A laminectomy and spinal fusion are performed on a patient with a herniated lumbar intervertebral disc. During the postoperative period, which finding is of most concern to the nurse?

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NCLEX Questions on Neurological System Questions

Question 1 of 5

A laminectomy and spinal fusion are performed on a patient with a herniated lumbar intervertebral disc. During the postoperative period, which finding is of most concern to the nurse?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In this scenario, the correct answer is B) Urinary incontinence. The nurse should be most concerned about urinary incontinence post laminectomy and spinal fusion surgery due to the potential for nerve damage during the procedure. The nerves controlling bladder function could be affected, leading to urinary incontinence. This finding could indicate nerve damage or compression, which needs immediate attention to prevent long-term complications. Option A) Paralytic ileus is not the most concerning finding in this situation as it is a common complication postoperatively but not directly related to the surgical site or procedure. Option C) Greater pain at the graft site than at the lumbar incision site may be expected due to the nature of the surgery involving fusion, but it is not the most concerning finding. Option D) Leg and arm movement and sensation unchanged from preoperative status would actually be a positive finding, indicating that there was no neurological damage during the surgery. Educationally, it is crucial for nurses to understand the potential complications following neurosurgical procedures to provide optimal care for their patients. Recognizing the most concerning findings postoperatively allows for timely interventions and prevents further complications. Understanding the implications of each finding helps nurses prioritize care and collaborate effectively with the healthcare team to ensure positive patient outcomes.

Question 2 of 5

What is the pathophysiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) characterized by?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A) Destruction of nucleic acids and other self-proteins by autoantibodies. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues. In SLE, autoantibodies target nucleic acids and other self-proteins, leading to tissue damage and inflammation. This pathophysiology results in a wide range of manifestations affecting multiple organ systems. Option B) Overproduction of collagen that disrupts the functioning of internal organs is incorrect because this describes a mechanism more closely associated with conditions like systemic sclerosis, not SLE. Option C) Formation of abnormal IgG that attaches to cellular antigens, activating complement is incorrect as this mechanism is more aligned with diseases like autoimmune hemolytic anemia, not SLE. Option D) Increased activity of T suppressor cells with B-cell hypoactivity, resulting in an immunodeficiency is incorrect as SLE is characterized by hyperactivity, not hypoactivity, of B cells and a breakdown in immune tolerance. Understanding the pathophysiology of SLE is crucial for nurses and other healthcare professionals to recognize its varied presentations and provide appropriate care. By grasping the autoimmune nature of SLE, healthcare providers can better tailor treatment plans and educate patients on self-management strategies to improve outcomes.

Question 3 of 5

Which of the following findings would indicate a change in a patient's mental status?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

Question 4 of 5

To assess the patient's deep tendon reflexes, the nurse should:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

Question 5 of 5

Which finding may suggest a problem with the patient's proprioception?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

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