A patient with a cervical spinal cord injury has new weakness in the arms, reduced hand grip and numbness in the fingers, while leg movement remains unchanged. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
Correct answer: A. Report the new upper-limb neurological change immediately
- A. Report the new upper-limb neurological change immediately
- B. Massage both arms to restore normal circulation
- C. Encourage walking to test the patient's strength
- D. Apply heat to the neck to relax tight muscles
Explanation
New motor or sensory changes after spinal cord injury may indicate neurological deterioration and require immediate reporting and reassessment. Massage, heat and walking do not address possible spinal cord compression and may cause further harm.
Report an error
The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.
Prefer email? support@testustad.com
About Neurological Nursing
Covers nursing assessment and management of stroke, epilepsy, meningitis, raised intracranial pressure, head injury, spinal cord disorders, Parkinson disease and multiple sclerosis. Key areas include level of consciousness, pupil responses, motor and sensory findings, seizure precautions and distinguishing upper motor neuron from lower motor neuron signs.
Practise Neurological Nursing
50 free Neurological Nursing MCQs from Medical Surgical Nursing, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Discussion
Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.
No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.
Exams that ask Medical Surgical Nursing questions like this
Medical Surgical Nursing is on 8 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.
More Neurological Nursing questions
Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a patient with reduced consciousness who has an intact gag reflex but cannot manage oral secretions effectively?
A patient with multiple sclerosis develops increased leg weakness during a febrile urinary infection, but the weakness improves after the fever is treated. How should the nurse interpret this change?
A patient with Parkinson disease reports dizziness when standing from a chair. Which instruction is most appropriate?
When assessing a patient after a neurological injury, which finding indicates that the patient is oriented?
A patient with a right-sided stroke ignores food on the left side of the tray and denies having any weakness. Which neurological problem should the nurse suspect?
A patient becomes unresponsive and has stopped convulsing after a generalized seizure. Which nursing action is the priority?