Neuro 1 & 2 Flashcards
The patient arrives at the clinic with a chief complaint of headache. He is irritable and inpatient to receive treatment, but he is alert and oriented, his speech is clear, and he is able and willing to answer the nurses questions. Which questions to the nurse asked to solicit additional relevant information about this patient’s headache?
- When do the headaches occur
- How often do the headaches occur
- Do you experience other symptoms with the headache
- Have there been any recent changes in your headache
History of migraine headaches reports his current headache is my usual throbbing pain, but today it is behind my left eye. Which question does the nurse asked to elicit information about trigger factors?
Did you drink wine or coffee before the headache occurred?
Which type of medication can be used to prevent migraines?
Propranolol (inderal)
During the patients last visit, the nurse instructed the patient about headaches and techniques to manage his condition. Which statement by the patient indicates teaching has been successful?
I have been keeping track of when my headaches occur
Patient with a history of migraine headaches reports of noise makes her head hurt worse. How much is a nurse document this objective finding
Patient reports phonophobia
A patient is prescribed ergotamine with caffeine for migraine headaches. Which statement by the patient indicates the patient is experiencing a side effect of this drug?
My headache is initially relieved by the medication, but then it returns
The patient has received a prescription for Imitrex for the treatment of migraine headaches. The patient tells the nurse that she elected not to tell the physician about all of her health conditions because I just wanted treatment for my headaches I didn’t want to go into anything else. What is the nurses response?
The drug is contraindicated in actual or suspected ischemic heart disease
Tonic clonic seizure
Rigidity followed by rhythmic jerking
Absence seizure
Brief period of staring or loss of consciousness
Myoclonic seizure
Brief jerking of extremities, singly or in groups
Atonic seizure
Sudden loss of body tone
An elementary school teacher has just been informed that her students brother has absence seizures. The teacher is fearful that her student may have the same type of seizures and is unsure what to expect. What signs does the nurse advise teacher to look for?
Brief loss of consciousness that may appear as daydreaming or blank stare
What is the priority patient problem for atonic seizures?
Potential for injury related to falls
Which test is a nurse anticipate will be ordered for patient to confirm the suspected diagnosis of epilepsy?
Electroencephalogram and computed tomography
The nursing students caring for a patient with absence seizures. Which statement by the student indicates an understanding of absence seizures?
The patient may repeatedly pick at the linens
An older adult patient is brought to the emergency department from the local mall after by standard saw her having a seizure. The patient is currently responsive to voice, but is lethargic, confused, and unable to give accurate history. Which aspect of this patient’s health history is the most important to verify with the family?
General ability to answer questions accurately
The patient is treated in the emergency department for status epileptic us and is admitted to the hospital the physicians ordered seizure precautions. What equipment does the nurse place in the room before the patient’s arrival?
Oxygen and suction equipment
Bacterial meningitis
- Cerebrospinal fluid is hazy
2. Outbreaks occur in crowded conditions such as dormitory
Viral meningitis
- Condition is usually self-limiting, full recovery is expected
- No organisms grow from the CSF
Fungal meningitis
- Manifestations vary according to the state of the immune system
The nurse is caring for a patient who was admitted for a diagnosis of meningococcal meningitis. Which nursing action is specific to this type of meningitis?
Place the patient in isolation per hospital procedure
The nurse is reviewing the electrolyte values for patients with bacterial meningitis and notes that the serum sodium is 126 mEq. How does the nurse interpret the findings?
Evidence, inappropriate antidiuretic hormone which is a complication of bacterial meningitis
The patient with meningitis reports a headache, and the nurse says the appropriate Iv push medication. Several hours later, the patient reports pain in the left hand, radial pulse is weak, and capillary refill is sluggish compared to the left . What does the nurse suspect is occurring in this patient?
Septic emboli causing vascular compromise
The patient arrives in the emergency dept with a headache,, nausea, photosensitivity. The patient is been living in close proximity with two people were diagnosed with meningitis. Which diagnostic test is the nurse anticipate the physician will order to rule out meningitis?
Lumbar puncture
The nurses caring for a patient in less symptoms and risk factors for bacterial meningitis. For which must the nurse alert the physician?
Inability to move eyes laterally
Nurses carefully monitoring a patient with a severe case of encephalitis for signs of increased ICP. What Vital sign changes are associated with increased ICP?
Widened pulse pressure and bradycardia
The student nurse is caring for a patient with encephalitis. Which action by the student nurse warrants intervention by the supervising nurse?
Elevation that head of the bed to 30° after a lumbar puncture
The nurses taking a history on it older adult patient reports chronic back pain the nurse seeks to identify factors that are contributing to the pain. Which question is the most useful in eliciting this information?
Do you have a history of osteoarthritis?
The nurse is preparing to physically assess the patient’s subjective report of paresthesia in the lower extremities. In order to accomplish this assessment, which assessment technique does the nurse use?
Ask the patient to identify sharpen dull sensation by using a paperclip and cotton ball
Which position is therapeutic and comfortable for a patient with lower back pain?
Semi Fowler’s position with a pillow under the Knees to keep them flexed
The patient has been talking to his physician about drugs that could potentially be used in the treatment of his chronic low back pain. Which statement by the patient indicates the need for additional teaching?
The doctor may prescribe hydromorphone and it may cause drowsiness, I should not drive or drink alcohol when I take it
The nurse is assessing the patient who presented to the ED recording a cute onset of numbness and tingling in the right leg. How does the nurse document the subject of finding?
Paresthesia
Patient has just undergone a spinal fusion and laminectomy and his return from the operating room. Which assessments are done in the first 24 hours?
- Take vital signs every four hours and assessed for fever and hypotension
- Perform a neurologic assessment every four hours with attention to movement and sensation
- Monitor intake and output and assess for urinary retention
- Observed for clear fluid on or around the dressing and test for glucose
The patient has a long history of chronic back pain and has undergone several back surgeries in the past. At this point, the surgeon is recommending a surgical procedure for spine stabilization. Which procedure does the nurse anticipate this patient will need?
Spinal fusion
The patient has just undergone a laminectomy and return from surgery at 1300 hrs. At 1530 hrs. the nurses performing the change of shift assessment. Which postoperative finding is reported to the surgeon immediately?
- Swelling or bulging at the operative site
2. Moderate clear drainage on the postoperative dressing
The patient has just undergone spinal fusion surgery and return from the operating room 12 hours ago. Which task is best to delegate to the nursing assistant?
Logroll the patient every two hours
