Pediatric Neurological Practice Test
Questions and Correct Answers
Question 1
A child with spina bifida is being admitted to the hospital for a shunt revision? The
nurse admitting the child anticipates which type of precautions to be ordered for the
child?
a.
Latex
b.
Bleeding
c.
Seizure
d.
Isolation
Correct Answer
A
Children with spina bifida are at high risk for developing latex allergies because of
frequent exposure to latex during catheterizations, shunt placements, and other
operations. The child with spina bifida does not have a risk for bleeding. Not all
children with spina bifida are at risk for seizures and isolation would not be
indicated in a child being admitted for a shunt revision.
Page 1 of 18
,Question 2
What is the most appropriate nursing response to the father of a newborn infant with
myelomeningocele who asks about the cause of this condition?
a.
One of the parents carries a defective gene that causes myelomeningocele.
b.
A deficiency in folic acid in the father is the most likely cause.
c.
Offspring of parents who have a spinal abnormality are at greater risk for
myelomeningocele.
d.
There may be no definitive cause identified.
Correct Answer
D
The etiology of most neural tube defects is unknown in most cases. There may be a
genetic predisposition or a viral origin, and the disorder has been linked to maternal
folic acid deficiency; however, the actual cause has not been determined. The exact
cause of most cases of neural tube defects is unknown. There may be a genetic
predisposition, but no pattern has been identified. Folic acid deficiency in the
mother has been linked to neural tube defect. There is no evidence that children
who have parents with spinal problems are at greater risk for neural tube defects.
Question 3
A nurse should expect which cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) laboratory results on a child
diagnosed with bacterial meningitis? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY.
a.
Elevated white blood count (WBC).
b.
Decreased protein
c.
Decreased glucose
d.
Cloudy in color
e.
Increase in red blood cells (RBC).
Correct Answer
A, C, D
The CSF laboratory results for bacterial meningitis include elevated WBC counts,
cloudy or milky in color, and decreased glucose. The protein is elevated and there
should be no RBCs present. RBCs are present when the tap was traumatic.
Page 2 of 18
, Question 4
Which finding in an analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is consistent with a diagnosis
of bacterial meningitis?
a.
CSF appears cloudy.
b.
CSF pressure is decreased.
c.
Few leukocytes are present.
d.
Glucose level is increased compared with blood.
Correct Answer
A
In acute bacterial meningitis, the CSF is cloudy to milky or yellowish in color. The
CSF pressure is usually increased in acute bacterial meningitis. Many
polymorphonuclear cells are present in CSF with acute bacterial meningitis. The CSF
glucose level is usually deceased compared with the serum glucose level.
Question 5
A child is admitted to the hospital with spastic cerebral palsy. The nurse will assess for
which manifestations associated with this disorder?
a.
Tremulous movements at rest and with activity
b.
Sudden jerking movement caused by stimuli
c.
Writhing, uncontrolled, involuntary movements
d.
Clumsy, uncoordinated movements
Correct Answer
B
Spastic cerebral palsy, the most common type of cerebral palsy, will manifest with
hypertonicity and increased deep tendon reflexes. The childs muscles are very tight
and any stimuli may cause a sudden jerking movement. Tremulous movements are
characteristic of rigid/tremor/atonic cerebral palsy. Slow, writhing, uncontrolled,
involuntary movements occur with athetoid or dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Clumsy
movements and loss of coordination, equilibrium, and kinesthetic sense occur in
ataxic cerebral palsy.
Page 3 of 18
Questions and Correct Answers
Question 1
A child with spina bifida is being admitted to the hospital for a shunt revision? The
nurse admitting the child anticipates which type of precautions to be ordered for the
child?
a.
Latex
b.
Bleeding
c.
Seizure
d.
Isolation
Correct Answer
A
Children with spina bifida are at high risk for developing latex allergies because of
frequent exposure to latex during catheterizations, shunt placements, and other
operations. The child with spina bifida does not have a risk for bleeding. Not all
children with spina bifida are at risk for seizures and isolation would not be
indicated in a child being admitted for a shunt revision.
Page 1 of 18
,Question 2
What is the most appropriate nursing response to the father of a newborn infant with
myelomeningocele who asks about the cause of this condition?
a.
One of the parents carries a defective gene that causes myelomeningocele.
b.
A deficiency in folic acid in the father is the most likely cause.
c.
Offspring of parents who have a spinal abnormality are at greater risk for
myelomeningocele.
d.
There may be no definitive cause identified.
Correct Answer
D
The etiology of most neural tube defects is unknown in most cases. There may be a
genetic predisposition or a viral origin, and the disorder has been linked to maternal
folic acid deficiency; however, the actual cause has not been determined. The exact
cause of most cases of neural tube defects is unknown. There may be a genetic
predisposition, but no pattern has been identified. Folic acid deficiency in the
mother has been linked to neural tube defect. There is no evidence that children
who have parents with spinal problems are at greater risk for neural tube defects.
Question 3
A nurse should expect which cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) laboratory results on a child
diagnosed with bacterial meningitis? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY.
a.
Elevated white blood count (WBC).
b.
Decreased protein
c.
Decreased glucose
d.
Cloudy in color
e.
Increase in red blood cells (RBC).
Correct Answer
A, C, D
The CSF laboratory results for bacterial meningitis include elevated WBC counts,
cloudy or milky in color, and decreased glucose. The protein is elevated and there
should be no RBCs present. RBCs are present when the tap was traumatic.
Page 2 of 18
, Question 4
Which finding in an analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is consistent with a diagnosis
of bacterial meningitis?
a.
CSF appears cloudy.
b.
CSF pressure is decreased.
c.
Few leukocytes are present.
d.
Glucose level is increased compared with blood.
Correct Answer
A
In acute bacterial meningitis, the CSF is cloudy to milky or yellowish in color. The
CSF pressure is usually increased in acute bacterial meningitis. Many
polymorphonuclear cells are present in CSF with acute bacterial meningitis. The CSF
glucose level is usually deceased compared with the serum glucose level.
Question 5
A child is admitted to the hospital with spastic cerebral palsy. The nurse will assess for
which manifestations associated with this disorder?
a.
Tremulous movements at rest and with activity
b.
Sudden jerking movement caused by stimuli
c.
Writhing, uncontrolled, involuntary movements
d.
Clumsy, uncoordinated movements
Correct Answer
B
Spastic cerebral palsy, the most common type of cerebral palsy, will manifest with
hypertonicity and increased deep tendon reflexes. The childs muscles are very tight
and any stimuli may cause a sudden jerking movement. Tremulous movements are
characteristic of rigid/tremor/atonic cerebral palsy. Slow, writhing, uncontrolled,
involuntary movements occur with athetoid or dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Clumsy
movements and loss of coordination, equilibrium, and kinesthetic sense occur in
ataxic cerebral palsy.
Page 3 of 18
