Neurologic Case Study

Patient Profile:

Age: 68 years.

Gender: Male.

Medical History: Hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Medications: Lisinopril, Metformin.

Allergies: None.

Chief Complaint: The patient presents to the emergency department (ED) with a sudden onset of right-sided weakness and difficulty speaking that began approximately 1 hour prior to arrival.

Exhibits

What is a potential complication of the patient's condition?

Kidney failure

Aspiration pneumonia

Hypotension

Heart failure

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: Kidney failure is not a common immediate complication related to the patient's presentation of sudden right-sided weakness and difficulty speaking, which are indicative of a stroke. Although diabetes and hypertension can eventually lead to kidney issues, this is not an acute complication.

Choice B reason: Aspiration pneumonia is a potential complication of the patient's condition, especially given the presence of expressive aphasia. Patients with neurological deficits, particularly those affecting speech and swallowing, are at higher risk of aspirating food or liquids into the lungs, leading to pneumonia.

Choice C reason: Hypotension is not commonly a direct complication of a stroke, especially considering the patient's elevated blood pressure. Stroke patients often present with hypertension rather than hypotension.

Choice D reason: Heart failure, while related to the patient's underlying conditions like hypertension and possibly diabetes, is not an immediate complication of the acute neurological event described. The focus should be more on the neurological and respiratory complications.

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 ["A","C","D"]

Explanation

Choice A reason: Respiratory status is crucial to monitor because patients with acute neurological deficits, such as those seen in strokes, are at risk of respiratory compromise. This can be due to weakened respiratory muscles or aspiration, which could lead to pneumonia or other respiratory complications.

Choice B reason: Monitoring liver enzymes is not directly related to the acute management of a stroke patient. Liver enzymes would be more relevant in cases where liver function or hepatic issues are suspected, but not for this specific scenario.

Choice C reason: Blood pressure monitoring is vital, as hypertension is a significant risk factor for stroke. Maintaining appropriate blood pressure is essential to prevent further neurological damage and complications. Acute changes in blood pressure can indicate worsening or improvement of the patient's condition.

Choice D reason: Neurological status should be continuously monitored to assess the progression of the patient's stroke symptoms. This includes checking for changes in level of consciousness, motor function, speech, and other neurological signs. Prompt detection of changes can guide immediate interventions.

Choice E reason: Potassium level monitoring is not a primary focus in the acute management of stroke. While electrolyte balance is important, it is not as critical as respiratory status, blood pressure, and neurological status in this context.

A. Increased blood pressure B. Increased respiratory rate C. Increased heart rate

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

Explanation

Choice A reason: Increased blood pressure is a common physiological response to pain. When a person experiences pain, the body's sympathetic nervous system is activated, causing an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. This response is part of the body's fight-or-flight mechanism, intended to help cope with the stressful situation.

Choice B reason: Increased respiratory rate is another sign of unrelieved pain. Pain can lead to rapid, shallow breathing as the body reacts to the discomfort. This response can help deliver more oxygen to tissues during times of stress but can also contribute to feelings of anxiety and fatigue if it continues over a prolonged period.

Choice C reason: Increased heart rate is a typical response to pain. Just like increased blood pressure, the heart rate rises as part of the body's sympathetic response to pain, which prepares the body to either confront or escape the source of pain. Monitoring heart rate can therefore provide critical information about the patient's pain levels and overall physiological state.

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

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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

Explanation

Physical signs of unrelieved pain include which of the following? Select all that apply.

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

Explanation

A patient who has been treated for status epilepticus in the emergency department will be transferred to the medical nursing unit. Which equipment should the nurse have available in the patient's assigned room? (Select all that apply)

The nurse works in a clinic located in a community where many of the residents are Hispanic. Which strategy, if implemented by the nurse, would decrease health care disparities and promote health equity for this community?

A patient arrives in the emergency department with a swollen ankle after a soccer injury. Which action by the nurse is appropriate?

The nurse is planning to administer a transfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) to a patient with blood loss from a gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Which action can the nurse delegate to the nursing assistant (unlicensed assistive personnel)?

A patient who was involved in a motor vehicle crash has had a tracheostomy placed to allow for continued mechanical ventilation. How should the nurse interpret the following arterial blood gas results: pH 7.48, PaO₂ 85 mm Hg, PaCO₂ 32 mm Hg, and HCO₃ 25 mEq/L?

When caring for a patient with Alzheimer's disease, the nurse would assess the patient for which two common infection-related complications due to chronic dementia?