Neurology

Which neurotransmitter system is affected by the drug of choice for major depressive disorder? 

The nurse is caring for the patient who recently underwent right above-knee amputation and complains of pain in the amputated limb. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

The patient is in a coma following evacuation of an acute subdural hematoma. Which intervention does the nurse utilize to increase the patient's level of consciousness? 

A nurse in a long-term care facility is caring for a 78-year-old man with dementia. Which of the following are the main signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s dementia?

The nurse is caring for a 50-year-old man who has undergone below-the-knee amputation of his right leg 4 hours ago. The patient complains of pain, numbness and tingling of the right leg and foot. Which of the following types of pain is most likely attributed to the patient’s complaints?

A 76-year-old man with a history of congestive heart failure suddenly fell on the ground as he was trying to get up from bed. He is conscious but feels dizzy. Which of the following is the best next step?

A 94-year-old woman presents from a long-term care facility with mental status change. Urinalysis is positive for leukocyte esterase and nitrites. Based on these urinalysis results, the nurse can anticipate which of the following orders?

Which of the following symptoms would the nurse expect could be associated with an acute subdural hemorrhage in the right occipital lobe?

A client with an intracranial hemorrhage has a sudden increase of 25 mmHg intracranial pressure. The nurse also notes an elevated temperature, increased blood pressure, fixed and dilated right pupil, loss of consciousness, and irregular pulse and respirations. Which condition does the nurse suspect is causing these signs and symptoms?

An 82-year-old client with a history of hypertension becomes acutely confused and complains of a severe headache. The nurse is concerned the client is having a stroke. Which action does the nurse take first?

Which patient in the emergency department does the nurse assess first?

The nurse is reviewing today’s patient assignments. Which patient does the nurse assess first?

Which finding in a client receiving a continuous magnesium sulfate infusion for preeclampsia indicates toxicity?

The patient receiving inhaled anesthesia for a surgical procedure develops malignant hyperthermia. Which of the following medications should the nurse expect to administer?

The patient is under general anesthesia for a surgical procedure. Because an inhaled anesthetic is being administered, the nurse should be vigilant for which of the following early signs of malignant hyperthermia?

The patient has sustained a complete spinal cord injury at the C3 level. The patient’s wife asks the nurse what his life will be like. Which of the following responses by the nurse is most appropriate?

The nurse is participating in long-term care planning for a patient who sustained a spinal cord injury at C8. Which of the following long-term goal(s) of care are most appropriate for this patient? Select all that apply.

The nurse is providing discharge teaching to an individual who suffered a spinal cord injury at T11. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?

The nurse is caring for a patient who sustained a C4 spinal cord injury one year ago. This patient is most likely at risk for which of the following pulmonary complications?

The patient presents to the emergency department with a probable cervical spinal cord injury following a diving accident one hour ago. The nurse anticipates this patient’s labs will most likely show which of the following acid-base disturbances?

The nurse is caring for a patient who sustained a spinal cord injury at T6, three weeks ago. The patient abruptly complains of a severe headache. On assessment, the nurse notes the patient is diaphoretic. Vitals are significant for a heart rate of 45 bpm, blood pressure 156/98 mmHg, respirations of 16 breaths per minute, and 94% oxygen saturation on room air. Which of the following is the next best step in management?

The patient with a T4 spinal cord injury that occurred 4 weeks ago has been prescribed terazosin. The nurse informs the patient this medication is prescribed to prevent which of the following conditions?

The nurse learns that a patient is in neurogenic shock after a high cervical spinal cord injury. Which of the following set of vital signs is most consistent with this condition?

The nurse is called to assist a 29-year-old G1P0 female with a viable intrauterine pregnancy at 42-weeks estimated gestational age who is in active labor. During spontaneous vaginal delivery of the neonate, shoulder dystocia occurs. The nurse should carefully assess the neonate for which of the following common complication of shoulder dystocia?

The patient is receiving lorazepam for conscious sedation for a procedure. The nurse notes the patient’s respiratory rate has decreased to 4 breaths per minute. The nurse anticipates administering which of the following medications?

The patient presents to the emergency department following ingestion of an entire bottle of alprazolam. Upon review of the patient’s chart, the patient has been taking alprazolam for 2 years. Vital signs are significant for an oxygen saturation of 84% on room air, respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute, a blood pressure of 88/64 mmHg, and a heart rate of 64 bpm. The nurse anticipates the provider to prescribe which of the following therapies?

The nurse in the burn unit anticipates the patient with which of the following burns will likely require the most pain medication to tolerate dressing changes?

A patient receiving chemotherapy has been prescribed ondansetron for nausea and vomiting. Which of the following medications, if already prescribed to the patient, would prompt the nurse to hold the ondansetron and contact the provider?

A 75-year-old male patient presents with altered mental status and lethargy secondary to chronic severe hyponatremia due to syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Which treatment is the most appropriate for this patient’s condition?

The nurse is caring for a patient with Alzheimer disease (AD). The patient is able to speak and hear, but is unable to understand what is being said to him. Which term does the nurse use to document this finding?

The nurse is caring for a patient with Alzheimer disease (AD). When the family comes to visit, they are excited to hear the patient talk about when he was a child and tell the nurse that they think his memory is returning. Which statement by the nurse is appropriate?

The nurse is caring for an elderly patient prone to delirium. In the middle of the night, the patient wakes up agitated and upset and insists that she is late for an appointment. Which response by the nurse is appropriate?

Which intervention does the nurse include in the care plan to ensure safety of a patient with vertigo?

A patient recently diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis asks the nurse how this disease occurs. While the etiology of ALS is unknown, the nurse bases the response on an understanding of epigenetic effects on which protein?

The provider orders hypertonic saline for a patient. The patient’s wife wants to know why this therapy is being given. Which of the following is the best statement regarding the rationale for this therapy?

The nurse is providing genetic counselling to a couple of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, who wish to have a child. For which of the following conditions would the child be at an increased risk?

A child with maple syrup urine disease presents to the emergency department with vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and seizures for the past two days. Which of the following treatments should be started first for this patient?

A neonate’s newborn screen has tested positive for phenylketonuria. While diagnostic testing is performed, the nurse educates the parents to avoid foods high in which nutrient?

The nurse is assigned to care for a patient scheduled to undergo a lumbar puncture. Which of the following signs or symptoms, if present in the patient’s chart, would prompt the nurse to question the order?

An immunocompromised patient has suspected meningitis. Antiviral and antibiotic medications have been ordered but the lumbar puncture is on hold until the patient can undergo a computed tomography (CT) scan. Which of the following actions by the nurse is most appropriate?

The nurse is taking care of a patient undergoing a lumbar puncture. Following the test, the patient complains of a severe headache. Which of the following responses by the nurse is the most appropriate?

The nurse is caring for a morbidly obese patient that requires a lumbar puncture. The physician is having trouble identify surface landmarks. Which of the following is the best body position for this procedure to ensure patient safety?

The nurse is assigned to a patient who presents to the emergency department with a severe headache. Upon physical assessment, the patient’s heart rate is 114 bpm, temperature is 38.2[Symbol]C (100.8[Symbol]F), and the blood pressure is 149/93 mmHg. Which of the following questions by the nurse is most important?

The nurse is assessing a neonate who presents with fever and irritability. The nurse notes the patient is quiet when laying in bed but cries when anyone holds her. Which of the following terms should the nurse use to document this assessment?

The nurse is assisting with a lumbar puncture and obtains a point-of-care (POC) blood glucose level of 72 mg/dL following the procedure. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose level is 47 mg/dL. How does the nurse interpret this result for the CSF glucose level?

The nurse is assisting with a lumbar puncture (LP) and obtains a point-of-care (POC) blood glucose level of 72 mg/dL following the procedure. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose level is 28 mg/dL. How does the nurse interpret this result for the CSF glucose level?

The nurse is caring for a patient with bacterial meningitis. The provider has prescribed mannitol to this patient. The patient’s mother asks why this medication has been prescribed. Which of the following responses by the nurse is most appropriate?

The patient’s CSF stain is found to have gram positive diplococci. The nurse prepares to administer medications for which condition?

A patient’s cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is noted to have a protein level of 52 mg/dL and a glucose level of 28 mg/dL (serum glucose level 82 mg/dL). Additionally, there is an abundance (>1,000 cells/mL) of polymorphonucleocytes (PMNs) present but no erythrocytes. How does the nurse interpret these results?

The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis by Gram stain. There is no culture or antibiotic susceptibility information back from the lab. The nurse will most likely administer which of the following medications?