic stroke
A patient with a documented history of seizure disorder experiences a generalized seizure. What nursing action is most appropriate?
Loosen the patients restrictive clothing.
A patient has a poor prognosis after being involved in a motor vehicle accident resulting in a head injury. As the patients ICP increases and condition worsens, the nurse knows to assess for indications of approaching death. These indications include which of the following?
Loss of brain stem reflexes
A patient with MS has developed dysphagia as a result of cranial nerve dysfunction. What nursing action should the nurse consequently perform?
Position the patient upright during feeding.
A patient with lower back pain is scheduled for myelography using metrizamide (a water-soluble contrast dye). After the test, the nurse should prioritize what action?
Positioning the patient with the head of the bed elevated 45 degrees
After a major ischemic stroke, a possible complication is cerebral edema. Nursing care during the immediate recovery period from an ischemic stroke should include which of the following?
Positioning to avoid hypoxia
A family member brings the patient to the clinic for a follow-up visit after a stroke. The family member asks the nurse what he can do to decrease his chance of having another stroke. What would be the nurses best answer?
Stop smoking as soon as possible.
A 72-year-old man has been brought to his primary care provider by his daughter, who claims that he has been experiencing uncharacteristic lapses in memory. What principle should underlie the nurses assessment and management of this patient?
Thorough assessment is necessary because changes in cognition are always considered to be pathologic.
A patient with a new diagnosis of ischemic stroke is deemed to be a candidate for treatment with tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and has been admitted to the ICU. In addition to closely monitoring the patients cardiac and neurologic status, the nurse monitors the patient for signs of what complication?
Bleeding
To alleviate pain associated with trigeminal neuralgia, a patient is taking Tegretol (carbamazepine). What health education should the nurse provide to the patient before initiating this treatment?
Blood levels of the drug must be monitored.
A 33-year-old patient presents at the clinic with complaints of weakness, incoordination, dizziness, and loss of balance. The patient is hospitalized and diagnosed with MS. What sign or symptom, revealed during the initial assessment, is typical of MS?
Blurred vision, intention tremor, and urinary hesitancy
A patient who has been on long-term phenytoin (Dilantin) therapy is admitted to the unit. In light of the adverse of effects of this medication, the nurse should prioritize which of the following in the patients plan of care?
Administration of thorough oral hygiene
A community health nurse is giving an educational presentation about stroke and heart disease at the local senior citizens center. What nonmodifiable risk factor for stroke should the nurse cite?
Advanced age
The nurse caring for an 80 year-old patient knows that she has a pre-existing history of dulled tactile sensation. The nurse should first consider what possible cause for this patients diminished tactile sensation?
Age-related neurologic changes
A clinic nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with migraine headaches. During the patient teaching session, the patient questions the nurse regarding alcohol consumption. What would the nurse be correct in telling the patient about the effects of alcohol?
Alcohol causes vasodilation of the blood vessels.
When caring for a patient who had a hemorrhagic stroke, close monitoring of vital signs and neurologic changes is imperative. What is the earliest sign of deterioration in a patient with a hemorrhagic stroke of which the nurse should be aware?
Alteration in level of consciousness (LOC)
A patient diagnosed with a cerebral aneurysm reports a severe headache to the nurse. What action is a priority for the nurse?
Call the physician immediately.
A patient who just suffered a suspected ischemic stroke is brought to the ED by ambulance. On what should the nurses primary assessment focus?
Cardiac and respiratory status
A patient exhibiting an uncoordinated gait has presented at the clinic. Which of the following is the most plausible cause of this patients health problem?
Cerebellar dysfunction
A patient with MS has been admitted to the hospital following an acute exacerbation. When planning the patients care, the nurse addresses the need to enhance the patients bladder control. What aspect of nursing care is most likely to meet this goal?
Establish a timed voiding schedule.
During the examination of an unconscious patient, the nurse observes that the patients pupils are fixed and dilated. What is the most plausible clinical significance of the nurses finding?
It indicates an injury at the midbrain level.
The nurse is caring for a patient who is postoperative following a craniotomy. When writing the plan of care, the nurse identifies a diagnosis of deficient fluid volume related to fluid restriction and osmotic diuretic use. What would be an appropriate intervention for this diagnosis?
Monitor serum electrolytes.
The critical care nurse is caring for 25-year-old man admitted to the ICU with a brain abscess. What is a priority nursing responsibility in the care of this patient?
Monitoring neurologic status closely
A patient has had an ischemic stroke and has been admitted to the medical unit. What action should the nurse perform to best prevent joint deformities?
Place a pillow in the axilla when there is limited external rotation.
A hospital patient has experienced a seizure. In the immediate recovery period, what action best protects the patients safety?
Place the patient in a side-lying position.
A female patient is diagnosed with a right-sided stroke. The patient is now experiencing hemianopsia. How might the nurse help the patient manage her potential sensory and perceptional difficulties?
Place the patients extremities where she can see them.
The patient in the ED has just had a diagnostic lumbar puncture. To reduce the incidence of a post-lumbar puncture headache, what is the nurses most appropriate action?
Position the patient prone.
A nurse in the ICU is providing care for a patient who has been admitted with a hemorrhagic stroke. The nurse is performing frequent neurologic assessments and observes that the patient is becoming progressively more drowsy over the course of the day. What is the nurses best response to this assessment finding?
Report this to the physician as a possible sign of clinical deterioration.
The nurse is caring for a patient with multiple sclerosis (MS). The patient tells the nurse the hardest thing to deal with is the fatigue. When teaching the patient how to reduce fatigue, what action should the nurse suggest?
Resting in an air-conditioned room whenever possible
A rehabilitation nurse caring for a patient who has had a stroke is approached by the patients family and asked why the patient has to do so much for herself when she is obviously struggling. What would be the nurses best answer?
The focus on care in a rehabilitation facility is to help the patient to resume as much self-care as possible.
A patient is currently being stimulated by the parasympathetic nervous system. What effect will this nervous stimulation have on the patients bladder?
The parasympathetic nervous system makes the bladder contract.
Following a traumatic brain injury, a patient has been in a coma for several days. Which of the following statements is true of this patients current LOC?
The patient may occasionally make nonpurposeful movements.
A 48-year-old patient has been diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia following recent episodes of unilateral face pain. The nurse should recognize what implication of this diagnosis?
The patient needs to be assessed for MS.
A patient who suffered an ischemic stroke now has disturbed sensory perception. What principle should guide the nurses care of this patient?
The patient should be approached on the side where visual perception is intact.
A patient with metastatic cancer has developed trigeminal neuralgia and is taking carbamazepine (Tegretol) for pain relief. What principle applies to the administration of this medication?
The patient should be monitored for bone marrow depression.
The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with an ischemic stroke and knows that effective positioning of the patient is important. Which of the following should be integrated into the patients plan of care?
The patient should be placed in a prone position for 15 to 30 minutes several times a day.
A patient recovering from a stroke has severe shoulder pain from subluxation of the shoulder and is being cared for on the unit. To prevent further injury and pain, the nurse caring for this patient is aware of what principle of care?
The patient should be taught to interlace fingers, place palms together, and slowly bring scapulae forward to avoid excessive force to shoulder.
A patient who has experienced an ischemic stroke has been admitted to the medical unit. The patients family in adamant that she remain on bed rest to hasten her recovery and to conserve energy. What principle of care should inform the nurses response to the family?
The patient should mobilize as soon as she is physically able.
A nurse is collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to help manage a patients recurrent headaches. What aspect of the patients health history should the nurse identify as a potential contributor to the patients headaches?
The patient takes vasodilators for the treatment of angina.
The nurse is providing care for a patient who is withdrawing from heavy alcohol use. The nurse and other members of the care team are present at the bedside when the patient has a seizure. In preparation for documenting this clinical event, the nurse should note which of the following?
The patients activities immediately prior to the seizure.
A patient for whom the nurse is caring has positron emission tomography (PET) scheduled. In preparation, what should the nurse explain to the patient?
The test may result in dizziness or lightheadedness.
An elderly patient is being discharged home. The patient lives alone and has atrophy of his olfactory organs. The nurse tells the patients family that it is essential that the patient have what installed in the home?
A smoke detector
The nurse is caring for a patient who exhibits abnormal results of the Weber test and Rinne test. The nurse should suspect dysfunction involving what cranial nerve?
Acoustic
The nurse is preparing to provide care for a patient diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. The nurse should know that the signs and symptoms of the disease are the result of what?
A lower motor neuron lesion
An adult patient has sought care for the treatment of headaches that have become increasingly severe and frequent over the past several months. Which of the following questions addresses potential etiological factors? Select all that apply?
-Are you exposed to any toxins or chemicals at work? -How would you describe your ability to cope with stress? -What medications are you currently taking? -Does anyone else in your family struggle with headaches?
The nurse caring for a patient in a persistent vegetative state is regularly assessing for potential complications. Complications of neurologic dysfunction for which the nurse should assess include which of the following? Select all that apply.
-Contractures -Pressure ulcers -Venous thromboembolism -Pneumonia
During a patients recovery from stroke, the nurse should be aware of predictors of stroke outcome in order to help patients and families set realistic goals. What are the predictors of stroke outcome? Select all that apply.
-National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score -LOC at time of admission -Age
As a member of the stroke team, the nurse knows that thrombolytic therapy carries the potential for benefit and for harm. The nurse should be cognizant of what contraindications for thrombolytic therapy? Select all that apply.
-Recent intracranial pathology -Current anticoagulation therapy -Symptom onset greater than 3 hours prior to admission
The nurse is admitting a patient to the unit who is scheduled for removal of an intracranial mass. What diagnostic procedures might be included in this patients admission orders? Select all that apply.
-Transcranial Doppler flow study -Cerebral angiography -MRI
Assessment is crucial to the care of patients with neurologic dysfunction. What does accurate and appropriate assessment require? Select all that apply.
-Understanding of the tests used to diagnose neurologic disorders -Knowledge of nursing interventions related to assessment and diagnostic testing -Knowledge of the anatomy of the nervous system
The nurse educator is reviewing the assessment of cranial nerves. What should the educator identify as the specific instances when cranial nerves should be assessed? Select all that apply.
-When level of consciousness is decreased -With brain stem pathology -In the presence of peripheral nervous system disease
The public health nurse is planning a health promotion campaign that reflects current epidemiologic trends. The nurse should know that hemorrhagic stroke currently accounts for what percentage of total strokes in the United States?
13%
The pathophysiology of an ischemic stroke involves the ischemic cascade, which includes the following steps: 1. Change in pH 2. Blood flow decreases 3. A switch to anaerobic respiration 4. Membrane pumps fail 5. Cells cease to function 6. Lactic acid is generated Put these steps in order in which they occur.
236145
A neurologic nurse is reviewing seizures with a group of staff nurses. How should this nurse best describe the cause of a seizure?
A dysrhythmia in the nerve cells in one section of the brain
The nurse is discharging a patient home after surgery for trigeminal neuralgia. What advice should the nurse provide to this patient in order to reduce the risk of injury?
Avoid rubbing the eye on the affected side of the face.
A school nurse is called to the playground where a 6-year-old girl has been found unresponsive and staring into space, according to the playground supervisor. How would the nurse document the girls activity in her chart at school?
Absence seizure
A patient with a cerebral aneurysm exhibits signs and symptoms of an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP). What nursing intervention would be most appropriate for this patient?
Absolute bed rest in a quiet, nonstimulating environment
The nurse is caring for a patient with permanent neurologic impairments resulting from a traumatic head injury. When working with this patient and family, what mutual goal should be prioritized?
Achieve as high a level of function as possible.
A patient with herpes simplex virus encephalitis (HSV) has been admitted to the ICU. What medication would the nurse expect the physician to order for the treatment of this disease process?
Acyclovir (Zovirax)
A patient is recovering from intracranial surgery performed approximately 24 hours ago and is complaining of a headache that the patient rates at 8 on a 10-point pain scale. What nursing action is most appropriate?
Administer morphine sulfate as ordered.
The nurse caring for a patient in ICU diagnosed with Guillain-Barr syndrome should prioritize monitoring for what potential complication?
Autonomic dysfunction
A patient diagnosed with Bells palsy is being cared for on an outpatient basis. During health education, the nurse should promote which of the following actions?
Applying a protective eye shield at nigh
A nurse is caring for a patient who experiences debilitating cluster headaches. The patient should be taught to take appropriate medications at what point in the course of the onset of a new headache?
As soon as the patient senses the onset of symptoms
The nurse is reviewing the medication administration record of a female patient who possesses numerous risk factors for stroke. Which of the womans medications carries the greatest potential for reducing her risk of stroke?
Aspirin 81 mg PO o.d.
The nurse is performing a neurologic assessment of a patient whose injuries have rendered her unable to follow verbal commands. How should the nurse proceed with assessing the patients level of consciousness (LOC)?
Assess the patients eye opening and response to stimuli.
The nurse is caring for a patient whose recent health history includes an altered LOC. What should be the nurses first action when assessing this patient?
Assessing the patients verbal response
The nurse is conducting a focused neurologic assessment. When assessing the patients cranial nerve function, the nurse would include which of the following assessments?
Assessment of gag reflex
A preceptor is discussing stroke with a new nurse on the unit. The preceptor would tell the new nurse which cardiac dysrhythmia is associated with cardiogenic embolic strokes?
Atrial fibrillation
A nurse is assessing reflexes in a patient with hyperactive reflexes. When the patients foot is abruptly dorsiflexed, it continues to beat two to three times before settling into a resting position. How would the nurse document this finding?
Clonus
A patient is admitted through the ED with suspected St. Louis encephalitis. The unique clinical feature of St. Louis encephalitis will make what nursing action a priority?
Close monitoring of fluid balance
While completing a health history on a patient who has recently experienced a seizure, the nurse would assess for what characteristic associated with the postictal state?
Confusion
A patient is being given a medication that stimulates her parasympathetic system. Following administration of this medication, the nurse should anticipate what effect?
Constricted pupils
The nurse is planning the care of a patient with Parkinsons disease. The nurse should be aware that treatment will focus on what pathophysiological phenomenon?
Decreased availability of dopamine
A patient diagnosed with MS has been admitted to the medical unit for treatment of an MS exacerbation. Included in the admission orders is baclofen (Lioresal). What should the nurse identify as an expected outcome of this treatment?
Decreased muscle spasms in the lower extremities
The physician has ordered a somatosensory evoked responses (SERs) test for a patient for whom the nurse is caring. The nurse is justified in suspecting that this patient may have a history of what type of neurologic disorder?
Demyelinating disease
The nurse is discharging home a patient who suffered a stroke. He has a flaccid right arm and leg and is experiencing problems with urinary incontinence. The nurse makes a referral to a home health nurse because of an awareness of what common patient response to a change in body image?
Depression
A patient diagnosed with myasthenia gravis has been hospitalized to receive plasmapheresis for a myasthenic exacerbation. The nurse knows that the course of treatment for plasmapheresis in a patient with myasthenia gravis is what?
Determined by the patients response
The nurse is caring for a patient with a brain tumor. What drug would the nurse expect to be ordered to reduce the edema surrounding the tumor?
Dexamethasone
What should the nurse suspect when hourly assessment of urine output on a patient postcraniotomy exhibits a urine output from a catheter of 1,500 mL for two consecutive hours?
Diabetes insipidus
A middle-aged woman has sought care from her primary care provider and undergone diagnostic testing that has resulted in a diagnosis of MS. What sign or symptom is most likely to have prompted the woman to seek care?
Difficulty in coordination
A patient is being admitted to the neurologic ICU with suspected herpes simplex virus encephalitis. What nursing action best addresses the patients complaints of headache?
Dimming the lights and reducing stimulation
The nurse has created a plan of care for a patient who is at risk for increased ICP. The patients care plan should specify monitoring for what early sign of increased ICP?
Disorientation and restlessness
A nursing student is writing a care plan for a newly admitted patient who has been diagnosed with a stroke. What major nursing diagnosis should most likely be included in the patients plan of care?
Disturbed sensory perception
During the performance of the Romberg test, the nurse observes that the patient sways slightly. What is the nurses most appropriate action?
Document successful completion of the assessment.
A patient with suspected Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is being admitted to the unit. The nurse would expect what diagnostic test to be ordered for this patient?
EEG
A trauma patient in the ICU has been declared brain dead. What diagnostic test is used in making the determination of brain death?
Electroencephalography (EEG)
When caring for a patient who has had a stroke, a priority is reduction of ICP. What patient position is most consistent with this goal?
Elevation of the head of the bed
The nurse is caring for a patient who is hospitalized with an exacerbation of MS. To ensure the patients safety, what nursing action should be performed?
Ensure that suction apparatus is set up at the bedside.
A patient has recently begun mobilizing during the recovery from an ischemic stroke. To protect the patients safety during mobilization, the nurse should perform what action?
Have a colleague follow the patient closely with a wheelchair.
What should be included in the patients care plan when establishing an exercise program for a patient affected by a stroke?
Exercise the affected extremities passively four or five times a day.
The nurse is assessing a patient with a suspected stroke. What assessment finding is most suggestive of a stroke?
Facial droop
The nurse is developing a plan of care for a patient newly diagnosed with Bells palsy. The nurses plan of care should address what characteristic manifestation of this disease?
Facial paralysis
When caring for a patient with increased ICP the nurse knows the importance of monitoring for possible secondary complications, including syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). What nursing interventions would the nurse most likely initiate if the patient developed SIADH?
Fluid restriction
When preparing to discharge a patient home, the nurse has met with the family and warned them that the patient may exhibit unexpected emotional responses. The nurse should teach the family that these responses are typically a result of what cause?
Frustration around changes in function and communication
A patient is admitted to the medical unit with an exacerbation of multiple sclerosis. When assessing this patient, the nurse has the patient stick out her tongue and move it back and forth. What is the nurse assessing?
Function of the hypoglossal nerve
A patient has experienced a seizure in which she became rigid and then experienced alternating muscle relaxation and contraction. What type of seizure does the nurse recognize?
Generalized seizure
A patient exhibiting an altered level of consciousness (LOC) due to blunt-force trauma to the head is admitted to the ED. The physician determines the patients injury is causing increased intracranial pressure (ICP). The nurse should gauge the patients LOC on the results of what diagnostic tool?
Glasgow Coma Scale
The neurologic nurse is testing the function of a patients cerebellum and basal ganglia. What action will most accurately test these structures?
Guide the patient through the performance of rapid, alternating movements.
The nurse is teaching a patient with Guillain-Barr syndrome about the disease. The patient asks how he can ever recover if demyelination of his nerves is occurring. What would be the nurses best response?
Guillain-Barr spares the Schwann cell, which allows for remyelination in the recovery phase of the disease.
A patient in the OR goes into malignant hyperthermia due to an abnormal reaction to the anesthetic. The nurse knows that the area of the brain that regulates body temperature is which of the following?
Hypothalamus
A nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with Mnires disease. While completing a neurologic examination on the patient, the nurse assesses cranial nerve VIII. The nurse would be correct in identifying the function of this nerve as what?
Hearing and equilibrium
A 69-year-old patient is brought to the ED by ambulance because a family member found him lying on the floor disoriented and lethargic. The physician suspects bacterial meningitis and admits the patient to the ICU. The nurse knows that risk factors for an unfavorable outcome include what? Select all that apply.
Heart rate greater than 120 bpm Older age Low Glasgow Coma Scale
A gerontologic nurse educator is providing practice guidelines to unlicensed care providers. Because reaction to painful stimuli is sometimes blunted in older adults, what must be used with caution?
Hot or cold packs
A patient diagnosed with a hemorrhagic stroke has been admitted to the neurologic ICU. The nurse knows that teaching for the patient and family needs to begin as soon as the patient is settled on the unit and will continue until the patient is discharged. What will family education need to include?
How to correctly modify the home environment
The nurse is caring for a patient who is in status epilepticus. What medication does the nurse know may be given to halt the seizure immediately?
Intravenous diazepam (Valium)
A nurse is planning the care of a 28-year-old woman hospitalized with a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. What approach would be most appropriate for the care and scheduling of diagnostic procedures for this patient?
In the morning, with frequent rest periods
A patient is having a fight or flight response after receiving bad news about his prognosis. What affect will this have on the patients sympathetic nervous system?
Increase in the secretion of sweat
The nurse has admitted a new patient to the unit. One of the patients admitting orders is for an adrenergic medication. The nurse knows that this medication will have what effect on the circulatory system?
Increased heart rate
You are the clinic nurse caring for a patient with a recent diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. The patient has begun treatment with pyridostigmine bromide (Mestinon). What change in status would most clearly suggest a therapeutic benefit of this medication?
Increased muscle strength
The nurse is caring for a patient who sustained a moderate head injury following a bicycle accident. The nurses most recent assessment reveals that the patients respiratory effort has increased. What is the nurses most appropriate response?
Inform the care team and assess for further signs of possible increased ICP.
A 35-year-old woman is diagnosed with a peripheral neuropathy. When making her plan of care, the nurse knows to include what in patient teaching? Select all that apply.
Inspect the lower extremities for skin breakdown. Footwear needs to be accurately sized. Assistive devices may be needed to reduce the risk of falls.
The nurse is creating a plan of care for a patient who has a recent diagnosis of MS. Which of the following should the nurse include in the patients care plan?
Instruct the patient on daily muscle stretching.
The nurse is caring for a patient with an upper motor neuron lesion. What clinical manifestations should the nurse anticipate when planning the patients neurologic assessment?
Loss of voluntary control of movement
A patient is scheduled for a myelogram and the nurse explains to the patient that this is an invasive procedure, which assesses for any lesions in the spinal cord. The nurse should explain that the preparation is similar to which of the following neurologic tests?
Lumbar puncture
The nurse is participating in the care of a patient with increased ICP. What diagnostic test is contraindicated in this patients treatment?
Lumbar puncture
The nurse is working with a patient who is newly diagnosed with MS. What basic information should the nurse provide to the patient?
MS is a progressive demyelinating disease of the nervous system.
A nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with a hemorrhagic stroke. When creating this patients plan of care, what goal should be prioritized?
Maintain and improve cerebral tissue perfusion.
The neurologic ICU nurse is admitting a patient following a craniotomy using the supratentorial approach. How should the nurse best position the patient?
Maintain head of bed (HOB) elevated at 30 to 45 degrees.
A patient has been admitted to the ICU after being recently diagnosed with an aneurysm and the patients admission orders include specific aneurysm precautions. What nursing action will the nurse incorporate into the patients plan of care?
Maintain the patient on complete bed rest.
The nurse is providing care for a patient who is unconscious. What nursing intervention takes highest priority?
Maintaining a patent airway
A patient is being admitted to the neurologic ICU following an acute head injury that has resulted in cerebral edema. When planning this patients care, the nurse would expect to administer what priority medication?
Mannitol (Osmitrol)
A 73-year-old man comes to the clinic complaining of weakness and loss of sensation in his feet and legs. Assessment of the patient shows decreased reflexes bilaterally. Why would it be a challenge to diagnose a peripheral neuropathy in this patient?
Many symptoms can be the result of normal aging process.
A patient with increased ICP has a ventriculostomy for monitoring ICP. The nurses most recent assessment reveals that the patient is now exhibiting nuchal rigidity and photophobia. The nurse would be correct in suspecting the presence of what complication?
Meningitis
In the course of a focused neurologic assessment, the nurse is palpating the patients major muscle groups at rest and during passive movement. Data gleaned from this assessment will allow the nurse to describe which of the following aspects of neurologic function?
Muscle tone
A patient with possible bacterial meningitis is admitted to the ICU. What assessment finding would the nurse expect for a patient with this diagnosis?
Neck flexion produces flexion of knees and hips
The nurse is caring for a patient with increased intracranial pressure (ICP). The patient has a nursing diagnosis of ineffective cerebral tissue perfusion. What would be an expected outcome that the nurse would document for this diagnosis?
Obeys commands with appropriate motor responses.
When caring for a patient with an altered level of consciousness, the nurse is preparing to test cranial nerve VII. What assessment technique would the nurse use to elicit a response from cranial nerve VII?
Observe for facial movement symmetry, such as a smile.
A patient is brought to the ER following a motor vehicle accident in which he sustained head trauma. Preliminary assessment reveals a vision deficit in the patients left eye. The nurse should associate this abnormal finding with trauma to which of the following cerebral lobes?
Occipital
The nurse is doing an initial assessment on a patient newly admitted to the unit with a diagnosis of cerebrovascular accident (CVA). The patient has difficulty copying a figure that the nurse has drawn and is diagnosed with visual-receptive aphasia. What brain region is primarily involved in this deficit?
Parietal-occipital area
The nurse is caring for a patient in the ICU who has a brain stem herniation and who is exhibiting an altered level of consciousness. Monitoring reveals that the patients mean arterial pressure (MAP) is 60 mm Hg with an intracranial pressure (ICP) reading of 5 mm Hg. What is the nurses most appropriate action?
Participate in interventions to increase cerebral perfusion pressure.
The nurse is admitting a patient to the unit who is diagnosed with a lower motor neuron lesion. What entry in the patients electronic record is most consistent with this diagnosis?
Patient demonstrates an absence of deep tendon reflexes.
A patient presents at the clinic complaining of pain and weakness in her hands. On assessment, the nurse notes diminished reflexes in the upper extremities bilaterally and bilateral loss of sensation. The nurse knows that these findings are indicative of what?
Peripheral nerve disorder
The nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone supratentorial removal of a pituitary mass. What medication would the nurse expect to administer prophylactically to prevent seizures in this patient?
Phenytoin
What term is used to describe the fibrous connective tissue that hugs the brain closely and extends into every fold of the brains surface?
Pia mater
A patient is recovering from intracranial surgery that was performed using the transsphenoidal approach. The nurse should be aware that the patient may have required surgery on what neurologic structure?
Pituitary gland
A patient diagnosed with Bells palsy is having decreased sensitivity to touch of the involved nerve. What should the nurse recommend to prevent atrophy of the muscles?
Whistling
A male patient presents to the clinic complaining of a headache. The nurse notes that the patient is guarding his neck and tells the nurse that he has stiffness in the neck area. The nurse suspects the patient may have meningitis. What is another well-recognized sign of this infection?
Positive Kernigs sign
The nurse is caring for a 77-year-old woman with MS. She states that she is very concerned about the progress of her disease and what the future holds. The nurse should know that elderly patients with MS are known to be particularly concerned about what variables? Select all that apply.
Possible nursing home placement Increasing disability Becoming a burden on the family
After a subarachnoid hemorrhage, the patients laboratory results indicate a serum sodium level of less than 126 mEq/L. What is the nurses most appropriate action?
Prepare to administer 3% NaCl by IV as ordered.
A patient with Guillain-Barr syndrome has experienced a sharp decline in vital capacity. What is the nurses most appropriate action?
Prepare to assist with intubation.
A patient with diabetes presents to the clinic and is diagnosed with a mononeuropathy. This patients nursing care should involve which of the following?
Protection of the affected limb from injury
The patient has been diagnosed with aphasia after suffering a stroke. What can the nurse do to best make the patients atmosphere more conducive to communication?
Provide a board of commonly used needs and phrases.
The critical care nurse is admitting a patient in myasthenic crisis to the ICU. The nurse should prioritize what nursing action in the immediate care of this patient?
Providing ventilatory assistance
A patient is postoperative day 1 following intracranial surgery. The nurses assessment reveals that the patients LOC is slightly decreased compared with the day of surgery. What is the nurses best response to this assessment finding?
Recognize that this may represent the peak of post-surgical cerebral edema.
A gerontologic nurse planning the neurologic assessment of an older adult is considering normal, age-related changes. Of what phenomenon should the nurse be aware?
Reduction in cerebral blood flow
A patient scheduled for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has arrived at the radiology department. The nurse who prepares the patient for the MRI should prioritize which of the following actions?
Removing all metal-containing objects
The nurse is performing stroke risk screenings at a hospital open house. The nurse has identified four patients who might be at risk for a stroke. Which patient is likely at the highest risk for a hemorrhagic stroke?
White male, age 60, with history of uncontrolled hypertension
A nurse is admitting a patient with a severe migraine headache and a history of acute coronary syndrome. What migraine medication would the nurse question for this patient?
Sumatriptan succinate (Imitrex)
Following diagnostic testing, a patient has been admitted to the ICU and placed on cerebral aneurysm precautions. What nursing action should be included in patients plan of care?
Supervise the patients activities of daily living closely.
A trauma patient was admitted to the ICU with a brain injury. The patient had a change in level of consciousness, increased vital signs, and became diaphoretic and agitated. The nurse should recognize which of the following syndromes as the most plausible cause of these symptoms?
Sympathetic storm
The nurse is preparing health education for a patient who is being discharged after hospitalization for a hemorrhagic stroke. What content should the nurse include in this education?
Take antihypertensive medication as ordered.
The nurse is caring for a patient recovering from an ischemic stroke. What intervention best addresses a potential complication after an ischemic stroke?
Teaching the patient to perform deep breathing and coughing exercises
The nursing students are learning how to assess function of cranial nerve VIII. To assess the function of cranial nerve VIII the students would be correct in completing which of the following assessment techniques?
Test for air and bone conduction (Rinne test).
A patient diagnosed with transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) is scheduled for a carotid endarterectomy. The nurse explains that this procedure will be done for what purpose?
To remove atherosclerotic plaques blocking cerebral flow
The nurse is developing a plan of care for a patient with Guillain-Barr syndrome. Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize for this patient?
Using the incentive spirometer as prescribed
A patient has developed diabetes insipidus after having increased ICP following head trauma. What nursing assessment best addresses this complication?
Vigilant monitoring of fluid balance
The nurse caring for a patient diagnosed with Guillain-Barr syndrome is planning care with regard to the clinical manifestations associated this syndrome. The nurses communication with the patient should reflect the possibility of what sign or symptom of the disease?
Vocal paralysis
The nurse is planning discharge education for a patient with trigeminal neuralgia. The nurse knows to include information about factors that precipitate an attack. What would the nurse be correct in teaching the patient to avoid?
Washing his face
A patient had a lumbar puncture performed at the outpatient clinic and the nurse has phoned the patient and family that evening. What does this phone call enable the nurse to determine?
Whether the patient has had any complications of the test
A patient is scheduled for CT scanning of the head because of a recent onset of neurologic deficits. What should the nurse tell the patient in preparation for this test?
You will need to lie still throughout the procedure.
