Chapter 32: The Child with Cerebral Dysfunction

Chapter 32: The Child with Cerebral Dysfunction

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. An injury to which part of the brain will cause a coma?

ANS:  A

Injury to the brainstem results in stupor and coma. Signs of damage to the cerebrum are specific to the involved area. Individuals with frontal lobe injury may have impaired memory, personality changes, or altered intellectual functioning. Individuals with damage to the cerebellum have difficulties with coordination of muscle movements, including ataxia and nystagmus. Impaired vision and functional blindness result from injury to the occipital lobe.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Understanding       REF:   p. 1425

TOP:   Nursing Process: Assessment           MSC:  Client Needs: Physiological Integrity

2. What finding is a clinical manifestation of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in children?

ANS:  C

Diplopia and blurred vision are signs of increased ICP in children. A high-pitched cry and a tense or bulging fontanel are characteristic of increased ICP. Increased blood pressure, common in adults, is rarely seen in children.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analyzing             REF:   p. 1428

TOP:   Nursing Process: Assessment           MSC:  Client Needs: Physiological Integrity

3. What are quick, jerky, grossly uncoordinated, irregular movements that may disappear on relaxation called?

ANS:  C

Quick, jerky, grossly uncoordinated, irregular movements that may disappear on relaxation are called choreiform movements. Twitching is defined as spasmodic movements of short duration. Spasticity is the prolonged and steady contraction of a muscle characterized by clonus (alternating relaxation and contraction of the muscle) and exaggerated reflexes. Associated movements are the voluntary movement of one muscle accompanied by the involuntary movement of another muscle.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Understanding       REF:   p. 1430

TOP:   Nursing Process: Assessment           MSC:  Client Needs: Physiological Integrity

4. What term is used when a patient remains in a deep sleep, responsive only to vigorous and repeated stimulation?

ANS:  B

Stupor exists when the child remains in a deep sleep, responsive only to vigorous and repeated stimulation. Coma is the state in which no motor or verbal response occurs to noxious (painful) stimuli. Obtundation describes a level of consciousness in which the child is arousable with stimulation. Persistent vegetative state describes the permanent loss of function of the cerebral cortex.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Understanding       REF:   p. 1431

TOP:   Nursing Process: Assessment           MSC:  Client Needs: Physiological Integrity

5. What term is used to describe a child’s level of consciousness when the child is arousable with stimulation?

ANS:  C

Obtundation describes a level of consciousness in which the child is arousable with stimulation. Stupor is a state in which the child remains in a deep sleep, responsive only to vigorous and repeated stimulation. Confusion is impaired decision making. Disorientation is confusion regarding time and place.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Understanding       REF:   p. 1431

TOP:   Nursing Process: Assessment           MSC:  Client Needs: Physiological Integrity