ATI RN
Neurological System Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
The wife of a 65-year-old man tells the nurse that she is concerned because she has noticed a change in her husband's personality and ability to understand. He also cries very easily and becomes angry. The nurse recalls that the cerebral lobe responsible for these behaviors is the __________ lobe.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Frontal lobe. The frontal lobe is responsible for personality, emotional expression, decision-making, reasoning, and problem-solving. Changes in personality, emotional instability, and difficulty with understanding can indicate dysfunction in the frontal lobe. The other lobes (parietal, occipital, temporal) are primarily involved in different functions such as sensory processing (parietal), visual processing (occipital), and memory, language, and auditory processing (temporal). In this case, the symptoms described by the wife suggest a problem with the frontal lobe, making it the correct choice.
Question 2 of 5
A woman wears a size 7 shoe. She says, My feet are huge. I've asked three orthopedists to surgically reduce my feet. The patient tries to buy shoes to make her feet look smaller and, in social settings, conceals both feet under a table or chair. Which health problem is likely?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Body dysmorphic disorder. This disorder involves a preoccupation with perceived flaws in physical appearance that are not observable to others. In this case, the woman's belief that her feet are huge despite wearing a size 7 shoe indicates a distorted body image. She seeks surgical interventions and hides her feet, which are characteristic behaviors of individuals with body dysmorphic disorder. A: Dissociative amnesia with fugue involves memory loss and wandering behavior, which are not exhibited in this scenario. B: Illness anxiety disorder involves excessive worry about having a serious illness, which is not the focus of the woman's concern. D: Dissociative identity disorder involves the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states, which is not evident in this case.
Question 3 of 5
A patient says, I know I have a brain tumor despite the results of the magnetic resonance image (MRI). The radiologist is wrong. People who have brain tumors vomit, and yesterday I vomited all day. Which response by the nurse fosters cognitive restructuring?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it encourages the patient to consider alternative explanations for their symptoms, which is key in cognitive restructuring. By exploring other possible reasons for the vomiting, the patient is guided to challenge their automatic assumption of having a brain tumor. This approach helps the patient to reevaluate their thoughts and beliefs in a more rational manner. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect: A: This response dismisses the patient's concerns without addressing the underlying irrational belief. It does not promote cognitive restructuring. C: While acknowledging the patient's emotions is important, this response does not actively challenge the patient's irrational belief or encourage critical thinking. D: Changing the subject does not address the patient's cognitive distortions and does not facilitate cognitive restructuring.
Question 4 of 5
What is the priority nursing diagnosis for a patient experiencing a migraine headache?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is option A) Acute Pain related to biologic and chemical factors. The priority nursing diagnosis for a patient experiencing a migraine headache is acute pain because it addresses the immediate and most distressing issue the patient is facing. Migraine headaches are characterized by severe and debilitating pain, making pain management a crucial aspect of care. Option B) Anxiety related to change in or threat to health status may be a secondary nursing diagnosis for a patient with a migraine, but it is not the priority over addressing the acute pain. Option C) Hopelessness related to deteriorating physiological condition is not the priority in this case as migraines, though severe, are typically episodic and not indicative of a deteriorating physiological condition. Option D) Risk for Side Effects related to medical therapy is not the priority nursing diagnosis when the patient is currently experiencing a migraine headache. Managing the acute pain takes precedence over potential side effects of treatment. In an educational context, understanding the priority nursing diagnosis helps students and healthcare professionals prioritize patient care and address the most urgent needs first. By focusing on acute pain management in this case, the nurse can provide timely and effective relief to improve the patient's comfort and overall well-being.
Question 5 of 5
Which patient should be assigned to the traveling nurse, new to neurologic nursing care, who has been on the neurologic unit for 1 week?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A) A 34-year-old patient newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). This patient is the most suitable for assignment to the traveling nurse new to neurologic nursing care due to several reasons. Firstly, a newly diagnosed MS patient would likely not have complex care needs compared to patients with chronic conditions like ALS or GBS in respiratory distress. This would provide a good learning opportunity for the new nurse to gain confidence and skills in managing neurologic conditions. Additionally, as a newly diagnosed patient, there may be a focus on education, symptom management, and emotional support, which aligns well with the new nurse's learning objectives. Option B) The 68-year-old patient with chronic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may have complex care needs and require specialized care due to the progressive nature of the disease. The new nurse may not have the experience or skills yet to effectively manage the care needs of a patient with ALS. Option C) The 56-year-old patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in respiratory distress requires urgent and specialized care, including respiratory support. This patient's condition is critical and may be overwhelming for a nurse who is new to neurologic nursing care. Option D) The 25-year-old patient admitted with C4 level spinal cord injury (SCI) may also have complex care needs, including potential respiratory issues and neurologic deficits. This patient would require a nurse with more experience in neurologic nursing care to provide comprehensive and safe management. Assigning the newly diagnosed MS patient to the traveling nurse would offer a suitable learning experience while ensuring safe and appropriate care for the patient. This scenario provides a balance between the patient's needs and the nurse's learning requirements, fostering professional growth and quality patient care.