NSG 3250: Adult Health Exam 3 Comprehensive Study Guide & Question Bank
Part 1: Neurology - Stroke and TIA (Intermediate Level)
Q1: A patient presents with sudden numbness on the right side of the body and
difficulty speaking. Within 45 minutes, the symptoms completely resolve. How
should the nurse document this event?
Answer: A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). The nurse must note that while the
symptoms were transient (temporary) and no irreversible damage occurred, the
patient is now at high risk for a future thrombotic stroke.
Q2: What is the primary diagnostic tool used immediately upon arrival for a
suspected stroke patient, and what is its purpose?
Answer: A non-contrast CT scan of the head. Its primary purpose is to rule out a
hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding) before administering any anticoagulant or
thrombolytic therapy.
Q3: A patient has suffered a Left-Hemisphere Stroke. What specific deficits
should the nurse anticipate?
Answer:
Right-sided hemiplegia (paralysis) or hemiparesis (weakness).
Aphasia (difficulty with language/speech).
Hemianopsia (loss of the right visual field).
Cautious, slow behavior.
Q4: A nurse is caring for a patient with Receptive Aphasia (Wernicke’s). What
communication strategies are most effective?
Answer: Use short, simple phrases; speak slowly; use gestures or a writing
board; give the patient plenty of time to process and respond; and minimize
environmental distractions.
Q5: What is the "Golden Window" for the administration of tissue plasminogen
activator (tPA) in an ischemic stroke?
Answer: tPA must generally be administered within 3 to 4.5 hours of the "Last
Known Well" (LKW) time.
Q6: Why is a patient with a TIA at risk for a thrombotic stroke but NOT a
hemorrhagic stroke?
Part 1: Neurology - Stroke and TIA (Intermediate Level)
Q1: A patient presents with sudden numbness on the right side of the body and
difficulty speaking. Within 45 minutes, the symptoms completely resolve. How
should the nurse document this event?
Answer: A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). The nurse must note that while the
symptoms were transient (temporary) and no irreversible damage occurred, the
patient is now at high risk for a future thrombotic stroke.
Q2: What is the primary diagnostic tool used immediately upon arrival for a
suspected stroke patient, and what is its purpose?
Answer: A non-contrast CT scan of the head. Its primary purpose is to rule out a
hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding) before administering any anticoagulant or
thrombolytic therapy.
Q3: A patient has suffered a Left-Hemisphere Stroke. What specific deficits
should the nurse anticipate?
Answer:
Right-sided hemiplegia (paralysis) or hemiparesis (weakness).
Aphasia (difficulty with language/speech).
Hemianopsia (loss of the right visual field).
Cautious, slow behavior.
Q4: A nurse is caring for a patient with Receptive Aphasia (Wernicke’s). What
communication strategies are most effective?
Answer: Use short, simple phrases; speak slowly; use gestures or a writing
board; give the patient plenty of time to process and respond; and minimize
environmental distractions.
Q5: What is the "Golden Window" for the administration of tissue plasminogen
activator (tPA) in an ischemic stroke?
Answer: tPA must generally be administered within 3 to 4.5 hours of the "Last
Known Well" (LKW) time.
Q6: Why is a patient with a TIA at risk for a thrombotic stroke but NOT a
hemorrhagic stroke?
