Neurological and Musculoskeletal Care Flashcards
6 cards from real CMSRN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Neurological and Musculoskeletal Care flashcards as text
A patient admitted with a suspected stroke has a blood pressure of 185/105 mmHg. Before tPA administration, what is the BP threshold that must be achieved?
Answer: Less than 185/110 mmHg
Blood pressure must be below 185/110 mmHg before administering tPA for ischemic stroke to reduce the risk of hemorrhagic transformation.
When assessing level of consciousness using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), which three components are evaluated?
Answer: Eye opening, verbal response, motor response
The GCS assesses eye opening (1–4), verbal response (1–5), and motor response (1–6), with a maximum score of 15 indicating full consciousness.
A patient with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) has a GCS of 7 and widening pulse pressure, bradycardia, and irregular respirations. What does this triad indicate?
Answer: Cushing's triad — sign of increased intracranial pressure
Cushing's triad (hypertension with widened pulse pressure, bradycardia, and irregular respirations) is a late sign of dangerously elevated intracranial pressure.
The nurse is caring for a patient with a C5 spinal cord injury. Which complication should be the priority concern?
Answer: Respiratory compromise due to loss of diaphragmatic function
Injuries at or above C4 affect the phrenic nerve and diaphragm; C5 injuries may partially spare diaphragm function but respiratory compromise remains the top priority.
A post-operative patient reports numbness and tingling in the fingers and toes, and has a positive Chvostek's sign. What electrolyte imbalance does the nurse suspect?
Answer: Hypocalcemia
Hypocalcemia causes neuromuscular excitability, peripheral paresthesias, and positive Chvostek's sign (facial muscle twitching with cheek tap).
The nurse is positioning a patient following lumbar laminectomy. Which position is most appropriate in the immediate post-operative period?
Answer: Log-rolling technique to maintain spinal alignment
Log-rolling maintains spinal alignment and prevents twisting or flexion of the operative site following lumbar laminectomy.