NURS 403 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 3 ACTUAL
STUDY (neurological and renal nursing)
QUESTIONS WITH ACCURATE SOLUTIONS
RATED A REVISION PACE UNIVERSITY.
NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
1. Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
Q: What pathophysiological processes occur in the acute phase of GBS?
A: Peripheral nerve demyelination, edema, and inflammation.
Explanation: In GBS, immune-mediated attack on the myelin sheath causes
nerve inflammation and edema, disrupting impulse transmission.
Q: Respiratory compromise in GBS is related to which pathophysiological
process?
A: Diaphragmatic weakness.
Explanation: Demyelination affects the phrenic nerve, leading to weakness of
the diaphragm and respiratory muscles.
Q: Which nursing intervention is a priority for a patient with cranial nerve
impairment from GBS?
A: Establish effective communication using eye blinks or a communication
board.
Explanation: Cranial nerve involvement can cause paralysis of facial and
throat muscles, requiring alternative communication methods.
2. Trigeminal Neuralgia
Q: Which class of medications is most effective for managing trigeminal
neuralgia?
A: Antiepileptics.
, Explanation: Carbamazepine and other anticonvulsants stabilize nerve
membranes, reducing paroxysmal pain.
Q: Which surgical procedure is most effective for trigeminal neuralgia?
A: Microvascular decompression.
Explanation: This procedure relieves pressure from an aberrant artery or vein
compressing the trigeminal nerve root.
3. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and ICP
Q: A patient post-craniotomy becomes slower to awaken and shows a left
pronator drift. What should the nurse do?
A: Notify the provider and prepare for a CT scan.
Explanation: These are signs of increased ICP or bleeding; immediate
imaging is required.
Q: What ICP monitoring device measures ICP and drains CSF to control
pressure?
A: External ventricular drain (EVD).
Explanation: The EVD allows both monitoring and therapeutic drainage of
CSF.
4. Stroke
Q: Which patient is at greatest risk for death secondary to stroke?
A: A 56-year-old African American female.
Explanation: African Americans have a higher prevalence and mortality from
stroke due to hypertension and other comorbidities.
Q: A patient with left MCA stroke not eligible for thrombolytics is at high risk
for which complication?
A: Aspiration.
Explanation: Dysphagia from cranial nerve impairment increases aspiration
risk.
STUDY (neurological and renal nursing)
QUESTIONS WITH ACCURATE SOLUTIONS
RATED A REVISION PACE UNIVERSITY.
NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
1. Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
Q: What pathophysiological processes occur in the acute phase of GBS?
A: Peripheral nerve demyelination, edema, and inflammation.
Explanation: In GBS, immune-mediated attack on the myelin sheath causes
nerve inflammation and edema, disrupting impulse transmission.
Q: Respiratory compromise in GBS is related to which pathophysiological
process?
A: Diaphragmatic weakness.
Explanation: Demyelination affects the phrenic nerve, leading to weakness of
the diaphragm and respiratory muscles.
Q: Which nursing intervention is a priority for a patient with cranial nerve
impairment from GBS?
A: Establish effective communication using eye blinks or a communication
board.
Explanation: Cranial nerve involvement can cause paralysis of facial and
throat muscles, requiring alternative communication methods.
2. Trigeminal Neuralgia
Q: Which class of medications is most effective for managing trigeminal
neuralgia?
A: Antiepileptics.
, Explanation: Carbamazepine and other anticonvulsants stabilize nerve
membranes, reducing paroxysmal pain.
Q: Which surgical procedure is most effective for trigeminal neuralgia?
A: Microvascular decompression.
Explanation: This procedure relieves pressure from an aberrant artery or vein
compressing the trigeminal nerve root.
3. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and ICP
Q: A patient post-craniotomy becomes slower to awaken and shows a left
pronator drift. What should the nurse do?
A: Notify the provider and prepare for a CT scan.
Explanation: These are signs of increased ICP or bleeding; immediate
imaging is required.
Q: What ICP monitoring device measures ICP and drains CSF to control
pressure?
A: External ventricular drain (EVD).
Explanation: The EVD allows both monitoring and therapeutic drainage of
CSF.
4. Stroke
Q: Which patient is at greatest risk for death secondary to stroke?
A: A 56-year-old African American female.
Explanation: African Americans have a higher prevalence and mortality from
stroke due to hypertension and other comorbidities.
Q: A patient with left MCA stroke not eligible for thrombolytics is at high risk
for which complication?
A: Aspiration.
Explanation: Dysphagia from cranial nerve impairment increases aspiration
risk.
