ATI LPN
Quizlet Adult Medical Surgical Head Injury Monitoring Neurological Status Questions
Question 1 of 5
You are at Publix and see a woman collapsed with right-sided weakness and slurred speech. What should you do?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Right-sided weakness and slurred speech suggest a stroke. The priority is to call emergency services (e.g., 911) to ensure rapid professional assessment and treatment, such as thrombolysis if within the time window. Offering water risks aspiration, driving delays care, and carotid massage is irrelevant.
Question 2 of 5
A 37-year-old female with migraine without aura presents with headaches of increased frequency that typically begin in the morning. She says that zolmitriptan and acetaminophen are no longer effective in treating her episodes. In a month, she experiences approximately 20 days of headaches, and in the past 3 months, she has used zolmitriptan 15 times per month, on average, and acetaminophen at least 20 days per month. Medical history is significant for migraine and asthma. Medications are zolmitriptan, over the counter acetaminophen, and an albuterol inhaler. Which of the following is the next best step in management?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Frequent headaches (20 days/month) and overuse of zolmitriptan and acetaminophen suggest medication-overuse headache complicating migraines. Prophylaxis (e.g., topiramate) and effective acute treatment are needed to break the cycle.
Question 3 of 5
A 54-year-old male presents with difficulty in eating and drinking, and worsening hand-writing. This has been stressful for him as he has been continuously working on a novel that is due for publishing in a few weeks. He notes that alcohol improves his symptoms and relieves his stress. Medical history in noncontributory. Family history is significant for similar symptoms in his father, but cannot recall the name of the diagnosis. Physical examination shows a tremor of the hand, of medium frequency that worsens with his arms outstretched. Mild titubation is also noted on exam. Which of the following is the best initial treatment option for this patient?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Postural tremor worsened by action, improved by alcohol, and familial history suggest essential tremor. Beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol) are the first-line treatment, reducing tremor amplitude.
Question 4 of 5
A 62-year-old man presents with progressive proximal lower extremity muscle weakness. He reports difficulty with climbing the stairs and getting up from a chair. He also reports that his mouth has been constantly dry. These symptoms began approximately 3 weeks prior to presentation. Medical history is significant for recently diagnosed small cell carcinoma of the lungs. On physical examination, there is no evidence of muscle atrophy. There is 4/5 strength bilaterally in the hip flexors and extensors, with absent patellar reflexes. When asking the patient to contract both quadriceps for 10 seconds, his patellar reflexes become 2+. Which of the following is most likely to be found on serology?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Proximal weakness, dry mouth, and reflex facilitation with small cell lung cancer suggest Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, associated with anti-P/Q VGCC antibodies.
Question 5 of 5
The part of the brain responsible for unconscious bodily functions is the:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The brain stem regulates unconscious functions like breathing, heart rate, and digestion, essential for survival.