The nurse assesses a patient's neurologic function. Which sign could indicate injury to the cerebellum? Select all that apply.
Uncoordinated finger-nose-finger test
Smooth, balanced gait
Lost sense of smell
Positive Romberg test
Slow alternating movements
Correct Answer : A,D,E
A. Uncoordinated finger-nose-finger test: The cerebellum coordinates voluntary muscle activity and precision. Dysmetria, or the inability to hit a target, indicates a lesion in the cerebellar hemispheres. This lack of coordination reflects a failure in the fine-tuning of motor signals.
B. Smooth, balanced gait: A steady and rhythmic gait indicates intact cerebellar function and proper integration of sensory input. The cerebellum normally maintains equilibrium and posture during ambulation. This finding suggests the absence of cerebellar ataxia or motor pathway interference.
C. Lost sense of smell: Anosmia results from damage to the first cranial nerve, the olfactory nerve. The cerebellum does not process sensory information related to olfaction. This deficit is associated with the anterior cranial fossa or nasal mucosa rather than hindbrain structures.
D. Positive Romberg test: This test assesses stationary balance by removing visual cues. A positive result, where the patient sways or falls, indicates vestubulocerebellar dysfunction or loss of proprioception. It highlights an inability of the cerebellum to maintain truncal stability.
E. Slow alternating movements: Dysdiadochokinesia is the medical term for the inability to perform rapid, alternating movements. It is a classic sign of cerebellar impairment. The cerebellum normally sequences the timing of agonist and antagonist muscle contractions for fluid motion.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Pilonidal cyst: This is a localized inflammatory condition or abscess located in the sacrococcygeal region, often containing hair and skin debris. It causes localized pain and drainage at the base of the spine but does not affect the urinary tract. It has no physiological link to urinary hesitancy.
B. Hemorrhoids: These are distended, varicose veins located in the anorectal region that may cause bleeding or discomfort during defecation. While they involve the pelvic floor, they do not obstruct the urethral passage or affect detrusor muscle function. They are a vascular gastrointestinal issue rather than a urological one.
C. Rectal polyp: This is a growth protruding from the mucous membrane of the colon or rectum. Most polyps are asymptomatic or cause occult gastrointestinal bleeding, but they do not compress the bladder neck or the urethra. They are unrelated to the mechanics of micturition in the male patient.
D. Enlarged prostate: Benign prostatic hyperplasia causes the gland to compress the prostatic urethra, leading to obstructive voiding symptoms. These include hesitancy, a weak urinary stream, and frequency as the bladder struggles to empty against resistance. It is the most common cause of these specific urological complaints in adult males.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. "Sharing needles is a big risk factor for hepatitis.": Percutaneous exposure to contaminated blood is a primary transmission route for Hepatitis B and C viruses. Sharing injection equipment allows for the direct inoculation of viral particles into the bloodstream of a susceptible host. This remains a significant public health challenge in preventing bloodborne pathogen spread.
B. "Chronic hepatitis increases the risk for liver cancer.": Persistent inflammation from Hepatitis B or C leads to progressive hepatic fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis. This chronic cellular damage and regeneration cycle predisposes hepatocytes to malignant transformation into hepatocellular carcinoma. Longitudinal monitoring of these patients for oncological changes is a standard clinical requirement.
C. "Newborns should receive the Hepatitis B vaccine.": Universal neonatal immunization is the standard of care to prevent vertical transmission and early childhood acquisition of the virus. The first dose is typically administered within 24 hours of birth to ensure long-term immunological protection. This strategy has drastically reduced the global prevalence of chronic HBV infection.
D. "Health care workers should get a Hepatitis C vaccine.": Currently, there is no commercially available vaccine for the prevention of the Hepatitis C virus. While vaccines exist for Hepatitis A and B, Hepatitis C prevention relies entirely on standard precautions and post-exposure protocols. This statement is scientifically inaccurate because the vaccine technology does not yet exist.
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