Dementia & Alzheimer's
A nurse working in a long term care facility is planning care for a patient who has moderate Alzheimer's. Which of the following interventions should be included in the plan of care?
A. Use a gait belt for ambulation
B. Thicken all liquids
C. Provide protective undergarments
D. Reorient the patient to self and current events
What is D- Reorient the patient to self and current events.
What is one thing you should never do when a patient is having an active seizure?
What is stick anything in their mouth?
MS is an _____ _____ that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
What is autoimmune disorder?
This type of meningitis is the most common form and has no vaccine to prevent it.
What is VIRAL meningitis?
A _____ occurs after head trauma that results in a change in the patient's neurologic function but no identified brain damage and usually resolves in 72 hours.
What is a concussion (or mild TBI)?
Name 3 home safety measures that a family member can take when providing care of a dementia patient at home.
What are:
1. Removal of rugs
2. Install door locks & add alarms
3. Provide good lighting
4. Install handrails on stairs
5. Mattress on the floor
6. Secure electrical cords
7. Place a shower chair in the shower/tub
8. Wear a medical ID bracelet
This diagnostic test records electrical activity and can identify the origin of seizure activity.
What is an EEG?
What are plaques?
This diagnostic test is collected during lumbar puncture.
What is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?
CSF leakage from the nose and ears can indicate this.
What is a basilar skull fracture?
Which of the following statements indicates effective teaching for a patient who has a new prescription for donepezil?
A. "This medication should increase my husband's appetite."
B. "This medication should help my husband sleep better."
C. "This medication should help my husband's daily function."
D. "This medication should increase my husband's energy level."
What is C "This medication should help my husband's daily function."
A nurse is caring for a patient who just experienced a generalized seizure. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform first?
A. Keep the patient in side-lying position
B. Document the duration of the seizure
C. Reorient the patient to the environment
D. Provide patient hygiene
What is A- Keep the patient in side lying position
A nurse is caring for a patient who has MS. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Fluctuations of blood pressure
B. Loss of cognitive function
C. Ineffective cough
D. Drooping eye lids
What is B- loss of cognitive function.
A nurse is assessing a client who reports severe headache and a stiff neck. The nurse's assessment reveals a positive Kernig's and Brudzinskis' signs. Which of the following actions should the RN perform first?
A. Administer antibiotics
B. Implement droplet precautions
C. Initiate IV access
D. Decrease bright lights
What is B. Implement Droplet Precautions.
Rationale: Prevent the spread of the disease to others.
A ___ ___ is clear or yellow-tinged ring surrounding a drop of blood after bloody drainage is placed on gauze.
What is a "halo sign"?
What actions should a nurse take to keep a patient with AD who falls frequently safe?
A. Keep call light near patient
B. Place patient in a room near nurses' station
C. Encourage the patient to ask for assistance
D. Remind the patient to walk with someone for support
What is B- keep patient near nurses' station?
A nurse is reviewing trigger factors that can cause seizures with a patient who has a new diagnosis of generalized seizures. Which of the following info should the nurse include in the review? (SATA):
A. Avoid overwhelming fatigue
B. Avoid caffeine
C. Limit looking at flashing lights
D. Limit hypoventilation
E. Perform aerobic exercise
F. Use of aerosol hairsprays are recommended
What are A, B, & C
Which of the following statements should be included in the teaching for a patient with a new prescription for baclofen?
A. "This medication will help with your tremors."
B. "This medication will help you with your bladder function."
C. "This medication can cause you to bruise more easily."
D. "You may experience dizziness when taking this medication."
What is D?
A nurse is planning care for a patient who has meningitis and is at increased risk for increased ICP. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take? (SATA):
A. Implement seizure precautions
B. Perform neuro checks four times a day
C. Administer morphine for the report of neck and generalized pain
D. Turn off room lights and television
E. Monitor for impaired EOMs
F. Encourage the patient to cough frequently
What are A, D, & E?
A nurse caring for a patient who has a spinal cord injury reports a severe headache and is sweating profusely. Vital signs include a BP 220/110 mmHg and apical HR 54 bpm. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Examine skin for irritation or pressure
B. Sit the patient upright in bed
C. Check the urinary catheter for blockage
D. Administer labetalol
What is B- sit the patient upright in bed.
Rationale: The greatest risk is for the patient to experience a CVA secondary to the elevated BP caused by autonomic dysreflexia. Sitting the patient upright will help lower the BP secondary to postural hypotension.
Which of the following are risk factors for Alzheimer's disease? (SATA):
A. Exposure to metal waste products
B. Long-term estrogen therapy
C. Sustained use of vitamin E
D. Previous head injury
E. History of herpes infection
What are A, D, & E?
A nurse is completing discharge teaching to a patient who just received a vagal nerve stimulator to decrease seizure activity. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. "It is safe to use microwaves that are 1,200 watts or less."
B. "You should avoid the use of CT scans with contrast."
C. "You should place a magnet over the implantable device when you feel an aura occurring."
D. "It is recommended that you use ultrasound diathermy for pain management."
What is C- the patient should place a magnet over the device to decrease seizure activity.
Which assessment findings of a patient newly diagnosed with MS should the nurse expect? (SATA):
A. Areas of paresthesia
B. Involuntary eye movements
C. Alopecia
D. Increased salivation
E. Ataxia
What are A, B & E?
A nurse is assessing for the presence of Brudzinski's sign of a patient with suspected meningitis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when performing this technique? (select all that apply)
A. Place patient in supine position
B. Flex client's hip and knee
C. Place hands behind the patient's neck
D. Bend patient's head toward chest
E. Straighten the patient's flexed leg at the knee
What are A, C, & D.
The nurse is caring for a patient with a C4 spinal cord injury. The nurse should recognize that the patient is at greatest risk for what complication?
What is respiratory compromises?