Determination of Death
Which aspects are included in the definition of brain death? (SATA)
a. Irreversible
b. Failure of cardiac function
c. Loss of brainstem function
d. Loss of brain function
e. GCS score of 3
a. Irreversible
c. Loss of brainstem function
d. Loss of brain function
Which structure is protective because it is the primary collateral pathway when major cerebral vessels are occluded?
a. Circle of Willis
b. Left internal carotid artery
c. Right internal carotid artery
d. Middle cerebral artery
a. Circle of Willis
According to the Monro-Kellie hypothesis, an increase in one intracranial compartment must be accompanied by which reciprocal action?
a. Decrease in another compartment
b. Increase int he blood-brain barrier
c. Decrease in the blood-brain barrier
d. Increase in another compartment
a. Decrease in another compartment
What does the Glascow Coma Scale assess?
a. Cranial nerves
b. Arousal
c. Abstract thinking
d. Awareness
b. Arousal
a. Core temperature of 32 degrees C or higher
b. Arterial pH between 7.35-7.45
c. Serum K+ between 3-5
d. Serum glucose between 4 and 6
a. Core temperature of 32 degrees C or higher
Why are cerebral arteries more prone to rupture during hypertension?
a. There are so many of them
b. They have autoregulation
c. They are thin and delicate
d. They are not protected by skeletal muscle
c. They are thin and delicate
ICP remains relatively stable and under normal conditions it is usually less than what amount?
a. 5 mmHg
b. 15 mmHg
c. 30 mmHg
d. 50 mmHg
b. 15 mmHg
The nurse would expect to see which type of doll's eye movements if the patient has a brainstem injury?
a. Eyes will remain fixed in the midposition as the head is turned
b. Eyes will conjugate opposite to the side to which the head is turned
c. Eyes will turn to the side opposite of where the head is turned
d. Eyes will turn to the same side to which the head is turned
a. Eyes will remain fixed in the midposition as the head is turned
In apnea testing, the patient is considered apneic if there is no respiratory effect and the PaCO2 is above which level after 10 minutes off the ventilator?
a. 40
b. 45
c. 50
d. 60
d. 60
Which statement about the venous circulation of the brain is correct?
a. Craniospinal veins have valves
b. Craniospinal veins drain by gravity
c. It is a high-pressure system
d. It contains a high oxygen concentration
b. Craniospinal veins drain by gravity
What are the components within the cranial vault? (SATA)
a. Blood
b. Bone
c. Brain tissue
d. CSF
e. Lacrimal fluid
a. Blood
c. Brain tissue
d. CSF
The rhythmic waxing and waning in the depth of respiration followed by a period of apnea is referred to as what?
a. Central neurologic ventilation
b. Apneustic breathing
c. Cheyne-Stokes breathing
d. Cluster breathing
c. Cheyne-Stokes breathing
Which confirmatory test for brain death evaluates blood flow to the brain?
a. Electroencephalography
b. Cerebral angiography
c. Somatosensory evoked potentials
d. Arterial blood gas
b. Cerebral angiography
The localized matching of CBF with cerebral metabolism occurs through which means?
a. Autoregulation
b. Anaerobic metabolism
c. Luxury perfusion
d. Cerebrospinal fluid
a. Autoregulation
Which situation would cause an increase in ICP?
a. Decreased cerebral blood flow
b. Decreased CSF production
c. Increased cerebral venous drainage
d. Increased intrathoracic pressure
d. Increased intrathoracic pressure
Which findings are consistent with Cushing triad? (SATA)
a. Increase in systolic BP
b. Unequal pupils
c. Bradycardia
d. Decreased in diastolic BP
e. Irregular respirations
a. Increase in systolic BP
c. Bradycardia
d. Decreased in diastolic BP
e. Irregular respirations