Nokea
In the course of a focused neurologic assessment, the nurse is palpating the patients major muscle groups at rest and during passive movement. Data gleaned from this assessment will allow the nurse to describe which of the following aspects of neurologic function?
- A. Muscle dexterity
- B. Muscle tone
- C. Dysfunction of basal ganglia
- D. Motor symmetry
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Muscle tone is evaluated by palpating muscles at rest and during passive movement. Dexterity, basal ganglia function, and symmetry require different assessments like coordination or side-to-side comparison.
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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.
The neurologist is testing the function of a patients cerebellum and basal ganglia. What action will most accurately test these structures?
- A. Have the patient identify the location of a cotton swab on his or her skin with the eyes closed.
- B. Elicit the patients response to a hypothetical problem.
- C. Ask the patient to close his or her eyes and discern between hot and cold stimuli.
- D. Guide the patient through the performance of rapid, alternating movements.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Rapid, alternating movements test cerebellar and basal ganglia coordination. Sensory tests assess peripheral nerves, and hypothetical problems evaluate cognition.
A trauma patient in the ICU has been declared brain dead. What diagnostic test is used in making the determination of brain death?
- A. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- B. Electroencephalography (EEG)
- C. Electromyelography (EMG)
- D. Computed tomography (CT)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: EEG confirms brain death by showing no electrical activity. MRI, CT, and EMG are not standard for this determination.
The nurse caring for an 80 year-old patient knows that she has a pre-existing history of dulled tactile sensation. The nurse should first consider what possible cause for this patients diminished tactile sensation?
- A. Damage to cranial nerve VIII
- B. Adverse medication effects
- C. Age-related neurologic changes
- D. An undiagnosed cerebrovascular accident in early adulthood
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Aging reduces sensory receptor density, dulling tactile sensation. Cranial nerve VIII affects hearing, medications may cause other effects, and an old CVA is less likely without evidence.