Question 1

A patient with Parkinson's disease is prescribed carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet).Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect to be most affected with this medication?

Accepted Answer

The primary effect of carbidopa/levodopa is to improve tremors associated with Parkinson's disease by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. While the medication may have other effects, such as improving gait and reducing rigidity, tremors are typically the symptom most responsive to treatment with this medication.

Question 2

The nurse suspects that a patient is experiencing Parkinson's disease.What did the nurse assess to make this clinical determination?

Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease is characterized by bradykinesia, which means slow movements, along with other symptoms like tremors and rigidity.

Question 3

The nurse is reviewing medical orders written for a patient with encephalitis.Which medication should the nurse expect to be prescribed as a priority for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain typically caused by a viral infection, so the priority medication for a patient with encephalitis would be an antiviral medication. This medication will not only treat the viral infection but also help reduce the inflammation in the brain. Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections and would not be necessary unless there was a secondary bacterial infection. Antiemetics would be helpful if the patient was experiencing nausea and vomiting, but they would not be the priority medication. Antiseizure medications may be needed if the patient experiences seizures, which can be a complication of encephalitis, but they would not be the priority medication.

Question 4

It is believed that a patient's migraine headaches are caused by vascular constriction.Which medication should the nurse expect to be prescribed for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that is commonly prescribed for migraine headaches. It works by dilating blood vessels and improving blood flow, which can relieve the vascular constriction that is believed to be a cause of migraines. Citalopram and imipramine are antidepressants, and lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant, none of which are commonly used for the treatment of migraines.

Question 5

The nurse is planning discharge instructions for a patient recovering from surgery to debulk a brain tumor.Why should self-monitoring of capillary blood glucose level be a part of this teaching?

Accepted Answer

Steroid medications, often prescribed post-surgery to reduce inflammation, can increase blood glucose levels, necessitating self-monitoring.

Question 6

The nurse is preparing medications for a client with encephalitis.Which medication should the nurse question before administering?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is preparing medications for a...

Question 7

The nurse is concerned that a patient's Alzheimer's disease is progressing.What finding did the nurse use to confirm this suspicion?

Accepted Answer

Inability to recall common words or names is a common symptom of Alzheimer's disease as it affects the patient's ability to remember and retrieve information. Misplacement of objects, difficulty performing day-to-day tasks, and confusion or disorientation are also common signs of Alzheimer's disease, but the inability to recall words is a more specific symptom.

Question 8

The nurse is planning care for a patient with meningitis.What teaching material should be prepared to explain the prescribed treatment for this disorder?

Accepted Answer

Meningitis is a serious bacterial infection that requires long-term antibiotic therapy to properly treat and prevent complications. It is important to explain the importance of completing the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed by the healthcare provider. Fluid restriction, a low-fat, low-calorie diet, and over-the-counter analgesics are not typically included in the treatment of meningitis.

Question 9

The nurse suspects that a patient with photophobia is experiencing encephalitis.What observation of the patient's behavior caused the nurse to make this clinical decision?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse suspects that a patient with...

Question 10

The nurse is admitting a patient experiencing photophobia and nuchal rigidity.For which diagnostic test should the nurse prepare this patient?

Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms suggest the presence of meningitis, which is an inflammation of the meninges (the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord). A lumbar puncture (LP) is the diagnostic test of choice to confirm or exclude meningitis. This test involves collecting a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the subarachnoid space in the lumbar region of the spine. CSF analysis can provide information about the presence of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi) and inflammatory cells. Blood tests and imaging studies (such as CT or MRI) may also be ordered, but they are not as sensitive or specific as LP in diagnosing meningitis. Other diagnostic tests, such as evoked potentials or EEG, may be useful to assess brain function or detect abnormalities, but they are not specific for meningitis.

Question 11

The health-care professional is identifying the best course of treatment for a patient with a brain tumor.What should be considered when selecting chemotherapeutic agents for this patient?

Accepted Answer

When selecting chemotherapeutic agents for a patient with a brain tumor, it is important to choose drugs that are able to cross the blood-brain barrier to effectively treat the tumor in the brain. Mild neutropenia, weight loss, hair loss, and mucositis are potential side effects of chemotherapy, but they are not the primary consideration in choosing the best course of treatment for a brain tumor.

Question 12

A patient returns to the community clinic after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.What should the nurse expect to see documented in the patient's medical record to support this diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Rigidity with ambulation is a common symptom of Parkinson's disease, indicating muscle stiffness and difficulty with movement. EEG results, serum potassium and calcium levels, and cerebral angiograms are not typically used to diagnose Parkinson's disease.

Question 13

During a home visit the nurse considers physical therapy for a patient recovering from encephalitis.What would be the best explanation for this referral?

Accepted Answer

The answer of During a home visit the nurse considers...

Question 14

A patient has been experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure for five minutes.What should the nurse do first?

Accepted Answer

The priority for a patient experiencing a prolonged seizure is to protect their airway and prevent hypoxemia by preparing to insert an airway. This will ensure adequate oxygenation to the brain and other organs. The other options can be initiated after the airway is secured.

Question 15

The nurse is preparing material for a community health fair.What should the nurse identify as being the most common cause of headache pain in adults?

Accepted Answer

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache in adults, accounting for approximately 90% of all headaches. Mixed, cluster, and migraine headaches are less common.

Question 16

The nurse interrupts unlicensed assistive personnel who is assisting a patient with Parkinson's disease with breakfast.Which observation caused the nurse to immediately intervene?

Accepted Answer

The head of the bed should be raised higher than 30 degrees to prevent aspiration in patients with Parkinson's disease, especially during meals.

Question 17

A patient with a seizure disorder asks the purpose of staying awake all night prior to having an electroencephalogram in the morning.What should the nurse explain to this patient?

Accepted Answer

Sleep deprivation can lower the seizure threshold, making it more likely for a person with a seizure disorder to have a seizure during the EEG, which can be helpful in diagnosing and evaluating their condition.

Question 18

During morning care a patient with a seizure disorder asks why the room has suddenly turned green.What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

The sudden change in visual perception could be an aura, which is a warning sign that a seizure may be imminent. The nurse should prepare for a seizure to begin.

Question 19

A patient with meningitis is prescribed a cooling blanket.What should the nurse explain as being the purpose of this device?

Accepted Answer

The purpose of a cooling blanket in a patient with meningitis is to decrease oxygen demand in the brain. Meningitis can lead to increased intracranial pressure, which can cause damage to the brain. Cooling the patient can help decrease the metabolic rate of the brain, which in turn decreases the oxygen demand. This can help prevent further damage to the brain. Cooling the patient does not relieve pain, increase cerebral venous outflow, or reduce the transmission of the infection.

Question 20

A patient is diagnosed with a continuous headache syndrome.What treatment should the nurse expect to be prescribed for this patient?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient is diagnosed with a continuous...

Quiz 36: Coordinating Care for Patients With Brain Disorders

A patient with Parkinson's disease is prescribed carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet) .Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect to be most affected with this medication?