ATI RN
Questions to Ask About Neurological System Questions
Question 1 of 5
At a visit to the provider's office, an older adult patient's partner reports that the patient has nausea, diarrhea, and a loss of appetite. He has a history of Alzheimer's disease and is taking donepezil (Aricept). The provider should advise which of the following?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil commonly cause nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. This is due to the increase of acetylcholine in all parts of the body, and its subsequent effect on the gastrointestinal tract and other systems of the body. The provider should explain to the patient and his caregiver that taking the drug with food and at bedtime will help minimize uncomfortable gastrointestinal effects. The provider also should instruct the partner to report vomiting, severe diarrhea, weight loss, or signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, such as dark stools or coffee-ground emesis, especially if the patient is also taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. At this point, it is not necessary to stop taking the drug, reduce the dosage, or undergo liver function tests.
Question 2 of 5
What role, if any, do Hox genes play in specification of neuronal fate?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hox genes are crucial for specifying neuronal identity along the antero-posterior axis. Different combinations of Hox genes are expressed in distinct regions of the developing nervous system, providing positional information that guides the differentiation of neurons into specific subtypes. This ensures the proper organization and function of the spinal cord and brain.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is caring for the client with increased intracranial pressure. The nurse would note which of the following trends in vital signs if the ICP is rising?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In increased ICP, Cushing's triad may occur, which includes bradycardia (decreasing pulse), irregular respirations (decreasing respirations), and widening pulse pressure (increasing blood pressure). These signs indicate severe brainstem compression and are late signs of increased ICP, requiring immediate intervention.
Question 4 of 5
When comparing a CVA and TIA, the nurse knows this is unique about TIAs:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) are characterized by temporary neurological deficits that resolve spontaneously within 24 hours. Unlike strokes, TIAs do not cause permanent damage but are warning signs of an increased risk for future strokes. Immediate evaluation and intervention are necessary to prevent a full-blown stroke.
Question 5 of 5
A patient learns that abdominal pain is originating from the liver. The nurse should explain to the patient that the impulses from receptors in the internal organs to the central nervous system are transmitted from which type of neurons?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Visceral sensory neurons transmit impulses from internal organs, such as the liver, to the central nervous system. Somatic sensory neurons transmit impulses from the skin and skeletal muscles, while efferent neurons carry motor impulses. Interneurons are found entirely within the central nervous system. This distinction is important for understanding pain pathways.