The nurse is concerned that a patient with a spinal cord tumor is developing syringomyelia. What did the nurse assess to make this clinical decision?
Select all that apply.
1. pain
2. spasticity
3. numbness
4. leg weakness
5. cool extremities
Question 2A patient is diagnosed with a lumbosacral spinal cord tumor. Which medications should the nurse expect to be prescribed for this patient?
Select all that apply.
1. morphine
2. furosemide (Lasix)
3. warfarin (Coumadin)
4. amoxicillin (Amoxil)
5. dexamethasone (Decadron)
Question 3The nurse instructs a patient with herniated thoracic and lumbar disks about spinal fusion surgery. Which patient statements indicate that teaching has been effective?
Select all that apply.
1. Bone chips might be taken from my iliac crest bone.
2. Holes will be drilled into my skull so that a brace can be placed.
3. Bone chips will be wedged between the vertebrae to stabilize them.
4. I will need to stay on bed rest because traction will be applied to my spine.
5. A hollow titanium tube might be placed in my spine to replace a removed disk.
Question 4A patient recovering from a laminectomy reports a pain level of 10 on a scale of 0 to 10. The patient says something must be wrong because the pain is worse than it was before the surgery. How should the nurse respond?
1. The discomfort is not pain but rather muscle spasms.
2. I'm sure you will need more surgery, so I will be back to get you.
3. The surgery caused edema of the nerve roots, which increases the amount of pain.
4. Pain is an indication that something is wrong. I will contact the surgeon.
Question 5The nurse is instructing a patient with a ruptured vertebral disk on self-care measures. What should the nurse include in this teaching?
Select all that apply.
1. Bend from the waist.
2. Wear low-heeled shoes.
3. Avoid twisting the back.
4. Sleep on a firm mattress.
5. Use a pillow under the knees when lying down.
Question 6A nurse working with postpoliomyelitis patients knows that most of the patients:
1. had the initial infection in the 1940s and 1950s.
2. have muscle involvement only in muscle groups that were affected initially.
3. have few symptoms other than mild muscle and joint weakness and pain.
4. had a recurrence due to receiving an oral polio vaccine booster.
Question 7A patient with protruding lumbar disks is scheduled for a laminectomy. What should the nurse instruct the patient about this surgery?
Select all that apply.
1. The surgery will relieve pressure on the nerves.
2. A hollow titanium cylinder will be placed over the spine.
3. The spaces where the spinal nerves exit the canal will be enlarged.
4. The bony arch on the surface of the vertebra will be removed.
5. Wedge-shaped pieces of bone will be inserted between the vertebrae.
Question 8The nurse is giving a lecture at a health fair when a member of the audience asks: Why do people say you shouldn't eat foods that come from cans that are bulging, as if the seal has been broken? How should the nurse respond?
1. It may be a sign that botulism toxins are present, because the food has been improperly processed and sealed.
2. Arboviruses may be found in canned foods that appear damaged.
3. The bacteria Clostridium tetani grows in poorly processed foods or damaged cans.
4. Open the can, and if no bubbles, bad odor, or change in color is present, you can eat the contents.
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