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

Which description best fits an absence seizure?

1. AA brief staring spell of a few seconds with a quick return to normal
2. BJerking that starts in one hand and spreads up the arm
3. CStiffening and then jerking of all four limbs for several minutes
4. DA sudden loss of muscle tone that makes the person fall

What is sciatica?

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

Which group of symptoms is typical of hypothyroidism?

1. AGreat thirst and passing large volumes of urine
2. BCold intolerance, tiredness, weight gain and constipation
3. CDiarrhoea, anxiety, sweating and bulging eyes
4. DHeat intolerance, weight loss, a fine tremor and palpitations

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

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

Which Glasgow Coma Scale score usually suggests that a patient may not be able to protect their own airway?

1. A11 or above
2. B8 or below
3. C15
4. D13 or below

A patient taking carbimazole for hyperthyroidism reports a sore throat and fever. What should the nurse do?

1. ADouble the dose to bring the thyroid under control faster
2. BArrange an urgent full blood count to look for agranulocytosis
3. CReassure the patient, as the drug has no serious blood side effects
4. DAdvise salt-water gargles and continue the drug for a week

An older patient with type 2 diabetes has glucose 48 mmol/L, osmolality 365 mOsm/kg, no significant ketones and confusion. What is the first priority?

1. AStrict fluid restriction to avoid cerebral oedema
2. BCareful IV fluids with close checks of osmolality, sodium and glucose
3. CA large IV insulin bolus to bring glucose to normal within an hour
4. DOral glucose to prevent hypoglycaemia during treatment

Which statement correctly distinguishes spinal shock from neurogenic shock?

1. ANeurogenic shock is caused by blood loss; spinal shock is caused by infection
2. BSpinal shock is lost reflexes; neurogenic shock is low BP and slow pulse
3. CSpinal shock is low blood pressure; neurogenic shock is the loss of reflexes
4. DThey are two names for exactly the same condition