ATI RN
NCLEX Questions on Neurological System Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient with a fractured femur experiences the complication of malunion. The nurse recognizes that what happens with this complication?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale: The correct answer is option A) The fracture heals in an unsatisfactory position. Malunion is a complication that occurs when a fracture heals in a position that is not anatomically correct or functional. In this case, the fractured femur has healed in a way that results in misalignment or improper positioning, leading to potential long-term consequences such as altered limb function, pain, and decreased mobility. Option B) The fracture fails to heal properly despite treatment is incorrect because malunion specifically refers to a situation where the fracture does heal, but in an unsatisfactory position. It is not about the failure of the fracture to heal at all. Option C) Fracture healing progresses more slowly than expected is incorrect as it describes delayed union, which is a separate complication where the fracture takes longer to heal than normal, but does not necessarily result in malalignment. Option D) Loss of bone substances occurs as a result of immobilization is incorrect because it describes disuse osteoporosis, a condition where bone loss occurs due to lack of weight-bearing activity, rather than the specific complication of malunion. In an educational context, understanding complications like malunion is crucial for nurses caring for patients with fractures. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of malunion can prompt timely interventions such as surgical correction to optimize outcomes and prevent long-term complications associated with improper bone healing. This knowledge is essential for providing comprehensive and effective care to patients with musculoskeletal injuries.
Question 2 of 5
When positioning the patient after a total hip arthroplasty with a posterior approach, it is important that the nurse maintain the affected extremity in what position?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B) Abduction and extension. After a total hip arthroplasty with a posterior approach, maintaining the affected extremity in abduction helps prevent dislocation of the hip prosthesis. Extension is important to keep the hip from flexing beyond 90 degrees, which could also lead to dislocation. Option A) Adduction and flexion would increase the risk of hip dislocation as it brings the hip into a position that could easily pop the prosthesis out of place. Option C) Abduction and internal rotation could lead to impingement or instability of the hip joint. Option D) Adduction and external rotation also increase the risk of hip dislocation. In an educational context, understanding the proper positioning after hip arthroplasty is crucial for nursing practice to prevent complications and promote patient safety and recovery. Nurses must be knowledgeable about postoperative care interventions to provide optimal care for patients undergoing orthopedic surgeries like hip arthroplasty.
Question 3 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 4 of 5
Laboratory findings that the nurse would expect to be present in the patient with RA include
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer to the NCLEX question on laboratory findings in a patient with RA is option D) anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA). ACPA is a specific marker for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its presence in the blood indicates an autoimmune response that is characteristic of RA. This antibody is highly specific for RA and is used in the diagnosis of the disease. Option A) polycythemia is incorrect because it is characterized by an increase in red blood cell count, which is not typically associated with RA. Option B) increased immunoglobulin G (IgG) is also incorrect as elevated IgG levels are not specific to RA and can be seen in a variety of conditions. Option C) decreased white blood cell (WBC) count is not a typical finding in RA as RA is not primarily a disease of decreased WBCs. Educationally, understanding the specific laboratory findings associated with RA is crucial for nurses caring for patients with this condition. Being able to interpret these findings can aid in early diagnosis and appropriate management of RA. Nurses need to be familiar with the diagnostic markers for RA to provide comprehensive care and support to patients with autoimmune diseases.
Question 5 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.