Question

The nurse is planning care for a client with ALS. Which interventions are appropriate and which are not?

Answer 1

Correct Answers:

encourage active range of motion (ROM) exercises
encourage high-calorie, soft foods
plan for early ventilatory support discussions

Rationale :

Encourage active range of motion (ROM) exercises

🔷 Active ROM exercises are appropriate in ALS because they help maintain joint mobility, reduce stiffness, and support function for as long as possible.

🔷 ALS is a progressive motor neuron disease that causes muscle weakness, but sensation is usually preserved.

🔷 Gentle exercise and stretching can help delay contractures and improve comfort when tailored to the client’s ability.

🔷 The nurse should encourage activity that avoids exhaustion because overfatigue can worsen weakness.

🔷 This intervention supports mobility and quality of life in the early and middle stages of the disease.

Encourage high-calorie, soft foods

🔷 High-calorie, soft foods are appropriate because clients with ALS often develop dysphagia and increased effort with eating, which can lead to weight loss and poor nutrition.

🔷 Soft foods are easier to chew and swallow, while calorie-dense intake helps maintain energy and body weight.

🔷 Preserving nutrition is especially important because progressive muscle weakness can increase the work of eating.

🔷 The nurse should also monitor for aspiration risk as swallowing becomes more impaired.

🔷 This intervention helps support both safety and nutritional status.

Plan for early ventilatory support discussions

🔷 Early discussions about ventilatory support are appropriate because ALS can progressively weaken the respiratory muscles.

🔷 Advance planning allows the client to express preferences about future respiratory care before communication becomes more difficult.

🔷 These conversations support autonomy and improve preparation for expected disease progression.

🔷 Early decision-making also helps the family understand options such as noninvasive ventilation and long-term support choices.

🔷 Planning ahead is an important part of high-quality, client-centered ALS care.

Delay appointing health care proxy until late stage of disease

🔷 This is inappropriate because advance care planning should begin early, while the client can clearly communicate preferences and make decisions.

🔷 Delaying a health care proxy may leave critical decisions unresolved as the disease progresses.

Expect sensory loss as disease progresses

🔷 This is incorrect because ALS primarily affects motor neurons, not sensory pathways.

🔷 Clients usually experience progressive weakness, not major sensory loss.

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Answer 2

Correct Answers:

it provides collateral circulation to maintain blood flow to the brain

Rationale :

🔶 The Circle of Willis is important because it provides collateral circulation, allowing blood to continue reaching brain tissue when one artery is narrowed or partially blocked.

🔶 In a partial occlusion of the left internal carotid artery, alternate pathways can help reduce immediate severe ischemia.

🔶 This compensatory circulation can delay or lessen neurologic deficits if other vessels are able to supply the affected area.

🔶 The structure is especially important in protecting cerebral perfusion during vascular compromise.

🔶 This is why the provider explained that severe deficits may not appear immediately.

It increases intracranial pressure to maintain cerebral perfusion

🔶 The Circle of Willis does not work by increasing intracranial pressure.

🔶 Its role is vascular redistribution of blood flow, not pressure elevation.

It regulates cerebrospinal fluid production

🔶 Cerebrospinal fluid is produced mainly by the choroid plexus, not the Circle of Willis.

🔶 The Circle of Willis is an arterial structure, not a CSF-regulating system.

It prevents blood clots from forming in cerebral arteries

🔶 The Circle of Willis does not prevent clot formation.

🔶 Its significance is providing alternate blood flow routes when obstruction occurs.

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Answer 3

Correct Answers:

"Starting antibiotics early helps prevent serious complications, even before the diagnosis is confirmed"

Rationale :

🔴 This is the best response because suspected bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency, and delaying treatment can increase the risk of neurologic injury, sepsis, and death.

🔴 Guidelines recommend prompt evaluation and emphasize that empiric antibiotics should not be delayed while waiting for final confirmation when meningitis is strongly suspected.

🔴 Although lumbar puncture is important for diagnosis, early antimicrobial treatment is often started when clinical concern is high.

🔴 This response explains the reason for treatment in a clear, therapeutic, and evidence-based way.

🔴 It helps the client understand that early therapy is intended to prevent serious complications.

"The provider has already prescribed the medication so I need to give it now"

🔴 This response is not the best because it relies on authority rather than giving meaningful client education.

🔴 The nurse should explain the clinical reason for urgent treatment.

"You are correct, we need to wait until the LP results confirm the diagnosis before starting the antibiotics"

🔴 This is unsafe because waiting for confirmation can delay urgently needed treatment in suspected bacterial meningitis.

🔴 Early antibiotics are often necessary to reduce harm.

"If you are unsure, you can decline the medication and wait for more information"

🔴 Clients do have the right to refuse treatment, but this response fails to explain the serious risk of delaying antibiotics.

🔴 The nurse should provide accurate education before discussing refusal.

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Answer 4

Correct Answers:

this is consistent with a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) and requires evaluation

Rationale :

🟢 Sudden right arm weakness and slurred speech that resolved within minutes are classic findings of a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA).

🟢 A TIA causes temporary neurologic deficits from transient cerebral ischemia without lasting infarction.

🟢 Even though symptoms resolved, the event is still urgent because a TIA is a major warning sign for possible future stroke.

🟢 The nurse should treat this as a significant neurologic event requiring prompt medical evaluation.

🟢 Resolution of symptoms does not make the episode harmless.

This is not concerning since symptoms resolved

🟢 This is incorrect because brief focal neurologic deficits can indicate a TIA, which requires urgent assessment.

🟢 Symptom resolution does not eliminate stroke risk.

This indicates a hemorrhagic stroke and requires treatment

🟢 The episode is more consistent with transient ischemia than hemorrhagic stroke because the deficits completely resolved quickly.

🟢 Hemorrhagic stroke usually does not present as a brief fully reversible episode.

This is likely related to fatigue as it got better with rest

🟢 Sudden focal deficits such as unilateral weakness and slurred speech are neurologic red flags, not typical fatigue findings.

🟢 This interpretation would dangerously minimize a likely vascular event.

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Answer 5

Correct Answers:

sudden severe headache
heart rate 48 bpm
blood pressure of 180/60 mmHg
respiratory rate 10/min, irregular

Rationale :

Sudden severe headache

💎 A sudden severe headache can indicate acute worsening of intracranial pathology and requires immediate attention.

💎 In the setting of suspected increased ICP, a sudden headache may reflect rising pressure or worsening cerebral irritation.

💎 This symptom is especially concerning when paired with abnormal vital signs or altered neurologic status.

💎 Prompt intervention is needed to prevent further neurologic deterioration.

💎 This finding should never be dismissed in a client with possible ICP elevation.

Heart rate 48 bpm

💎 A heart rate of 48 bpm is significant bradycardia and may indicate worsening increased ICP.

💎 Bradycardia is one component of Cushing’s response, which suggests brainstem compression or impaired cerebral perfusion.

💎 In a neurologic emergency, this is a late and dangerous sign.

💎 The nurse should recognize it as evidence of possible clinical decline.

💎 Immediate intervention is required.

Blood pressure of 180/60 mmHg

💎 A blood pressure of 180/60 mmHg shows a widened pulse pressure, which is another concerning sign associated with increased ICP.

💎 Widened pulse pressure can occur as the body attempts to maintain cerebral perfusion.

💎 In combination with bradycardia or respiratory changes, this pattern strongly suggests deterioration.

💎 This finding reflects possible rising intracranial pressure and demands rapid response.

💎 It is not a stable or expected neurologic finding.

Respiratory rate 10/min, irregular

💎 A respiratory rate of 10/min and irregular indicates impaired neurologic control of breathing and is a critical sign.

💎 Irregular respirations can suggest brainstem involvement, which is a life-threatening development.

💎 Respiratory pattern changes are part of severe ICP-related deterioration.

💎 The nurse should treat this as an emergency requiring immediate intervention.

💎 Airway and neurologic support may be urgently needed.

Pupils equal and reactive

💎 Equal and reactive pupils are a reassuring neurologic finding.

💎 This assessment does not indicate immediate decline by itself.

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Answer 6

Correct Answers:

avoid alcohol and drugs
wear seatbelts in the car
wear helmets when bike riding

Rationale :

Avoid alcohol and drugs

🔵 Avoiding alcohol and drugs helps reduce neurologic trauma because intoxication increases risk-taking, poor judgment, falls, crashes, and other injuries.

🔵 Substance use is a well-known contributor to traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury risk.

🔵 Teaching adolescents to avoid these substances is an important injury-prevention strategy.

🔵 This advice directly targets behaviors linked to preventable trauma.

🔵 It is a high-yield safety teaching point.

Wear seatbelts in the car

🔵 Wearing seatbelts reduces the risk of serious head, neck, and spinal injury during motor vehicle crashes.

🔵 Seatbelts decrease the chance of being thrown against the vehicle interior or ejected.

🔵 This intervention is one of the most effective ways to lower injury severity in traffic accidents.

🔵 It is a standard recommendation in neurologic trauma prevention.

🔵 The nurse should strongly reinforce this behavior.

Wear helmets when bike riding

🔵 Wearing a helmet when biking helps protect the skull and brain from impact injury.

🔵 Helmets significantly reduce the risk of serious head trauma during falls and collisions.

🔵 For adolescents, biking and similar activities are common sources of preventable injury.

🔵 Proper helmet use is a key neurologic safety measure.

🔵 This teaching point is essential in school injury-prevention education.

Increase dietary fiber

🔵 Increasing fiber may benefit gastrointestinal health, but it does not directly reduce neurologic trauma.

🔵 This is not an injury-prevention intervention for brain or spinal cord protection.

Eat a healthy breakfast

🔵 Eating breakfast supports general health and school performance, but it is not a specific strategy to prevent neurologic trauma.

🔵 The question is focused on injury prevention, not overall wellness habits.

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Answer 7

Correct Answers:

instructions on intermittent straight catheterization
limiting caffeine intake
attempt to void after drinking

Rationale :

Instructions on intermittent straight catheterization

🟣 Intermittent straight catheterization is an appropriate teaching point for clients with MS who develop bladder emptying problems or retention.

🟣 MS can disrupt normal bladder function because of neurologic involvement affecting urinary control.

🟣 Intermittent catheterization can reduce retention and lower risk of infection when bladder emptying is incomplete.

🟣 Teaching this skill promotes bladder management and independence.

🟣 It is a practical self-care strategy for selected clients.

Limiting caffeine intake

🟣 Limiting caffeine is appropriate because caffeine can irritate the bladder and worsen urgency or frequency symptoms.

🟣 Bladder symptoms are common in MS, so reducing irritants is part of symptom management.

🟣 This teaching can help decrease episodes of urgency and improve comfort.

🟣 It is a simple and evidence-supported lifestyle adjustment.

🟣 The nurse should include it in urinary teaching.

Attempt to void after drinking

🟣 Teaching the client to attempt to void after drinking can help establish more regular bladder emptying patterns.

🟣 Scheduled or prompted voiding is often used to support bladder training and reduce retention.

🟣 This approach encourages the client to connect fluid intake with timely elimination attempts.

🟣 It may help reduce urinary complications associated with MS-related bladder dysfunction.

🟣 This is an appropriate urinary-management teaching point.

The importance of limiting fluid intake

🟣 Routine fluid restriction is generally not the best teaching because it can contribute to dehydration and concentrated urine.

🟣 Fluid management should be individualized, not automatically restricted.

Taking a PO diuretic medication twice daily

🟣 Diuretics are not routine teaching for MS bladder dysfunction and may actually worsen urgency or frequency.

🟣 Medication choices depend on the specific bladder problem and provider assessment.

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Answer 8

Correct Answers:

"The drug may delay the progression of the disease but not cure it."

Rationale :

🔶 Donepezil is used in Alzheimer’s disease to help support cognitive function, but it does not cure the disease.

🔶 The medication may help slow symptom progression or improve function temporarily in some clients.

🔶 Teaching should set realistic expectations so the client and family understand that benefit is symptomatic, not curative.

🔶 This promotes adherence while preventing false hope about reversal of disease.

🔶 That makes this the best instruction.

"A serum drug level will be drawn monthly to check for toxicity."

🔶 Routine monthly serum drug levels are not a standard requirement for donepezil.

🔶 Monitoring is usually based on clinical response and side effects rather than therapeutic blood levels.

"If you develop muscle aches, call 911."

🔶 Muscle aches are not the key emergency teaching point typically associated with donepezil use.

🔶 This statement does not reflect standard client education for this medication.

"You must take this medication forever to maintain function."

🔶 The nurse should not make absolute statements such as “forever.”

🔶 Medication continuation depends on clinical response, tolerance, and provider evaluation over time.

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Answer 9

Correct Answers:

use the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) for client 1 and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) for client 2

Rationale :

🔴 The NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is the appropriate tool for client 1 because it is designed to evaluate neurologic deficits associated with acute stroke, such as weakness, aphasia, and gaze or sensory changes.

🔴 The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is the appropriate tool for client 2 because it assesses level of consciousness using eye, verbal, and motor responses, which is especially useful in traumatic brain injury.

🔴 Each scale is specialized for a different neurologic purpose.

🔴 Using the correct tool improves assessment accuracy and supports appropriate treatment decisions.

🔴 This option best matches each client’s clinical situation.

Use the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) for both clients to assess neurologic status

🔴 The GCS is useful for consciousness assessment, but it does not fully evaluate stroke-specific deficits like aphasia and focal weakness severity.

🔴 Client 1 requires the more stroke-focused NIHSS.

Use the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) for client 1 and NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) for client 2

🔴 This reverses the intended use of the two assessment tools.

🔴 The stroke client needs NIHSS, while the traumatic brain injury client needs GCS.

Use the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) for both clients to assess severity

🔴 The NIHSS is designed for stroke severity, not for general assessment of consciousness in traumatic brain injury.

🔴 Client 2 is better assessed with the GCS.

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Answer 10

Correct Answers:

"I will take my medication at the same time every day."
"I should remove loose rugs at home."
"I will use deliberate movements when walking."

Rationale :

"I will take my medication at the same time every day."

🟢 This statement shows correct understanding because Parkinson’s medications are often time-sensitive, and consistent dosing helps maintain symptom control.

🟢 Delayed or missed doses can worsen rigidity, tremor, and mobility problems.

🟢 Taking medication on schedule supports more stable function throughout the day.

🟢 This is a key safety and symptom-management teaching point.

🟢 The client’s understanding here is correct.

"I should remove loose rugs at home."

🟢 Removing loose rugs is correct because Parkinson’s disease increases fall risk through bradykinesia, balance problems, freezing, and gait instability.

🟢 Rugs and clutter are common tripping hazards in the home.

🟢 Environmental safety changes are important to prevent injury.

🟢 Home modification is a standard part of Parkinson’s fall-prevention teaching.

🟢 This statement reflects good safety understanding.

"I will use deliberate movements when walking."

🟢 Deliberate, conscious movement can help clients with Parkinson’s manage bradykinesia and reduce freezing episodes during walking.

🟢 Parkinson’s affects walking, turning, and movement initiation, so purposeful movement strategies are helpful.

🟢 Slow, intentional steps can improve control and safety.

🟢 This teaching supports mobility and fall prevention.

🟢 The statement demonstrates correct understanding.

"I should expect my symptoms to improve with stress."

🟢 Stress commonly worsens Parkinson’s symptoms rather than improving them.

🟢 Anxiety and rushing can increase tremor, freezing, and difficulty moving.

"I know that confusion is an expected side effect of the medications I'm taking."

🟢 Confusion can occur with some medications and should be reported rather than simply accepted as expected.

🟢 The client should discuss new mental-status changes with the healthcare team.

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RN Pharmacology Spring 2026

No.

1 :
The nurse is planning care for a client with ALS. Which interventions are appropriate and which are not?

3 :
The nurse is preparing to administer IV antibiotics to a client with suspected meningitis before lumbar puncture (LP) results are available. The client questions the need to treatment without confirmation. What is the nurse's best response?

4 :
A client reports sudden right arm weakness and slurred speech that resolved within 20 minutes. The client now has no deficits. What is the nurse's priority interpretation?

5 :
The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected increased ICP. Which findings require immediate intervention? Select all that apply.

6 :
The school nurse is teaching high-school students about reducing risk of injury. Which instruction does the nurse provide about action(s) to decrease risk of neurological trauma? Select all that apply.

7 :
The nurse is caring for a patient newly diagnosed with MS. Which teaching points regarding urination practices will the nurse include with this patient? Select all that apply.

8 :
A client diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer's disease has been prescribed donepezil. Which instruction does the nurse provide?

9 :
The nurse is assessing two clients in the emergency department: Client 1: Suspected acute stroke with right-sided weakness and aphasia, Client 2:Traumatic brain injury after a fall, responds only to painful stimuli. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

10 :
The nurse is teaching a client with Parkinson's disease about safety and symptom management. Which statements indicate correct understanding? Select all that apply.

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RN Pharmacology Spring 2026

No.

1 : The nurse is planning care for a client with ALS. Which interventions are appropriate and which are not?

3 : The nurse is preparing to administer IV antibiotics to a client with suspected meningitis before lumbar puncture (LP) results are available. The client questions the need to treatment without confirmation. What is the nurse's best response?

4 : A client reports sudden right arm weakness and slurred speech that resolved within 20 minutes. The client now has no deficits. What is the nurse's priority interpretation?

5 : The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected increased ICP. Which findings require immediate intervention? Select all that apply.

6 : The school nurse is teaching high-school students about reducing risk of injury. Which instruction does the nurse provide about action(s) to decrease risk of neurological trauma? Select all that apply.

7 : The nurse is caring for a patient newly diagnosed with MS. Which teaching points regarding urination practices will the nurse include with this patient? Select all that apply.

8 : A client diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer's disease has been prescribed donepezil. Which instruction does the nurse provide?

9 : The nurse is assessing two clients in the emergency department: Client 1: Suspected acute stroke with right-sided weakness and aphasia, Client 2:Traumatic brain injury after a fall, responds only to painful stimuli. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

10 : The nurse is teaching a client with Parkinson's disease about safety and symptom management. Which statements indicate correct understanding? Select all that apply.

1 :
The nurse is planning care for a client with ALS. Which interventions are appropriate and which are not?

3 :
The nurse is preparing to administer IV antibiotics to a client with suspected meningitis before lumbar puncture (LP) results are available. The client questions the need to treatment without confirmation. What is the nurse's best response?

4 :
A client reports sudden right arm weakness and slurred speech that resolved within 20 minutes. The client now has no deficits. What is the nurse's priority interpretation?

5 :
The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected increased ICP. Which findings require immediate intervention? Select all that apply.

6 :
The school nurse is teaching high-school students about reducing risk of injury. Which instruction does the nurse provide about action(s) to decrease risk of neurological trauma? Select all that apply.

7 :
The nurse is caring for a patient newly diagnosed with MS. Which teaching points regarding urination practices will the nurse include with this patient? Select all that apply.

8 :
A client diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer's disease has been prescribed donepezil. Which instruction does the nurse provide?

9 :
The nurse is assessing two clients in the emergency department: Client 1: Suspected acute stroke with right-sided weakness and aphasia, Client 2:Traumatic brain injury after a fall, responds only to painful stimuli. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

10 :
The nurse is teaching a client with Parkinson's disease about safety and symptom management. Which statements indicate correct understanding? Select all that apply.