A patient presents to the emergency department (ED) complaining of nausea, vomiting, and the “worst headache he has ever experienced.”. While examining the patient, the nurse notes left leg and arm weakness.

The patient is immediately sent to the radiology department for a CT scan.

The registered nurse (RN) identifies the immediate need for treatment because:

A hemorrhagic brain attack is more common than an ischemic brain attack.

A thrombolytic drug will cause the peripheral and central reflexes to become hyper-reactive.

A hemorrhagic brain attack requires immediate intervention to prevent further damage.

An ischemic brain attack is less severe than a hemorrhagic brain attack.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale
A hemorrhagic brain attack (stroke) is less common than an ischemic brain attack. Ischemic strokes account for the majority of strokes.
Choice B rationale
Thrombolytic drugs are used to treat ischemic strokes, not hemorrhagic strokes. They do not cause hyper-reactive reflexes.
Choice C rationale
A hemorrhagic brain attack requires immediate intervention to prevent further damage. Hemorrhagic strokes involve bleeding in the brain, which can rapidly worsen and cause severe damage.
Choice D rationale
An ischemic brain attack is not necessarily less severe than a hemorrhagic brain attack. Both types of strokes are serious, but hemorrhagic strokes often require more urgent intervention due to the risk of ongoing bleeding.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale
A respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute is slightly elevated but not necessarily concerning for a client with COPD. COPD patients often have higher respiratory rates due to their chronic lung condition.
Choice B rationale
A temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) indicates a fever, which could be a sign of infection. However, it is not the most concerning finding in a COPD patient.
Choice C rationale
A pulse oximetry reading of 88% is concerning because it indicates hypoxemia. COPD patients often have lower oxygen levels, but a reading below 90% is worrisome and may require supplemental oxygen or other interventions.
Choice D rationale
A blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg is elevated but not immediately concerning in the context of COPD. It is important to monitor, but it is not the most critical finding.

A. Elevated blood ammonia level. B. Increased white blood cell count. C. Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN). D. Decreased platelet count.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Elevated blood ammonia levels are a common consequence of liver dysfunction, particularly in conditions like cirrhosis and alcoholic liver disease. The liver is responsible for converting ammonia, a byproduct of protein metabolism, into urea, which is then excreted by the kidneys. When the liver is damaged, it cannot effectively perform this function, leading to elevated blood ammonia levels. High ammonia levels can cross the blood-brain barrier and cause hepatic encephalopathy, which manifests as confusion, memory loss, and asterixis (a flapping tremor of the hands). These neurological symptoms are consistent with the patient’s presentation.
Choice B rationale
An increased white blood cell count typically indicates an infection or inflammation. While infections can occur in patients with liver disease due to a compromised immune system, the symptoms described (increased blood glucose, blurred vision, memory loss, and asterixis) are more indicative of hepatic encephalopathy rather than an infection.
Choice C rationale
Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels can occur in liver disease, but they are more commonly associated with kidney dysfunction. BUN is a measure of the amount of nitrogen in the blood that comes from the waste product urea. While liver dysfunction can affect BUN levels, the symptoms described are more specifically related to elevated ammonia levels and hepatic encephalopathy.
Choice D rationale
A decreased platelet count, or thrombocytopenia, is a common finding in liver disease due to splenic sequestration and decreased production of thrombopoietin. However, thrombocytopenia does not directly cause the neurological symptoms described in the patient. The symptoms of increased blood glucose, blurred vision, memory loss, and asterixis are more specifically related to elevated ammonia levels and hepatic encephalopathy.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is assessing a client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which of the following findings is most concerning?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A man, diagnosed with alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis, presents to his healthcare provider for treatment. He is complaining of increased blood glucose, blurred vision, and cannot remember his birth date or age. The nurse notes that he has asterixis. These signs are most likely due to:

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A client with a history of hypertension is admitted with a severe headache and blurred vision. Which of the following findings would indicate a hypertensive crisis?

A patient with cerebral ischemia has signs and symptoms of right homonymous hemianopia and inability to move the right arm. This is indicative of increased intracranial pressure that is most probably due to a lesion in the:

Which clinical manifestations would the nurse expect to find during their assessment of a patient with right heart failure (RHF)?

A patient, who is on complete bed rest following extensive surgery, begins to complain of chest pain and shortness of breath with hemoptysis. His SO2 measures 90%. The nurse recognizes that the patient is most likely exhibiting signs and symptoms of which condition?

A nurse is reviewing a client’s complete blood count (CBC) and notes an RBC count of 3.5 million/mm³ and a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of 102 mm³. Based on these values, the most appropriate action for the nurse would be to:

A client presents with a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) and a stiff neck. Which condition should the nurse suspect?

A nurse is caring for a client with a history of hypertension who presents with a severe headache and blurred vision. What is the most likely cause of these symptoms?