STROKE TEST BANK QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
/. After a patient experienced a brief episode of tinnitus, diplopia, and dysarthria with no
residual effects, the nurse anticipates teaching the patient about
a. cerebral aneurysm clipping.
b. heparin intravenous infusion.
c. oral low-dose aspirin therapy.
d. tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). - Answer-ANS: C
The patient's symptoms are consistent with transient ischemic attack (TIA), and drugs
that inhibit
platelet aggregation are prescribed after a TIA to prevent stroke. Continuous heparin
infusion is not
routinely used after TIA or with acute ischemic stroke. The patient's symptoms are not
consistent with a
cerebral aneurysm. tPA is used only for acute ischemic stroke, not for TIA.
/.A 68-year-old patient is being admitted with a possible stroke. Which information from
the
assessment indicates that the nurse should consult with the health care provider before
giving the
prescribed aspirin?
a. The patient has dysphasia.
b. The patient has atrial fibrillation.
c. The patient reports that symptoms began with a severe headache.
d. The patient has a history of brief episodes of right-sided hemiplegia. - Answer-ANS:
C
A sudden onset headache is typical of a subarachnoid hemorrhage, and aspirin is
contraindicated. Atrial fibrillation, dysphasia, and transient ischemic attack (TIA) are not
contraindications to aspirin use, so the nurse can administer the aspirin.
, /.A 73-year-old patient with a stroke experiences facial drooping on the right side and
right-sided arm and leg paralysis. When admitting the patient, which clinical
manifestation will the nurse expect to find?
a. Impulsive behavior
b. Right-sided neglect
c. Hyperactive left-sided tendon reflexes
d. Difficulty comprehending instructions - Answer-ANS: D
Right-sided paralysis indicates a left-brain stroke, which will lead to difficulty with
comprehension and
use of language. The left-side reflexes are likely to be intact. Impulsive behavior and
neglect are more
likely with a right-side stroke.
/.During the change of shift report a nurse is told that a patient has an occluded left
posterior cerebral
artery. The nurse will anticipate that the patient may have
a. dysphasia.
b. confusion.
c. visual deficits.
d. poor judgment. - Answer-ANS: C
Visual disturbances are expected with posterior cerebral artery occlusion. Aphasia
occurs with middle cerebral artery involvement. Cognitive deficits and changes in
judgment are more typical of anterior
cerebral artery occlusion.
/.5. When teaching about clopidogrel (Plavix), the nurse will tell the patient with cerebral
atherosclerosis
a. to monitor and record the blood pressure daily.
b. that Plavix will dissolve clots in the cerebral arteries.
c. that Plavix will reduce cerebral artery plaque formation.
ANSWERS
/. After a patient experienced a brief episode of tinnitus, diplopia, and dysarthria with no
residual effects, the nurse anticipates teaching the patient about
a. cerebral aneurysm clipping.
b. heparin intravenous infusion.
c. oral low-dose aspirin therapy.
d. tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). - Answer-ANS: C
The patient's symptoms are consistent with transient ischemic attack (TIA), and drugs
that inhibit
platelet aggregation are prescribed after a TIA to prevent stroke. Continuous heparin
infusion is not
routinely used after TIA or with acute ischemic stroke. The patient's symptoms are not
consistent with a
cerebral aneurysm. tPA is used only for acute ischemic stroke, not for TIA.
/.A 68-year-old patient is being admitted with a possible stroke. Which information from
the
assessment indicates that the nurse should consult with the health care provider before
giving the
prescribed aspirin?
a. The patient has dysphasia.
b. The patient has atrial fibrillation.
c. The patient reports that symptoms began with a severe headache.
d. The patient has a history of brief episodes of right-sided hemiplegia. - Answer-ANS:
C
A sudden onset headache is typical of a subarachnoid hemorrhage, and aspirin is
contraindicated. Atrial fibrillation, dysphasia, and transient ischemic attack (TIA) are not
contraindications to aspirin use, so the nurse can administer the aspirin.
, /.A 73-year-old patient with a stroke experiences facial drooping on the right side and
right-sided arm and leg paralysis. When admitting the patient, which clinical
manifestation will the nurse expect to find?
a. Impulsive behavior
b. Right-sided neglect
c. Hyperactive left-sided tendon reflexes
d. Difficulty comprehending instructions - Answer-ANS: D
Right-sided paralysis indicates a left-brain stroke, which will lead to difficulty with
comprehension and
use of language. The left-side reflexes are likely to be intact. Impulsive behavior and
neglect are more
likely with a right-side stroke.
/.During the change of shift report a nurse is told that a patient has an occluded left
posterior cerebral
artery. The nurse will anticipate that the patient may have
a. dysphasia.
b. confusion.
c. visual deficits.
d. poor judgment. - Answer-ANS: C
Visual disturbances are expected with posterior cerebral artery occlusion. Aphasia
occurs with middle cerebral artery involvement. Cognitive deficits and changes in
judgment are more typical of anterior
cerebral artery occlusion.
/.5. When teaching about clopidogrel (Plavix), the nurse will tell the patient with cerebral
atherosclerosis
a. to monitor and record the blood pressure daily.
b. that Plavix will dissolve clots in the cerebral arteries.
c. that Plavix will reduce cerebral artery plaque formation.
