A 70-year-old female patient with left-sided hemiparesis arrives by ambulance to the emergency department. Which action should the nurse take first?

Send the patient for a computed tomography (CT) scan.

Check the respiratory rate and effort.

Assess the Glasgow Coma Scale score.

Take the patient's blood pressure.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Send the patient for a computed tomography (CT) scan: While obtaining a CT scan is important for diagnosing potential causes of the patient's left-sided hemiparesis, assessing the patient's respiratory status takes precedence to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation.

B. Check the respiratory rate and effort: Assessing the patient's respiratory rate and effort is the first priority to identify any signs of respiratory distress or compromise. Adequate oxygenation and ventilation are essential for maintaining vital organ function.

C. Assess the Glasgow Coma Scale score: While assessing the Glasgow Coma Scale score is important for evaluating the patient's level of consciousness and neurological status, it is not the first action to take in a patient with potential respiratory compromise.

D. Take the patient's blood pressure: While obtaining the patient's blood pressure is important for assessing hemodynamic stability, it is not the first priority when the patient presents with left-sided hemiparesis and may be at risk for respiratory compromise.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. "An MRI scan is not distorted by movement, so you do not have to lie still." This statement is incorrect. Movement during an MRI scan can distort images and affect the quality of the diagnostic information obtained. Patients are typically instructed to lie as still as possible during the procedure.

B. "The MRI contrast dye contains iodine and can cause your skin to itch." This statement is incorrect. MRI contrast agents do not contain iodine and are not associated with itching.
However, some patients may experience allergic reactions to MRI contrast agents, but this is not related to iodine.

C. "An MRI scan is very noisy, and you will be allowed to wear earplugs while in the scanner." This statement is correct. MRI scanners produce loud noises during imaging, which can be bothersome to some patients. Patients are often provided with earplugs or headphones to help reduce the noise and make the experience more comfortable.

D. "An MRI scan is a short procedure and should take no longer than 30 minutes." This statement is incorrect. The duration of an MRI scan can vary depending on the type of imaging being performed and the specific protocol used. Some MRI scans may take longer than 30 minutes to complete.

A. Bradykinesia B. Kernig's sign C. Nuchal rigidity D. Brudzinski's sign

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Bradykinesia: Bradykinesia refers to slowness of movement and is commonly associated with Parkinson's disease. It is not typically assessed through neck flexion in the context of meningitis.

B. Kernig's sign: Kernig's sign is assessed by flexing the patient's hip and knee and then attempting to extend the knee. Resistance or pain during knee extension suggests meningeal irritation, but it does not involve the involuntary flexion of the legs.

C. Nuchal rigidity: Nuchal rigidity refers to stiffness and pain in the neck and inability to flex the neck forward due to inflammation of the meninges. While it is related to meningitis, it does not involve involuntary flexion of the legs.

D. Brudzinski's sign: Brudzinski's sign is a physical exam finding where passive flexion of the neck results in involuntary flexion of the hips and knees. It is a classic sign of meningeal irritation, often seen in meningitis.

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A 70-year-old female patient with left-sided hemiparesis arrives by ambulance to the emergency department. Which action should the nurse take first?

Nursing Test Bank

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