Question 1

A patient has been diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma. Which assessment finding supports that it is a nonfunctioning form?

Accepted Answer

A pituitary adenoma can compress the optic nerve, leading to visual disturbances. However, the other assessment findings are associated with functioning adenomas. Moon-shaped faces and protruding jaws are characteristic of adenomas that secrete excess growth hormone, while insomnia is often reported in patients with adenomas that secrete excess adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).

Question 2

A patient has developed severe postsurgical muscle weakness in the lower extremities after the removal of a brain tumor. The nurse takes which initial intervention to minimize the patient's risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis DVT)?

Accepted Answer

Applying well-fitted antiembolism hose is the best initial intervention to minimize the patient's risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) as it helps to prevent blood from pooling in the lower extremities and promotes venous return. Asking about a history of DVT, adding leg massages, and instructing the patient to perform leg exercises are also important interventions to reduce the risk of DVT, but they are not as effective as wearing antiembolism hose.

Question 3

A patient at risk for increased intracranial pressure ICP) is likely to experience involuntary compensatory mechanisms. The nurse would monitor this patient for signs of which involuntary compensation? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient at risk for increased intracranial...

Question 4

A patient is recovering from a lumbar puncture, and the nurse is concerned that the patient may contract bacterial meningitis. The nurse should be alert for which common early symptoms? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient is recovering from a lumbar...

Question 5

A patient is being admitted for possible early-stage viral meningitis. The nurse would assess for which significant findings to help confirm the diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

A history of flulike symptoms is a common precursor to viral meningitis and helps confirm the diagnosis. Sluggish pupils, blood pressure, and palpable lymph nodes can be indicative of other conditions but are not specific to viral meningitis.

Question 6

A patient has had a surgical resection of an acoustic neuroma. The nurse would prioritize which postoperative assessment?

Accepted Answer

Identifying damage to cranial nerves VII, IX, X, and XII is the priority postoperative assessment after resection of an acoustic neuroma. These nerves are at risk of damage during surgery and can lead to serious complications such as facial paralysis, difficulty swallowing, and vocal cord paralysis. Monitoring urine output or determining the degree of hearing loss are also important assessments, but not the priority in this case. Timing tinnitus would not be a useful assessment as it is a subjective symptom and not a reliable indicator of postoperative complications.

Question 7

A nurse is providing care to a patient with increased intracranial pressure following a closed head injury. The nurse would determine that adequate cerebral perfusion pressure exists if the CPP is at least ____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A nurse is providing care to a...

Question 8

A patient diagnosed with a brain tumor is reluctant to agree to a surgical excision of the lesion. How can the nurse best address the patient's concerns?

Accepted Answer

Asking the patient to be more specific about their concerns will provide the nurse with a better understanding of what is causing the patient to be reluctant to agree to the surgical excision of the brain tumor. This information can then be used to address the patient's concerns in a more effective manner. Simply notifying the neurosurgeon or assuring the patient that the procedure is necessary may not be enough to alleviate the patient's concerns. Providing detailed written information may be helpful, but it should be done in conjunction with addressing the patient's specific concerns.

Question 9

A 2-year-old child fell and sustained a scalp laceration that will require suturing. The parents ask the nurse, "How serious an injury is this?" How should the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A 2-year-old child fell and sustained a...

Question 10

The nurse is planning a community education session regarding prevention of traumatic brain injury TBI). The nurse would discuss which risk factors? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is planning a community education...

Question 11

A patient with a right temporal lobe hematoma is displaying Cheyne-Stokes respirations. How should this nurse interpret this assessment finding?

Accepted Answer

Cheyne-Stokes respirations are a sign of increased intracranial pressure and decreased brainstem perfusion. They indicate that the patient's condition is worsening and that surgical decompression is necessary. Sluggish pupil reaction may also occur but is not the next sign that is likely to be observed. The presence of Cheyne-Stokes respirations does not indicate that the brain hematoma is self-limiting, and medical treatment is required to address the underlying intracranial pressure.

Question 12

A patient has been diagnosed with a grade 1 astrocytoma, an intra-axial brain tumor. The patient asks, "What are my chances of surviving this thing?" The nurse's response is based on which information?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient has been diagnosed with a...

Question 13

A patient diagnosed with a benign brain tumor is scheduled for gamma knife surgery. How would the nurse explain this procedure?

Accepted Answer

The gamma knife is a non-invasive procedure that delivers a highly-focused dose of radiation to the tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. It does not involve the implantation of any radioactive seeds or capsules, nor does it require a robotic arm. This is a newer and more precise method of delivering radiation to tumors.

Question 14

Which observations by the nurse are representative of the symptomology of an epidural hematoma EDH)? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which observations by the nurse are representative...

Question 15

A patient is being tested for bacterial meningitis. Which finding would the nurse evaluate as supporting that diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Turbid CSF can indicate the presence of bacteria in the cerebrospinal fluid, which would support a diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. A negative glucose level or low potassium level may also be seen in bacterial meningitis, but are not as specific as the appearance of the CSF. High sodium levels are not typically associated with meningitis.

Quiz 21: Caring for the Patient With an Acute Brain or Cranial Nerve Disorder