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A gerontologic nurse planning the neurologic assessment of an older adult is considering normal, agerelated changes. Of what phenomenon should the nurse be aware?
- A. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
- B. Reduction in cerebral blood flow
- C. Increased cerebral metabolism
- D. Hypersensitivity to painful stimuli
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aging reduces cerebral blood flow, impacting neurologic function. Deep tendon reflexes may decrease, cerebral metabolism declines, and pain sensitivity often diminishes in older adults.
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A patient for whom the nurse is caring has positron emission tomography (PET) scheduled. In preparation, what should the nurse explain to the patient?
- A. The test will temporarily limit blood flow through the brain.
- B. An allergy to iodine precludes getting the radio-opaque dye.
- C. The patient will need to endure loud noises during the test.
- D. The test may result in dizziness or lightheadedness.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: PET scans may cause dizziness or lightheadedness due to tracer inhalation. Blood flow is not limited, iodine allergy applies to CT/MRI, and noise is an MRI concern.
A patient is having a fight or flight response after receiving bad news about his prognosis. What affect will this have on the patients sympathetic nervous system?
- A. Constriction of blood vessels in the heart muscle
- B. Constriction of bronchioles
- C. Increase in the secretion of sweat
- D. Constriction of pupils
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sympathetic activation during fight or flight increases sweat secretion, dilates heart muscle vessels, bronchodilates, and dilates pupils.
Assessment is crucial to the care of patients with neurologic dysfunction. What does accurate and appropriate assessment require? Select all that apply.
- A. The ability to select mediations for the neurologic dysfunction
- B. Understanding of the tests used to diagnose neurologic disorders
- C. Knowledge of nursing interventions related to assessment and diagnostic testing
- D. Knowledge of the anatomy of the nervous system
- E. The ability to interpret the results of diagnostic tests
Correct Answer: B,C,D
Rationale: Accurate neurologic assessment requires understanding diagnostic tests, nursing interventions, and nervous system anatomy. Medication selection and test interpretation are typically physician responsibilities.
The nurse has admitted a new patient to the unit. One of the patients admitting orders is for an adrenergic medication. The nurse knows that this medication will have what effect on the circulatory system?
- A. Thin, watery saliva
- B. Increased heart rate
- C. Decreased BP
- D. Constricted bronchioles
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Adrenergic medications stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, increasing heart rate and force. Thin saliva and decreased BP are parasympathetic effects, while bronchodilation, not constriction, occurs.
The nurse is doing an initial assessment on a patient newly admitted to the unit with a diagnosis of cerebrovascular accident (CVA). The patient has difficulty copying a figure that the nurse has drawn and is diagnosed with visual-receptive aphasia. What brain region is primarily involved in this deficit?
- A. Temporal lobe
- B. Parietal-occipital area
- C. Inferior posterior frontal areas
- D. Posterior frontal area
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Visual-receptive aphasia, involving difficulty copying figures, is linked to the parietal-occipital area, which integrates visual and spatial processing. Temporal lobe damage affects auditory comprehension, and frontal areas impact expressive speech.