NURS 2502: Exam 2 Complete Study Guide
With Complete Solutions
What are the classic triad symptoms of meningitis? - ANSWER Headache, fever,
nuchal rigidity.
What signs indicate increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in meningitis? -
ANSWER Photophobia, petechiae, positive Kernig's and Brudzinski's signs.
What is the initial diagnostic step for suspected meningitis? - ANSWER Neuro
exam and consider CT prior to lumbar puncture if focal neuro deficit or ICP
concern.
What is the immediate medical management for bacterial meningitis? - ANSWER
High-dose IV antibiotics, steroids, treat dehydration, shock, and seizures.
Which vaccines are recommended for preventing adult meningitis? - ANSWER
Hib, pneumococcal, and meningococcal vaccines.
What are the nursing priorities for a patient with meningitis? - ANSWER Monitor
vital signs and level of consciousness, seizure precautions, strict infection
control, and support patient coping.
What are the red flags indicating an emergency in meningitis? - ANSWER Rapid
decline in level of consciousness, new focal deficits, purpuric rash, signs of
herniation.
What is a brain abscess and its common causes? - ANSWER Localized pus
collection in brain tissue, often arising from contiguous sites like ear, sinus, or
dental infections.
What are the common symptoms of a brain abscess? - ANSWER Morning-worse
headache, fever, vomiting, focal deficits, increased ICP.
What is the primary treatment for a brain abscess? - ANSWER Control ICP, drain
abscess, and use targeted anti-infectives.
What are the typical signs and symptoms of encephalitis? - ANSWER Headache,
fever, confusion, changes in level of consciousness, and possibly rash or flaccid
paralysis.
, What distinguishes meningitis from encephalitis? - ANSWER Meningitis presents
with meningeal signs, while encephalitis shows prominent altered mental status.
What defines a seizure disorder? - ANSWER Sudden abnormal, excessive
neuronal discharge leading to motor, autonomic, or awareness changes.
What are common causes of seizures? - ANSWER Cerebrovascular disease,
hypoxemia, fever in children, head injury, hypertension, CNS infections, tumors,
metabolic/toxic causes.
What is the difference between epileptic and non-epileptic seizures? - ANSWER
Epileptic seizures originate from CNS neural hyperactivity, while non-epileptic
seizures are provoked by external factors.
What are the major types of generalized seizures? - ANSWER Myoclonic, atonic
(drop attacks), and tonic-clonic (grand mal).
What characterizes status epilepticus? - ANSWER Seizure lasting more than 5
minutes or recurrent seizures without regaining consciousness.
What are the first steps in seizure first aid? - ANSWER Ensure airway, call for
help, protect the head, loosen clothing, and place the person in a side-lying
recovery position.
What is a transient ischemic attack (TIA)? - ANSWER A brief focal ischemia with
rapid resolution, acting as a warning for a major stroke.
What triggers a 'code stroke'? - ANSWER Sudden neurological symptoms within
a 24-hour window of the last known well time.
What is the initial imaging study for suspected stroke? - ANSWER Non-contrast
head CT to rule out hemorrhage.
What is the treatment for ischemic stroke? - ANSWER IV thrombolytics if eligible
and/or embolectomy for large-vessel occlusion.
What are the hallmark signs of a basilar skull fracture? - ANSWER Epistaxis,
otorrhagia, Battle sign, raccoon eyes, and CSF leak.
What is the difference between primary and secondary brain injury? - ANSWER
Primary injury is immediate structural damage, while secondary injury evolves
from edema and ischemia.
What are common nursing interventions for traumatic brain injury? - ANSWER
Airway maintenance, frequent neuro checks, and monitoring for secondary
injury.
With Complete Solutions
What are the classic triad symptoms of meningitis? - ANSWER Headache, fever,
nuchal rigidity.
What signs indicate increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in meningitis? -
ANSWER Photophobia, petechiae, positive Kernig's and Brudzinski's signs.
What is the initial diagnostic step for suspected meningitis? - ANSWER Neuro
exam and consider CT prior to lumbar puncture if focal neuro deficit or ICP
concern.
What is the immediate medical management for bacterial meningitis? - ANSWER
High-dose IV antibiotics, steroids, treat dehydration, shock, and seizures.
Which vaccines are recommended for preventing adult meningitis? - ANSWER
Hib, pneumococcal, and meningococcal vaccines.
What are the nursing priorities for a patient with meningitis? - ANSWER Monitor
vital signs and level of consciousness, seizure precautions, strict infection
control, and support patient coping.
What are the red flags indicating an emergency in meningitis? - ANSWER Rapid
decline in level of consciousness, new focal deficits, purpuric rash, signs of
herniation.
What is a brain abscess and its common causes? - ANSWER Localized pus
collection in brain tissue, often arising from contiguous sites like ear, sinus, or
dental infections.
What are the common symptoms of a brain abscess? - ANSWER Morning-worse
headache, fever, vomiting, focal deficits, increased ICP.
What is the primary treatment for a brain abscess? - ANSWER Control ICP, drain
abscess, and use targeted anti-infectives.
What are the typical signs and symptoms of encephalitis? - ANSWER Headache,
fever, confusion, changes in level of consciousness, and possibly rash or flaccid
paralysis.
, What distinguishes meningitis from encephalitis? - ANSWER Meningitis presents
with meningeal signs, while encephalitis shows prominent altered mental status.
What defines a seizure disorder? - ANSWER Sudden abnormal, excessive
neuronal discharge leading to motor, autonomic, or awareness changes.
What are common causes of seizures? - ANSWER Cerebrovascular disease,
hypoxemia, fever in children, head injury, hypertension, CNS infections, tumors,
metabolic/toxic causes.
What is the difference between epileptic and non-epileptic seizures? - ANSWER
Epileptic seizures originate from CNS neural hyperactivity, while non-epileptic
seizures are provoked by external factors.
What are the major types of generalized seizures? - ANSWER Myoclonic, atonic
(drop attacks), and tonic-clonic (grand mal).
What characterizes status epilepticus? - ANSWER Seizure lasting more than 5
minutes or recurrent seizures without regaining consciousness.
What are the first steps in seizure first aid? - ANSWER Ensure airway, call for
help, protect the head, loosen clothing, and place the person in a side-lying
recovery position.
What is a transient ischemic attack (TIA)? - ANSWER A brief focal ischemia with
rapid resolution, acting as a warning for a major stroke.
What triggers a 'code stroke'? - ANSWER Sudden neurological symptoms within
a 24-hour window of the last known well time.
What is the initial imaging study for suspected stroke? - ANSWER Non-contrast
head CT to rule out hemorrhage.
What is the treatment for ischemic stroke? - ANSWER IV thrombolytics if eligible
and/or embolectomy for large-vessel occlusion.
What are the hallmark signs of a basilar skull fracture? - ANSWER Epistaxis,
otorrhagia, Battle sign, raccoon eyes, and CSF leak.
What is the difference between primary and secondary brain injury? - ANSWER
Primary injury is immediate structural damage, while secondary injury evolves
from edema and ischemia.
What are common nursing interventions for traumatic brain injury? - ANSWER
Airway maintenance, frequent neuro checks, and monitoring for secondary
injury.
