ATI LPN
Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition
Chapter 38 : Caring for Clients With Cerebrovascular Disorders Questions
Question 1 of 5
A client has just been diagnosed with a cerebral aneurysm. In planning discharge teaching for this client, what instructions should be delivered by the nurse to the client?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A client with an aneurysm should be advised to avoid heavy lifting, extreme emotional situations, or straining of stools because these activities increase intracranial pressure and thereby headaches and potential rupture of aneurysm. Avoidance of fiber may lead to constipation and straining with stools and would not be recommended. There would not be a recommendation for antacids or feverfew in the discharge teaching.
Question 2 of 5
A client has tension headaches. The nurse recommends massage as a treatment for tension headaches. How does massage help clients with tension headaches?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Massaging relaxes tense muscles, causes local dilation of blood vessels, and relieves headache. However, this approach is not likely to help a client with migraine or cluster headaches. Massage is not offered to clients with tension headaches to increase their appetite or reduce hypotension.
Question 3 of 5
A client diagnosed with migraine headaches asks the nurse what to do to help control the headaches and minimize the number of attacks. What instructions should the nurse give this client?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse includes the following instructions: Follow the indications and dosage regimen for medication and notify the physician of any adverse drug effects. Identify and avoid factors that precipitate or intensify an attack. Keep a food diary, which may help identify foods that trigger attacks. Keep a record of the attacks, including activities before the attack and environmental or emotional circumstances that appear to bring on the attack. Lie down in a darkened room and avoid noise and movement when an attack occurs whenever possible.
Question 4 of 5
While making initial rounds after coming on shift, the nurse finds a client thrashing about in bed complaining of a severe headache. The client tells the nurse the pain is behind the right eye, which is red and tearing. What type of headache would the nurse suspect this client of having?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A person with a cluster headache has pain on one side of the head, usually behind the eye, accompanied by nasal congestion, rhinorrhea (watery discharge from the nose), and tearing and redness of the eye. The pain is so severe that the person is not likely to lie still; instead, the person may pace or thrash about. The symptoms in the scenario do not describe the other types of headaches listed.
Question 5 of 5
A female client who complains of recurring headaches, accompanied by increased irritability, photophobia, and fatigue is asked to track the headache symptoms and occurrence on a calendar log. Which is the best nursing rationale for this action?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Changes in reproductive hormones as found during the menstrual cycle can be a trigger for migraine headaches and may assist in the management of the symptoms. Cluster headaches can cause severe pain, but this is not the reason for tracking. Tension headaches can be managed, but this is not associated with a monthly calendar. Headaches are common, but that is not the reason for tracking.