MSN Exam for Stroke or Cerebro Vascular Accident (CVA)

Practice Mode – Questions and choices are randomly arranged, the answer is revealed instantly after each question, and there is no time limit for the exam.

Exam Mode – Questions and choices are randomly arranged, time limit of 1min per question, answers and grade will be revealed after finishing the exam.

Text Mode – Text version of the exam

1) A male client who has suffered a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is too weak to move on his own. To help the client avoid pressure ulcers, the nurse should:

1. turn him frequently.
2. perform passive range-of-motion (ROM) exercises.
3. reduce the client’s fluid intake.
4. encourage the client to use a footboard.

2) The nurse is caring for a male client diagnosed with a cerebral aneurysm who reports a severe headache. Which action should the nurse perform?

1. Sit with the client for a few minutes.
2. Administer an analgesic.
3. Inform the nurse manager.
4. Call the physician immediately.

3) Which action should take the highest priority when caring for a client with hemiparesis caused by a cerebrovascular accident (CVA)?

1. Perform passive range-of-motion (ROM) exercises.
2. Place the client on the affected side.
3. Use hand rolls or pillows for support.
4. Apply antiembolism stockings

4) A client who recently had a cerebrovascular accident requires a cane to ambulate. When teaching about cane use, the rationale for holding a cane on the uninvolved side is to:

1. prevent leaning
2. distribute weight away from the involved side
3. maintain stride length
4. prevent edema

5) A 70 yr-old client with a diagnosis of leftsided cerebrovascular accident is admitted to the facility. To prevent the development of diffuse osteoporosis, which of the following objectives is most appropriate?

1. Maintaining protein levels.
2. Maintaining vitamin levels.
3. Promoting weight-bearing exercises
4. Promoting range-of-motion (ROM) exercises

6) After a cerebrovascular accident, a 75 yr old client is admitted to the health care facility. The client has left-sided weakness and an absent gag reflex. He’s incontinent and has a tarry stool. His blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg, and his hemoglobin is 10 g/dl. Which of the following is a priority for this client?

1. checking stools for occult blood
2. performing range-of-motion exercises to the left side
3. keeping skin clean and dry
4. elevating the head of the bed to 30 degrees

7) Ms. Kelly. has had a CVA (cerebrovascular accident) and has severe right-sided weakness. She has been taught to walk with a cane. The nurse is evaluating her use of the cane prior to discharge. Which of the following reflects correct use of the cane?

1. Holding the cane in her left hand, Ms. Kelly. moves the cane forward first, then her right leg, and finally her left leg
2. Holding the cane in her right hand, Ms. Kelly. moves the cane forward first, then her left leg, and finally her right leg
3. Holding the cane in her right hand, Ms. Kelly. moves the cane and her right leg forward, then moves her left leg forward.
4. Holding the cane in her left hand, Ms. Kelly. moves the cane and her left leg forward, then moves her right leg forward

8) The client has had a right-sided cerebrovascular accident. In transferring the client from the wheelchair to bed, in what position should a client be placed to facilitate safe transfer?

1. Weakened (L) side of the cient next to bed.
2. Weakened (R) side of the client next to bed.
3. Weakened (L) side of the client away from bed.
4. Weakened (R) side of the cient away from bed.

9) Gary Jordan suffered a cerebrovascular accident that left her unable to comprehend speech and unable to speak. This type of aphasia is known as:

1. Receptive aphasia
2. Expressive aphasia
3. Global aphasia
4. Conduction aphasia

10) A white female client is admitted to an acute care facility with a diagnosis of cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Her history reveals bronchial asthma, exogenous obesity, and iron deficiency anemia. Which history finding is a risk factor for CVA?

1. Caucasian race
2. Female sex
3. Obesity
4. Bronchial asthma

11) Mr. Mendoza who has suffered a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is too weak to move on his own. To help the client avoid pressure ulcers, Nurse Celia should:

1. Turn him frequently.
2. Perform passive range-of-motion (ROM) exercises.
3. Reduce the client’s fluid intake.
4. Encourage the client to use a footboard.

12) Which of the following is most likely associated with a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) resulting from congenital heart disease?

1. Polycythemia
2. Cardiomyopathy
3. Endocarditis
4. Low blood pressure

13) If a male client experienced a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) that damaged the hypothalamus, the nurse would anticipate that the client has problems with:

1. body temperature control.
2. balance and equilibrium.
3. visual acuity.
4. thinking and reasoning.

14) A nurse is caring for a 2 year-old child after corrective surgery for Tetralogy of Fallot. The mother reports that the child has suddenly begun seizing. The nurse recognizes this problem is probably due to

1. A cerebral vascular accident
2. Postoperative meningitis
3. Medication reaction
4. Metabolic alkalosis

15) The nurse is formulating a teaching plan for a client who has just experienced a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Which fact should the nurse include in the teaching plan?

1. TIA symptoms may last 24 to 48 hours.
2. Most clients have residual effects after having a TIA.
3. TIA may be a warning that the client may have cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
4. The most common symptom of TIA is the inability to speak.

16) Regular oral hygiene is an essential intervention for the client who has had a stroke.  Which of the following nursing measures is inappropriate when providing oral hygiene?

1. Placing the client on the back with a small pillow under the head.
2. Keeping portable suctioning equipment at the bedside.
3. Opening the client’s mouth with a padded tongue blade.
4. Cleaning the client’s mouth and teeth with a toothbrush.

17) A 78 year old client is admitted to the emergency department with numbness and weakness of the left arm and slurred speech.  Which nursing intervention is priority?

1. Prepare to administer recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA).
2. Discuss the precipitating factors that caused the symptoms.
3. Schedule for A STAT computer tomography (CT) scan of the head.
4. Notify the speech pathologist for an emergency consult.

18) A client arrives in the emergency department with an ischemic stroke and receives tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) administration.  Which is the priority nursing assessment?

1. Current medications.
2. Complete physical and history.
3. Time of onset of current stroke.
4. Upcoming surgical procedures.

19) During the first 24 hours after thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke, the primary goal is to control the client’s:

1. Pulse
2. Respirations
3. Blood pressure
4. Temperature

20) What is a priority nursing assessment in the first 24 hours after admission of the client with a thrombotic stroke?

1. Cholesterol level
2. Pupil size and papillary response
3. Vowel sounds
4. Echocardiogram

21) What is the expected outcome of thrombolytic drug therapy?

1. Increased vascular permeability.
2. Vasoconstriction.
3. Dissolved emboli.
4. Prevention of hemorrhage

22) The client diagnosed with atrial fibrillation has experienced a transient ischemic attack (TIA).  Which medication would the nurse anticipate being ordered for the client on discharge?

1. An oral anticoagulant medication.
2. A beta-blocker medication.
3. An anti-hyperuricemic medication.
4. A thrombolytic medication.

23) Which client would the nurse identify as being most at risk for experiencing a CVA?

1. A 55-year-old African American male.
2. An 84-year-old Japanese female.
3. A 67-year-old Caucasian male.
4. A 39-year-old pregnant female.

24) Which assessment data would indicate to the nurse that the client would be at risk for a hemorrhagic stroke?

1. A blood glucose level of 480 mg/dl.
2. A right-sided carotid bruit.
3. A blood pressure of 220/120 mm Hg.
4. The presence of bronchogenic carcinoma.

25) The nurse and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) are caring for a client with right-sided paralysis.  Which action by the UAP requires the nurse to intervene?

1. The assistant places a gait belt around the client’s waist prior to ambulating.
2. The assistant places the client on the back with the client’s head to the side.
3. The assistant places her hand under the client’s right axilla to help him/her move up in bed.
4. The assistant praises the client for attempting to perform ADL’s independently.

Answers and Rationales

1. A. turn him frequently. The most important intervention to prevent pressure ulcers is frequent position changes, which relieve pressure on the skin and underlying tissues. If pressure isn’t relieved, capillaries become occluded, reducing circulation and oxygenation of the tissues and resulting in cell death and ulcer formation. During passive ROM exercises, the nurse moves each joint through its range of movement, which improves joint mobility and circulation to the affected area but doesn’t prevent pressure ulcers. Adequate hydration is necessary to maintain healthy skin and ensure tissue repair. A footboard prevents plantar flexion and footdrop by maintaining the foot in a dorsiflexed position.
2. D. Call the physician immediately. The headache may be an indication that the aneurysm is leaking. The nurse should notify the physician immediately. Sitting with the client is appropriate but only after the physician has been notified of the change in the client’s condition. The physician will decide whether or not administration of an analgesic is indicated. Informing the nurse manager isn’t necessary.
3. B. Place the client on the affected side. To help prevent airway obstruction and reduce the risk of aspiration, the nurse should position a client with hemiparesis on the affected side. Although performing ROM exercises, providing pillows for support, and applying antiembolism stockings can be appropriate for a client with CVA, the first concern is to maintain a patent airway.
4. B. distribute weight away from the involved side. Holding a cane on the uninvolved side distributes weight away from the involved side. Holding the cane close to the body prevents leaning. Use of a cane won’t maintain stride length or prevent edema.
5. C. Promoting weight-bearing exercises . When the mechanical stressors of weight bearing are absent, diffuse osteoporosis can occur. Therefore, if the client does weight-bearing exercises, disuse complications can be prevented. Maintaining protein and vitamins levels is important, but neither will prevent osteoporosis. ROM exercises will help prevent muscle atrophy and contractures.
6. D. elevating the head of the bed to 30 degrees . Because the client’s gag reflex is absent, elevating the head of the bed to 30 degrees helps minimize the client’s risk of aspiration. Checking the stools, performing ROM exercises, and keeping the skin clean and dry are important, but preventing aspiration through positioning is the priority.
7. A. Holding the cane in her left hand, Ms. Kelly. moves the cane forward first, then her right leg, and finally her left leg . When a person with weakness on one side uses a cane, there should always be two points of contact with the floor. When Ms. Kelly. moves the cane forward, she has both feet on the floor, providing stability. As she moves the weak leg, the cane and the strong leg provide support. Finally, the cane, which is even with the weak leg, provides stability while she moves the strong leg. She should not hold the cane with her weak arm. The use of the cane requires arm strength to ensure that the cane provides adequate stability when standing on the weak leg. The cane should be held in the left hand, the hand opposite the affected leg. If Ms. Kelly. moved the cane and her strong foot at the same time, she would be left standing on her weak leg at one point. This would be unstable at best; at worse, impossible
8. C. Weakened (L) side of the client away from bed. With a right-sided cerebrovascular accident the client would have left-sided hemiplegia or weakness. The client’s good side should be closest to the bed to facilitate the transfer.
9. C. Global aphasia . Global aphasia occurs when all language functions are affected. Receptive aphasia, also known as Wernicke’s aphasia, affects the ability to comprehend written or spoken words. Expressive aphasia, also known as Broca’s aphasia, affected the patient’s ability to form language and express thoughts. Conduction aphasia refers to abnormalities in speech repetition.
10. C. Obesity . Obesity is a risk factor for CVA. Other risk factors include a history of ischemic episodes, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis of the cranial vessels, hypertension, polycythemia, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, oral contraceptive use, emotional stress, family history of CVA, and advancing age. The client’s race, sex, and bronchial asthma aren’t risk factors for CVA.
11. A. Turn him frequently. The most important intervention to prevent pressure ulcers is frequent position changes, which relieve pressure on the skin and underlying tissues. If pressure isn’t relieved, capillaries become occluded, reducing circulation and oxygenation of the tissues and resulting in cell death and ulcer formation. During passive ROM exercises, the nurse moves each joint through its range of movement, which improves joint mobility and circulation to the affected area but doesn’t prevent pressure ulcers. Adequate hydration is necessary to maintain healthy skin and ensure tissue repair. A footboard prevents plantar flexion and footdrop by maintaining the foot in a dorsiflexed position.
12. A. Polycythemia. The child with congenital heart disease develops polycythemia resulting from an inadequate mechanism to compensate for decreased oxygen saturation
13. A. body temperature control. The body’s thermostat is located in the hypothalamus; therefore, injury to that area can cause problems of body temperature control. Balance and equilibrium problems are related to cerebellar damage. Visual acuity problems would occur following occipital or optic nerve injury. Thinking and reasoning problems are the result of injury to the cerebrum.
14. A. A cerebral vascular accident . Polycythemia occurs as a physiological reaction to chronic hypoxemia which commonly occurs in clients with Tetralogy of Fallot. Polycythemia and the resultant increased viscosity of the blood increase the risk of thromboembolic events. Cerebrovascular accidents may occur. Signs and symptoms include sudden paralysis, altered speech, extreme irritability or fatigue, and seizures.
15. C. TIA may be a warning that the client may have cerebrovascular accident (CVA). TIA may be a warning that the client will experience a CVA, or stroke, in the near future. TIA aymptoms last no longer than 24 hours and clients usually have complete recovery after TIA. The most common symptom of TIA is sudden, painless loss of vision lasting up to 24 hours.
16. A. Placing the client on the back with a small pillow under the head. A helpless client should be positioned on the side, not on the back.  This lateral position helps secretions escape from the throat and mouth, minimizing the risk of aspiration.  It may be necessary to suction, so having suction equipment at the bedside is necessary. Padded tongue blades are safe to use.   A toothbrush is appropriate to use.
17. C. Schedule for A STAT computer tomography (CT) scan of the head. A CT scan will determine if the client is having a stroke or has a brain tumor or another neurological disorder.  This would also determine if it is a hemorrhagic or ischemic accident and guide the treatment, because only an ischemic stroke can use rt-PA.  This would make preparing to administer recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) not the priority since if a stroke was determined to be hemorrhagic, rt-PA is contraindicated.  Discuss the precipitating factors for teaching would not be a priority and slurred speech would as indicate interference for teaching.  Referring the client for speech therapy would be an intervention after the CVA emergency treatment is administered according to protocol.
18. C. Time of onset of current stroke.  The time of onset of a stroke to t-PA administration is critical.  Administration within 3 hours has better outcomes.  A complete history is not possible in emergency care.  Upcoming surgical procedures will need to be delay if t-PA is administered.  Current medications are relevant, but onset of current stroke takes priority.
19. C. Blood pressure.  Controlling the blood pressure is critical because an intracerebral hemorrhage is the major adverse effect of thrombolytic therapy.  Blood pressure should be maintained according to physician and is specific to the client’s ischemic tissue needs and risks of bleeding from treatment.  Other vital signs are monitored, but the priority is blood pressure.
20. B. Pupil size and pupillary response. It is crucial to monitor the pupil size and pupillary response to indicate changes around the cranial nerves.  Cholesterol level is an assessment to be addressed for long-term healthy lifestyle rehabilitation.  Bowel sounds need to be assessed because an ileus or constipation can develop, but is not a priority in the first 24 hours.  An echocardiogram is not needed for the client with a thrombotic stroke.
21. C. Dissolved emboli.  Thrombolytic therapy is use to dissolve emboli and reestablish cerebral perfusion.
22. A. An oral anticoagulant medication. Thrombi form secondary to atrial fibrillation, therefore, an anticoagulant would be anticipated to prevent thrombi formation; and oral (warfarin [Coumadin]) at discharge verses intravenous.  Beta blockers slow the heart rate and lower the blood pressure.  Anti-hyperuricemic medication is given to clients with gout.  Thrombolytic medication might have been given at initial presentation but would not be a drug prescribed at discharge.
23. A. A 55-year-old African American male. Africana Americans have twice the rate of CVA’s as Caucasians; males are more likely to have strokes than females except in advanced years.  Oriental’s have a lower risk, possibly due to their high omega-3 fatty acids.  Pregnancy is a minimal risk factor for CVA.
24. C. A blood pressure of 220/120 mmHg. Uncontrolled hypertension is a risk factor for hemorrhagic stroke, which is a rupture blood vessel in the cranium.  A bruit in the carotid artery would predispose a client to an embolic or ischemic stroke.  High blood glucose levels could predispose a patient to ischemic stroke, but not hemorrhagic.  Cancer is not a precursor to stroke.
25. C. The assistant places her hand under the client’s right axilla to help him/her move up in bed. This action is inappropriate and would require intervention by the nurse because pulling on a flaccid shoulder joint could cause shoulder dislocation; as always use a lift sheet for the client and nurse safety.  All the other actions are appropriate.