Neurological System, Questions with accurate answers, rated A
Which cerebral lobe contains the auditory receptive areas?
Temporal
Parietal
Occipital
Frontal - ✔✔Temporal
Which term refers to a method of r
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Neurological System, Questions with accurate answers, rated A
Which cerebral lobe contains the auditory receptive areas?
Temporal
Parietal
Occipital
Frontal - ✔✔Temporal
Which term refers to a method of recording, in graphic form, the electrical activity of a muscle?
Electromyography
Electrocardiography
Electrogastrography
Electroencephalography - ✔✔Electromyography
Which is a sympathetic effect of the nervous system?
Dilated pupils
Increased peristalsis
Decreased blood pressure
Decreased respiratory rate - ✔✔Dilated pupils
A client has undergone a lumbar puncture as part of a neurological assessment. The client is put under the care of a nurse after the procedure. Which important postprocedure nursing intervention should be performed to ensure the client's maximum comfort?
Encourage the client to drink liberal amounts of fluids
Administer antihistamines according to the physician's prescription
Keep the room brightly lit and play soothing music in the background
Help the client take a brisk walk around the testing area - ✔✔Encourage the client to drink liberal amounts of fluids
A neurological nurse is conducting a focused neurological assessment of a patient who has just been admitted to the rehabilitative facility. During this assessment, the nurse has asked the patient to swallow and has tested the patient's gag reflex with a tongue depressor. These assessments test the function of which of the patient's cranial nerves?
I (olfactory) and III (oculomotor)
VI (abducens) and VII (facial)
IX (glossopharyngeal) and X (vagus)
IV (trochlear) and V (trigeminal) - ✔✔IX (glossopharyngeal) and X (vagus)
A nurse is noting from a client's neurologic assessment findings that the client's motor impulses are interrupted from the brain to the spinal cord. It also appears that the client lacks sensory impulses from the peripheral sensory neurons to the brain. Which area has the deficit?
midbrain
subarachnoid space
pons
medulla oblongata - ✔✔medulla oblongata
A client is waiting in a triage area to learn the medical status of family members following a motor vehicle accident. The client is pacing, taking deep breaths, and handwringing. Considering the effects in the body systems, the nurse anticipates that the liver will:
convert glycogen to glucose for immediate use.
cease function and shunt blood to the heart and lungs.
produce a toxic byproduct in relation to stress.
maintain a basal rate of functioning. - ✔✔convert glycogen to glucose for immediate use.
The physician's office nurse is caring for a client who has a history of a cerebral aneurysm. Which diagnostic test does the nurse anticipate to monitor the status of the aneurysm?
Myelogram
Electroencephalogram
Echoencephalography
Cerebral angiography - ✔✔Cerebral angiography
The nurse is caring for a patient who was involved in a motor vehicle accident and sustained a head injury. When assessing deep tendon reflexes (DTR), the nurse observes diminished or hypoactive reflexes. How will the nurse document this finding?
3+
0
2+
1+ - ✔✔1+
The nurse is preparing a client for a neurological examination by the physician and explains tests the physician will be doing, including the Romberg test. The client asks the purpose of this particular test. The correct reply by the nurse is which of the following?
"It is a test for balance."
"It is a test for motor ability."
"It is a test for muscle strength."
"It is a test for coordination." - ✔✔"It is a test for balance."
The nurse is instructing a community class when a student asks, "How does someone get super strength in an emergency?" The nurse should respond by describing the action of the:
parasympathetic nervous system.
endocrine system.
sympathetic nervous system.
musculoskeletal system. - ✔✔sympathetic nervous system.
A gerontologic nurse planning the neurologic assessment of an older adult is considering normal, age-related changes that may influence the assessment results. Of what phenomenon should the nurse be aware?
Hypersensitivity to painful stimuli
Reduction in cerebral blood flow
Increased cerebral metabolism
Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes - ✔✔Reduction in cerebral blood flow
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
Baseboard heaters
Nonslip mats
Grab bars - ✔✔A smoke detector
The nurse is caring for a client who exhibits abnormal results of the Weber test and Rinne test. The nurse should suspect dysfunction involving what cranial nerve?
Trigeminal
Trochlear
Hypoglossal
Acoustic - ✔✔Acoustic
The nurse caring for an 80-year-old client knows that the client has a pre-existing history of dulled tactile sensation. The nurse should first consider what possible cause for this client's diminished tactile sensation?
Damage to cranial nerve VIII
Adverse medication effects
An undiagnosed cerebrovascular disease in early adulthood
Age-related neurologic changes - ✔✔Age-related neurologic changes
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?
Anti-inflammatory medications
Analgesics
Hot or cold packs
Whirlpool baths - ✔✔Hot or cold pakcs
A trauma client in the ICU has been declared brain dead. What diagnostic test is used in making the determination of brain death?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Electromyography (EMG)
Electroencephalography (EEG)
Computed tomography (CT) - ✔✔Electroencephalography (EEG)
Which cerebral lobes is the largest and controls abstract thought?
Frontal
Parietal
Temporal
Occipital - ✔✔Frontal
A client is actively hallucinating during an assessment. The nurse would be correct in documenting the hallucination as a disturbance in
motor ability.
thought content.
emotional status.
intellectual function. - ✔✔thought content
A nurse and nursing student are caring for a client recovering from a lumbar puncture yesterday. The client reports a headache despite being on bedrest overnight. The physician plans an epidural blood patch this morning. The student asks how this will help the headache. The correct reply from the nurse is which of the following?
"The blood will replace the cerebral spinal fluid that has leaked out."
"The blood provides moisture at the site, which encourages healing."
"The blood will seal the hole in the dura and prevent further loss of cerebral spinal fluid."
"The blood can repair damage to the spinal cord that occurred with the procedure." - ✔✔"The blood will seal the hole in the dura and prevent further loss of cerebral spinal fluid."
A typical spinal cord functions as a "highway" for sensory and descending motor neurons, providing conduction of impulses to and from the brain. The spinal cord is surrounded and protected by bony vertebrae, and ends between the:
first and second lumbar vertebrae.
fourth and fifth thoracic vertebrae.
first and second cervical vertebrae.
first and second thoracic vertebrae. - ✔✔first and second lumbar vertebrae.
The nurse is assessing the client's pupils following a sports injury. Which assessment findings indicate a neurologic concern? Select all that apply.
absence of pupillary response
unequal pupils
quick pupil reaction
pinpoint pupils
pupil reacts to light - ✔✔unequal pupils
pinpoint pupils
absence of pupillary response
The neurologic nurse is testing the function of a client's cerebellum and basal ganglia. What action will most accurately test these structures?
Elicit the client's response to a hypothetical problem.
Have the client identify the location of a cotton swab on his or her skin with the eyes closed.
Ask the client to close his or her eyes and discern between hot and cold stimuli.
Guide the client through the performance of rapid, alternating movements. - ✔✔Guide the client through the performance of rapid, alternating movements.
A patient is scheduled for an electroencephalogram (EEG) in the morning. What food on the patient's tray should the nurse remove prior to the test?
Orange juice
Coffee
Eggs
Toast - ✔✔Coffee
A patient is being tested for a gag reflex. When the nurse places the tongue blade to the back of the throat, there is no response elicited. What dysfunction does the nurse determine the patient has?
Dysfunction of the spinal accessory nerve
Dysfunction of the facial nerve
Dysfunction of the vagus nerve
Dysfunction of the acoustic nerve - ✔✔Dysfunction of the vagus nerve
Which cranial nerve is responsible for muscles that move the eye and lids?
Oculomotor
Facial
Vestibulocochlear
Trigeminal - ✔✔Oculomotor
A client has been exhibiting neurological symptoms for several weeks and the neurologist is admitting the client to the hospital for extensive testing. Since diagnostics have not yet revealed the cause of the symptoms, which client statement would indicate the need for further client education?
"It's good to know the continual tingling in my fingers and toes is not connected with my nervous system!"
"I need to be careful with my allergy to seafood!"
"There are several types of tests to see what's causing the tingling in my fingers and toes."
All of the comments indicate need for further client education. - ✔✔"It's good to know the continual tingling in my fingers and toes is not connected with my nervous system!"
A patient exhibiting an uncoordinated gait has presented at the clinic. The nurse knows that what brain structure has the function of balance and coordination?
Pons
Cerebellum
Midbrain
Medulla - ✔✔Cerebellum
A 78-year-old resident of a long-term care facility has left the majority of his supper tray untouched, and the nurse has asked him about the reason for this. The resident states, "For a long time now, food just doesn't taste as well as it used to." The nurse should be aware that the etiology of this problem is most likely to involve:
Cranial nerve dysfunction
An upper motor neuron lesion
Age-related changes to the neurological system
The development of a posterior spinal nerve lesion - ✔✔Age-related changes to the neurological system
The nurse is scoring the client's level of consciousness using the Glasgow Coma Scale. Which score would indicate that the client is in comatose state?
D+
17 or lower
7
D - ✔✔7
A nurse is caring for a client with deteriorating neurologic status. The nurse is performing an assessment at the beginning of the shift that reveals a falling blood pressure and heart rate, and the client makes no motor response to stimuli. Which documentation of neuromuscular status is most appropriate?
Flaccidity
Decorticate posturing
Weak muscular tone
Abnormal posture - ✔✔flaccidity
A patient arrives to have an MRI done in the outpatient department. What information provided by the patient warrants further assessment to prevent complications related to the MRI?
"My legs go numb sometimes when I sit too long."
"I am trying to quit smoking and have a patch on."
"I have been trying to get an appointment for so long."
"I have not had anything to eat or drink since 3 hours ago - ✔✔"I am trying to quit smoking and have a patch on."
The nurse is performing an assessment of cranial nerve function and asks the patient to cover one nostril at a time to see if the patient can smell coffee, alcohol, and mint. The patient is unable to smell any of the odors. The nurse is aware that the patient has a dysfunction of which cranial nerve?
CN III
CN IV
CN II
CN I - ✔✔CN I
The brain is a complex structure and is divided into three parts: the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the brain stem. The brain stem consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata. Which part of the brain contains regulatory centers for heartbeat, vasomotor activity, and breathing?
medulla oblongata
cerebral cortex
pons
midbrain - ✔✔medulla oblongata
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is manufactured in the ventricles and constantly circulates around the brain and spinal cord. The CSF functions as a cushion to protect structures and maintain relatively consistent intracranial pressure. Where does CSF circulate?
arachnoid space
subdural space
subpial space
subarachnoid space - ✔✔subarachnoid space
A client has been in a coma since being in a motor vehicle accident. Emergency surgery relieved intracranial pressure but, to date, the client has not regained consciousness. Which motor response is indicative of the most serious condition?
decorticate
decerebrate
flaccidity
comatose - ✔✔flaccidity
A patient is scheduled for a myelogram. The nurse explains to the patient that this is an invasive procedure, which assesses for any lesions in the spinal cord. The nurse knows that the preparation is similar to which of the following neurological tests?
Cerebral angiography.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Electroencephalography (EEG).
Lumbar puncture. - ✔✔Lumbar puncture.
A client exhibiting an uncoordinated gait has presented at the clinic. Which of the following is the most plausible cause of this client's health problem?
Dysfunction of the medulla
A lesion in the pons
A hemorrhage in the midbrain
Cerebellar dysfunction - ✔✔Cerebellar dysfunction
A client with lower back pain is scheduled for myelography using metrizamide (a water-soluble contrast dye). After the test, the nurse should prioritize what action?
Helping the client perform deep breathing and coughing exercises
Positioning the client with the head of the bed elevated 45 degrees
Administering IV morphine sulfate to prevent headache
Limiting fluids for the next 12 hours - ✔✔Positioning the client with the head of the bed elevated 45 degrees
A client is scheduled for CT scanning of the head because of a recent onset of neurologic deficits. What should the nurse tell the client in preparation for this test?
"You need to fast for 8 hours prior to the test."
"You will need to lie still throughout the procedure."
"There will be a lot of noise during the test."
"No metal objects can enter the procedure room." - ✔✔"You will need to lie still throughout the procedure."
A patient comes to the emergency department with severe pain in the face that was stimulated by brushing the teeth. What cranial nerve does the nurse understand can cause this type of pain?
IV
VI
V
III - ✔✔V
A client is admitted to an acute care facility after an episode of status epilepticus. After the client is stabilized, which factor is most beneficial in determining the potential cause of the episode?
The type of anticonvulsant prescribed to manage the epileptic condition
Recent stress level
Recent weight gain and loss
Compliance with the prescribed medication regimen - ✔✔Compliance with the prescribed medication regimen
A nurse is monitoring a client for increasing intracranial pressure (ICP). Early signs of increased ICP include:
diminished responsiveness.
pupillary changes.
decreasing blood pressure.
elevated temperature. - ✔✔diminished responsiveness.
Which of the following is one of the earliest signs of increased ICP?
Headache
Decreased level of consciousness (LOC)
Coma
Lethargy - ✔✔Decreased level of consciousness (LOC)
Your patient is scheduled for intracranial surgery in the morning. You know that it is important that the patient has adequate preparation for surgery to reduce what?
Length of time under anesthesia.
Establishing expectations that are too high.
Length of time in the hospital.
Postoperative complications. - ✔✔Postoperative complications.
A patient with Parkinson's disease is undergoing a swallowing assessment because she is experiencing difficulties when swallowing. What consistency is most appropriate for this patient, to reduce the risk of aspiration?
Pureed food with water
Thin liquids only
Solid food with thin liquids
Semisolid food with thick liquids - ✔✔Semisolid food with thick liquids
A 70-year-old woman is being treated at home for Parkinson's disease (PD), a health problem that she was diagnosed with 18 months ago. The nurse who is participating in the woman's care should be aware that her initial symptoms most likely consisted of:
Tremors and muscle rigidity
Visual disturbances and muscle weakness
Increasing forgetfulness and confusion
Fatigue and respiratory difficulties - ✔✔Tremors and muscle rigidity
A client fell at home and sustained a head injury. The client exhibits signs and symptoms of head trauma with indications of increased ICP. What is the normal ventricular ICP?
16 to 20 mm Hg
31 to 40 mm Hg
5 to 15 mm Hg
21 to 30 mm Hg - ✔✔5-15 mm Hg
Following a generalized seizure in a client, which nursing assessment is a priority for detailing the event?
Seizure was 1 minute in duration including tonic-clonic activity.
Seizure began at 1300 hours.
Sleeping quietly after the seizure
The client cried out before the seizure began. - ✔✔Seizure was 1 minute in duration including tonic-clonic activity.
A client with neurologic infection develops cerebral edema from syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Which is an important nursing action for this client?
Administering prescribed antipyretics
Hyperoxygenation before and after tracheal suctioning
Maintaining adequate hydration
Restricting fluid intake and hydration - ✔✔Restricting fluid intake and hydration
A nurse is caring for a client who experiences debilitating cluster headaches. The client should be taught to take appropriate medications at what point in the course of the onset of a new headache?
As soon as the client senses the onset of symptoms
Twenty to 30 minutes after the onset of symptoms
As soon as the client's pain becomes unbearable
When the client senses his or her symptoms peaking - ✔✔As soon as the client senses the onset of symptoms
To meet the sensory needs of a client with viral meningitis, which of the following should the nurse do? Choose the correct option.
Minimize exposure to bright lights and noise
Avoid physical contact with family members
Promote an active range of motion
Increase environmental stimuli - ✔✔Minimize exposure to bright lights and noise
A patient with a newly diagnosed seizure disorder is to be discharged home in the morning. You are preparing patient/family teaching and know that a priority to teach the family is what?
Place the patient in a side-lying position.
Withhold medication after a seizure.
Keep a bite block nearby at all times.
Pad the bed rails. - ✔✔Place the patient in a side-lying position.
During the examination of an unconscious client, the nurse observes that the client's pupils are fixed and dilated. What is the most plausible clinical significance of the nurse's finding?
It indicates an injury at the midbrain level.
It indicates paralysis on the right side of the body.
It indicates paralysis of cranial nerve X (CN X).
It suggests onset of metabolic problems. - ✔✔It indicates an injury at the midbrain level.
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?
Unclassified seizure
Absence seizure
Generalized seizure
Focal seizure - ✔✔Generalized seizure
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.
The client leads a sedentary lifestyle.
The client takes vitamin D and calcium supplements.
The client has a pattern of weight loss followed by weight gain. - ✔✔The client takes vasodilators for the treatment of angina.
A nurse assesses the patient's LOC using the Glasgow Coma Scale. What score indicates severe impairment of neurologic function?
9
3
12
6 - ✔✔3
What does the nurse recognize as the earliest sign of serious impairment of brain circulation related to increasing ICP?
Bradycardia
A bounding pulse
Lethargy and stupor
Hypertension - ✔✔Lethargy and stupor
In the aggressive treatment for increased ICP, IV therapy can be an instrumental tool in decreasing increased ICP. What type of IV solution would you expect a physician to order to maintain cerebral tissue perfusion? Choose all correct options.
Normal saline
Hypotonic saline
Lactated Ringer's
DW - ✔✔Normal saline
Lactated Ringer's
The nurse is caring for a client with mid-to-late stage of an inoperable brain tumor. What teaching is important for the nurse to do with this client?
Optimizing nutrition
Managing muscle weakness
Offering family support groups
Explaining hospice care and services - ✔✔Explaining hospice care and services
A 50-year-old client is exhibiting progressive signs of Huntington's disease. The client verbalizes a wish to die and has become withdrawn. Poor appetite is noted, sleep pattern is disturbed, and the choreiform movements are worsening. Which nursing diagnosis best reflects the needs of this client?
Impaired Home Maintenance
Disturbed Sleep Pattern
Hopelessness
Altered Nutrition - ✔✔Hopelessness
The nurse is caring for a client 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 is the nurse's most appropriate intervention for this diagnosis?
Change the client's position as indicated.
Monitor arterial blood gas (ABG) values.
Monitor serum electrolytes.
Maintain NPO status. - ✔✔Monitor serum electrolytes.
After a seizure, the nurse should place the patient in which of the following positions to prevent complications?
Semi-Fowler's, to promote breathing
Side-lying, to facilitate drainage of oral secretions
High Fowler's, to prevent aspiration
Supine, to rest the muscles of the extremities - ✔✔Side-lying, to facilitate drainage of oral secretions
Which medication classification is used preoperatively to decrease the risk of postoperative seizures?
Anticonvulsants
Corticosteroids
Diuretics
Antianxiety - ✔✔Anticonvulsants
A nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia. Which activity is altered as a result of this diagnosis?
smelling
chewing
tasting
swallowing - ✔✔chewing
A client with a brain tumor is complaining of a headache upon awakening. Which nursing action would the nurse take first?
Administer Percocet as ordered.
Administer morning dose of anticonvulsant.
Elevate the head of the bed.
Complete a head-to-toe assessment. - ✔✔Elevate the head of the bed.
A school nurse is called to the playground where a 6-year-old girl has been found sitting unresponsive and "staring into space," according to the playground supervisor. How would the nurse document the girl's activity in her chart at school?
Generalized seizure
Focal seizure
Unclassified seizure
Absence seizure - ✔✔Absence seizure
The nurse is educating a patient with a seizure disorder. What nutritional approach for seizure management would be beneficial for this patient?
High in protein and low in carbohydrate
At least 50% carbohydrate
Restricts protein to 10% of daily caloric intake
Low in fat - ✔✔High in protein and low in carbohydrate
The nurse is participating in the care of a client with increased ICP. What diagnostic test is contraindicated in this client's treatment?
Lumbar puncture
Computed tomography (CT) scan
Venous Doppler studies
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - ✔✔Lumbar
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