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

Which symptoms are typical early warning signs of hypoglycaemia?

1. AShaking, sweating, hunger and a fast heartbeat
2. BDeep, rapid breathing with a fruity breath smell
3. CSlow pulse, constipation and feeling cold
4. DThirst, dry skin and passing a lot of urine

What does the term epilepsy mean?

1. AA tendency to have recurrent seizures that are not provoked
2. BA seizure caused only by low blood sugar
3. CA single seizure caused by a high fever
4. DAny brief loss of consciousness, such as fainting

Which statement about Huntington's disease is correct?

1. AIt is caused by a bacterial infection of the brain
2. BIt mainly affects children under the age of five years
3. CIt is cured by levodopa
4. DIt is inherited and causes involuntary jerky movements

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

1. AA dry, intact dressing at the site
2. BLight pink urine on the first day after insertion
3. CSteady urine drainage into the bag
4. DDrainage that stops suddenly with new loin pain

How does the nurse test the facial nerve (VII)?

1. AShine a light in each eye and check the pupil response
2. BAsk them to raise the eyebrows, shut the eyes tightly and smile
3. CAsk the patient to stick out the tongue and move it from side to side
4. DTouch the forehead, cheek and chin with cotton wool

A woman who takes the combined contraceptive pill is starting carbamazepine. What should she be taught?

1. AThe pill makes carbamazepine toxic, so she must stop the pill
2. BShe should take both at the same time so they are absorbed together
3. CThere is no interaction between these two medicines
4. DCarbamazepine can make the pill less effective, so other contraception is needed

At 03:00 a patient's glucose is 3.6 mmol/L, but before breakfast it is high. They take a long-acting insulin in the evening. What should the nurse do?

1. AIgnore the night reading and act on the morning value only
2. BStop all insulin permanently and monitor glucose four-hourly
3. CTreat the low and report the pattern so the evening dose is reviewed
4. DGive extra insulin at 03:00 because the morning value will be high

After a total thyroidectomy, a patient becomes anxious with stridor and a tense swelling in the neck. What should the nurse do first?

1. AGive analgesia and reassess the swelling again in an hour
2. BApply an ice pack to the neck and lie the patient flat
3. CCall for emergency help: a haematoma may compress the airway
4. DAsk the patient to talk as much as possible to test the voice