Exam 22: Neurologic Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Procedures

A patient is going for digital subtraction angiography.The patient education plan to prepare the patient for the procedure should include which instruction?

The nurse is caring for a patient with a closed head injury with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)score of 6.What does this score indicate about the patient's neurologic status?

The nurse is caring for a critically injured patient who can only be aroused by vigorous external stimuli.Which category should the nurse use to document the patient's level of consciousness?

The nurse is caring for a patient immediately after a craniotomy.When assessing the size and shape of the patient's pupils the nurse notes the patient's left pupil is oval.What does this finding indicate?

The nurse is caring for a patient with a head injury and observes a rhythmic increase and decrease in the rate and depth of respiration followed by brief periods of apnea.What should the nurse document under breathing pattern?

A patient with a serious head injury has been admitted.The nurse knows that certain neurologic findings can indicate the prognosis for the patient.Which finding denotes the most serious prognosis?

The nurse and a new graduate nurse are caring for a comatose patient on continuous electroencephalography (cEEG)monitor.The new graduate says "This monitor is great.How come we don't use it on all the neuro patients?" What are the drawbacks to using this type of monitor?

While the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)is part of the routine neurologic assessment,the nurse knows that it is not a valid measure for certain types of patients.In which patient is the GCS not valid?

Why is assessment of level of conscious (LOC)the most important aspect of the neurologic examination?

The patient was admitted with a head injury and an intracranial pressure (ICP)monitoring device was placed.The nurse knows to notify the practitioner if what type of wave start to appear on the monitor?

A patient has been admitted with acute confusion and other focal neurologic signs.The practitioner is going to perform a lumbar puncture.What is an abnormal finding in the cerebrospinal fluid?

The nurse is starting a peripheral intravenous catheter in the right hand of an unconscious patient.During the procedure the patient reaches over with his left hand and tries to remove the noxious stimuli.How would the nurse document this response?

The nurse is caring for a patient who is going to have digital subtraction angiography.The patient asks what is the difference between conventional and digital subtraction angiography.What should the nurse tell the patient?

According to the 2007 Brain Trauma Foundation guidelines,the recommended CPP range is:

The practitioner wishes to evaluate the functional integrity of cerebral motor pathways in a brain-injured patient.Which test should the nurse anticipate the practitioner will order?

A patient has been admitted with acute confusion and other focal neurologic signs.The practitioner is going to perform a lumbar puncture.What is the most serious complication of lumbar puncture?

A patient is undergoing a preoperative evaluation for carotid arteries.What two test should the nurse expect to see ordered for the patient?

The nurse is caring for a patient who has sustained a traumatic head injury.The practitioner has asked the nurse to test the patient's oculocephalic reflex.Which findings indicate that the patient has an intact oculocephalic reflex?

The nurse is caring for a patient who has just had a cerebral angiogram.Which intervention should be part of the nursing management plan?

Considering anatomic location,which cranial nerve will be affected first by downward pressure onto the infratentorial structures?