NSG 233 MED SURG III EXAM 2 STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
NSG 233 Med Surg III Exam 2 Study Guide
ANSWERS (VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS) LATEST
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hbp88b
UPDATE 2025/2026
1. What is the cardinal Bizarre or irrational behavior.
behavioral sign of a
frontal lobe traumatic
brain injury?
2. What is the cardinal Amnesia or disorientation.
neurologic sign of a
temporal lobe trau-
matic brain injury?
3. Upon discharge, - decreased LOC.
which s/s would you - worsening headache.
teach the patient to - Dizziness.
return to the emer- - Seizures.
gency department if - Abnormal pupil response.
they begin experienc- - vomiting.
ing? - irritability.
- slurred speech.
- weakness or numbness of the extremities.
4. What are the three 1. coma.
cardinal signs of brain 2. absence of reflexes.
death? 3. apnea.
5. What GCS score indi- A score of 3-8.
cates a severe trau-
matic brain injury?
6. What are the three 1. Bradycardia (decreased heart rate).
signs of the Cushing's 2. Widening pulse pressure (SBP is rising).
Triad and what do 3. Irregular respirations.
they indicate?
- Cushing's Triad indicates increased intracranial pressure.
, NSG 233 Med Surg III Exam 2 Study Guide
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hbp88b
7. What is a common Hyponatremia (low sodium).
electrolyte imbalance
in patients who expe- Normal sodium levels are 135-145 mEq/L.
rience a TBI?
8. What are some nurs- - Maintain a patent airway.
ing interventions for - monitor neurologic function (neuro checks).
a TBI? - monitor vitals (look for Cushing's triad).
- POSITION HOB AT 30 DEGREES WITH THE NECK IN A NEUTRAL POSITION
TO PROTECT C-SPINE.
- assess motor function.
- monitor for fluid and electrolyte imbalances, especially sodium.
- promote adequate nutrition.
- maintain thermoregulation.
- maintain skin integrity.
- early administration of anticonvulsants.
- maintain cerebral perfusion pressure.
9. What can hypona- Seizures!
tremia cause? What
precautions do we Seizure precautions.
need to place our pa-
tient on because of
this?
10. What should cere- Above 50 mmHg.
bral perfusion pres-
sure be maintained
at?
11. What are three com- 1. agitation.
mon symptoms for a 2. restlessness.
, NSG 233 Med Surg III Exam 2 Study Guide
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hbp88b
patient coming out of 3. incontinence.
a coma?
May also experience lethargy and stupor.
12. What do unilaterally The development of a hematoma, with subsequent pressure on the third
dilated and poorly re- cranial nerve due to shifting of the brain.
sponding pupils indi-
cate?
13. What is the medica- Used to control seizures!
tion Phenytoin (Dilan-
tin) used for?
14. What is an impor- Oral contraceptives are less effective when taking this medication. There-
tant patient teaching fore, you should use other forms of contraception in addition to oral
point for a young contraceptives if you choose to be sexually active.
woman who is taking
Phenytoin?
15. What are the side S/E: nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, lethargy, and ataxia.
effects of Pheny-
toin and what are Pt teaching: maintain good oral hygiene to prevent gum disease! Also, use
some patient teach- contraception, oral contraceptives are less effective when taking Phenytoin.
ing points?
16. What is Propofol and It is an IV anesthetic (sedative/hypnotic).
what is it used for?
Used for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia. It provides
smooth hypnosis in less than one minute.
It blocks the perception of pain by producing amnesia, euphoria, and
hypnosis. However, it does not provide analgesia.
17.
NSG 233 Med Surg III Exam 2 Study Guide
ANSWERS (VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS) LATEST
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hbp88b
UPDATE 2025/2026
1. What is the cardinal Bizarre or irrational behavior.
behavioral sign of a
frontal lobe traumatic
brain injury?
2. What is the cardinal Amnesia or disorientation.
neurologic sign of a
temporal lobe trau-
matic brain injury?
3. Upon discharge, - decreased LOC.
which s/s would you - worsening headache.
teach the patient to - Dizziness.
return to the emer- - Seizures.
gency department if - Abnormal pupil response.
they begin experienc- - vomiting.
ing? - irritability.
- slurred speech.
- weakness or numbness of the extremities.
4. What are the three 1. coma.
cardinal signs of brain 2. absence of reflexes.
death? 3. apnea.
5. What GCS score indi- A score of 3-8.
cates a severe trau-
matic brain injury?
6. What are the three 1. Bradycardia (decreased heart rate).
signs of the Cushing's 2. Widening pulse pressure (SBP is rising).
Triad and what do 3. Irregular respirations.
they indicate?
- Cushing's Triad indicates increased intracranial pressure.
, NSG 233 Med Surg III Exam 2 Study Guide
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hbp88b
7. What is a common Hyponatremia (low sodium).
electrolyte imbalance
in patients who expe- Normal sodium levels are 135-145 mEq/L.
rience a TBI?
8. What are some nurs- - Maintain a patent airway.
ing interventions for - monitor neurologic function (neuro checks).
a TBI? - monitor vitals (look for Cushing's triad).
- POSITION HOB AT 30 DEGREES WITH THE NECK IN A NEUTRAL POSITION
TO PROTECT C-SPINE.
- assess motor function.
- monitor for fluid and electrolyte imbalances, especially sodium.
- promote adequate nutrition.
- maintain thermoregulation.
- maintain skin integrity.
- early administration of anticonvulsants.
- maintain cerebral perfusion pressure.
9. What can hypona- Seizures!
tremia cause? What
precautions do we Seizure precautions.
need to place our pa-
tient on because of
this?
10. What should cere- Above 50 mmHg.
bral perfusion pres-
sure be maintained
at?
11. What are three com- 1. agitation.
mon symptoms for a 2. restlessness.
, NSG 233 Med Surg III Exam 2 Study Guide
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hbp88b
patient coming out of 3. incontinence.
a coma?
May also experience lethargy and stupor.
12. What do unilaterally The development of a hematoma, with subsequent pressure on the third
dilated and poorly re- cranial nerve due to shifting of the brain.
sponding pupils indi-
cate?
13. What is the medica- Used to control seizures!
tion Phenytoin (Dilan-
tin) used for?
14. What is an impor- Oral contraceptives are less effective when taking this medication. There-
tant patient teaching fore, you should use other forms of contraception in addition to oral
point for a young contraceptives if you choose to be sexually active.
woman who is taking
Phenytoin?
15. What are the side S/E: nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, lethargy, and ataxia.
effects of Pheny-
toin and what are Pt teaching: maintain good oral hygiene to prevent gum disease! Also, use
some patient teach- contraception, oral contraceptives are less effective when taking Phenytoin.
ing points?
16. What is Propofol and It is an IV anesthetic (sedative/hypnotic).
what is it used for?
Used for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia. It provides
smooth hypnosis in less than one minute.
It blocks the perception of pain by producing amnesia, euphoria, and
hypnosis. However, it does not provide analgesia.
17.
