ATI RN
Psychotropic Medication Quiz Questions
Question 1 of 5
A 21-year-old patient has a head injury resulting from trauma and is unconscious. There are no other injuries. During the assessment what would the nurse expect to find when testing the patient's deep tendon reflexes?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Reflexes will be normal. In patients with a head injury resulting in unconsciousness without other injuries, deep tendon reflexes are expected to be normal. This is because the unconsciousness is likely due to cerebral dysfunction rather than spinal cord injury, which would affect reflexes. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because in the absence of spinal cord injury, the deep tendon reflexes should not be affected. Choice B is incorrect as reflexes should be present and can be elicited in this scenario. Choice C is incorrect as reflexes should not be diminished unless there is spinal cord involvement. Choice D is incorrect as reflexes should not depend on the area of injury in this case.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is performing a neurologic assessment on a 41-year-old woman with a history of diabetes. When testing her ability to feel the vibrations of a tuning fork, the nurse notices that the patient is unable to feel vibrations on the great toe or ankle bilaterally, but she is able to feel vibrations on both patellae. Given this information, what would the nurse suspect?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Peripheral neuropathy. In this case, the patient's inability to feel vibrations on the great toe or ankle bilaterally but being able to feel vibrations on both patellae indicates a sensory nerve dysfunction affecting distal lower extremities. This pattern of sensory loss is consistent with peripheral neuropathy, a common complication of diabetes leading to nerve damage. Hyperalgesia (choice A) is increased sensitivity to pain, which is not reflective of the patient's symptoms. Hyperesthesia (choice B) is increased sensitivity to touch, which is also not consistent with the patient's findings. Lesion of the sensory cortex (choice D) would typically present with more widespread sensory deficits rather than the specific pattern described in the question.
Question 3 of 5
While assessing a 7-month-old infant, the nurse makes a loud noise and notices the following response: abduction and flexion of the arms and legs; fanning of the fingers, and curling of the index finger and thumb in a C position, followed by the infant bringing in the arms and legs to the body. What does the nurse know about this response?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because the described response is the Moro reflex, an expected startle reflex seen in infants around 7 months of age. The Moro reflex involves the abduction and flexion of the arms and legs, fanning of the fingers, and curling of the index finger and thumb in a C position, followed by bringing in the arms and legs. This reflex typically appears around birth and peaks at 2 months, then diminishes as the baby grows. It is a primitive reflex that serves as a protective response to a sudden loss of support or loud noise. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the response described is not indicative of brachial nerve palsy, should not have disappeared by 1-4 months, and does not need to be bilaterally symmetric to be considered normal.
Question 4 of 5
During an assessment of a 32-year-old patient with a recent head injury, the nurse notices that the patient responds to pain by extending, adducting, and internally rotating his arms. His palms pronate, and his lower extremities extend with plantar flexion. Which statement concerning these findings is most accurate? This patient's response:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. These decerebrate posturing responses are indicative of dysfunction in the brainstem. Specifically, the abnormal posturing seen in the patient suggests damage to the midbrain or pons. This type of response is considered a more severe sign compared to decorticate posturing, which typically indicates damage to the cerebral cortex. Decerebrate posturing is associated with a poorer prognosis and can be a sign of significant neurological injury. The other choices are incorrect: A: Indicates a lesion of the cerebral cortex - This is incorrect because the patient's response is indicative of brainstem, not cortical, dysfunction. B: Indicates a completely nonfunctional brainstem - This is an extreme and inaccurate statement. The patient is exhibiting specific posturing responses, indicating some brainstem function. C: Is normal and will go away in 24 to 48 hours - This is incorrect as the described response is a pathological sign, not a normal one, and requires medical attention.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is reviewing a patient's medical record and notes that he is in a coma. Using the Glasgow Coma Scale, which number indicates that the patient is in a coma?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A (6) because a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 6 indicates severe brain injury and coma. The GCS assesses a patient's level of consciousness based on eye opening, verbal response, and motor response, with a total score ranging from 3 to 15. A score of 6 means the patient is in a deep coma with minimal to no responsiveness. Choice B (12) and C (15) indicate normal consciousness levels, while D (24) is not a possible GCS score.