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A patient is diagnosed with Bell’s palsy. What symptoms should the nurse assess for in this patient?
Drooping of one side of the face
Which area of the brain is affected in the patient who had right-sided weakness and aphasia due to a TIA?
Left hemisphere
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
The nurse is aware that the characteristic gait of the person with Parkinson disease is a propulsive gait, which causes the patient to:
Shuffle with arms flexed
David complains of seeing flashing lights. You know he has a history of seizures. Which of the following actions do you take first?
Help him lie down in a safe place
There are several modifiable risk factors for a patient who is trying to prevent the risk for a stroke. The most important modifiable risk factor is:
Hypertension
Which of the following problems predisposed Jennie to develop meningitis?
A sore throat for 3 days
Involuntary rhythmic movement of the eyes, with oscillations that may be horizontal, vertical, or mixed movements, is called ___________________.
Nystagmus
Which of the following options is best for helping a patient with trigeminal neuralgia wash her face?
Use lukewarm water and cotton balls
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 should the nurse do, as a priority, when the patient arrives on the floor with the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis?
Place the patient in respiratory isolation
A patient diagnosed with Alzheimers is exhibiting memory lapses, have difficulty using the correct word and are now experiencing difficulty with agitation in the early evening hours. The patient is in which stage of Alzheimer’s disease when she demonstrates “sundowning”?
Middle stage
A 60-year-old obese woman is admitted to a medical unit with a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). She is flaccid on her left side and is unable to speak, although she appears to understand everything the nurse says. What phenomenon is the patient experiencing?
Expressive aphasia
On which understanding should the nurse base teaching of the patient who has experienced a TIA?
A TIA may be a forewarning that the patient may have a cardiovascular accident (CVA)
A patient is hospitalized with Meningitis and has been having a temperature of 103.2 F. The physician has ordered several measures to reduce the body temperature related to the inflammatory/infectious process. The measures to reduce fever include:
Cooling blanket is utilized to lower temperature
The patient has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. The neurosurgeon is scheduling a surgical procedure to remove part of the skull. The procedure of removing part of the skull without replacement is ________.
Craniectomy
A 76-year-old man is admitted to the emergency room with right-sided weakness and difficulty speaking. Within an hour, his symptoms have subsided, and he is admitted with a diagnosis of transient ischemic attack (TIA). The patient asks, “What is a TIA?” What is the best response by the nurse?
“Your brain was temporarily deprived of oxygen.”
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
A 38-year-old homemaker has a 10-year history of multiple sclerosis. She is admitted with an acute exacerbation of her disease. Which of the following physiological changes cause symptoms of MS?
Demyelination and destruction of nerve fibers
A patient with a mild head injury was seen in the ED, but not admitted to the hospital. The family and the patient should be taught about symptoms and observations for complications that should warrant a return to the ED. These symptoms and observations include:
Headache that is worsening
Increased drowsiness
Vomiting
Seizure
Blurred vision
A patient diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease is experiencing some psychotic manifestations. As the nurse, you know these symptoms can include:
Delusions
Hallucinations
Illusions
A family member is receiving education regarding their loved one’s new diagnosis of Parkinson Disease. The nurse explains that the triad of symptoms/signs of Parkinson disease is:
Tremor, rigidity and bradykinesia
A 52-year-old male patient has had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for 8 years. He has now been admitted to a nursing home because his wife is no longer able to take care of him at home. He has difficulty swallowing and has copious pulmonary secretions. What equipment is most important to have at his bedside at all times?
Suction
A patient with Parkinson disease is experiencing medication dosages failing to achieve successfule reduction of symptoms. As a result, the physician orders a drug holiday for the patient. What is the purpose of a “drug holiday” in the treatment of Parkinson disease.
Restart drugs at a lower dosage with favorable results
Nursing interventions for the patient experiencing a seizure include:
Place them in a side-lying position to prevent aspiration
Suction secretions as needed
Assist to the floor and remove items that may be harmful
Padded siderails may be used for frequent seizures