Nursing and Neurology Worksheet

You determine that the appropriate problem statement for a patient with status epilepticus is Potential for injury due to seizure activity. An appropriate expected outcome would be:

• The patient will be free from any injuries associated with the seizures.

• The patient will experience frequent falls during seizures.

• The patient will require restraints to prevent injury.

• The patient will develop complications from untreated seizures.

Answer explanation

The expected outcome of being free from injuries aligns with the problem statement of potential for injury due to seizure activity, emphasizing the goal of preventing harm during seizures.

Nursing care of a patient who just had a seizure includes which nursing intervention(s)?

• Assess for injuries.

• Check the glucose level.

• Reassure and reorient the patient.

• Provide uninterrupted periods of sleep and rest.

Answer explanation

After a seizure, it's crucial to assess for injuries, check glucose levels to rule out hypoglycemia, reassure and reorient the patient, and allow for uninterrupted rest to promote recovery.

Which patient statement indicates a need for further teaching on the prevention of seizures?

• I am less likely to have seizures during menstruation.

• I will take my medication as prescribed to prevent seizures.

• I will avoid flashing lights to reduce my risk of seizures.

• I will get enough sleep to help prevent seizures.

Answer explanation

The statement "I am less likely to have seizures during menstruation" indicates a misunderstanding, as hormonal changes can actually increase seizure frequency in some patients, necessitating further teaching.

A patient is being evaluated in the emergency department with short-term memory loss, and alteration in hearing and smell abilities. A stroke or TIA is suspected. What area of the brain is being affected?

• temporal lobe

• frontal lobe

• occipital lobe

• parietal lobe

Answer explanation

The temporal lobe is responsible for processing auditory information and is involved in memory functions. The patient's short-term memory loss and altered hearing and smell suggest dysfunction in this area.

Which are true regarding a stroke?

• Timing of treatment is important.

• A CT scan should be done within 20 minutes of arrival at the hospital.

• It may occur as a complication of atrial fibrillation.

Answer explanation

Timing is crucial in stroke treatment to minimize damage. A CT scan should be performed quickly to determine the type of stroke. Atrial fibrillation can lead to strokes due to blood clots, making these statements true.

A patient has had a cerebrovascular accident. You assess the patient’s readiness for transfer to another level of care. The patient continues to have agnosia and apraxia. These clinical findings indicate that the patient would:

• require assistance with undertaking activities of daily living.

• be able to manage all self-care independently.

• have no difficulty with memory or recognition.

• not require any further rehabilitation.

Answer explanation

Agnosia and apraxia indicate difficulties with recognition and performing tasks. Therefore, the patient would require assistance with activities of daily living, as these conditions impair their ability to manage self-care independently.

Intracranial tumors may be treated by several modes of therapy. What types of therapy are you likely to see?

• Insertion of tiny radioactive particles into the tumor

• Brain surgery where most or all of the tumor is removed

• Chemotherapy through a reservoir that is placed between the scalp and the skull to get past the blood-brain barrier

Answer explanation

Intracranial tumors can be treated with various therapies, including inserting radioactive particles, surgical removal of the tumor, and chemotherapy via a reservoir to bypass the blood-brain barrier.

A 21-year-old male complains of a sudden onset of fever, severe headache, and stiffness of the neck. You note a petechial rash over the chest and extremities. Which nursing action(s) would be appropriate?

• Institute Standard Precautions and droplet precautions.

• Administer antibiotics as prescribed.

• Maintain a quiet and dimly lit patient room.

Answer explanation

The patient's symptoms suggest a possible meningococcal infection. Instituting Standard and droplet precautions is crucial to prevent transmission. Administering antibiotics promptly is essential for treatment, and a quiet, dim room helps reduce discomfort.

A patient presents to the urgent care center for complaints of an abrupt onset of severe headache. Clinical history indicates that symptoms started during sleep and recurred several times during the day. These symptoms suggest:

• cluster headaches.

• migraine with aura.

• tension-type headache.

• sinusitis.

Answer explanation

The patient's abrupt onset of severe headache during sleep, recurring throughout the day, is characteristic of cluster headaches, which often occur in cyclical patterns and can wake patients from sleep.

You are providing care to a 60-year-old patient with trigeminal neuralgia, and you identify that pain is the priority problem. You anticipate:

• administering an anticonvulsant class of medication.

• recommending a high-protein diet.

• encouraging vigorous physical activity.

• administering a beta-blocker medication.

Answer explanation

In trigeminal neuralgia, pain management is crucial. Anticonvulsants, like carbamazepine, are effective in reducing nerve pain, making this the appropriate choice over dietary or physical activity recommendations.