Neurology

The nurse is reviewing the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) results from the lumbar puncture (LP), which is significant for xanthochromia. How does the nurse interpret this information?

A nurse is assigned to a 75-year-old patient with head trauma secondary to falling down the stairs at home. The patient is stable initially, complaining of headache and some dizziness, but no focal neurologic signs. That evening, the patient acutely becomes altered and rapidly loses consciousness. Which of the following most likely explains this patient’s condition?

The nurse is discussing preventive health issues with an 18-year-old patient about to head to college. Patient says she will be living in the dormitories for the first year, at least, and is concerned about the possibility of catching meningococcal meningitis. Which of the following statements are accurate regarding meningococcal meningitis? Select all that apply

A child with type 1 diabetes is undergoing treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis. For which life-threatening complications of treatment should the nurse be vigilant? Select all that apply.

A patient with diabetic ketoacidosis who is undergoing fluid resuscitation and normal insulin infusion had a brief period of improved level of consciousness followed by a decrease in level of consciousness. Lab studies show the patient’s metabolic condition is improving. Which medication does the nurse anticipate administering to this patient immediately?

The nurse educates the patient with newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus about which long-term complications of poorly-controlled diabetes? Select all that apply.

A patient is found to have hypertension. Which conditions, if present in the patient, indicate the patient has had hypertension for years without being diagnosed? Select all that apply.

A patient is brought to the emergency department with right-sided weakness, right-sided facial drooping, slurring of the words, and aphasia. The nurse is most suspicious for which condition?

A pregnant woman is diagnosed with an ischemic stroke and alteplase is discussed. The nurse is aware alteplase is in which pregnancy category?

The nurse is a first responder following a multi-vehicle accident and performs triage on the victims while waiting for further assistance. A person walks up to the nurse with a minor head wound and asks to be treated. Which response by the nurse is appropriate?

The patient complains of poor sleep on a regular basis. Which statement by the patient provides an opportunity for education about sleep hygiene?

From which stage of non-REM sleep is it most difficult to wake?

The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a new mother. Which of the following statements about the neonate’s sleep patterns is correct?

The parent of a two-year-old tells the nurse, “Every night, bedtime is a struggle. My child never wants to go to sleep.” Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

The 30-year-old female patient presents to the emergency department complaining of double vision, bilateral facial drooping, diffuse muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, and shallow respirations. The nurse anticipates administering which medication to confirm this patient’s diagnosis?

The 25-year-old patient presents with new onset focal seizures; history is negative for traumatic events and the patient is otherwise healthy. The nurse suspects which condition as the cause of the seizure?

Which assessments, if found in the patient with schizophrenia, indicate the patient is experiencing positive symptoms of the disorder? Select all that apply.

The mother of the 16-year-old patient with schizophrenia asks the nurse, “I can hardly get him out of bed each day, he won’t ever shower, and it just doesn’t seem like he understands when I try to teach him new things. He takes his medicine like he’s supposed to. Why does he keep getting worse?” Which response by the nurse is appropriate?

The patient with schizophrenia is taking clozapine. Which lab test is most important to follow in this patient to ensure safety?

The patient with major depressive disorder asks the nurse what causes the symptoms of depression. While the precise cause of depression is unknown, which response by the nurse is appropriate?

Benzodiazepines act on which neuroreceptor to decrease anxiety and panic symptoms?

The patient with social anxiety disorder asks the nurse to explain why she feels the way she does in social situations. The nurse bases the response on which understanding of the pathophysiology of anxiety disorder?

Which degenerative neurologic disorder is caused by neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques?

The patient’s wife tells the nurse, “Even though he had atrial fibrillation, he seemed fine. Why did he have a stroke?” Which response by the nurse is appropriate?

The patient presents with symptoms of a cerebrovascular accident. The nurse anticipates further testing will reveal blockage of which vessel?

Following a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), the patient is able to speak but the words are nonsensical. The nurse attributes this patient’s symptoms to an infarction of which area of the brain?

The patient is undergoing therapeutic hypothermia following a severe cerebrovascular accident (CVA). The nurse bases education for the spouse on an understanding of which mechanism?

Which symptom of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is most common?

The patient has experienced a subarachnoid hemorrhage. The nurse is vigilant for signs of which electrolyte imbalance?

The patient with bacterial meningitis exhibits papilledema. The nurse attributes this symptom to inflammation of which cranial nerve?

The patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) presents with headache, fever, and nuchal rigidity. Which organism does the nurse suspect from the cerebrospinal fluid culture?

The 28-year-old female patient presents complaining of stumbling when walking, tremor, and decreased coordination. The nurse suspects the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan will reveal lesions in which location?

Which adverse effect is of greatest concern for the patient undergoing treatment for multiple sclerosis?

The botulinum neurotoxin acts on which neurotransmitter to produce flaccid paralysis?

The nurse receives report about a neonate with an unrepaired meningocele and anticipates observing which assessment finding?

The nurse assessing the skull of the 6-month-old infant notes the sutures are approximated and cannot appreciate either the anterior or posterior fontanelle. Further investigation and intervention is warranted to prevent complications of which condition?

The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of a 2-month-old infant with severe seizures shows a brain that appears smooth and lacks normal gyri and sulci. The nurse anticipates which diagnosis?

Which adverse effect of gabapentin is of greatest concern for the 85-year-old patient?

The nurse is assigned to care for a 27-year-old male who presented with acute onset personality changes and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Upon entering the patient’s room, the nurse notices the patient is staring at the ceiling and muttering. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

The nurse is teaching a patient how to walk with a cane following a cerebrovascular accident that left the patient with right-sided weakness. Which action by the patient indicates the teaching was effective?

The adult patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus and Parkinson’s disease lives alone. Which patient statement would prompt the nurse to advocate for a delay in discharge from the hospital?

Which patient must be treated first in the emergency department following a mass shooting?

Which assessment at the beginning of the shift of the patient with a recent head injury requires the most immediate action?

The patient is rushed into the emergency department by a family member who states the patient is having a stroke. Which action does the nurse take first?

After receiving report, which patient does the nurse see first?

Which statement by the family member of a patient who has Guillain-Barré Syndrome indicates that they understand the nurse’s teaching on the disease process?

Which exercise is appropriate for the patient who has a Glasgow Coma Scale of 4?

The patient presents to the emergency department after having a metal beam fall on his head at a work site. He was wearing a helmet which broke with the impact. He was unconscious at the scene but is awake now, and his initial assessment is completely benign. Which finding upon reassessment 30 minutes later is most concerning?

A patient who has severe depression asks if electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) could help his depression. Which response is most appropriate?

Which signs indicate that a patient with chronic depression may be planning to commit suicide? Select all that apply.