1. A nurse obtains a focused health history for a client who is suspected of having bacterial
meningitis. Which question would the nurse ask?
A. “Do you live in a crowded residence?”
B. “When was your last tetanus vaccination?”
C. “Have you had any viral infections recently?”
D. “Have you traveled out of the country in the last month?”
2. A nurse evaluates the results of diagnostic tests on a client’s cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Which fluid results alert the nurse to possible viral meningitis? (Select all that apply.)
A. Clear
B. Cloudy
C. Increased protein level
D. Normal glucose level
E. Bacterial organisms present
F. Increased white blood cells
3. A nurse assesses a patient with a spinal cord injury at level T5. The patient’s blood
pressure is 184/95 mm Hg, and the patient presents with a flushed face and blurred
vision. What action would the nurse take first?
A. Initiate oxygen via a nasal cannula.
B. Place the patient in a supine position.
C. Palpate the bladder for distention.
D. Administer a prescribed beta-blocker.
4. An emergency room nurse initiates care for a patient with a cervical spinal cord injury
who arrives via emergency medical services. What action would the nurse take first?
A. Assess level of consciousness.
B. Obtain vital signs.
C. Administer oxygen therapy.
D. Evaluate respiratory status.
5. After teaching a patient with a spinal cord injury, the nurse assesses the patient’s
understanding. Which patient statement indicates a correct understanding of how to
prevent respiratory problems at home?
A. “I’ll use my incentive spirometer every 2 hours while I’m awake.”
B. “I’ll drink thinned fluids to prevent choking.”
C. “I’ll take cough medicine to prevent excessive coughing.”
D. “I’ll position myself on my right side so I don’t aspirate.”
6. A nurse assesses a patient with a neurologic disorder. Which assessment finding would
the nurse identify as a late manifestation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?
A. Dysarthria
B. Dysphagia
C. Muscle weakness
Created from exam creator software provided by:
Ignatavicius, D. D., Workman, L. M., & Rebar, C. (2018). Medical-surgical nursing: Concepts
for interprofessional collaborative care (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
, D. Impairment of respiratory muscles
7. A nurse cares for a patient with a spinal cord injury. With which interdisciplinary team
member would the nurse consult to assist the patient with activities of daily living?
A. Social worker
B. Physical therapist
C. Occupational therapist
D. Case manager
8. A nurse cares for a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The patient states, “I
do not want to be placed on a mechanical ventilator.” How would the nurse respond?
A. “You should discuss this with your family and health care provider.”
B. “Why are you afraid of being placed on a breathing machine?”
C. “Using the incentive spirometer each hour will delay the need for a ventilator.”
D. “What would you like to be done if you begin to have difficulty breathing?”
9. After teaching a male patient with a spinal cord injury at the T4 level, the nurse assesses
the patient’s understanding. Which patient statements indicate a correct understanding of
the teaching related to sexual effects of this injury? (Select all that apply.)
A. “I will explore other ways besides intercourse to please my partner.”
B. “I will not be able to have an erection because of my injury.”
C. “Ejaculation may not be as predictable as before.”
D. “I may urinate with ejaculation but this will not cause infection.”
E. “I should be able to have an erection with stimulation.”
10. A nurse assesses a patient with paraplegia from a spinal cord injury and notes reddened
areas over the patient’s hips and sacrum. What actions would the nurse take? (Select all
that apply.)
A. Apply a barrier cream to protect the skin from excoriation.
B. Perform range-of-motion (ROM) exercises for the hip joint.
C. Reposition the patient off of the reddened areas.
D. Get the patient out of bed and into a chair once a day.
E. Obtain a low-air-loss mattress to minimize pressure.
11. A nurse assesses a patient who experienced a spinal cord injury at the T5 level 12 hours
ago. Which manifestations would the nurse correlate with neurogenic shock? (Select all
that apply.)
A. Heart rate of 34 beats/min
B. Blood pressure of 185/65 mm Hg
C. Urine output less than 30 mL/hr
D. Decreased level of consciousness
E. Increased oxygen saturation
Created from exam creator software provided by:
Ignatavicius, D. D., Workman, L. M., & Rebar, C. (2018). Medical-surgical nursing: Concepts
for interprofessional collaborative care (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
meningitis. Which question would the nurse ask?
A. “Do you live in a crowded residence?”
B. “When was your last tetanus vaccination?”
C. “Have you had any viral infections recently?”
D. “Have you traveled out of the country in the last month?”
2. A nurse evaluates the results of diagnostic tests on a client’s cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Which fluid results alert the nurse to possible viral meningitis? (Select all that apply.)
A. Clear
B. Cloudy
C. Increased protein level
D. Normal glucose level
E. Bacterial organisms present
F. Increased white blood cells
3. A nurse assesses a patient with a spinal cord injury at level T5. The patient’s blood
pressure is 184/95 mm Hg, and the patient presents with a flushed face and blurred
vision. What action would the nurse take first?
A. Initiate oxygen via a nasal cannula.
B. Place the patient in a supine position.
C. Palpate the bladder for distention.
D. Administer a prescribed beta-blocker.
4. An emergency room nurse initiates care for a patient with a cervical spinal cord injury
who arrives via emergency medical services. What action would the nurse take first?
A. Assess level of consciousness.
B. Obtain vital signs.
C. Administer oxygen therapy.
D. Evaluate respiratory status.
5. After teaching a patient with a spinal cord injury, the nurse assesses the patient’s
understanding. Which patient statement indicates a correct understanding of how to
prevent respiratory problems at home?
A. “I’ll use my incentive spirometer every 2 hours while I’m awake.”
B. “I’ll drink thinned fluids to prevent choking.”
C. “I’ll take cough medicine to prevent excessive coughing.”
D. “I’ll position myself on my right side so I don’t aspirate.”
6. A nurse assesses a patient with a neurologic disorder. Which assessment finding would
the nurse identify as a late manifestation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?
A. Dysarthria
B. Dysphagia
C. Muscle weakness
Created from exam creator software provided by:
Ignatavicius, D. D., Workman, L. M., & Rebar, C. (2018). Medical-surgical nursing: Concepts
for interprofessional collaborative care (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
, D. Impairment of respiratory muscles
7. A nurse cares for a patient with a spinal cord injury. With which interdisciplinary team
member would the nurse consult to assist the patient with activities of daily living?
A. Social worker
B. Physical therapist
C. Occupational therapist
D. Case manager
8. A nurse cares for a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The patient states, “I
do not want to be placed on a mechanical ventilator.” How would the nurse respond?
A. “You should discuss this with your family and health care provider.”
B. “Why are you afraid of being placed on a breathing machine?”
C. “Using the incentive spirometer each hour will delay the need for a ventilator.”
D. “What would you like to be done if you begin to have difficulty breathing?”
9. After teaching a male patient with a spinal cord injury at the T4 level, the nurse assesses
the patient’s understanding. Which patient statements indicate a correct understanding of
the teaching related to sexual effects of this injury? (Select all that apply.)
A. “I will explore other ways besides intercourse to please my partner.”
B. “I will not be able to have an erection because of my injury.”
C. “Ejaculation may not be as predictable as before.”
D. “I may urinate with ejaculation but this will not cause infection.”
E. “I should be able to have an erection with stimulation.”
10. A nurse assesses a patient with paraplegia from a spinal cord injury and notes reddened
areas over the patient’s hips and sacrum. What actions would the nurse take? (Select all
that apply.)
A. Apply a barrier cream to protect the skin from excoriation.
B. Perform range-of-motion (ROM) exercises for the hip joint.
C. Reposition the patient off of the reddened areas.
D. Get the patient out of bed and into a chair once a day.
E. Obtain a low-air-loss mattress to minimize pressure.
11. A nurse assesses a patient who experienced a spinal cord injury at the T5 level 12 hours
ago. Which manifestations would the nurse correlate with neurogenic shock? (Select all
that apply.)
A. Heart rate of 34 beats/min
B. Blood pressure of 185/65 mm Hg
C. Urine output less than 30 mL/hr
D. Decreased level of consciousness
E. Increased oxygen saturation
Created from exam creator software provided by:
Ignatavicius, D. D., Workman, L. M., & Rebar, C. (2018). Medical-surgical nursing: Concepts
for interprofessional collaborative care (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
