The nurse is assisting as a neurosurgeon examines a patient who has a positive Babinski reflex. What assessment finding should the nurse expect to observe?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A positive Babinski reflex, indicative of neurological dysfunction, involves extension of the big toe and fanning of the other toes when the sole of the foot is stroked. Flexion or extension of the leg is associated with other reflexes. Recognizing a positive Babinski reflex is important for assessing upper motor neuron lesions.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: cardiac accelerator nerve. Preganglionic sympathetic fibers that project to the heart are part of the cardiac accelerator nerves, which increase heart rate and force of contraction. The other choices are incorrect because: A: solitary tract - involved in transmitting sensory information related to taste and visceral sensations. B: vasomotor nerve - regulates blood vessel tone and blood pressure. C: vagus nerve - part of the parasympathetic nervous system and slows down heart rate and decreases force of contraction.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: stiff neck. Infant botulism is characterized by muscle weakness, including difficulty suckling, a limp body, and a weak cry. A stiff neck is not typically associated with infant botulism. The toxin affects the nervous system, causing muscle paralysis, but does not typically lead to neck stiffness. Therefore, choice C is the correct answer. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they are all common signs and symptoms of infant botulism, reflecting the muscle weakness and paralysis caused by the toxin.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Central and peripheral. The nervous system consists of the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which includes all nerves outside the CNS. This division is essential for understanding the organization and functions of the nervous system. Choice A is incorrect because motor and sensory are functions, not divisions of the nervous system. Choice C is incorrect because the autonomic nervous system is a component of the PNS, not a separate part. Choice D is incorrect because the hypothalamus and cerebral are specific structures within the CNS, not the divisions of the nervous system.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Decreased symptoms. Sumatriptan works by constricting blood vessels in the brain, reducing inflammation and pain associated with cluster headaches. Therefore, a decrease in symptoms such as intensity of pain, duration of headache, and associated symptoms indicates that the medication is working effectively. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as the absence of headaches may not be realistic, improved neurological function may not be directly related to the medication, and decreased frequency of headaches does not necessarily imply effectiveness in managing the current headache episode.