A patient who is diagnosed with a cervical herniated disc complains of pain. The nurse concludes that the patient's pain is caused by which of the following?

Inflammation of the lamina of the involved vertebra

Shifting of two adjacent vertebrae out of alignment

Increased pressure of cerebral spinal fluid within the vertebral column

Compression of the spinal cord by the extruding disc

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A) Inflammation of the lamina of the involved vertebra: While inflammation can contribute to pain, it is not the primary cause in the context of a herniated disc. The pain associated with a herniated disc is typically related to nerve compression rather than inflammation of the lamina itself.

B) Shifting of two adjacent vertebrae out of alignment: This describes a different condition, such as spondylolisthesis. A herniated disc primarily involves the displacement of disc material, rather than a significant misalignment of the vertebrae.
C) Increased pressure of cerebral spinal fluid within the vertebral column: Increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure is not typically associated with herniated discs and does not directly cause the pain related to this condition.

D) Compression of the spinal cord by the extruding disc: This is the most accurate explanation for the patient's pain. A cervical herniated disc can protrude and compress nearby nerve roots or the spinal cord itself, leading to significant pain, weakness, and other neurological symptoms. This compression is the primary cause of pain in patients with this diagnosis.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A) To determine the location of the pain: While knowing the location of the pain can be relevant for overall assessment, this is not the main reason for reassessing pain after treatment. The focus is more on understanding the response to treatment rather than just identifying where the pain is.

B) To establish the effectiveness of medication: Reassessing pain after treatment is essential to evaluate how well the medication has alleviated the pain. This helps the nurse determine if the current pain management approach is effective or if modifications are necessary to improve the patient's comfort.

C) To make changes to the patient's pain goal: While understanding pain levels can inform care planning, the primary purpose of reassessing pain is to gauge treatment effectiveness rather than directly changing the pain management goals at that moment.

D) To measure the pain's duration: Measuring the duration of pain may be useful in a broader context of pain management, but it is not the immediate rationale for reassessing pain after treatment. The focus should be on the effectiveness of the intervention rather than just how long the pain lasts.

A. Have the client smile, frown, and puff out their cheeks B. Palpate the masseter muscles when the client clenches their teeth C. Assess constriction of the client's pupils with direct and indirect light D. Ask the patient to turn their head left and right with resistance

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A) Have the client smile, frown, and puff out their cheeks: This test assesses the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), not the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V). While important for evaluating facial movement, it does not specifically test the motor function of the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for mastication.

B) Palpate the masseter muscles when the client clenches their teeth: This is the correct test for assessing the motor function of the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve innervates the muscles responsible for chewing, and palpating the masseter muscles during clenching allows the nurse to evaluate muscle strength and function. It provides insight into the motor capabilities associated with this cranial nerve.

C) Assess constriction of the client's pupils with direct and indirect light: This test evaluates the function of the optic nerve (cranial nerve II) and the oculomotor nerve (cranial nerve III). It does not assess the trigeminal nerve and is not relevant for this assessment.

D) Ask the patient to turn their head left and right with resistance: This action tests the spinal accessory nerve (cranial nerve XI), which is involved in neck movement. It does not relate to the function of the trigeminal nerve, making it an inappropriate choice for this specific assessment.

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A patient who is diagnosed with a cervical herniated disc complains of pain. The nurse concludes that the patient's pain is caused by which of the following?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which of the following is the rationale for the nurse to reassess the patient's pain after treatment?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse is preparing to assess the motor function of the client's trigeminal nerve. Which of the following tests would be most appropriate for the nurse to use?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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