NSG 234 Med Surg III Exam 2 Study Guide latest
update 2025/2026
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What is the cardinal Bizarre or irrational behavior.
behavioral sign of a frontal
lobe traumatic brain
injury?
What is the cardinal Amnesia or disorientation.
neurologic sign of a
temporal lobe traumatic
brain injury?
- decreased LOC.
- worsening headache.
Upon discharge, which s/s - Dizziness.
would you teach the - Seizures.
patient to return to the - Abnormal pupil response.
emergency department if - vomiting.
they begin experiencing? - irritability.
- slurred speech.
- weakness or numbness of the extremities.
What are the three 1. coma.
cardinal signs of brain 2. absence of reflexes.
death? 3. apnea.
What GCS score indicates A score of 3-8.
a severe traumatic brain
injury?
, 1. Bradycardia (decreased heart rate).
2. Widening pulse pressure (SBP is rising).
What are the three signs
3. Irregular respirations.
of the Cushing's Triad and
what do they indicate?
- Cushing's Triad indicates increased intracranial
pressure.
What is a common Hyponatremia (low sodium).
electrolyte imbalance in
patients who experience a Normal sodium levels are 135-145 mEq/L.
TBI?
- Maintain a patent airway.
- monitor neurologic function (neuro checks).
- monitor vitals (look for Cushing's triad).
- POSITION HOB AT 30 DEGREES WITH THE NECK IN
A NEUTRAL POSITION TO PROTECT C-SPINE.
- assess motor function.
What are some nursing
- monitor for fluid and electrolyte imbalances,
interventions for a TBI?
especially sodium.
- promote adequate nutrition.
- maintain thermoregulation.
- maintain skin integrity.
- early administration of anticonvulsants.
- maintain cerebral perfusion pressure.
What can hyponatremia Seizures!
cause? What precautions
do we need to place our Seizure precautions.
patient on because of
this?
What should cerebral Above 50 mmHg.
perfusion pressure be
maintained at?
, 1. agitation.
What are three common 2. restlessness.
symptoms for a patient 3. incontinence.
coming out of a coma?
May also experience lethargy and stupor.
What do unilaterally The development of a hematoma, with subsequent
dilated and poorly pressure on the third cranial nerve due to shifting of
responding pupils the brain.
indicate?
What is the medication Used to control seizures!
Phenytoin (Dilantin) used
for?
What is an important Oral contraceptives are less effective when taking this
patient teaching point for medication. Therefore, you should use other forms of
a young woman who is contraception in addition to oral contraceptives if you
taking Phenytoin? choose to be sexually active.
S/E: nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, lethargy, and
ataxia.
What are the side effects
of Phenytoin and what are
Pt teaching: maintain good oral hygiene to prevent
some patient teaching
gum disease! Also, use contraception, oral
points?
contraceptives are less effective when taking
Phenytoin.
It is an IV anesthetic (sedative/hypnotic).
Used for induction and maintenance of general
anesthesia. It provides smooth hypnosis in less than
What is Propofol and what
one minute.
is it used for?
It blocks the perception of pain by producing
amnesia, euphoria, and hypnosis. However, it does
not provide analgesia.
update 2025/2026
Save Groups
What is the cardinal Bizarre or irrational behavior.
behavioral sign of a frontal
lobe traumatic brain
injury?
What is the cardinal Amnesia or disorientation.
neurologic sign of a
temporal lobe traumatic
brain injury?
- decreased LOC.
- worsening headache.
Upon discharge, which s/s - Dizziness.
would you teach the - Seizures.
patient to return to the - Abnormal pupil response.
emergency department if - vomiting.
they begin experiencing? - irritability.
- slurred speech.
- weakness or numbness of the extremities.
What are the three 1. coma.
cardinal signs of brain 2. absence of reflexes.
death? 3. apnea.
What GCS score indicates A score of 3-8.
a severe traumatic brain
injury?
, 1. Bradycardia (decreased heart rate).
2. Widening pulse pressure (SBP is rising).
What are the three signs
3. Irregular respirations.
of the Cushing's Triad and
what do they indicate?
- Cushing's Triad indicates increased intracranial
pressure.
What is a common Hyponatremia (low sodium).
electrolyte imbalance in
patients who experience a Normal sodium levels are 135-145 mEq/L.
TBI?
- Maintain a patent airway.
- monitor neurologic function (neuro checks).
- monitor vitals (look for Cushing's triad).
- POSITION HOB AT 30 DEGREES WITH THE NECK IN
A NEUTRAL POSITION TO PROTECT C-SPINE.
- assess motor function.
What are some nursing
- monitor for fluid and electrolyte imbalances,
interventions for a TBI?
especially sodium.
- promote adequate nutrition.
- maintain thermoregulation.
- maintain skin integrity.
- early administration of anticonvulsants.
- maintain cerebral perfusion pressure.
What can hyponatremia Seizures!
cause? What precautions
do we need to place our Seizure precautions.
patient on because of
this?
What should cerebral Above 50 mmHg.
perfusion pressure be
maintained at?
, 1. agitation.
What are three common 2. restlessness.
symptoms for a patient 3. incontinence.
coming out of a coma?
May also experience lethargy and stupor.
What do unilaterally The development of a hematoma, with subsequent
dilated and poorly pressure on the third cranial nerve due to shifting of
responding pupils the brain.
indicate?
What is the medication Used to control seizures!
Phenytoin (Dilantin) used
for?
What is an important Oral contraceptives are less effective when taking this
patient teaching point for medication. Therefore, you should use other forms of
a young woman who is contraception in addition to oral contraceptives if you
taking Phenytoin? choose to be sexually active.
S/E: nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, lethargy, and
ataxia.
What are the side effects
of Phenytoin and what are
Pt teaching: maintain good oral hygiene to prevent
some patient teaching
gum disease! Also, use contraception, oral
points?
contraceptives are less effective when taking
Phenytoin.
It is an IV anesthetic (sedative/hypnotic).
Used for induction and maintenance of general
anesthesia. It provides smooth hypnosis in less than
What is Propofol and what
one minute.
is it used for?
It blocks the perception of pain by producing
amnesia, euphoria, and hypnosis. However, it does
not provide analgesia.
