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Neurological Assessment and Monitoring Flashcards

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

Read the first 6 Neurological Assessment and Monitoring flashcards as text

  1. A nurse notes Cushing's triad in a neuroscience patient. Which set of findings is characteristic?

    Answer: Hypertension, bradycardia, irregular respirations

    Cushing's triad consists of hypertension (widening pulse pressure), bradycardia, and irregular respirations, signaling impending brainstem herniation.

  2. Which type of brain herniation results in ipsilateral CN III palsy and contralateral hemiplegia?

    Answer: Uncal herniation

    Uncal herniation compresses the ipsilateral oculomotor nerve (CN III) and contralateral corticospinal tract, producing these classic deficits.

  3. When using the FOUR (Full Outline of UnResponsiveness) scale, which domain is assessed that the GCS does NOT include?

    Answer: Brainstem reflexes

    The FOUR scale includes brainstem reflexes (corneal, cough, pupillary) as a distinct domain, which the Glasgow Coma Scale does not assess.

  4. A patient with a subarachnoid hemorrhage develops a sudden severe headache described as 'the worst headache of my life.' The nurse recognizes this as:

    Answer: Sentinel headache or thunderclap headache

    A sudden, severe 'thunderclap' headache reaching maximum intensity in seconds is the classic presentation of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

  5. Which scale is commonly used by CNRN nurses to grade subarachnoid hemorrhage severity based on clinical presentation?

    Answer: Hunt and Hess Scale

    The Hunt and Hess Scale grades subarachnoid hemorrhage severity from I (mild headache) to V (deep coma), guiding surgical timing.

  6. A CNRN assesses a patient for papilledema during funduscopic examination. Papilledema is caused by:

    Answer: Increased intracranial pressure transmitted along the optic nerve sheath

    Increased ICP is transmitted along the subarachnoid space surrounding the optic nerve, causing swelling of the optic disc (papilledema).

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