ThePoint Neuro
A 69-year-old client is brought to the ED by ambulance because a family member found him lying on the floor disoriented and lethargic. The health care provider suspects bacterial meningitis and admits the client to the ICU. What interventions should the nurse perform? Select all that apply.
Administer antipyretics as prescribed Perform frequent neurologic assessments Monitor pain levels and administer analgesics
An elderly client is being discharged home. The client lives alone and has atrophy of his olfactory organs. The nurse tells the client's family that it is essential that the client have what installed in the home?
A smoke detector
A nurse is assessing reflexes in a client with hyperactive reflexes. When the client's foot is abruptly dorsiflexed, it continues to "beat" two to three times before settling into a resting position. How should the nurse document this finding?
Clonus
A 25-year-old female client with brain metastases is considering her life expectancy after her most recent meeting with her oncologist. Based on the fact that the client is not receiving treatment for her brain metastases, what is the nurse's most appropriate action?
Ensuring that the client receives adequate palliative care
What neurologic assessment should the nurse perform to gauge the client's function of cranial nerve I?
Have the client identify familiar odors with the eyes closed.
A client with a documented history of seizure disorder experiences a generalized seizure. What nursing action is most appropriate?
Loosen the client's restrictive clothing. Correct response:
The nurse is caring for a client in the ICU who has a brain stem herniation and who is exhibiting an altered level of consciousness. Monitoring reveals that the client's mean arterial pressure (MAP) is 60 mm Hg with an intracranial pressure (ICP) reading of 5 mm Hg. What is the nurse's most appropriate action?
Participate in interventions to increase cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP).
The client in the ED has just had a diagnostic lumbar puncture. To reduce the incidence of a post-lumbar puncture headache, what is the nurse's most appropriate action?
Position the client prone.
A male client presents to the clinic reporting a headache. The nurse notes that the client is guarding his neck and tells the nurse that he has stiffness in the neck area. The nurse suspects the client may have meningitis. What is another well-recognized sign of this infection?
Positive Kernig sign
A nurse is collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to help manage a client's recurrent headaches. What aspect of the client's health history should the nurse identify as a potential contributor to the client's headaches?
The client takes vasodilators for the treatment of angina.
A 13 year old was brought to the ED after being hit in the head by a baseball and is subsequently diagnosed with a concussion. What assessment finding would rule out discharging the client?
The client's speech is slightly slurred.
A client who suffered a spinal cord injury is experiencing an exaggerated autonomic response. What aspect of the client's current health status is most likely to have precipitated this event?
The client's urinary catheter became occluded.
The nurse is planning the care of a client who has been recently diagnosed with a cerebellar tumor. Due to the location of this client's tumor, the nurse should implement measures to prevent what complication?
Falls
A client 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 family member of a client diagnosed with Huntington disease calls you at the clinic. She is requesting help from the Huntington's Disease Society of America. What kind of help can this client and family receive from this organization? Select all that apply.
Information about this disease Referrals Public education
A client is admitted to the neurologic ICU with a spinal cord injury. In writing the client's care plan, the nurse specifies that contractures can best be prevented by what action?
Initiating (ROM) exercises as soon as possible after the injury
A nurse is assessing a client with an acoustic neuroma who has been recently admitted to an oncology unit. What symptoms is the nurse likely to find during the initial assessment?
Loss of hearing, tinnitus, and vertigo
The neurologic ICU nurse is admitting a client with increased intracranial pressure. How should the nurse best position the client?
Maintain head of bed (HOB) elevated at 30 to 45 degrees.
A client is brought to the ED by her family after falling off the roof. The care team suspects an epidural hematoma, prompting the nurse to prepare for which priority intervention?
Making openings in the skull
A client with increased ICP has a ventriculostomy for monitoring ICP. The nurse's most recent assessment reveals that the client is now exhibiting nuchal rigidity and photophobia. The nurse would be correct in suspecting the presence of what complication?
Meningitis
An ED nurse has just received a call from EMS that they are transporting a 17-year-old man who has just sustained a spinal cord injury (SCI). The nurse recognizes that the most common cause of this type of injury is what?
Motor vehicle accidents
Following a spinal cord injury a client is placed in halo traction. While performing pin site care, the nurse notes that one of the traction pins has become detached. The nurse would be correct in implementing what priority nursing action?
Notify the neurosurgeon of the occurrence.
A nurse conducts the Romberg test on a client by asking the client to stand with the feet close together and the eyes closed. As a result of this posture, the client suddenly sways to one side and is about to fall when the nurse intervenes and saves the client from being injured. How should the nurse interpret the client's result?
Positive Romberg test, indicating a problem with equilibrium
A geriatric nurse practitioner is assessing older adults. The nurse practitioner knows that older adults sometimes have difficulty following directions during a neurologic examination or diagnostic procedure. What strategies can the nurse practitioner use to examine older clients?
Provide brief instructions, one step at a time
An adult client 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 etiologic 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 is caring for a client who is rapidly progressing toward brain death. The nurse should be aware of what cardinal signs of brain death? Select all that apply.
Apnea Coma Absence of brain stem reflexes
A client diagnosed with Bell 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 night
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?
Aspiration of a brain abscess
The ED nurse is caring for a client who has been brought in by ambulance after sustaining a fall at home. What physical assessment finding is suggestive of a basilar skull fracture?
Bruising over the mastoid
A client with spinal cord injury has a nursing diagnosis of altered mobility and the nurse recognizes the increased the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which of the following would be included as an appropriate nursing intervention to prevent a DVT from occurring?
Applying thigh-high elastic stockings
The nurse is preparing to assess a client 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
