The nurse is caring for a patient undergoing a lumbar puncture by the provider. Select the priority nursing intervention the nurse would complete after the procedure.

Maintain pressure to the puncture site and observe for drainage.

Complete a pain assessment and administer an ordered analgesic, as needed.

Inform the patient they may feel pressure and sharp pain in their lower back for several hours.

Assess pulses distal to the lumbar puncture site every two hours.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: Maintaining pressure to the puncture site and observing for drainage is the priority nursing intervention for a patient who had a lumbar puncture. It helps to prevent bleeding, hematoma, and cerebrospinal fluid leakage, which can cause complications such as infection, headache, or nerve damage.

Choice B reason: Completing a pain assessment and administering an ordered analgesic, as needed, is an important nursing intervention for a patient who had a lumbar puncture, but it is not the priority. Lumbar puncture can cause mild to moderate pain and discomfort at the puncture site, which can be relieved by analgesics, ice packs, or massage.

Choice C reason: Informing the patient they may feel pressure and sharp pain in their lower back for several hours is an important nursing intervention for a patient who had a lumbar puncture, but it is not the priority. Lumbar puncture can cause transient sensations of pressure and pain in the lower back, which can be reduced by lying flat, avoiding sudden movements, and drinking fluids.

Choice D reason: Assessing pulses distal to the lumbar puncture site every two hours is not an appropriate nursing intervention for a patient who had a lumbar puncture. Lumbar puncture does not affect the blood circulation to the lower extremities, unless there is a complication such as hematoma or nerve compression. Therefore, the nurse should monitor the neurological status, vital signs, and signs of infection or bleeding.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: This is incorrect. Arm and leg weakness, paresthesia, blurred vision, and facial frown are not specific to Parkinson disease, but may be seen in other neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis or stroke.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect. Uncontrollable rapid jerky movements in arms, trunk and facial muscles are characteristic of Huntington disease, not Parkinson disease. Huntington disease is a genetic disorder that causes progressive degeneration of the nerve cells in the brain.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect. Stumbling, backward tilt of the head, quick fluttering hand movements, and quick uncontrolled gait are signs of cerebellar ataxia, not Parkinson disease. Cerebellar ataxia is a disorder that affects the coordination and balance of the movements, caused by damage to the cerebellum.

Choice D reason: This is correct. Hand tremors, bradykinesia, skeletal muscle rigidity, and postural instability are the cardinal signs and symptoms of Parkinson disease. Parkinson disease is a chronic and progressive disorder that affects the dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, resulting in movement problems.

A. Patient sways from side-to-side when standing with feet close together. B. Patient's pupils do not respond equally to direct light from a flashlight. C. Patient takes two attempts to touch their nose while their eyes are closed. D. Patient complains of mild dizziness.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason:Swaying during a Romberg test indicates a positive result, suggesting proprioceptive deficits or sensory ataxia.

Choice B reason:Unequal pupil response to light relates to cranial nerve function, not balance assessed by the Romberg test.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect. Patient taking two attempts to touch their nose while their eyes are closed is a mild impairment of coordination, which may be due to neurologic changes or other factors such as fatigue or medication. This is not a significant finding that requires immediate attention.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect. Patient complaining of mild dizziness is a common symptom of neurologic changes or vestibular dysfunction. It is not a serious finding that requires immediate attention. The nurse should monitor the patient and provide comfort measures.

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The nurse is caring for a patient undergoing a lumbar puncture by the provider. Select the priority nursing intervention the nurse would complete after the procedure.

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The cardinal signs and symptoms of Parkinson disease are?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse completes a Romberg's test on a patient with neurologic changes. The nurse will notify the provider if they observe which response?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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