Chapter 65 Management of Patients With Oncologic or Degenerative
Neurologic Disorders
1. A patient has been diagnosed with cancer of the lung and has metastases to the brain. The
family should be aware that which of the following are neurologic signs and symptoms of
metastatic brain disease?
A) Bradycardia
B) Temperature greater than 100.5°F
C) Increase in diastolic blood pressure
D) Personality changes
Ans: D
IV-4
Cognitive Categories: Application
Concepts and Processes: Teaching/Learning
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 4
Feedback: Neurologic signs and symptoms include headache, gait disturbances, visual
impairment, personality changes, altered mentation (memory loss and confusion), focal
weakness, paralysis, aphasia, and seizures. These problems can be devastating to both patient and
family.
2. The nurse enters the room of a male patient with a metastatic brain tumor and observes him
having a generalized seizure. He is vomiting. The nurse should first:
A) Obtain supplies to suction.
B) Get help.
C) Insert a wooden tongue blade into his mouth.
D) Turn him on his side.
Ans: D
Client Needs: IV-3
Cognitive Categories: Application
Concepts and Processes: Nursing Process
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 3
Feedback: The nurse's first response should be to place the patient in his side to prevent him
from aspirating emesis.
, 3. A 42-year old man has been diagnosed with a glial oligodenrolglioma tumor. Which of
the following is applicable to this type of tumor?
A) It is categorized as a high-grade tumor.
B) This type of tumor is more sensitive to chemotherapy than other glial tumors.
C) It is the least common type of neoplasm.
D) It is a benign brain tumor.
Ans: B
Client Needs: IV-3
Cognitive Categories: Application
Concepts and Processes: Nursing Process
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 3
Feedback: Oligodendroglial tumors are another type of glial tumor, the histologic distinction
between astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas is difficult to make but important as recent
research shows that oligodenrogliomas are more sensitive to chemotherapy than astrocytomas.
These tumors are categorized as low grade and high grade (anaplastic).
4. Which of the following applies to meningiomas?
A) Malignant tumors
B) Treatment controlled by chemotherapy
C) More common in women
D) Slow growing
Ans: D
Client Needs: IV-3
Cognitive Categories: Application
Concepts and Processes: Nursing Process
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 3
Feedback: Meningiomas are common benign encapsulated tumors of arachnoid cells of the
meninges. They are slow growing and occur more commonly in men than women. Standard
treatment is surgery with complete removal or partial dissection.
Neurologic Disorders
1. A patient has been diagnosed with cancer of the lung and has metastases to the brain. The
family should be aware that which of the following are neurologic signs and symptoms of
metastatic brain disease?
A) Bradycardia
B) Temperature greater than 100.5°F
C) Increase in diastolic blood pressure
D) Personality changes
Ans: D
IV-4
Cognitive Categories: Application
Concepts and Processes: Teaching/Learning
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 4
Feedback: Neurologic signs and symptoms include headache, gait disturbances, visual
impairment, personality changes, altered mentation (memory loss and confusion), focal
weakness, paralysis, aphasia, and seizures. These problems can be devastating to both patient and
family.
2. The nurse enters the room of a male patient with a metastatic brain tumor and observes him
having a generalized seizure. He is vomiting. The nurse should first:
A) Obtain supplies to suction.
B) Get help.
C) Insert a wooden tongue blade into his mouth.
D) Turn him on his side.
Ans: D
Client Needs: IV-3
Cognitive Categories: Application
Concepts and Processes: Nursing Process
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 3
Feedback: The nurse's first response should be to place the patient in his side to prevent him
from aspirating emesis.
, 3. A 42-year old man has been diagnosed with a glial oligodenrolglioma tumor. Which of
the following is applicable to this type of tumor?
A) It is categorized as a high-grade tumor.
B) This type of tumor is more sensitive to chemotherapy than other glial tumors.
C) It is the least common type of neoplasm.
D) It is a benign brain tumor.
Ans: B
Client Needs: IV-3
Cognitive Categories: Application
Concepts and Processes: Nursing Process
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 3
Feedback: Oligodendroglial tumors are another type of glial tumor, the histologic distinction
between astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas is difficult to make but important as recent
research shows that oligodenrogliomas are more sensitive to chemotherapy than astrocytomas.
These tumors are categorized as low grade and high grade (anaplastic).
4. Which of the following applies to meningiomas?
A) Malignant tumors
B) Treatment controlled by chemotherapy
C) More common in women
D) Slow growing
Ans: D
Client Needs: IV-3
Cognitive Categories: Application
Concepts and Processes: Nursing Process
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: 3
Feedback: Meningiomas are common benign encapsulated tumors of arachnoid cells of the
meninges. They are slow growing and occur more commonly in men than women. Standard
treatment is surgery with complete removal or partial dissection.
