Sherpath Questions with CORRECT Answers (Verified Update)
Q1: Which type of brain tumor would be present at birth?
A. Dermoid craniopharyngioma
B. Meningioma
C. Oligodendroglioma
D. Neuroma
Answer: A. Dermoid craniopharyngioma
Q2: Which information would the nurse include in the education for a patient recovering from a
craniotomy?
A. Avoid sneezing
B. Prevent blowing the nose
C. Avoid coughing
D. Prevent the Valsalva maneuver
Answer: D. Prevent the Valsalva maneuver
Q3: In which order would the steps of a craniotomy occur when a transcranial approach is used?
A series of burr holes are drilled into the skull. The dura mater and bone flap are replaced
and the wound is closed. The skull is cut between the burr holes with a surgical saw. A scalp
incision is made. The bone flap is turned back to expose cranial contents. The dura mater is
opened and surgery on the cranium is performed.: 4, 1, 3, 5, 6, 2 The following steps occur
during a craniotomy procedure using the transcranial approach: a scalp incision is made; burr
holes are drilled into skull; the skull is cut between burr holes with a surgical saw; the bone
flap is turned back to expose cranial contents; the dura mater is opened and surgery is
performed; the dura mater and bone flap are replaced; and the wound is closed. Which
complication would the patient be at an increased risk of when a transsphenoidal craniotomy
approach is used?
A. Infection
B. Hemorrhage
C. Air embolism
D. Cerebral damage
Answer: C. Air embolism
Q4: The dura mater is opened and surgery on the cranium is performed.: 4, 1, 3, 5, 6, 2 The
following steps occur during a craniotomy procedure using the transcranial approach
Answer: a scalp incision is made; burr holes are drilled into skull; the skull is cut between burr holes
with a surgical saw; the bone flap is turned back to expose cranial contents; the dura mater
is opened and surgery is performed; the dura mater and bone flap are replaced; and the
wound is closed.
, Q5: Which complication would the patient be at an increased risk of when a transsphenoidal
craniotomy approach is used?
A. Infection
B. Hemorrhage
C. Air embolism
D. Cerebral damage
Answer: C. Air embolism
Q6: At which point postoperatively is it most important for the nurse to assess for signs of
intracranial hypertension?
A. 6 hours
B. 12 hours
C. 24 hours
D. 48 hours
Answer: D. 48 hours
Q7: Which positioning would the nurse question when caring for a patient who underwent
craniotomy using an infratentorial incision? Select all that apply. One, some, or all responses
may be correct.
A. Provide anterior flexion of the neck.
B. Ensure the head of bed remains at 45 degrees.
C. Keep the head midline.
D. Maintain prone positioning.
E. Place two pillows under the head.
Answer: A. Provide anterior flexion of the neck.
D. Maintain prone positioning.
E. Place two pillows under the head.
Q1: Which type of brain tumor would be present at birth?
A. Dermoid craniopharyngioma
B. Meningioma
C. Oligodendroglioma
D. Neuroma
Answer: A. Dermoid craniopharyngioma
Q2: Which information would the nurse include in the education for a patient recovering from a
craniotomy?
A. Avoid sneezing
B. Prevent blowing the nose
C. Avoid coughing
D. Prevent the Valsalva maneuver
Answer: D. Prevent the Valsalva maneuver
Q3: In which order would the steps of a craniotomy occur when a transcranial approach is used?
A series of burr holes are drilled into the skull. The dura mater and bone flap are replaced
and the wound is closed. The skull is cut between the burr holes with a surgical saw. A scalp
incision is made. The bone flap is turned back to expose cranial contents. The dura mater is
opened and surgery on the cranium is performed.: 4, 1, 3, 5, 6, 2 The following steps occur
during a craniotomy procedure using the transcranial approach: a scalp incision is made; burr
holes are drilled into skull; the skull is cut between burr holes with a surgical saw; the bone
flap is turned back to expose cranial contents; the dura mater is opened and surgery is
performed; the dura mater and bone flap are replaced; and the wound is closed. Which
complication would the patient be at an increased risk of when a transsphenoidal craniotomy
approach is used?
A. Infection
B. Hemorrhage
C. Air embolism
D. Cerebral damage
Answer: C. Air embolism
Q4: The dura mater is opened and surgery on the cranium is performed.: 4, 1, 3, 5, 6, 2 The
following steps occur during a craniotomy procedure using the transcranial approach
Answer: a scalp incision is made; burr holes are drilled into skull; the skull is cut between burr holes
with a surgical saw; the bone flap is turned back to expose cranial contents; the dura mater
is opened and surgery is performed; the dura mater and bone flap are replaced; and the
wound is closed.
, Q5: Which complication would the patient be at an increased risk of when a transsphenoidal
craniotomy approach is used?
A. Infection
B. Hemorrhage
C. Air embolism
D. Cerebral damage
Answer: C. Air embolism
Q6: At which point postoperatively is it most important for the nurse to assess for signs of
intracranial hypertension?
A. 6 hours
B. 12 hours
C. 24 hours
D. 48 hours
Answer: D. 48 hours
Q7: Which positioning would the nurse question when caring for a patient who underwent
craniotomy using an infratentorial incision? Select all that apply. One, some, or all responses
may be correct.
A. Provide anterior flexion of the neck.
B. Ensure the head of bed remains at 45 degrees.
C. Keep the head midline.
D. Maintain prone positioning.
E. Place two pillows under the head.
Answer: A. Provide anterior flexion of the neck.
D. Maintain prone positioning.
E. Place two pillows under the head.
