NURSING 410 EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE: NEUROLOGY TOPICS
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Brain Herniation - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅A life-threatening condition where brain tissue shifts due to
increased intracranial pressure (ICP).
Nursing Interventions for Brain Herniation - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Monitor for signs: Altered LOC, pupil
changes, posturing (decerebrate, decorticate). Positioning: Head of bed (HOB) 30 degrees to promote
venous drainage. Maintain adequate oxygenation: Prevent hypoxia (PaO2 > 60 mmHg). Control ICP:
Administer osmotic diuretics (Mannitol), hypertonic saline, and steroids as prescribed. Avoid triggers:
Prevent straining (e.g., stool softeners, avoiding Valsalva maneuver). Prepare for emergency
interventions: Ventriculostomy, decompressive craniectomy if needed.
Epilepsy Patient Education - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Medication adherence: Take antiseizure meds as
prescribed (e.g., phenytoin, levetiracetam). Avoid triggers: Lack of sleep, alcohol, flashing lights, stress.
Safety precautions: Avoid driving until seizure-free for the required period per state law. Seizure first
aid: Protect from injury, turn patient to the side, do not put anything in the mouth.
Chronic Migraines Psychological Impact - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Chronic migraines may lead to
depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal. Stress management is crucial.
Stages of Migraines - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Prodrome: Mood changes, food cravings. Aura: Visual
disturbances (flashes, zigzags). Headache: Throbbing pain, nausea, photophobia. Postdrome: Fatigue,
cognitive difficulties.
Tension Headaches - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Stress-induced, band-like pain.
Cluster Headaches - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Sudden, severe, around one eye, may occur at night.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Diagnostic Testing - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅CT scan, MRI, carotid
ultrasound, echocardiogram.
BP Goals for TIA - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Maintain SBP between 120-129 mmHg to prevent stroke.
, Parkinson's Disease (PD) Client Education - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Encourage exercise, adaptive devices
for daily activities.
Falls Risk in Parkinson's Disease - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Use assistive devices, remove trip hazards,
encourage safety measures.
Medication Side Effects of Levodopa-carbidopa - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Dyskinesia, nausea, orthostatic
hypotension.
Interdisciplinary Care for Parkinson's Disease - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Neurology, PT/OT, speech therapy
for dysphagia.
Cushing's Triad - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Bradycardia, irregular respirations, hypertension (widened
pulse pressure).
Increased Intracranial Pressure (ICP) Early Enteral Nutrition - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Start within 24-48
hours to prevent bacterial translocation.
Psychosocial Changes - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Irritability, depression, cognitive impairment.
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Risk Factors - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Aneurysm rupture, hypertension,
smoking, excessive alcohol use.
Peripheral Neuropathy Pathophysiology - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Nerve damage due to diabetes, toxins,
infections.
Peripheral Neuropathy Risk Factors - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Diabetes, vitamin deficiencies,
chemotherapy.
Peripheral Neuropathy Diagnostic Testing - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅EMG, nerve conduction studies,
glucose tests.
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Brain Herniation - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅A life-threatening condition where brain tissue shifts due to
increased intracranial pressure (ICP).
Nursing Interventions for Brain Herniation - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Monitor for signs: Altered LOC, pupil
changes, posturing (decerebrate, decorticate). Positioning: Head of bed (HOB) 30 degrees to promote
venous drainage. Maintain adequate oxygenation: Prevent hypoxia (PaO2 > 60 mmHg). Control ICP:
Administer osmotic diuretics (Mannitol), hypertonic saline, and steroids as prescribed. Avoid triggers:
Prevent straining (e.g., stool softeners, avoiding Valsalva maneuver). Prepare for emergency
interventions: Ventriculostomy, decompressive craniectomy if needed.
Epilepsy Patient Education - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Medication adherence: Take antiseizure meds as
prescribed (e.g., phenytoin, levetiracetam). Avoid triggers: Lack of sleep, alcohol, flashing lights, stress.
Safety precautions: Avoid driving until seizure-free for the required period per state law. Seizure first
aid: Protect from injury, turn patient to the side, do not put anything in the mouth.
Chronic Migraines Psychological Impact - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Chronic migraines may lead to
depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal. Stress management is crucial.
Stages of Migraines - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Prodrome: Mood changes, food cravings. Aura: Visual
disturbances (flashes, zigzags). Headache: Throbbing pain, nausea, photophobia. Postdrome: Fatigue,
cognitive difficulties.
Tension Headaches - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Stress-induced, band-like pain.
Cluster Headaches - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Sudden, severe, around one eye, may occur at night.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Diagnostic Testing - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅CT scan, MRI, carotid
ultrasound, echocardiogram.
BP Goals for TIA - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Maintain SBP between 120-129 mmHg to prevent stroke.
, Parkinson's Disease (PD) Client Education - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Encourage exercise, adaptive devices
for daily activities.
Falls Risk in Parkinson's Disease - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Use assistive devices, remove trip hazards,
encourage safety measures.
Medication Side Effects of Levodopa-carbidopa - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Dyskinesia, nausea, orthostatic
hypotension.
Interdisciplinary Care for Parkinson's Disease - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Neurology, PT/OT, speech therapy
for dysphagia.
Cushing's Triad - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Bradycardia, irregular respirations, hypertension (widened
pulse pressure).
Increased Intracranial Pressure (ICP) Early Enteral Nutrition - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Start within 24-48
hours to prevent bacterial translocation.
Psychosocial Changes - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Irritability, depression, cognitive impairment.
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Risk Factors - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Aneurysm rupture, hypertension,
smoking, excessive alcohol use.
Peripheral Neuropathy Pathophysiology - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Nerve damage due to diabetes, toxins,
infections.
Peripheral Neuropathy Risk Factors - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Diabetes, vitamin deficiencies,
chemotherapy.
Peripheral Neuropathy Diagnostic Testing - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅EMG, nerve conduction studies,
glucose tests.
