Neurological Nursing Flashcards
7 cards from real MSNCB practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Neurological Nursing flashcards as text
A patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has a forced vital capacity (FVC) of 48%. The nurse should anticipate discussing:
Answer: Non-invasive ventilatory support options
An FVC below 50% in ALS indicates significant respiratory compromise and is the threshold for discussing non-invasive ventilation (BiPAP).
Which nursing assessment finding is most consistent with a epidural hematoma?
Answer: Brief loss of consciousness, lucid interval, then rapid deterioration
Epidural hematoma classically presents with a lucid interval between initial loss of consciousness and rapid neurological deterioration due to arterial bleeding.
A patient post-ischemic stroke develops unilateral neglect. Which nursing intervention best addresses this deficit?
Answer: Place objects on the affected side and teach the patient to scan toward it
Rehabilitation for unilateral neglect focuses on training the patient to consciously scan toward the affected side, placing items there to encourage awareness.
A nurse caring for a patient on therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest should monitor for which common complication?
Answer: Coagulopathy and electrolyte imbalances
Therapeutic hypothermia commonly causes coagulopathy, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypophosphatemia due to intracellular electrolyte shifts.
Which finding in a patient with a cervical spinal cord injury indicates the development of neurogenic shock?
Answer: Hypotension and bradycardia
Neurogenic shock results from disrupted sympathetic pathways, causing hypotension and paradoxical bradycardia without compensatory tachycardia.
A patient with trigeminal neuralgia describes episodes of severe, lancinating facial pain triggered by chewing or touching the face. Which medication is the first-line treatment?
Answer: Carbamazepine
Carbamazepine is the first-line pharmacological treatment for trigeminal neuralgia and has FDA approval specifically for this condition.
A patient is being evaluated for brain death. Which finding is INCONSISTENT with a brain death determination?
Answer: Intact oculovestibular (cold caloric) reflex
An intact oculovestibular (cold caloric) reflex indicates brainstem activity, which is incompatible with a brain death determination.