Lewis: Chapter 56: Acute Intracranial Problems Flashcards
Family members of a patient who has a traumatic brain injury ask the nurse about the purpose of the ventriculostomy system being used for intracranial pressure monitoring. Which response by the nurse is best for this situation?
a. “This type of monitoring system is complex, and it is managed by skilled staff.”
b. “The monitoring system helps show whether blood flow to the brain is adequate.”
c. “The ventriculostomy monitoring system helps check for changes in cerebral
perfusion pressure.”
d. “This monitoring system has many benefits, including the ability to drain
cerebrospinal fluid.”
ANS: B
Short, simple, and accurate explanations should be given initially to patients and family members. Explaining that the system is complex, and it is managed by skilled staff or that it has multiple benefits does not address the family question about purpose for this patient. Terminology such as ventriculostomy and cerebral perfusion pressure is too complex for the initial explanation and may increase family members’ anxiety.
Admission vital signs for a patient who has a brain injury are blood pressure of 128/68 mmHg, pulse of 110 beats/min, and of respirations 26 breaths/min. Which set of vital signs, if taken 1 hour later, will be of most concern to the nurse?
a. Blood pressure 154/68 mm Hg, pulse 56 beats/min, respirations 12 breaths/min
b. Blood pressure 134/72 mm Hg, pulse 90 beats/min, respirations 32 breaths/min
c. Blood pressure 148/78 mm Hg, pulse 112 beats/min, respirations 28 breaths/min
d. Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg, pulse 120 beats/min, respirations 30 breaths/min
ANS: A
Systolic hypertension with widening pulse pressure, bradycardia, and respiratory changes represent Cushing’s triad. These findings indicate that the intracranial pressure (ICP) has increased, and brain herniation may be imminent unless immediate action is taken to reduce ICP. The other vital signs may indicate the need for changes in treatment, but they are not indicative of an immediately life-threatening process.
When a brain-injured patient responds to nail bed pressure with internal rotation, adduction, and flexion of the arms, how should the nurse report the response?
a. Flexion withdrawal
b. Localization of pain
c. Decorticate posturing
d. Decerebrate posturing
ANS: C
Internal rotation, adduction, and flexion of the arms in an unconscious patient is documented as decorticate posturing. Extension of the arms and legs is decerebrate posturing. Because the flexion is generalized, it does not indicate localization of pain or flexion withdrawal.
The nurse has administered prescribed IV mannitol (Osmitrol) to an unconscious patient. Which parameter should the nurse monitor to determine the medication’s effectiveness?
a. Blood pressure
b. Oxygen saturation
c. Intracranial pressure
d. Hemoglobin and hematocrit
ANS: C
Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic and will reduce cerebral edema and intracranial pressure. It may initially reduce hematocrit and increase blood pressure, but these are not the best parameters for evaluation of the effectiveness of the drug. O2 saturation will not directly improve because of mannitol administration.
A patient with a head injury opens his eyes to verbal stimulation, curses when stimulated, and does not respond to a verbal command to move but attempts to push away a painful stimulus. How should the nurse record the patient’s Glasgow Coma Scale score?
a. 9.
b. 11.
c. 13.
d. 15.
ANS: B
The patient has scores of 3 for eye opening, 3 for best verbal response, and 5 for best motor response.
An unconscious patient is admitted to the emergency department (ED) with a head injury. The patient’s spouse and teenage children stay at the patient’s side and ask many questions about the treatment. What action is best for the nurse to take?
a. Call the family’s pastor or spiritual advisor to take them to the chapel.
b. Ask the family to stay in the waiting room until the assessment is completed.
c. Allow the family to stay with the patient and briefly explain all procedures to
them.
d. Refer the family members to the hospital counseling service to deal with their
anxiety.
ANS: C
The need for information about the diagnosis and care is very high in family members of acutely ill patients. The nurse should allow the family to observe care and explain the procedures unless they interfere with emergent care needs. A pastor or counseling service can offer some support, but research supports information as being more effective. Asking the family to stay in the waiting room will increase their anxiety.
A patient who is unconscious has ineffective cerebral tissue perfusion and cerebral tissue swelling. Which nursing intervention will be included in the plan of care?
a. Encourage coughing and deep breathing.
b. Position the patient with knees and hips flexed.
c. Keep the head of the bed elevated to 30 degrees.
d. Cluster nursing interventions to provide rest periods.
ANS: C
The patient with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) should be maintained in the head-up position to help reduce ICP. Extreme flexion of the hips and knees increases abdominal pressure, which increases ICP. Because the stimulation associated with nursing interventions increases ICP, clustering interventions will progressively elevate ICP. Coughing increases intrathoracic pressure and ICP.
A 20-yr-old male patient is admitted with a head injury after a collision while playing football. After noting that the patient has developed clear nasal drainage, which action should the nurse take?
a. Have the patient gently blow the nose.
b. Check the drainage for glucose content.
c. Teach the patient that rhinorrhea is expected after a head injury.
d. Obtain a specimen of the fluid to send for culture and sensitivity.
ANS: B
Clear nasal drainage in a patient with a head injury suggests a dural tear and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. If the drainage is CSF, it will test positive for glucose. Fluid leaking from the nose will have normal nasal flora, so culture and sensitivity will not be useful. Blowing the nose is avoided to prevent CSF leakage.
Which action will the emergency department nurse anticipate for a patient diagnosed with a concussion who did not lose consciousness?
a. Coordinate the transfer of the patient to the operating room.
b. Provide discharge instructions about monitoring neurologic status.
c. Arrange to admit the patient to the neurologic unit for observation.
d. Transport the patient to radiology for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
ANS: B
A patient with a minor head trauma is usually discharged with instructions about neurologic monitoring and the need to return if neurologic status deteriorates. MRI, hospital admission, and surgery are not usually indicated in a patient with a concussion.
A patient who has a suspected epidural hematoma is admitted to the emergency department. Which action will the nurse expect to take?
a. Administer IV furosemide (Lasix).
b. Prepare the patient for craniotomy.
c. Initiate high-dose barbiturate therapy.
d. Type and crossmatch for blood transfusion.
ANS: B
The principal treatment for epidural hematoma is rapid surgery to remove the hematoma and prevent herniation. If intracranial pressure is elevated after surgery, furosemide or high-dose barbiturate therapy may be needed, but these will not be of benefit unless the hematoma is removed. Minimal blood loss occurs with head injuries, and transfusion is usually not necessary.
The nurse is admitting a patient with a basal skull fracture. The nurse notes ecchymoses around both eyes and clear drainage from the patient’s nose. Which admission order should the nurse question?
a. Keep the head of bed elevated.
b. Insert nasogastric tube to low suction.
c. Turn patient side to side every 2 hours.
d. Apply cold packs intermittently to face.
ANS: B
Rhinorrhea may indicate a dural tear with cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Insertion of a nasogastric tube will increase the risk for infections such as meningitis. Turning the patient, elevating the head, and applying cold packs are appropriate orders.
A college athlete is seen in the clinic 6 weeks after a concussion. Which assessment information will the nurse collect to determine whether the patient is developing postconcussion syndrome?
a. Short-term memory
b. Muscle coordination
c. Glasgow Coma Scale
d. Pupil reaction to light
ANS: A
Decreased short-term memory is one indication of postconcussion syndrome. The other data may be assessed but are not indications of postconcussion syndrome.
When assessing a patient who has a right frontal lobe tumor, what finding should the nurse expect?
a. Expressive aphasia
b. Impaired judgment
c. Right-sided weakness
d. Difficulty swallowing
ANS: B
The frontal lobe controls intellectual activities such as judgment. Speech is controlled in the parietal lobe. Weakness and hemiplegia occur on the contralateral side from the tumor. Swallowing is controlled by the brainstem.
Which statement by a patient who is being discharged from the emergency department (ED) after a concussion indicates a need for intervention by the nurse?
a. “I will return if I feel dizzy or nauseated.”
b. “I am going to drive home and go right to bed.”
c. “I do not even remember being in an accident today.”
d. “I can take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for my headache.”
ANS: B
After a head injury, the patient should avoid driving and operating heavy machinery.
Retrograde amnesia is common after a concussion. The patient can take acetaminophen for headache and should return if symptoms of increased intracranial pressure such as dizziness or nausea occur.
After having a craniectomy and left anterior fossae incision, a 64-yr-old patient has weakness, impaired physical mobility, and a decreased level of consciousness. Which nursing action will be included in the plan of care?
a. Cluster nursing activities to allow longer rest periods.
b. Turn and reposition the patient side to side every 2 hours.
c. Position the bed flat and log roll to reposition the patient.
d. Perform range-of-motion (ROM) exercises every 4 hours.
ANS: D
ROM exercises will help prevent the complications of immobility. Patients with anterior craniotomies are positioned with the head elevated. The patient with a craniectomy should not be turned to the operative side. When the patient is weak, clustering nursing activities may lead to more fatigue and weakness.