Question 1

The Glasgow Coma Scale consists of an assessment of:

Accepted Answer

A) Pupil reactivity and motor response. 
B) Eye opening and verbal and motor responses. 
C) Level of consciousness and verbal response. 
D) Intracranial pressure (ICP) and level of consciousness.

Question 2

Which drug would be used to treat a child who has increased intracranial pressure (ICP)resulting from cerebral edema?

Accepted Answer

A) Mannitol 
B) Epinephrine hydrochloride 
C) Atropine sulfate 
D) Sodium bicarbonate

Question 3

The nurse is monitoring an infant for signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP).Which are late signs of increased ICP in an infant (Select all that apply)?

Accepted Answer

A) Tachycardia 
B) Alteration in pupil size and reactivity 
C) Increased motor response 
D) Extension or flexion posturing 
E) Cheyne-Stokes respirations

Question 4

A 10-year-old boy has been hit by a car while riding his bicycle in front of the school.The school nurse immediately assesses airway,breathing,and circulation.The next nursing action should be to:

Accepted Answer

A) Place on side. 
B) Take blood pressure. 
C) Stabilize neck and spine. 
D) Check scalp and back for bleeding.

Question 5

A child is brought to the emergency department after experiencing a seizure at school.There is no previous history of seizures.The father tells the nurse that he cannot believe the child has epilepsy.The nurse's best response is:

Accepted Answer

A) "Epilepsy is easily treated." 
B) "Very few children have actual epilepsy." 
C) "The seizure may or may not mean that your child has epilepsy." 
D) "Your child has had only one convulsion; it probably won't happen again."

Question 6

The nurse has received report on four children.Which child should the nurse assess first?

Accepted Answer

A) A school-age child in a coma with stable vital signs 
B) A preschool child with a head injury and decreasing level of consciousness 
C) An adolescent admitted after a motor vehicle accident who is oriented to person and place 
D) A toddler in a persistent vegetative state with a low-grade fever

Question 7

A nurse should expect which cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)laboratory results on a child diagnosed with bacterial meningitis (Select all that apply)?

Accepted Answer

A) Elevated white blood cell (WB
C)  count 
B) Decreased protein 
C) Decreased glucose 
D) Cloudy in color 
E) Increase in red blood cells (RBCs)

Question 8

Which term is used when a patient remains in a deep sleep,responsive only to vigorous and repeated stimulation?

Accepted Answer

A) Coma 
B) Stupor 
C) Obtundation 
D) Persistent vegetative state

Question 9

A child has been seizure-free for 2 years.A father asks the nurse how much longer the child will need to take the antiseizure medications.The nurse includes which intervention in the response?

Accepted Answer

A) Medications can be discontinued at this time. 
B) The child will need to take the drugs for 5 years after the last seizure. 
C) A stepwise approach will be used to reduce the dosage gradually. 
D) Seizure disorders are a lifelong problem. Medications cannot be discontinued.

Question 10

A 3-year-old child is hospitalized after a near-drowning accident.The child's mother complains to the nurse,"This seems unnecessary when he is perfectly fine." The nurse's best reply is:

Accepted Answer

A) "He still needs a little extra oxygen." 
B) "I'm sure he is fine, but the doctor wants to make sure." 
C) "The reason for this is that complications could still occur." 
D) "It is important to observe for possible central nervous system problems."

Question 11

A 6-year-old child is having a generalized seizure in the classroom at school. Place in order the interventions the school nurse should implement, starting with the highest-priority intervention and sequencing to the lowest-priority intervention.

-Fourth priority

Accepted Answer

A) Take vital signs. 
B) Ease child to the floor. 
C) Allow child to rest. 
D) Turn child to the side. 
E) Integrate child back into the school environment.

Question 12

Which type of fracture describes traumatic separation of cranial sutures?

Accepted Answer

A) Basilar 
B) Compound 
C) Diastatic 
D) Depressed

Question 13

The vector reservoir for agents causing viral encephalitis in the United States is:

Accepted Answer

A) Tarantula spiders. 
B) Mosquitoes and ticks. 
C) Carnivorous wild animals. 
D) Domestic and wild animals.

Question 14

Which type of seizure may be difficult to detect?

Accepted Answer

A) Absence 
B) Generalized 
C) Simple partial 
D) Complex partial

Question 15

The nurse is performing a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)on a school-age child with a head injury.The child opens eyes spontaneously,obeys commands,and is oriented to person,time,and place.Which is the score the nurse should record?

Accepted Answer

A) 8 
B) 11 
C) 13 
D) 15

Question 16

The nurse should recommend medical attention if a child with a slight head injury experiences:

Accepted Answer

A) Sleepiness. 
B) Vomiting, even once. 
C) Headache, even if slight. 
D) Confusion or abnormal behavior.

Question 17

A 5-year-old girl sustained a concussion when she fell out of a tree.In preparation for discharge,the nurse is discussing home care with her mother.Which statement made by the mother indicates a correct understanding of the teaching?

Accepted Answer

A) "I should expect my child to have a few episodes of vomiting." 
B) "If I notice sleep disturbances, I should contact the physician immediately." 
C) "I should expect my child to have some behavioral changes after the accident." 
D) "If I notice diplopia, I will have my child rest for 1 hour."

Question 18

Which clinical manifestations would suggest hydrocephalus in a neonate?

Accepted Answer

A) Bulging fontanel and dilated scalp veins 
B) Closed fontanel and high-pitched cry 
C) Constant low-pitched cry and restlessness 
D) Depressed fontanel and decreased blood pressure

Question 19

Which neurologic diagnostic test gives a visualized horizontal and vertical cross section of the brain at any axis?

Accepted Answer

A) Nuclear brain scan 
B) Echoencephalography 
C) Computed tomography (CT) scan 
D) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Question 20

A 6-year-old child is having a generalized seizure in the classroom at school. Place in order the interventions the school nurse should implement, starting with the highest-priority intervention and sequencing to the lowest-priority intervention.

-Third priority

Accepted Answer

A) Take vital signs. 
B) Ease child to the floor. 
C) Allow child to rest. 
D) Turn child to the side. 
E) Integrate child back into the school environment.

Exam 45: Cerebral Dysfunction