Conditions
In assessing a patient for possible multiple sclerosis, the nurse is observing an impaired ability to coordinate movement by the patient. The nurse is aware that this uncoordinated movement is called ________.
Ataxia
Assessment of cranial nerve function is another important part of the neurologic assessment. The Acoustic nerve (VIII) functions in several ways. This includes:
Hearing
Sense of balance (equilibrium)
A patient with a newly diagnosed seizure disorder is being prepared for discharge. Which of the following medications is likely to be ordered to prevent recurrent seizures?
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
What are the two main structural divisions of the nervous system?
Central nervous system and the peripheral Nervous system
_________________ are responsible for the transmission of messages to and from the brain and the spinal cord.
Neurons
Which symptom is specific to migraine headaches?
They are preceded by an aura
A patient, age 45, is to have a myelogram to confirm the presence of a herniated intervertebral disk. Which nursing action should be planned with respect to this diagnostic test?
Obtain an allergy history before the test
___________ is a quick, practical, standardized system for assessing the degree of conscious impairment in the critically ill. This tool is also used for predicting the duration and ultimate outcome of a coma.
Glasgow Coma Scale
The waxy substance that covers the neuron fibers and increases the rate of transmission of impulses is the ________.
Myelin
A family member of a patient who has just suffered a tonic-clonic seizure is concerned about the patient’s deep sleep. What is this behavior called?
Postictal period
What is the cardinal sign of increased intracranial pressure in a brain injured patient?
Decrease in the level of consciousness
An 83-year-old patient has had a stroke. He is right handed and has a history of hypertension and “little” strokes. He presents with right hemiplegia. To afford him the best visual field, the nurse should approach him:
From the left side
Teaching is an important part of the nursing interventions for the patient with headaches. Topics should include:
Avoidance of factors that trigger headaches
Maintenance of regular sleep patterns
The sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system are under the control of the ________, which influences the heartbeat, the contraction and relaxation of the walls of the blood vessels, and hormone secretion.
Hypothalamus
The newly admitted patient to the emergency room 30 minutes ago after a fall off a ladder has gradually decreased in consciousness and has slow reacting pupils, a widening pulse pressure, and verbal responses that are slow and unintelligible. What is the most appropriate position for the patient?
Neck placed in a neutral position
The nurse explains that the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system work to maintain homeostasis, the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. Which is the first autonomic event to initiate a response?
Extremely stressful or frightening event
What is the nurse assessing when asking the patient, “Who is the president of the United States?” during a level of consciousness assessment?
Assessment of knowledge
Involuntary rhythmic movement of the eyes, with oscillations that may be horizontal, vertical, or mixed movements, is called ___________________.
Nystagmus
What is the cranial nerve that supplies most of the organs in the thoracic and abdominal cavities and carries motor fibers to glands that produce digestive juices and other secretions?
Vagus nerve
A patient has recently suffered a stroke with left-sided weakness and has problems with choking, especially when drinking thin liquids. What nursing interventions would be most helpful in assisting this patient to swallow safely?
Tuck chin when swallowing
You are witness to a patient who is experiencing a seizure. You are aware that seizure activity is the result of:
Abnormal electrical activity within the brain
You are performing an assessment on a patient in the Emergency Department. This patient arrived stating she was feeling funny and did not know what was wrong. During your assessment you identify the patient has unequal pupils. What is the term used to describe unequal pupils?
Anisorcia
The ____________ connects the midbrain to the medulla oblongata, serving as a “bridge”. This area is responsible for sending impulses to surrounding structures.
Pons
The peripheral nervous system contains two main divisions. They are:
Somatic and autonomic
How would a nurse record the behavior when a patient with Alzheimer’s disease attempts to eat using a napkin rather than a fork?
Agnosia