A nurse is assessing a client who has meningitis and notes when passively flexing the client's neck there is an involuntary flexion of both legs. Which of the following conditions is the client displaying?
Bradykinesia
Kernig's sign
Nuchal rigidity
Brudzinski's sign
The Correct Answer is D
A. Bradykinesia: Bradykinesia refers to slowness of movement and is commonly associated with Parkinson's disease. It is not typically assessed through neck flexion in the context of meningitis.
B. Kernig's sign: Kernig's sign is assessed by flexing the patient's hip and knee and then attempting to extend the knee. Resistance or pain during knee extension suggests meningeal irritation, but it does not involve the involuntary flexion of the legs.
C. Nuchal rigidity: Nuchal rigidity refers to stiffness and pain in the neck and inability to flex the neck forward due to inflammation of the meninges. While it is related to meningitis, it does not involve involuntary flexion of the legs.
D. Brudzinski's sign: Brudzinski's sign is a physical exam finding where passive flexion of the neck results in involuntary flexion of the hips and knees. It is a classic sign of meningeal irritation, often seen in meningitis.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. “You might benefit from some psychological counseling." While psychological counseling may be helpful for coping with the emotional impact of epilepsy, it does not directly address the patient's concern about the possibility of having a seizure at work.
B. “The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation can help with work retraining." While
vocational rehabilitation services may be beneficial for individuals with disabilities, it may not directly address the patient's concern about continuing to work as a teacher.
C. "Epilepsy usually can be well controlled with medications." This response addresses the patient's concern by providing reassurance that epilepsy can often be effectively managed with medications. By effectively controlling seizures, the patient may be able to continue working without the fear of having a seizure at work.
D. “You will want to contact the Epilepsy Foundation for assistance." While the Epilepsy Foundation provides valuable resources and support for individuals with epilepsy, this response does not directly address the patient's concern about continuing to work.
Correct Answer is []
Explanation
The potential condition the client is most likely experiencing is a Hemorrhagic Stroke.
- Prepare the client for a STAT CT brain: The client presents with sudden onset of severe headache described as the worst of their life, along with additional neurological symptoms such as left-sided weakness, aphasia, photophobia, and loss of peripheral vision. These symptoms are highly concerning for a possible hemorrhagic stroke, which requires urgent imaging such as a CT scan of the brain to confirm the diagnosis and guide immediate treatment.
- Place the client on seizure precautions: The client has reported left-sided weakness and aphasia, indicating neurological deficits. Additionally, they have a history of atrialfibrillation and are on anticoagulant therapy with warfarin, resulting in an elevated INR of4.9. This INR level suggests a significantly increased risk of bleeding, including intracranial bleeding. Given these factors, the client is at risk of experiencing seizures, which is a potential complication of hemorrhagic stroke. Placing the client on seizure precautionsinvolves ensuring their safety and preventing injury in the event of a seizure.
Parameters to Monitor:
- Temperature: Monitoring temperature is important to assess for the presence of fever, which could indicate an infectious process such as meningitis. However, in this case, theclient's fever is likely related to their urinary tract infection rather than directly related to the stroke. Nonetheless, monitoring temperature is still essential for overall assessment and management.
- PT/INR: Monitoring the PT/INR is crucial due to the client's history of atrial fibrillation and anticoagulant therapy with warfarin. The elevated INR of 4.9 suggests that the client is at increased risk of bleeding, including intracranial bleeding. Close monitoring of PT/INR levels will help guide adjustments to anticoagulant therapy and assess the risk of further bleeding complications.
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