Nur 255 Exam 4 Study Guide Questions with
Detailed Answers Graded A+ 2025
Age related changes to the Nervous System. -Correct Answer ✔
Physiologic Changes -Correct Answer ✔Nursing implications
Slower processing time. -Correct Answer ✔Provide adequate time to read
questions.
Recent memory loss. -Correct Answer ✔Repetitions, written reminders, and use
alarms.
Decreased sensory perception. -Correct Answer ✔Watch where putting feet; wear
good shoes. Change positions often.
Change in pain perception. -Correct Answer ✔Ask patient to describe nature and
characteristics of pain.
Change in sleep patterns. -Correct Answer ✔Fall asleep earlier, wake earlier; more
wakefulness at night.
Altered balance/decrease in coordination. -Correct Answer ✔Advise patient to
move slowly; use handrails; assess the need for ambulatory aides.
What is a seizure? -Correct Answer ✔Abnormal, sudden, excessive, uncontrolled
electrical discharge of neurons within the brain that may result in a change in level
of consciousness, motor or sensory ability, and/or behavior.
What is a generalized seizure? -Correct Answer ✔May occur in adults and involve
both cerebral hemispheres.
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What is a tonic seizure? -Correct Answer ✔An abrupt increase in muscle tone, loss
of consciousness, and autonomic changes lasting from 30 seconds to several
minutes.
What is a clonic seizure? -Correct Answer ✔Last several minutes and causes
muscle contraction and relaxation.
What is tonic-clonic seizure? -Correct Answer ✔It lasts from 2 to 5 minutes begins
with tonic phase that causes stiffening or rigidity of the muscles, particulaly of the
arms and legs, and immediate loss of consciousness. Clonic or rhythmic jerking of
all extremities follows.
What is a partial seizure? -Correct Answer ✔Also called focal or local seizures,
begin in a part of one cerebral hemisphere.
What is a complex partial seizure? -Correct Answer ✔They may cause loss of
consciousness (syncope), or "black out", for 1 to 3 minutes. In the period after the
seizure, he or she may have amnesia.
What is simple partial seizure? -Correct Answer ✔They remain conscious
throughout the episode. They often report an aura (unusual sensation) before the
seizure takes place.
What is unclassified, or idiopathic seizures? -Correct Answer ✔They account for
about half of all seizure activity. They occur for no known reason and don't fit into
the generalized or partial classification.
What are some seizure risks? -Correct Answer ✔Metabolic disorders, acute alcohol
withdrawal, electrolyte disturbances, heart disease, high fever, stroke, and
substance abuse.
How do you assess seizures? -Correct Answer ✔How many? How long? Any
pattern? Describe the seizure. Any auras? Medications? Herbs? Drugs/alcohol?
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High fever? Medical conditions? Then do typical diagnostic tests such as; EEG,
CT, MRI, and PET to rule out other conditions before diagnosing.
What you need to know about drug therapy? -Correct Answer ✔Evaluate most
acurrent blood level of medicationm if appropriate. Be aware of drug-drug/drug-
food interactions. Maintain therapeutic blood levels for maximal effectiveness.
Don't administer warfarin with phenytoin. Document and report side/adverse
effects.
What do you need to know about phenytoin? -Correct Answer ✔Reduces voltage
frequency and spread of electrical discharge. Watch for gingival hyperplasia and
bradycardia.
What do you need to know about carbamazepine? -Correct Answer ✔Reduces
synaptic reaction. Watch for visual problems ataxia and vertigo.
What do you need to know about valproic acid? -Correct Answer ✔Blocks sodium
and calcium channels to prevent neuron firing. Watch for GI upset and
hepatoxicity.
What are seizure precautions? -Correct Answer ✔Oxygen, suction equipment,
airway, IV access, and side rails up and padded.
What is seizure management? -Correct Answer ✔Depends on type of seizure.
Observation and documentation. Patient safety. Side-lying position. No restraints.
Never force anything into the patient's mouth.
What is acute seizure management? -Correct Answer ✔Medication depends on
type of seizure. Medication for tonic-clonic seizure activity may include:
lorazepam, diazepam, and IV phenytoin or fosphenytoin.
What is status epilepticus? -Correct Answer ✔Prolonged seizures that last more
than 5 min. or repeated seizures over course of 30 min. It is an medical emergency!
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