Recognizing Common Neurological Disorders

1.

What lobe is not part of the cerebral cortex?

1. frontal
2. posterior
3. occipital
4. temporal

2.

The preoperative nurse is performing an assessment of a patient undergoing a shoulder arthroplasty. Because of the positioning used during that surgery, the nurse asks the patient to stick their tongue out in order to get a baseline assessment of which nerves?

1. VII (facial)
2. IX (glossopharyngeal)
3. XI (spinal accessory)
4. XII (hypoglossal)

3.

What is an example of an action not considered a reflex?

1. blinking
2. sneezing
3. running
4. coughing

4.

What is an example of physical effects that are not associated with an impaired nervous system?

1. loss of balance
2. dysphagia
3. depression
4. headaches

5.

For the heel-to-shin test, in which position should the patient be?

1. semi-fowler’s position
2. standing position
3. seated position
4. supine position

6.

What is medical term that means difficulty speaking?

1. dysphagia
2. dysphasia
3. dysarthria
4. aphasia

7.

A nurse has just performed a finger-to-nose test on a patient. When does the nurse know the finding is abnormal?

1. The patient is able to extend their arms back.
2. The patient can alternate movements.
3. The patient touches their top lip.
4. The patient’s movements are smooth.

8.

The nurse is precepting on a medical-surgical floor. How should the nurse describe Parkinson disease?

1. being associated with reduced levels of dopamine
2. being associated with increased levels of dopamine
3. being associated with reduced levels of serotonin
4. being associated with increased levels of serotonin

9.

What disorder is associated with neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain?

1. Huntington disease
2. Alzheimer disease
3. Parkinson disease
4. MS

10.

A nurse is caring for a patient on the progressive care unit who has been newly diagnosed with Brown-Séquard syndrome. The patient’s wife states she is unsure what the doctor meant by the disorder being ipsilateral. How should the nurse respond?

1. “Ipsilateral means the symptoms of the syndrome occur on the opposite side of the body.”
2. “Ipsilateral means the symptoms of the syndrome occur on the same side of the body.”
3. “Ipsilateral means the symptoms of the syndrome occur on the upper half of the body.”
4. “Ipsilateral means the symptoms of the syndrome occur on the lower half of the body.”

11.

A veteran nurse is precepting a new nurse on the pediatric floor. How should the new nurse respond to show she understands cerebral palsy?

1. “Cerebral palsy is the result of genetics.”
2. “Cerebral palsy only affects motor function.”
3. “Clinical manifestations of cerebral palsy may range from moving impairments, ataxia, paralysis, speech delays, tremors, overactive reflexes, and visual or hearing disturbances.”
4. “Cerebral palsy can be diagnosed after the age of 2 years.”

12.

A child with FAS may have abnormal facial features, including smoothness to which structure between the upper lip and nose?

1. bridge
2. philtrum
3. nares
4. zygomatic bone