NSG 320 Exam 4 Review: Key Nursing Concepts (Latest 2026/2027 Update) |
Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers) – Nursing Program
Subject: NSG 320 – Medical-Surgical Nursing / Neurologic & Orthopedic Nursing
Source: NSG 320 Exam 4 Review 2026/2027
Format: Q&A Guide with Rationale | Verified Grade A
1. What is nicardipine and what is its primary use?
Correct Answer: Calcium channel blocker that lowers blood pressure.
1. Nicardipine is an IV dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used for hypertensive
emergencies.
2. It causes arterial vasodilation, reducing systemic vascular resistance without significant
myocardial depression.
3. Monitor for hypotension, reflex tachycardia, and headache during infusion.
2. What are the early signs of Parkinson's disease?
Correct Answer: Mild tremors, rigidity, slow activities of daily living.
1. Parkinson's is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting dopamine-producing neurons
in substantia nigra.
2. Classic triad: tremor at rest, rigidity, bradykinesia (slow movement).
3. Early signs often unilateral, starting with resting tremor ("pill-rolling").
3. What teaching should be provided to a patient following hip surgery?
Correct Answer: Elevate toilet, use abductor pillow, monitor pain.
1. Elevated toilet seat prevents hip flexion >90 degrees, reducing dislocation risk.
2. Abductor pillow keeps legs abducted (avoid crossing legs, turning inward).
3. Pain monitoring ensures adequate pain control for early mobilization and prevention of
complications.
4. What should the nurse monitor when a patient is taking levodopa-carbidopa?
Correct Answer: Watch for dyskinesia and abnormal head movements.
1. Levodopa-carbidopa is first-line treatment for Parkinson's motor symptoms.
2. Long-term use causes dyskinesias (involuntary choreiform movements) and motor fluctuations
("on-off" phenomenon).p>3. Monitor for psychiatric effects (hallucinations, confusion),
especially in elderly.
, 5. How do you determine the effectiveness of levodopa-carbidopa therapy?
Correct Answer: Monitor gait and ability to walk normally.
1. Effectiveness measured by improved mobility, reduced tremor, and better activities of daily
living.
2. "Off" periods indicate need for dose adjustment or adjunctive therapy (COMT inhibitors,
dopamine agonists).
3. Response to levodopa helps differentiate Parkinson's from other parkinsonian syndromes.
6. What discharge instructions should be given after ORIF (open reduction internal fixation)?
Correct Answer: Inspect and clean pins daily for infection.
1. External fixator pins require daily cleaning with chlorhexidine or saline per protocol.
2. Signs of infection: redness, swelling, purulent drainage, loosening of pins.
3. Pin site infection can lead to osteomyelitis; report fever or increased pain immediately.
7. How can comfort be improved during hip fracture healing?
Correct Answer: Use elevated seat or toilet for comfort.
1. Hip fracture patients should avoid hip flexion >90 degrees to prevent dislocation and pain.
2. Elevated toilet seats and chairs with armrests reduce bending.
3. Maintain abduction (legs apart) with pillow between knees when turning or supine.
8. What is the appropriate nursing response to a tonic-clonic seizure?
Correct Answer: Time and observe seizure duration and characteristics.
1. Priority: ensure safety (move objects away, protect head, turn patient to side).
2. Time seizure duration; seizures lasting >5 minutes require emergency intervention (status
epilepticus).
3. Document: onset, duration, seizure type, body parts involved, post-ictal state.
9. What is the memory pattern in Alzheimer's disease?
Correct Answer: Long-term memory intact; short-term memory impaired.
1. Alzheimer's typically affects recent memory first; remote memory preserved until later stages.
2. Patient may recall childhood events but forget what happened minutes ago.
3. Use validation therapy; avoid correcting or quizzing memory.
10. What are early signs of delirium?
Correct Answer: Decreased awareness and altered consciousness.
1. Delirium is acute onset, fluctuating course, inattention, and altered LOC (differentiates from
dementia).
2. Early signs: restlessness, anxiety, irritability, sleep disturbance.
3. Identify underlying cause (infection, medications, electrolytes, dehydration).
Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers) – Nursing Program
Subject: NSG 320 – Medical-Surgical Nursing / Neurologic & Orthopedic Nursing
Source: NSG 320 Exam 4 Review 2026/2027
Format: Q&A Guide with Rationale | Verified Grade A
1. What is nicardipine and what is its primary use?
Correct Answer: Calcium channel blocker that lowers blood pressure.
1. Nicardipine is an IV dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used for hypertensive
emergencies.
2. It causes arterial vasodilation, reducing systemic vascular resistance without significant
myocardial depression.
3. Monitor for hypotension, reflex tachycardia, and headache during infusion.
2. What are the early signs of Parkinson's disease?
Correct Answer: Mild tremors, rigidity, slow activities of daily living.
1. Parkinson's is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting dopamine-producing neurons
in substantia nigra.
2. Classic triad: tremor at rest, rigidity, bradykinesia (slow movement).
3. Early signs often unilateral, starting with resting tremor ("pill-rolling").
3. What teaching should be provided to a patient following hip surgery?
Correct Answer: Elevate toilet, use abductor pillow, monitor pain.
1. Elevated toilet seat prevents hip flexion >90 degrees, reducing dislocation risk.
2. Abductor pillow keeps legs abducted (avoid crossing legs, turning inward).
3. Pain monitoring ensures adequate pain control for early mobilization and prevention of
complications.
4. What should the nurse monitor when a patient is taking levodopa-carbidopa?
Correct Answer: Watch for dyskinesia and abnormal head movements.
1. Levodopa-carbidopa is first-line treatment for Parkinson's motor symptoms.
2. Long-term use causes dyskinesias (involuntary choreiform movements) and motor fluctuations
("on-off" phenomenon).p>3. Monitor for psychiatric effects (hallucinations, confusion),
especially in elderly.
, 5. How do you determine the effectiveness of levodopa-carbidopa therapy?
Correct Answer: Monitor gait and ability to walk normally.
1. Effectiveness measured by improved mobility, reduced tremor, and better activities of daily
living.
2. "Off" periods indicate need for dose adjustment or adjunctive therapy (COMT inhibitors,
dopamine agonists).
3. Response to levodopa helps differentiate Parkinson's from other parkinsonian syndromes.
6. What discharge instructions should be given after ORIF (open reduction internal fixation)?
Correct Answer: Inspect and clean pins daily for infection.
1. External fixator pins require daily cleaning with chlorhexidine or saline per protocol.
2. Signs of infection: redness, swelling, purulent drainage, loosening of pins.
3. Pin site infection can lead to osteomyelitis; report fever or increased pain immediately.
7. How can comfort be improved during hip fracture healing?
Correct Answer: Use elevated seat or toilet for comfort.
1. Hip fracture patients should avoid hip flexion >90 degrees to prevent dislocation and pain.
2. Elevated toilet seats and chairs with armrests reduce bending.
3. Maintain abduction (legs apart) with pillow between knees when turning or supine.
8. What is the appropriate nursing response to a tonic-clonic seizure?
Correct Answer: Time and observe seizure duration and characteristics.
1. Priority: ensure safety (move objects away, protect head, turn patient to side).
2. Time seizure duration; seizures lasting >5 minutes require emergency intervention (status
epilepticus).
3. Document: onset, duration, seizure type, body parts involved, post-ictal state.
9. What is the memory pattern in Alzheimer's disease?
Correct Answer: Long-term memory intact; short-term memory impaired.
1. Alzheimer's typically affects recent memory first; remote memory preserved until later stages.
2. Patient may recall childhood events but forget what happened minutes ago.
3. Use validation therapy; avoid correcting or quizzing memory.
10. What are early signs of delirium?
Correct Answer: Decreased awareness and altered consciousness.
1. Delirium is acute onset, fluctuating course, inattention, and altered LOC (differentiates from
dementia).
2. Early signs: restlessness, anxiety, irritability, sleep disturbance.
3. Identify underlying cause (infection, medications, electrolytes, dehydration).
