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Neurosurgical Nursing and Postoperative Care 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 Neurosurgical Nursing and Postoperative Care flashcards as text

  1. A patient undergoes clipping of an intracranial aneurysm. The most serious immediate postoperative complication the CNRN nurse monitors for is:

    Answer: Cerebral vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia

    Cerebral vasospasm causing delayed cerebral ischemia is the most serious postoperative complication after aneurysm clipping, occurring days 4–14.

  2. The nurse is monitoring a patient post-craniotomy and notes the Jackson-Pratt drain output is 300 mL of bright red blood over 1 hour. The priority action is to:

    Answer: Immediately notify the neurosurgeon

    Sudden large-volume bright red blood output from a post-craniotomy drain indicates active hemorrhage requiring immediate neurosurgical notification.

  3. A patient with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) classically presents with which triad of symptoms?

    Answer: Gait disturbance, urinary incontinence, and dementia (Hakim's triad)

    Normal pressure hydrocephalus presents with Hakim's triad: gait apraxia (magnetic gait), urinary incontinence, and cognitive decline (dementia).

  4. After a patient returns from carotid endarterectomy (CEA), which neurological assessment finding requires immediate notification of the surgeon?

    Answer: New facial droop or arm weakness on the operative side

    New focal neurological deficits after CEA suggest stroke from thromboembolism or carotid occlusion, requiring immediate surgical reassessment.

  5. Which post-operative position is recommended after infratentorial (posterior fossa) craniotomy to minimize cerebellar and brainstem edema?

    Answer: Head of bed elevated 30–45 degrees, head midline

    Head elevation at 30–45 degrees with midline head positioning promotes venous drainage and reduces posterior fossa edema after infratentorial craniotomy.

  6. The nurse caring for a patient post-endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) monitors closely for which early sign of procedure failure?

    Answer: Worsening headache, nausea, and decreased level of consciousness

    Worsening headache, nausea, and declining LOC after ETV suggest closure of the ventriculostomy with return of hydrocephalus.

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