Practice Test Geeks(BCEN) Board of Certification of Emergency Nursing Practice Test
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BCEN Neurological Emergencies Flashcards

6 cards from real BCEN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 BCEN Neurological Emergencies flashcards as text

  1. Which medication is used to reduce cerebral edema associated with brain tumors or herniation?

    Answer: Mannitol

    Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that reduces ICP by drawing fluid out of brain tissue into the vascular space.

  2. A patient presents with nuchal rigidity, fever, and photophobia. What diagnostic test should be performed after CT?

    Answer: Lumbar puncture

    Lumbar puncture for CSF analysis is essential to diagnose bacterial meningitis after CT rules out herniation risk.

  3. What is the most appropriate head position for a patient with suspected elevated ICP?

    Answer: Head of bed elevated 30°

    Elevating the head of bed to 30° promotes venous drainage from the cranium, helping to reduce ICP.

  4. Raccoon eyes (periorbital ecchymosis) bilaterally in a trauma patient suggest what injury?

    Answer: Anterior basilar skull fracture

    Bilateral periorbital bruising ('raccoon eyes') is a classic delayed sign of an anterior basilar skull fracture.

  5. Which finding differentiates a TIA from an ischemic stroke in the emergency setting?

    Answer: Complete resolution of symptoms within 24 hours without infarction on imaging

    A TIA resolves completely within 24 hours (typically minutes) with no evidence of infarction on diffusion-weighted MRI.

  6. A patient on phenytoin has a serum level of 5 mcg/mL (therapeutic range 10–20). They are seizing again. What is the priority action?

    Answer: Administer IV lorazepam first, then supplement phenytoin

    Active seizures require immediate benzodiazepine to stop the seizure, followed by IV fosphenytoin/phenytoin to correct the subtherapeutic level.

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