Chapter 31- Cognitive and Sensory Alterations
Question 1 of 25
A nurse is caring for a patient with a stroke that has altered her ability to see. The nurse knows which area of the brain was likely
impacted by the stroke that is responsible for visual function?
¥ Parietal lobes
¥ Temporal lobes
¥ Frontal lobes
¥ Occipital lobes
The occipital lobes process visual information. The frontal lobes of the cerebrum are the areas of the brain responsible for voluntary
motor function, short-term memory, goal-oriented behaviors, and eye movements. The parietal lobes are responsible for receiving,
analyzing, and responding to somatic sensory input from different parts of the body. The temporal lobes are concerned with auditory
stimuli, as well as long-term memory, balance, taste, and smell.
Question 2 of 25
The patient who was in a motor vehicle accident tells the nurse ÒI just canÕt decide the direction my life should go since I was in the
crash.Ó The nurse recognizes this is likely because of the injury to what area of brain?
¥ Frontal lobes
¥ Occipital lobes
¥ Parietal lobes
¥ Temporal lobes
The frontal lobes of the cerebrum are the areas of the brain responsible for voluntary motor function, short-term memory, goal-
oriented behaviors, and eye movements. The parietal lobes are responsible for receiving, analyzing, and responding to somatic sensory
input from different parts of the body. The temporal lobes are concerned with auditory stimuli, as well as long-term memory, balance,
taste, and smell. The occipital lobes process visual information.
Question 3 of 25
The nurse is educating the family of a patient in the intensive care unit about the patientÕs cognitive status, including the current
problem of delirium. Which statement by the family indicates a need for further education?
¥ “The delirium is a mood disorder.”
¥ “The delirium can be caused by sensory overload.”
¥ “The delirium is a state of confusion.”
¥ “The delirium is reversible.”
Delirium is a reversible state of acute confusion. It is characterized by a disturbance in consciousness or a change in cognition that
develops over 1 to 2 days and is caused by a medical condition. Delirium may occur in intensive care patients as a result of sensory
overload. Fluctuating awareness, impairment of memory and attention, disorganized thinking, hallucinations, and disturbances of
sleep–wake cycles are signs and symptoms of delirium. Once the underlying cause of delirium is identified and treated, the confusion
subsides. It is not a mood disorder.
Question 4 of 25
The nurse is caring for a patient with depression. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further education?
¥ “Depression is always treated with medication.”
¥ “Depression is a mood disorder.”
¥ “Depression can have a rapid onset.”
¥ “Depression is usually reversible.”
Depression is usually reversible with treatment either by eliminating the underlying cause, providing counseling, or by prescribing
antidepressive agents. Depression is a mood disorder characterized by a sense of hopelessness and persistent unhappiness. Signs and
symptoms of depression are loss of interest, sadness for an extended period of time, decreased self-esteem, sleeping too much or
insomnia, and changes in eating patterns. Depression usually has a rapid onset.
, Question 5 of 25
The nurse is caring for a patient who is complaining of tingling in the hands and fingers. The nurse knows this is a sign of what
electrolyte imbalance?
¥ Hypocalcemia
¥ Hypernatremia
¥ Hypercalcemia
¥ Hyponatremia
Tactile disturbances, such as tingling and numbness around the mouth and in the fingers, are signs of hypocalcemia. Mental changes
are associated with both hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia. Both hypernatremia and hyponatremia have symptoms of central nervous
system disorder.
Question 6 of 25
The nurse is providing discharge instructions to an older adult who is being discharged with orthostatic hypotension. Which
response by the patient indicates a need for further education?
¥ “I should take my blood pressure once a day at home.”
¥ “I should drink plenty of water during the day.”
¥ “I should get up slowly and carefully.”
¥ “I should get up quickly to avoid my blood pressure dropping.”
In orthostatic hypotension, dizziness and loss of consciousness may occur if a patient changes position too quickly. Instead they
should change positions slowly. A patient can take their blood pressure at home to monitor it. Drinking water will keep them hydrated.
Question 7 of 25
The nurse is assessing the patientÕs ability to hear and knows which is the correct procedure for the doing this?
¥ The nurse speaks in a normal voice while standing slightly behind the patient.
¥ The nurse speaks in a normal voice while standing on each side of the patient.
¥ The nurse speaks in a normal voice while standing directly in front of the patient.
¥ The nurse whispers to the patient while standing on each side of the patient.
Hearing ability can be determined by observing the patient’s conversation and responses and by talking with the patient in a normal
conversational tone while standing slightly behind the patient. If the patient does not respond appropriately, a hearing impairment may
exist. Standing in front of the patient allows the patient to read your lips and will not detect a hearing loss. A whispered voice will also
give a false reading.
Question 8 of 25
The nurse notices her 50-year-old patient is holding the lunch menu at armÕs length while trying to read the choices. The nurse
knows this is an indication of which condition?
¥ Retinopathy
¥ Macular degeneration
¥ Presbyopia
¥ Cataracts
Presbyopia, manifesting as farsightedness, is an age-related decrease in the ability to focus on near objects. The patient demonstrates
presbyopia by holding reading materials at a distance or by being unable to read normal-sized or small print. Retinopathy is damage to
the retina and occurs in diabetics. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens. Macular degeneration is a chronic condition that causes loss of
vision in the center of the field of vision.
Question 1 of 25
A nurse is caring for a patient with a stroke that has altered her ability to see. The nurse knows which area of the brain was likely
impacted by the stroke that is responsible for visual function?
¥ Parietal lobes
¥ Temporal lobes
¥ Frontal lobes
¥ Occipital lobes
The occipital lobes process visual information. The frontal lobes of the cerebrum are the areas of the brain responsible for voluntary
motor function, short-term memory, goal-oriented behaviors, and eye movements. The parietal lobes are responsible for receiving,
analyzing, and responding to somatic sensory input from different parts of the body. The temporal lobes are concerned with auditory
stimuli, as well as long-term memory, balance, taste, and smell.
Question 2 of 25
The patient who was in a motor vehicle accident tells the nurse ÒI just canÕt decide the direction my life should go since I was in the
crash.Ó The nurse recognizes this is likely because of the injury to what area of brain?
¥ Frontal lobes
¥ Occipital lobes
¥ Parietal lobes
¥ Temporal lobes
The frontal lobes of the cerebrum are the areas of the brain responsible for voluntary motor function, short-term memory, goal-
oriented behaviors, and eye movements. The parietal lobes are responsible for receiving, analyzing, and responding to somatic sensory
input from different parts of the body. The temporal lobes are concerned with auditory stimuli, as well as long-term memory, balance,
taste, and smell. The occipital lobes process visual information.
Question 3 of 25
The nurse is educating the family of a patient in the intensive care unit about the patientÕs cognitive status, including the current
problem of delirium. Which statement by the family indicates a need for further education?
¥ “The delirium is a mood disorder.”
¥ “The delirium can be caused by sensory overload.”
¥ “The delirium is a state of confusion.”
¥ “The delirium is reversible.”
Delirium is a reversible state of acute confusion. It is characterized by a disturbance in consciousness or a change in cognition that
develops over 1 to 2 days and is caused by a medical condition. Delirium may occur in intensive care patients as a result of sensory
overload. Fluctuating awareness, impairment of memory and attention, disorganized thinking, hallucinations, and disturbances of
sleep–wake cycles are signs and symptoms of delirium. Once the underlying cause of delirium is identified and treated, the confusion
subsides. It is not a mood disorder.
Question 4 of 25
The nurse is caring for a patient with depression. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further education?
¥ “Depression is always treated with medication.”
¥ “Depression is a mood disorder.”
¥ “Depression can have a rapid onset.”
¥ “Depression is usually reversible.”
Depression is usually reversible with treatment either by eliminating the underlying cause, providing counseling, or by prescribing
antidepressive agents. Depression is a mood disorder characterized by a sense of hopelessness and persistent unhappiness. Signs and
symptoms of depression are loss of interest, sadness for an extended period of time, decreased self-esteem, sleeping too much or
insomnia, and changes in eating patterns. Depression usually has a rapid onset.
, Question 5 of 25
The nurse is caring for a patient who is complaining of tingling in the hands and fingers. The nurse knows this is a sign of what
electrolyte imbalance?
¥ Hypocalcemia
¥ Hypernatremia
¥ Hypercalcemia
¥ Hyponatremia
Tactile disturbances, such as tingling and numbness around the mouth and in the fingers, are signs of hypocalcemia. Mental changes
are associated with both hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia. Both hypernatremia and hyponatremia have symptoms of central nervous
system disorder.
Question 6 of 25
The nurse is providing discharge instructions to an older adult who is being discharged with orthostatic hypotension. Which
response by the patient indicates a need for further education?
¥ “I should take my blood pressure once a day at home.”
¥ “I should drink plenty of water during the day.”
¥ “I should get up slowly and carefully.”
¥ “I should get up quickly to avoid my blood pressure dropping.”
In orthostatic hypotension, dizziness and loss of consciousness may occur if a patient changes position too quickly. Instead they
should change positions slowly. A patient can take their blood pressure at home to monitor it. Drinking water will keep them hydrated.
Question 7 of 25
The nurse is assessing the patientÕs ability to hear and knows which is the correct procedure for the doing this?
¥ The nurse speaks in a normal voice while standing slightly behind the patient.
¥ The nurse speaks in a normal voice while standing on each side of the patient.
¥ The nurse speaks in a normal voice while standing directly in front of the patient.
¥ The nurse whispers to the patient while standing on each side of the patient.
Hearing ability can be determined by observing the patient’s conversation and responses and by talking with the patient in a normal
conversational tone while standing slightly behind the patient. If the patient does not respond appropriately, a hearing impairment may
exist. Standing in front of the patient allows the patient to read your lips and will not detect a hearing loss. A whispered voice will also
give a false reading.
Question 8 of 25
The nurse notices her 50-year-old patient is holding the lunch menu at armÕs length while trying to read the choices. The nurse
knows this is an indication of which condition?
¥ Retinopathy
¥ Macular degeneration
¥ Presbyopia
¥ Cataracts
Presbyopia, manifesting as farsightedness, is an age-related decrease in the ability to focus on near objects. The patient demonstrates
presbyopia by holding reading materials at a distance or by being unable to read normal-sized or small print. Retinopathy is damage to
the retina and occurs in diabetics. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens. Macular degeneration is a chronic condition that causes loss of
vision in the center of the field of vision.
