ATI LPN
Medical Surgical Nursing Neurological Disorders Questions
Question 1 of 5
A 72-year-old male presents with abnormal speech and right-sided weakness. He was last seen normal approximately 1 hour ago. Past medical history is significant for hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Five years ago, he underwent coronary artery bypass grafting for the management of a myocardial infarction. On exam, his speech is non-fluent and sparse, with impaired repetition. He has difficulty naming even common objects. Comprehension is relatively intact. There is a right-sided mouth droop, with sparing of the forehead. Strength is 3/5 throughout the right upper extremity, and 4+/5 in the right lower extremity. Sensation appears intact. Which of the following is the best next step in management?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Acute stroke symptoms (Broca’s aphasia, right-sided weakness) within 1 hour require a head CT first to rule out hemorrhage before considering thrombolysis (alteplase) or thrombectomy, both viable within the time window. Aspirin is for secondary prevention.
Question 2 of 5
A 29-year-old African American woman presents with bilateral facial weakness. This symptom developed over the course of a few hours and has never happened before. Upon further questioning, the patient reports seeing her pulmonologist every 6 months to follow her lung function and seeing her ophthalmologist annually for an eye exam. Neurological exam is significant for the patient being unable to smile, or raise her eyebrows. There is also an erythematous and tender nodule affecting the pretibial surfaces of both legs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain shows leptomeningeal enhancement. Which of the following is most likely the diagnosis in this patient?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bilateral facial weakness, erythema nodosum (pretibial nodules), and leptomeningeal enhancement with systemic involvement (lung monitoring) suggest neurosarcoidosis, a granulomatous disease.
Question 3 of 5
The chemical messenger between neurons or a neuron and its target muscle is:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Neurotransmitters are chemicals released into the synapse to transmit signals from one neuron to another or to a target muscle.
Question 4 of 5
Multiple sclerosis results from an autoimmune disease that primarily involves
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Multiple sclerosis is characterized by immune-mediated destruction of the myelin sheath, impairing nerve signal conduction and causing neurological deficits.
Question 5 of 5
Parkinson's disease is associated with a deficiency in
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Parkinson’s disease results from dopamine loss in the substantia nigra, impairing motor control and causing tremors and rigidity.