Question 1

The nurse, caring for a client with a traumatic brain injury, realizes that the major cause of these types of injuries is:

Accepted Answer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries is motor vehicle crashes, followed by falls, which account for almost half of all TBIs in the United States. Sports and recreational activities are also common causes of TBIs, but they are not the major cause. Guns are a factor in a small percentage of TBIs.

Question 2

A client is being instructed on treatments available for a newly diagnosed brain tumor. The nurse realizes that this client's treatment could include all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Photo DNA therapy is not a common treatment option for brain tumors. The standard treatment options include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Question 3

Which of the following should be avoided when caring for a client diagnosed with increased intracranial pressure?

Accepted Answer

Placing the bed in Trendelenburg, which would involve tilting the head of the bed downward, is contraindicated in clients with increased intracranial pressure as it can worsen cerebral edema and increase intracranial pressure. Starting an intravenous access line, administering oxygen, and placing the client on bed rest are all appropriate interventions for clients with increased intracranial pressure as they aim to maintain oxygenation, monitor fluid balance, and promote cerebral perfusion.

Question 4

The nurse, planning care for a client recovering from a traumatic brain injury, is including interventions to prevent sympathetic storming. Which of the following should be included in this client's plan of care? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A) Medicate for pain prior to conducting a painful procedure: Sympathetic storming can be triggered by pain and discomfort, so pain management with medications such as opioids is essential in preventing sympathetic storming.
E) Provide beta-blockers as prescribed with symptoms of sympathetic storm: Beta-blockers can help decrease the sympathetic response in the body and prevent or treat sympathetic storming.

Question 5

A client diagnosed with a brain tumor is going to receive chemotherapy. The nurse realizes that which of the following medications would most likely be prescribed for this client's treatment?

Accepted Answer

Carmustine is a chemotherapy medication commonly used to treat brain tumors. Digoxin is a medication used to treat heart conditions, aminophylline is used to treat respiratory illnesses, and acetaminophen is used to treat pain and fever but it is not used as a treatment for brain tumors.

Question 6

For the client who is at risk for stroke, the most important guideline the nurse should teach is to:

Accepted Answer

Monitoring blood pressure is crucial for clients at risk for stroke as hypertension is a significant risk factor. Regular monitoring and management of blood pressure can decrease the risk of stroke. Increasing caffeine or sodium intake can actually increase blood pressure, while monitoring weight and activity can have some impact on blood pressure but are not as critical as monitoring blood pressure itself.

Question 7

The nurse, caring for a client diagnosed with a brain tumor, is planning interventions to assist with swallowing and prevent aspiration. Which of the following would be appropriate for this client? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse, caring for a client diagnosed...

Question 8

A client is diagnosed with a mild brain injury. Which of the following is an example of a mild injury?

Accepted Answer

Concussion is an example of a mild brain injury. It is a type of traumatic brain injury that usually results from a blow to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. The symptoms of a concussion can include headaches, dizziness, confusion, and memory problems, but they typically resolve within a few days to a few weeks. In contrast, coma, locked-in syndrome, and vegetative state are all more severe types of brain injury that can result in long-term or permanent disability.

Question 9

The nurse is planning care for a client diagnosed with increased intracranial pressure after a head injury. Which of the following interventions can be used to reduce increased intracranial pressure?

Accepted Answer

Administering corticosteroids and osmotic diuretics can reduce inflammation and decrease fluid accumulation, leading to a decrease in intracranial pressure. Antibiotics are not indicated unless there is an underlying infection. Keeping the head of the bed flat can increase intracranial pressure, and range-of-motion exercises may increase pressure as well.

Question 10

The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client recovering from a traumatic brain injury. Which of the following should be included in these instructions? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is providing discharge instructions to...

Question 11

A client is being seen in the emergency department experiencing symptoms of a stroke. The nurse realizes that the administration of a medication to break clots, such as tPA, should be administered within how many minutes of the client presenting to the emergency department?

Accepted Answer

The administration of tPA should be given within 60 minutes of the client presenting to the emergency department in order to increase the chances of successful treatment and decrease the risk of complications. This is known as the "golden hour" and is a crucial time frame in stroke management.

Question 12

A client diagnosed with an embolic stroke is not a candidate for tPA. The nurse realizes that the client might be eligible for which of the following forms of treatment?

Accepted Answer

Carotid stenting is a potential treatment for embolic strokes when tPA is contraindicated. This procedure involves the placement of a stent in the carotid artery to improve blood flow to the brain. Antiarrhythmic medication and intravenous fluid therapy are not specific treatments for embolic stroke, and carotid endarterectomy is not typically used as a first-line treatment for embolic stroke.

Question 13

The nurse is instructing a client diagnosed with a brain tumor on symptoms to immediately report to her physician. Which of the following should be included in these instructions? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

These symptoms could suggest worsening of the brain tumor and require immediate attention from a physician. Loss of appetite, although important to monitor, is not typically an urgent symptom that needs to be reported immediately.

Question 14

While instructing a client on stroke prevention, the nurse mentions medications that are useful in stroke prevention. The following medications are effective in preventing a stroke, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Anticholinergics do not have a role in stroke prevention. Anticoagulants and antiplatelets are commonly used to prevent stroke by decreasing blood clot formation. Neuroprotective agents are used to protect the brain cells and reduce damage during a stroke.

Question 15

A client is being evaluated for a stroke. The nurse knows that one of the easiest and most common diagnostic tests used to differentiate between strokes is:

Accepted Answer

Computed tomography (CT) is one of the easiest and most common diagnostic tests used to differentiate between strokes. It can quickly show if a stroke has occurred and the location and extent of damage to the brain. MRI and PET scans may also be used, but CT is generally the first and most commonly used test for stroke evaluation. EEG measures brain activity and is not typically used for stroke diagnosis.

Question 16

The nurse, caring for a client recovering from a traumatic brain injury, knows the client and the family are eligible for specific federal programs because of the:

Accepted Answer

The Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2008 established federal programs that provide resources and support for individuals and families affected by traumatic brain injuries. Therefore, option C is the correct answer. The other options (A, B, and D) are not valid acts or programs.

Question 17

The family of a client diagnosed with a stroke asks the nurse if this health problem is very common. The nurse should respond that in the United States a person has a stroke every:

Accepted Answer

According to the American Stroke Association, in the United States, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds.

Question 18

A client asks the nurse to explain symptoms that would indicate the presence of a brain tumor. Which of the following should the nurse respond to this client? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Dizziness, ringing in the ears, seizures, and headaches are common symptoms associated with brain tumors.

Quiz 35: Dysfunction of the Brain: Nursing Management