A nurse is caring for a client admitted with meningitis. The student nurse asks, "I know that the client has a lot of edemas in the brain, but what causes it?" Which of the following responses from the nurse best answers the student's question?

"Cerebral edema is caused by osmotic cerebral edema."

"Cerebral edema is caused by whole body inflammation which affects the brain the most."

"Cerebral edema is caused by the by-products of the pathogen that causes the meningitis."

"Cerebral edema is caused by cerebrospinal fluid flowing from the intraventricular space to the interstitial area of the brain."

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Osmotic edema refers to fluid shifts due to changes in osmotic gradients (as seen in conditions like hyponatremia), not the inflammatory process of meningitis.

B. While inflammation is a key part of the body's response in meningitis, the edema is not a result of generalized whole-body inflammation. The edema is more directly linked to local inflammatory reactions in the brain triggered by the pathogen’s by-products.

C. Bacterial cell walls, endotoxins, and other components released by the bacteria directly stimulate inflammation, causing the breakdown of the BBB and allowing fluid and inflammatory cells to leak into the brain tissue.

D. This description is more aligned with the pathophysiology of conditions like hydrocephalus rather than meningitis. In meningitis, cerebral edema is primarily due to the inflammatory response, not abnormal CSF flow.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

No explanation

A. Take small bites of food. B. Liquids should be thickened. C. Eat sitting slightly forward. D. Chew food thoroughly before swallowing. E. Avoid having conversations while eating. F. Avoid fiber in the diet.

Correct Answer is ["A","C","D"]

Explanation

Choice A Reason:

Take small bites of food is correct. Taking small bites of food can help prevent choking and aspiration, particularly during mealtime. It is a recommended practice for individuals with epilepsy to reduce the risk of aspiration if a seizure were to occur during eating.

Choice B Reason:

Liquids should be thickened is incorrect. Thickened liquids are typically recommended for individuals with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) to help prevent aspiration. However, thickened liquids may not be necessary for all individuals with epilepsy unless specifically indicated based on their swallowing function assessment.

Choice C Reason:

Eat sitting slightly forward correct.: Eating while sitting slightly forward can help prevent aspiration in case of a seizure during meals. This position allows gravity to assist in preventing food or liquid from entering the airway.

Choice D Reason:

Chew food thoroughly before swallowing is correct. Thoroughly chewing food before swallowing is important for proper digestion and to reduce the risk of choking or aspiration, especially for individuals with epilepsy who may be at increased risk of aspiration during a seizure.

Choice E Reason:

Avoid having conversations while eating is incorrect. Avoiding conversations while eating is not directly related to epilepsy management. However, focusing on eating and taking appropriate precautions, such as sitting upright and chewing food thoroughly, can help reduce the risk of aspiration during meals.

Choice F Reason:

Avoid fiber in the diet is incorrect.: There is no specific recommendation to avoid fiber in the diet for individuals with epilepsy. In fact, a balanced diet that includes fiber-rich foods can promote overall health and well-being, which is important for individuals with epilepsy as well.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse is caring for a client admitted with meningitis. The student nurse asks, "I know that the client has a lot of edemas in the brain, but what causes it?" Which of the following responses from the nurse best answers the student's question?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which of the following is an example of a complication that causes noncardiogenic pulmonary edema?

Correct Answer is C

A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who has epilepsy. Which of the following instructions should be included in the nurse's teaching? (Select All that Apply.)

Correct Answer is ["A","C","D"]

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic respiratory acidosis due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which of the following findings should the nurse expect with this client?

A nurse is caring for a client admitted with pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Which of the following types of pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae?

A nurse is caring for a client with asthma. Which of the following happens physiologically when bronchospasm occurs?

A nurse is caring for a client who has degenerative disc disease. Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse understand might develop with this condition? (Select All that Apply.)

A nurse is assessing a client who has multiple sclerosis. Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse anticipate? (Select All that Apply.)

A nurse is providing care for a client who is at risk of cerebral aneurysm rupture. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the care plan?

A nurse is discussing factors that can lead to obstructive sleep apnea with a group of older adults. Which of the following factors should the nurse include in the teaching? Select all that apply.Loss

A nurse is reviewing discharge medications with a client who has Parkinson's disease. The nurse should include teaching about the client's anticholinergic agent. Which of the following side effects should the nurse advise the client to report?