ATI LPN
Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition
Chapter 36 : Introduction to the Nervous System Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse provides care for a client with a deteriorating neurologic status. The nurse collects data at the beginning of the shift that reveals a falling blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR), and the client makes no motor response to stimuli. Which documentation of neuromuscular status is most appropriate?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should document flaccidity when the client makes no motor response to stimuli. Clients with impaired cerebral function manifest abnormal posturing, which is documented by the nurse as either decorticate posturing (decorticate rigidity), a position in which the arms are flexed, fists are clenched, and the legs are extended or decerebrate posturing (decerebrate rigidity), when the extremities are stiff and rigid. Muscle tone is documented using a scale of 0 to 5; therefore, weak muscular tone is not the most appropriate documentation.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse collects neurologic data and determines that the client has significant visual deficits. A brain tumor is considered. Which area of the brain does the nurse consider to be most likely to contain the neurologic deficit?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The visual receiving area is in the occipital lobe; therefore, this is the area of the brain the nurse determines is affected for the client with significant visual deficits. The frontal lobe contains the written and motor speech areas. The parietal lobe is the primary sensory area of the brain. The temporal lobe is the auditory receiving and association area of the brain, and is responsible for speech comprehension (i.e., Wernicke area).
Question 3 of 5
A client is weak and drowsy after a lumbar puncture. The nurse caring for the client knows that what priority nursing intervention should be provided after a lumbar puncture?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A client who has undergone a lumbar puncture should be positioned flat and given adequate fluids. These measures help restore the cerebrospinal fluid volume extracted from the client and are priority activities. The client is administered antihistamines to manage any allergic reactions that may occur from the test. The nurse should assess the LOC or the pupil response of the client after a lumbar puncture. Parenteral administration of caffeine sodium benzoate may offset cerebral vasodilation.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is assessing the client's pupils following a sports injury. Which assessment finding(s) indicates a neurologic concern? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: A,C,D
Rationale: Normal assessment findings include the pupils being equal and reactive to light. Pupils that are unequal, pinpoint in nature, or fail to respond indicate a neurologic impairment.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse collects data regarding a client's ability to detect sensation in the upper extremity. Which nursing action(s) is appropriate? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: A,B,D,E
Rationale: The nurse evaluates the extremities for sensitivity to heat, cold, touch, and pain. Various objects can be used by the nurse for this purpose, including cotton balls and tubes filled with hot or cold water. Sharp objects may be used but should not pierce the skin; therefore, it is appropriate for the nurse to stroke the client's fingers with a safety pin but not to prick the skin with a needle.