Med-surg: neuro, endocrine & renal worksheet with answers

How is the pain of trigeminal neuralgia typically described?

1. AA dull ache across the forehead that lasts all day
2. BSudden electric-shock pain in the face set off by light touch
3. CA burning pain in both feet, worse at night
4. DA throbbing pain behind one eye with nausea and aura

How should a peritoneal dialysis catheter exit site be cared for?

1. ACovered with a tight bandage and not looked at for a week
2. BKept clean and dry and checked daily for redness
3. CCleaned with a strong bleach solution
4. DSoaked in a hot bath every day

What is sciatica?

1. APain that spreads down the back of the leg from an irritated nerve root
2. BStiffness of the hips in the morning
3. CCramp in the calf muscle after exercise, caused by low potassium levels
4. DPain in the front of the knee caused by arthritis

Which headache feature most suggests raised intracranial pressure from a brain tumour?

1. AOnly present after reading for a long time
2. BA tight band across the forehead that eases with rest
3. CWorse on waking and on coughing, with vomiting
4. DBetter in the morning and worse with stress

A patient with multiple sclerosis says their symptoms get worse after a hot bath. What should the nurse explain?

1. AHot baths cause new areas of damage in the brain
2. BThey should take very cold baths to reverse the damage
3. CHeat can briefly worsen MS symptoms, which settle when they cool down
4. DThis shows that the disease has entered a new progressive stage

A patient has a nephrostomy tube. Which finding needs urgent action?

1. ALight pink urine on the first day after insertion
2. BDrainage that stops suddenly with new loin pain
3. CA dry, intact dressing at the site
4. DSteady urine drainage into the bag

A ventilated patient has a traumatic brain injury. Which PaCO₂ target is usually aimed for, unless herniation is imminent?

1. ANormal PaCO₂ (normocapnia)
2. BAny PaCO₂, as it does not affect ICP
3. CHigh PaCO₂ to open the cerebral vessels
4. DLow PaCO₂ from prolonged hyperventilation

A patient on a variable rate IV insulin infusion is nil by mouth. Why is a glucose-containing IV fluid usually given alongside it?

1. ATo replace the potassium lost from the cells
2. BTo speed up the action of the insulin in the muscles
3. CTo prevent hypoglycaemia while insulin is running
4. DTo stop the insulin sticking to the IV tubing