Nokea
The client diagnosed with a brain abscess has become lethargic and difficult to arouse. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Implement seizure precautions.
- B. Assess the client's neurological status.
- C. Close the drapes and darken the room.
- D. Prepare to administer an IV steroid.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lethargy and difficulty arousing suggest neurological deterioration. Assessing neurological status (B) is the first step to determine the cause and guide interventions. Seizure precautions (A), darkening the room (C), and steroids (D) follow assessment.
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In assessing a client with a Thoracic SCI, which clinical manifestation would the nurse expect to find to support the diagnosis of neurogenic shock?
- A. No reflex activity below the waist.
- B. Inability to move upper extremities.
- C. Complaints of a pounding headache.
- D. Hypotension and bradycardia.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Neurogenic shock in thoracic SCI results from loss of sympathetic tone, leading to hypotension and bradycardia (D). No reflex activity (A) indicates spinal shock, upper extremity paralysis (B) occurs in cervical SCI, and headache (C) is unrelated.
The nurse is caring for the client who had a stroke affecting the right hemisphere of the brain. The nurse should assess for which problem initially?
- A. Right hemiparesis
- B. Expressive aphasia
- C. Poor impulse control
- D. Tetraplegia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A stroke affecting the right hemisphere may produce left, not right hemiparesis. Motor fibers in the brain cross over in the medulla before entering the spinal column. This client may or may not have aphasia because the center for language is located on the left side of the brain in 75% to 80% of the population; this client had a stroke involving the right hemisphere. Even though the client may have expressive aphasia, it is more important to assess for poor impulse control due to the risk for injury. The client with a stroke affecting the right side of the brain often exhibits impulsive behavior and is unaware of the neurological deficits. Poor impulse control increases the client’s risk for injury. Tetraplegia (quadriplegia) is associated with an SCI; tetraplegia usually does not occur from a stroke.
The client has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Which presenting signs and symptoms help to localize the tumor position?
- A. Widening pulse pressure and bounding pulse.
- B. Diplopia and decreased visual acuity.
- C. Bradykinesia and scanning speech.
- D. Hemiparesis and personality changes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Visual symptoms like diplopia and decreased visual acuity (B) can localize a tumor to areas affecting the optic pathways or occipital lobe. Other options are less specific to tumor location.
The nurse is caring for the client who has limited intake due to dysphagia following an ischemic stroke. Which serum laboratory result should the nurse review to verify that the client is dehydrated?
- A. Elevated serum creatinine
- B. Elevated blood urea nitrogen
- C. Decreased hemoglobin
- D. Decreased prealbumin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The serum creatinine is elevated with renal insufficiency or renal failure. The BUN is elevated when the client is dehydrated due to the lack of fluid volume to excrete waste products. The Hgb is decreased with blood loss or anemia from nutritional deficiencies, not with dehydration. A decreased prealbumin indicates a nutritional deficiency.
When planning a bowel retraining program for a client with a spinal cord injury, which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
- A. Administering a stool softener twice per week
- B. Encouraging the client to consume a high-fiber diet
- C. Having the client drink two glasses of water every morning
- D. Teaching the client to self-administer daily enemas
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A high-fiber diet promotes regular bowel movements, which is essential for bowel retraining in spinal cord injury clients.