Practice Questions

Question 1

Which nursing measure is used to minimize pain in the affected arm of a patient who has had a cerebrovascular accident (CVA; brain attack; stroke)?

Answer 1

applying a sling

Question 2

Which area of the brain is responsible for vision?

Answer 2

occipital

Question 3

How is the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis confirmed?

Answer 3

IV administration of edrophonium chloride (Tensilon test)

Question 4

The nurse is taking care of a patient with breast cancer and chronic trigeminal neuralgia. The patient is complaining that the trigeminal neuralgia is bothering her and she would like treatment for it. What is the initial nursing intervention?

Answer 4

Assess corneal reflex.

Question 5

Which finding should the nurse expect when assessing a patient who exhibits agnosia after having a cerebrovascular accident?

Answer 5

recognize or interpret objects.

Question 6

A patient with a newly diagnosed seizure disorder is started on phenytoin sodium (Dilantin). Which statement made by the patient indicates a need for further teaching related to the medication?

Answer 6

“I’ll need to eat potassium-rich foods.”

Question 7

Which medication would a nurse anticipate immediately administering to a patient with a progressive brain attack (cerebrovascular accident [CVA]; stroke) who has a history of hypertension?

Answer 7

heparin IV

Question 8

Which nursing action is appropriate when caring for a patient who is experiencing a generalized (grand mal) seizure?

Answer 8

Place the patient in a lateral position.

Question 9

A patient with a C5 spinal cord injury is entering the acute rehabilitative phase. Which is an appropriate long-term goal for this patient?

Answer 9

feed self with adaptive equipment and assistance in setup.

Question 10

Which long-term outcome is appropriate for a patient with early Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 10

continue to participate in usual activities.

Question 11

What can result from an injury to the frontal lobe of the cerebrum?

Answer 11

sense of humor

Question 12

Which information should be included in the discharge teaching plan for a patient with epilepsy who experiences generalized tonic-clonic seizures?

Answer 12

Precipitating factors for seizure activity include increased stress, insomnia, and alcohol use.

Question 13

Which medication is used to decrease intracranial pressure (ICP) in a patient with a brain injury?

Answer 13

mannitol (Osmitrol)

Question 14

A 10-year-old child with a neurogenic bladder has been taught to perform intermittent self-catheterization. Which data indicates that the child is achieving the goal of continence?

Answer 14

The child experiences no dribbling between catheterizations

Question 15

A patient who has bacterial meningitis complains of severe headache and has a temperature of 39.2° C (102.6° F). What is the nurse’s intervention?

Answer 15

Perform a neurological assessment on the patient.

Question 16

Which nursing action should receive priority in the plan of care for a patient in the acute phase of a cerebrovascular accident?

Answer 16

Place the patient in a lateral position with the head of the bed elevated.

Question 17

A patient who has sustained a complete spinal cord transection at level C4 will most likely have which condition?

Answer 17

quadriplegia

Question 18

The nurse is assessing a patient who has a score of 6 on the Glasgow Coma Scale. Which level of response should the nurse expect to observe?

Answer 18

The patient withdraws the arms to painful stimuli.

Question 19

Which information should the nurse provide to a school-age child prior to a noncontrast computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan?

Answer 19

“You will need to lie perfectly still while a big machine takes pictures.”

Question 20

A patient had a supratentorial craniotomy 24 hours ago. What is the rationale for maintaining this patient in semi-Fowler’s position?

Answer 20

to promote drainage of venous and cerebrospinal fluids

Question 21

What is the expected result of eliciting the biceps reflex in a patient?

Answer 21

elbow flexion

Question 22

A patient with a head injury is scheduled for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. To reduce the patient’s anxiety, which health teaching would be most important to include?

Answer 22

The use of relaxation procedures will promote reduction of the claustrophobia associated with placement in the narrow tube.

Question 23

A 28-year-old patient with multiple sclerosis smiles and laughs almost constantly while awake. What is the pathophysiological basis for this clinical manifestation?

Answer 23

demyelination of the nervous system

Question 24

Which capability is impaired in a patient with myasthenia gravis?

Answer 24

motor function

Question 25

Which sign is most characteristic of Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 25

pill-rolling tremors

Question 26

Which finding indicates that a patient who is being treated with carbidopa and levodopa for Parkinson’s disease has developed dyskinesia?

Answer 26

smacking of the lips

Question 27

The nurse applies a painful stimulus to an unconscious patient. The patient responds by stiffly extending and adducting the arms and hyperpronating the wrists. Which condition is indicated by these patient responses?

Answer 27

decerebrate posturing resulting from a midbrain lesion

Question 28

Which statement by a family member indicates that discharge teaching about nutritional intake for a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has been effective?

Answer 28

“We’ll leave him in an upright position for 15 to 30 minutes after he eats.”

Question 29

Which nursing action should be included in the plan of care for a patient with left homonymous hemianopsia?

Answer 29

Place all personal items on the right side of the patient’s bedside table.

Question 30

The plan of care for a patient with autonomic dysreflexia (autonomic hyperreflexia) should be primarily directed toward which goal?

Answer 30

decreasing causative stimuli

Question 31

Which statement indicates that a patient with paraplegia has adjusted to the condition?

Answer 31

“I’m moving back to my apartment as soon as the doorways are widened.”

Question 32

When evaluating the effectiveness of a program to control a patient’s seizures, the nurse should be certain to assess which factor?

Answer 32

the patient’s compliance with the medication regimen

Question 33

Following a craniotomy utilizing a transsphenoidal approach, the nurse should maintain the patient in which position?

Answer 33

supine, with the head of the bed elevated

Question 34

A patient who has multiple sclerosis requires total care in the home. When the patient insists on being as independent as possible, which instruction should the nurse provide to the patient?

Answer 34

how to perform self-catheterization.

Question 35

The nurse administers high dose corticosteroids to a patient following a level C7 spinal cord injury. Which patient response indicates that the medication has been effective?

Answer 35

increased sensation in the fingers

Question 36

Which clinical manifestation indicates that a patient has Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 36

pill-rolling tremor

Question 37

Which rehabilitation potential is associated with a spinal cord injury at level C6?

Answer 37

self-feeding with a hand device

Question 38

Which nursing action is most appropriate for a patient who has expressive aphasia following a left hemisphere cerebrovascular accident?

Answer 38

Obtain a picture board and show the patient how to use it.

Question 39

What symptom is the strongest indicator of a potential medical emergency?

Answer 39

breathlessness while talking

Question 40

Which assessment is a priority in the plan of care for a patient in the acute phase of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA; brain attack; stroke)?

Answer 40

vital signs

Question 41

The symptoms of myasthenia gravis are thought to be caused by which factor?

Answer 41

deficient transmission of acetylcholine

Question 42

Which nursing action should be included in the plan of care for a child in the immediate stage of a spinal cord injury at level C5?

Answer 42

Assess respiratory status.

Question 43

What is an early sign of increased intracranial pressure in a patient with a closed head injury?

Answer 43

decreasing arousability

Question 44

Which is the appropriate nursing diagnosis for a patient with a left cerebral hemispheric stroke (cerebrovascular accident [CVA]; brain attack)?

Answer 44

impaired verbal communication related to aphasia

Question 45

Which part of the brain is the major receiving area for sensory nerves?

Answer 45

thalamus

Question 46

What alleviates the headache resulting from a lumbar puncture?

Answer 46

analgesics

Question 47

Which instruction should the nurse give to a patient who is scheduled for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)?

Answer 47

Remove watches and rings prior to the procedure.

Question 48

Which finding in a five-day-old infant indicates a normal Babinski reflex? The toes

Answer 48

fan out and draw together.

Question 49

Which condition is a contraindication for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)?

Answer 49

pacemaker

Question 50

Which intravenous solution is generally administered to reduce cerebral edema?

Answer 50

mannitol

Question 51

A nurse is developing a plan of care for a child who is at risk for sz. Which interventions should be included if the child has sz?

Answer 51

time the length of the sz, stay with the child, move furniture from the child