ATI RN
Health Assessment Neurological System Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which of the following organisms causes epidemic meningitis cases at college campuses?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Neisseria meningitidis. This bacterium is a common cause of epidemic meningitis in college campuses due to person-to-person transmission, especially in crowded living spaces. It has a polysaccharide capsule that helps evade the immune system, leading to severe infections. Haemophilus influenzae type b, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Listeria monocytogenes can also cause meningitis but are not typically associated with college campus epidemics.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse practitioner conducting a neurological assessment on a patient uses a sterile cotton wisp to lightly touch the patient’s forehead, cheek, and chin. The nurse practitioner is testing the:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cranial nerve V (trigeminal). The nurse practitioner is testing the trigeminal nerve's sensory function by using a sterile cotton wisp to assess light touch sensation in the patient's forehead, cheek, and chin. The trigeminal nerve has three branches - ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular - which innervate these areas respectively. By assessing the patient's response to the light touch in these specific areas, the nurse practitioner can determine if the sensory function of the trigeminal nerve is intact. Summary: B: Cranial nerve VII (facial) controls facial expression, not sensation. C: Cranial nerve XII (hypoglossal) controls tongue movement, not facial sensation. D: Cranial nerve II (optic) is responsible for vision, not facial sensation.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse assessing a patient diagnosed with a somatic system disorder is most likely to note that the patient:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because patients with somatic system disorders often have unmet needs related to comfort and activity. These patients may focus on physical symptoms to express underlying emotional distress or seek attention. Choice A is incorrect because patients with somatic disorders often struggle to see a relationship between symptoms and psychological conflicts. Choice B is incorrect because patients with somatic disorders may derive secondary gain from their symptoms. Choice C is incorrect because patients with somatic disorders often have difficulty expressing emotional needs.
Question 4 of 5
A patient diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder says, I have pain from an undiagnosed injury. I can't take care of myself. I need pain medicine six or seven times a day. I feel like a baby because my family has to help me so much. It is important for the nurse to assess:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: secondary gains. In this scenario, the patient's focus on pain and dependency suggests potential secondary gains, such as attention or avoidance of responsibilities. Assessing secondary gains helps in understanding the underlying motivations for the symptoms. Mood (choice A) may be important but doesn't directly address the patient's behavior. Cognitive style (choice B) and identity/memory (choice D) are not as relevant in this context as secondary gains in somatic symptom disorder.
Question 5 of 5
You are preparing a nursing care plan for the patient with SCI including the nursing diagnoses Impaired Physical Mobility and Self-Care Deficit. The patient tells you, 'I don't know why we're doing all this. My life's over.' What additional nursing diagnosis takes priority based on this statement?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C) Impaired Adjustment to Spinal Cord Injury. This nursing diagnosis takes priority based on the patient's statement indicating feelings of hopelessness and a sense of life being over. Addressing the patient's emotional response to the SCI is crucial for their overall well-being and successful rehabilitation. Option A) Risk for Injury related to altered mobility is not the priority in this case as the patient's emotional distress is more urgent to address. Option B) Imbalanced Nutrition, Less Than Body Requirements may be a concern but is not the priority when the patient is expressing significant emotional distress. Option D) Poor Body Image related to immobilization is also important to address but does not take precedence over addressing the patient's emotional adjustment to the SCI. In an educational context, it is important for nurses to recognize and prioritize nursing diagnoses based on the patient's expressed emotions and psychological well-being. Addressing emotional needs can have a significant impact on the patient's overall recovery and quality of life following a spinal cord injury.