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NU 180 Exam 3 : Peripheral Neuropathy,
Glomerulonephritis, Nephrotic Syndrome,
Healthcare Delivery, Professional Practice,
Mental Health – With Rationales Complete NU
180 Exam 3 Review: Practice for Nursing and
Healthcare II
Topic: Peripheral Neuropathy (Questions 1–15)
Q1: What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Correct Answer: A condition that affects the hands and feet, often leading to a loss
of sensation.
📝 Rationale: Peripheral neuropathy involves damage to the peripheral nerves,
which often results in weakness, numbness, and pain, typically in the hands and
feet.
Q2: What are common causes of Peripheral Neuropathy?
Correct Answer: Diabetes, vitamin deficiencies (B1, B12), infections, injuries/trauma,
exposure to toxins, and certain medications.
,2
📝 Rationale: These factors can damage peripheral nerves through metabolic
dysfunction, direct toxicity, or compression, leading to impaired nerve signal
transmission.
Q3: What are the sensory signs/symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy?
Correct Answer: Tingling, numbness, burning, shooting pain, reduced sensitivity to
touch/temperature/pressure.
📝 Rationale: Damage to sensory nerves alters or blocks signals from the skin to
the brain, causing paresthesias and loss of protective sensation.
Q4: What are the motor signs/symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy?
Correct Answer: Muscle weakness, coordination issues, clumsiness, and difficulty
walking.
📝 Rationale: Motor nerve damage prevents proper signal transmission to
muscles, leading to atrophy, weakness, and gait abnormalities.
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Q5: What diagnostic tests are used for Peripheral Neuropathy?
Correct Answer: H&P, EMG (electromyography), nerve biopsy, CBC, thyroid panel,
metabolic panel, BUN, UA.
📝 Rationale: These tests rule out other causes (thyroid, kidney disease), assess
nerve electrical activity (EMG), and detect underlying systemic conditions.
Q6: What is the primary treatment goal for Peripheral Neuropathy?
Correct Answer: Correct or remove the underlying cause, halt progression, and
manage symptoms.
📝 Rationale: Treating the root cause (e.g., glycemic control in diabetes) can slow
or stop further nerve damage; symptom management improves quality of life.
Q7: What medications are used for neuropathic pain in Peripheral Neuropathy?
Correct Answer: Gabapentin (Neurontin), pregabalin (Lyrica), amitriptyline (Elavil),
duloxetine (Cymbalta), carbamazepine (Tegretol).
📝 Rationale: These anticonvulsants and antidepressants modulate abnormal pain
signals in the central nervous system, which are not effectively treated by opioids.
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Q8: Which medication is a first-line anticonvulsant for Peripheral Neuropathy?
Correct Answer: Gabapentin (Neurontin).
📝 Rationale: Gabapentin binds to calcium channels to reduce excitatory
neurotransmitter release, effectively reducing burning and shooting pain.
Q9: What nonpharmacologic therapy is recommended for Peripheral
Neuropathy?
Correct Answer: Smoking cessation, limiting alcohol, daily foot care, blood glucose
control, vitamin supplementation.
📝 Rationale: These interventions reduce further nerve damage (alcohol,
smoking) and prevent complications (foot ulcers from loss of sensation).
Q10: Why is foot care critical in Peripheral Neuropathy?
Correct Answer: Loss of protective sensation means patients may not feel cuts,
blisters, or injuries, leading to infection or amputation.
📝 Rationale: Unnoticed minor trauma can progress to ulcers, osteomyelitis, and
limb loss; daily inspection prevents this cascade.
NU 180 Exam 3 : Peripheral Neuropathy,
Glomerulonephritis, Nephrotic Syndrome,
Healthcare Delivery, Professional Practice,
Mental Health – With Rationales Complete NU
180 Exam 3 Review: Practice for Nursing and
Healthcare II
Topic: Peripheral Neuropathy (Questions 1–15)
Q1: What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Correct Answer: A condition that affects the hands and feet, often leading to a loss
of sensation.
📝 Rationale: Peripheral neuropathy involves damage to the peripheral nerves,
which often results in weakness, numbness, and pain, typically in the hands and
feet.
Q2: What are common causes of Peripheral Neuropathy?
Correct Answer: Diabetes, vitamin deficiencies (B1, B12), infections, injuries/trauma,
exposure to toxins, and certain medications.
,2
📝 Rationale: These factors can damage peripheral nerves through metabolic
dysfunction, direct toxicity, or compression, leading to impaired nerve signal
transmission.
Q3: What are the sensory signs/symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy?
Correct Answer: Tingling, numbness, burning, shooting pain, reduced sensitivity to
touch/temperature/pressure.
📝 Rationale: Damage to sensory nerves alters or blocks signals from the skin to
the brain, causing paresthesias and loss of protective sensation.
Q4: What are the motor signs/symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy?
Correct Answer: Muscle weakness, coordination issues, clumsiness, and difficulty
walking.
📝 Rationale: Motor nerve damage prevents proper signal transmission to
muscles, leading to atrophy, weakness, and gait abnormalities.
,3
Q5: What diagnostic tests are used for Peripheral Neuropathy?
Correct Answer: H&P, EMG (electromyography), nerve biopsy, CBC, thyroid panel,
metabolic panel, BUN, UA.
📝 Rationale: These tests rule out other causes (thyroid, kidney disease), assess
nerve electrical activity (EMG), and detect underlying systemic conditions.
Q6: What is the primary treatment goal for Peripheral Neuropathy?
Correct Answer: Correct or remove the underlying cause, halt progression, and
manage symptoms.
📝 Rationale: Treating the root cause (e.g., glycemic control in diabetes) can slow
or stop further nerve damage; symptom management improves quality of life.
Q7: What medications are used for neuropathic pain in Peripheral Neuropathy?
Correct Answer: Gabapentin (Neurontin), pregabalin (Lyrica), amitriptyline (Elavil),
duloxetine (Cymbalta), carbamazepine (Tegretol).
📝 Rationale: These anticonvulsants and antidepressants modulate abnormal pain
signals in the central nervous system, which are not effectively treated by opioids.
, 4
Q8: Which medication is a first-line anticonvulsant for Peripheral Neuropathy?
Correct Answer: Gabapentin (Neurontin).
📝 Rationale: Gabapentin binds to calcium channels to reduce excitatory
neurotransmitter release, effectively reducing burning and shooting pain.
Q9: What nonpharmacologic therapy is recommended for Peripheral
Neuropathy?
Correct Answer: Smoking cessation, limiting alcohol, daily foot care, blood glucose
control, vitamin supplementation.
📝 Rationale: These interventions reduce further nerve damage (alcohol,
smoking) and prevent complications (foot ulcers from loss of sensation).
Q10: Why is foot care critical in Peripheral Neuropathy?
Correct Answer: Loss of protective sensation means patients may not feel cuts,
blisters, or injuries, leading to infection or amputation.
📝 Rationale: Unnoticed minor trauma can progress to ulcers, osteomyelitis, and
limb loss; daily inspection prevents this cascade.
