The nurse evaluates the Babinski reflex and strokes the sole of the patient's foot from the outer heel to the little toe. The patient was in an automobile accident and has a decreased level of consciousness. Which response indicates an abnormality in the cerebral cortex?
The foot remains in the same position prior to stroking the sole of the foot.
Great toe bends upward and smaller toes fan outward.
Great toe bends downward.
The opposite foot assumes the same position as the foot being stroked.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: This is incorrect. The foot remaining in the same position prior to stroking the sole of the foot is a normal response in adults. It indicates that the spinal cord and the brain are intact and functioning properly.
Choice B reason: This is correct. Great toe bending upward, and smaller toes fanning outward is an abnormal response in adults. It indicates a positive Babinski reflex, which is a sign of damage to the cerebral cortex or the pyramidal tract. The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of the brain that controls higher functions such as thinking, reasoning, and movement. The pyramidal tract is a bundle of nerve fibers that connects the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord and controls voluntary movements.
Choice C reason: This is incorrect. Great toe bending downward is also a normal response in adults. It indicates that the spinal cord and the brain are intact and functioning properly.
Choice D reason: This is incorrect. The opposite foot assuming the same position as the foot being stroked is not related to the Babinski reflex. It is a phenomenon called mirror movement, which may occur in some people due to genetic or developmental factors. It does not indicate any abnormality in the cerebral cortex.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is incorrect. Administering a dose of a prescribed antiepileptic drug is an appropriate intervention, but it should be done during the seizure, not after. Positioning the person supine is also not recommended, as it can compromise the airway and increase the risk of aspiration.
Choice B reason: This is incorrect. Wrapping the patient in warm blankets and hyperextending their neck are both harmful actions, as they can increase the body temperature and obstruct the airway. The patient should be kept cool and comfortable, and their head should be tilted to the side or supported with a pillow.
Choice C reason: This is incorrect. Offering the patient a crossword to work on to promote mental stimulation is not an essential intervention, and it may not be feasible or appropriate for a patient who has just experienced a prolonged seizure. The patient may need rest and observation, not cognitive tasks.
Choice D reason: This is correct. Establishing that the patient has a patent airway after the seizure ends and assessing for breathing are the most important interventions, as they ensure the oxygenation and ventilation of the patient. The nurse should also monitor the vital signs, neurological status, and blood glucose levels of the patient.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is incorrect. Apples, oranges and strawberries are good sources of vitamin C, which can help with iron absorption, but they are not high in iron content themselves. The patient should eat foods that are rich in both iron and vitamin C.
Choice B reason: This is incorrect. Tuna fish, white bread and green vegetables are not high in iron content either. Tuna fish is a source of protein, but it has less iron than other types of meat or fish. White bread is refined and has less iron than whole grain bread. Green vegetables have some iron, but not enough to meet the daily requirements.
Choice C reason: This is correct. Lean beef, raisins and prunes are high in iron content and can help the patient with iron deficiency anemia. Lean beef is a source of heme iron, which is more easily absorbed by the body than non-heme iron from plant sources. Raisins and prunes are dried fruits that have more iron than fresh fruits.
Choice D reason: This is incorrect. White chicken meat, whole milk and rice are not high in iron content either. White chicken meat has less iron than dark chicken meat or red meat. Whole milk is a source of calcium, which can interfere with iron absorption. Rice is a source of carbohydrates, but it has less iron than other grains or legumes.
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