NURS 2502 Exam 2 Questions with 100%
Verified Correct Answers
What are the classic triad symptoms of meningitis?
Headache, fever, nuchal rigidity.
What signs indicate increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in meningitis?
Photophobia, petechiae, positive Kernig's and Brudzinski's signs.
What is the initial diagnostic step for suspected meningitis?
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?
High-dose IV antibiotics, steroids, treat dehydration, shock, and seizures.
Which vaccines are recommended for preventing adult meningitis?
Hib, pneumococcal, and meningococcal vaccines.
What are the nursing priorities for a patient with meningitis?
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?
Rapid decline in level of consciousness, new focal deficits, purpuric rash, signs of herniation.
What is a brain abscess and its common causes?
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?
Morning-worse headache, fever, vomiting, focal deficits, increased ICP.
What is the primary treatment for a brain abscess?
Control ICP, drain abscess, and use targeted anti-infectives.
What are the typical signs and symptoms of encephalitis?
Headache, fever, confusion, changes in level of consciousness, and possibly rash or flaccid
paralysis.
What distinguishes meningitis from encephalitis?
Meningitis presents with meningeal signs, while encephalitis shows prominent altered mental
status.
What defines a seizure disorder?
Sudden abnormal, excessive neuronal discharge leading to motor, autonomic, or awareness
changes.
What are common causes of seizures?
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?
Epileptic seizures originate from CNS neural hyperactivity, while non-epileptic seizures are
provoked by external factors.
What are the major types of generalized seizures?
Myoclonic, atonic (drop attacks), and tonic-clonic (grand mal).
, What characterizes status epilepticus?
Seizure lasting more than 5 minutes or recurrent seizures without regaining consciousness.
What are the first steps in seizure first aid?
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)?
A brief focal ischemia with rapid resolution, acting as a warning for a major stroke.
What triggers a 'code stroke'?
Sudden neurological symptoms within a 24-hour window of the last known well time.
What is the initial imaging study for suspected stroke?
Non-contrast head CT to rule out hemorrhage.
What is the treatment for ischemic stroke?
IV thrombolytics if eligible and/or embolectomy for large-vessel occlusion.
What are the hallmark signs of a basilar skull fracture?
Epistaxis, otorrhagia, Battle sign, raccoon eyes, and CSF leak.
What is the difference between primary and secondary brain injury?
Primary injury is immediate structural damage, while secondary injury evolves from edema
and ischemia.
What are common nursing interventions for traumatic brain injury?
Airway maintenance, frequent neuro checks, and monitoring for secondary injury.
Verified Correct Answers
What are the classic triad symptoms of meningitis?
Headache, fever, nuchal rigidity.
What signs indicate increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in meningitis?
Photophobia, petechiae, positive Kernig's and Brudzinski's signs.
What is the initial diagnostic step for suspected meningitis?
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?
High-dose IV antibiotics, steroids, treat dehydration, shock, and seizures.
Which vaccines are recommended for preventing adult meningitis?
Hib, pneumococcal, and meningococcal vaccines.
What are the nursing priorities for a patient with meningitis?
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?
Rapid decline in level of consciousness, new focal deficits, purpuric rash, signs of herniation.
What is a brain abscess and its common causes?
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?
Morning-worse headache, fever, vomiting, focal deficits, increased ICP.
What is the primary treatment for a brain abscess?
Control ICP, drain abscess, and use targeted anti-infectives.
What are the typical signs and symptoms of encephalitis?
Headache, fever, confusion, changes in level of consciousness, and possibly rash or flaccid
paralysis.
What distinguishes meningitis from encephalitis?
Meningitis presents with meningeal signs, while encephalitis shows prominent altered mental
status.
What defines a seizure disorder?
Sudden abnormal, excessive neuronal discharge leading to motor, autonomic, or awareness
changes.
What are common causes of seizures?
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?
Epileptic seizures originate from CNS neural hyperactivity, while non-epileptic seizures are
provoked by external factors.
What are the major types of generalized seizures?
Myoclonic, atonic (drop attacks), and tonic-clonic (grand mal).
, What characterizes status epilepticus?
Seizure lasting more than 5 minutes or recurrent seizures without regaining consciousness.
What are the first steps in seizure first aid?
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)?
A brief focal ischemia with rapid resolution, acting as a warning for a major stroke.
What triggers a 'code stroke'?
Sudden neurological symptoms within a 24-hour window of the last known well time.
What is the initial imaging study for suspected stroke?
Non-contrast head CT to rule out hemorrhage.
What is the treatment for ischemic stroke?
IV thrombolytics if eligible and/or embolectomy for large-vessel occlusion.
What are the hallmark signs of a basilar skull fracture?
Epistaxis, otorrhagia, Battle sign, raccoon eyes, and CSF leak.
What is the difference between primary and secondary brain injury?
Primary injury is immediate structural damage, while secondary injury evolves from edema
and ischemia.
What are common nursing interventions for traumatic brain injury?
Airway maintenance, frequent neuro checks, and monitoring for secondary injury.
