Nokea
A patient with a spinal cord injury (SCI) complains about a severe throbbing headache that suddenly started a short time ago. Assessment of the patient reveals increased blood pressure (168/94) and decreased heart rate (48/minute), diaphoreses, and flushing of the face and neck. What action should you take first?
- A. Administer the ordered acetaminophen (Tylenol).
- B. Check the Foley tubing for kinks or obstruction.
- C. Adjust the temperature in the patient's room.
- D. Notify the physician about the change in status.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Checking the Foley tubing is critical as it could indicate autonomic dysreflexia, a life-threatening condition in SCI patients.
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Which of the following is the most effective drug for PD?
- A. Amantadine
- B. Carbidopa/levodopa
- C. Pramipexole
- D. Rasagiline
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Carbidopa/levodopa is the most effective drug for managing Parkinson's disease symptoms, as it replenishes dopamine levels in the brain.
The nurse is explaining the transmission of nerve impulses to a patient with a spinal cord injury. What should the nurse explain as the structure that carries nerve impulses at synapses?
- A. Cell membrane
- B. Depolarizations
- C. Schwann cells
- D. Neurotransmitters
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Neurotransmitters are chemicals released at the synaptic end bulb of a neuron that carry nerve impulses across the synapse to the next neuron. The cell membrane and depolarizations are involved in the electrical aspect of impulse transmission, while Schwann cells form the myelin sheath. Neurotransmitters are key to understanding synaptic communication.
Which of the following is the correct sequence in a typical reflex arc:
- A. effector, afferent neuron, integration centre, efferent neuron, receptor
- B. receptor, afferent neuron, integration centre, efferent neuron, effector
- C. effector, efferent neuron, integration centre, afferent neuron, receptor
- D. receptor, efferent neuron, integration centre, afferent neuron, effector
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct sequence in a reflex arc is: receptor detects the stimulus, afferent neuron transmits the signal to the integration center, efferent neuron carries the response signal, and effector produces the response. Therefore, B is the correct answer.
Early symptoms of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) include changes in mood, temperament and behaviour followed by impairments in memory and concentration, and confused thinking. The infectious agent in vCJD is thought to be which of the following?
- A. MRSA.
- B. Prion.
- C. Ion.
- D. Hemaglobin.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Prions are abnormal, infectious proteins that cause neurodegenerative diseases like variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD). These proteins induce the misfolding of normal cellular proteins in the brain, leading to brain damage and the characteristic symptoms of vCJD, such as mood changes, memory loss, and cognitive decline. Prion diseases are incurable and ultimately fatal, making early detection and prevention critical.
What is the outermost membrane surrounding the brain called?
- A. pia mater
- B. arachnoid mater
- C. dura mater
- D. alma mater
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, dura mater. The dura mater is the outermost membrane surrounding the brain, providing a tough protective layer. Pia mater (A) is the innermost layer, while arachnoid mater (B) is the middle layer. Choice D, alma mater, is a term referring to one's former school or college and is not related to brain anatomy. In summary, dura mater is the correct answer as it is the outermost protective membrane surrounding the brain, while the other choices refer to inner layers or are unrelated terms.