The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected bacterial meningitis and notes a positive Kernig sign. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
Pain in the neck when the patient flexes their head towards the chest
Involuntary flexion of the hips and knees when the neck is flexed
Photophobia and headache triggered by bright light
Pain and resistance when attempting to extend the patient's leg from a flexed position
The Correct Answer is D
A. Pain in the neck when the patient flexes their head towards the chest. This describes nuchal rigidity, not Kernig sign.
B. Involuntary flexion of the hips and knees when the neck is flexed. This describes Brudzinski sign, not Kernig sign.
C. Photophobia and headache triggered by bright light. These are symptoms of meningitis, but they are not specific to Kernig sign.
D. Pain and resistance when attempting to extend the patient's leg from a flexed position. A positive Kernig sign is when there is pain and resistance to leg extension from a flexed hip and knee position, indicating meningeal irritation.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Reduction of inflammation and suppression of immune responses. Methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation and suppresses immune responses, which can help manage the acute exacerbations of MS.
B. Stimulation of nerve regeneration. Methylprednisolone does not stimulate nerve regeneration; it focuses on reducing inflammation.
C. Improvement in cognitive function. Cognitive improvement is not a primary goal of methylprednisolone in MS management, though reducing inflammation may indirectly benefit cognition.
D. Increase in muscle strength and coordination. While reducing inflammation can improve symptoms, methylprednisolone itself does not directly increase muscle strength or coordination.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Stroke: The sudden onset of one-sided weakness, numbness, difficulty speaking, and severe headache are classic symptoms of an acute stroke, where blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, leading to neurological deficits.
B. Migraine: While migraines can cause headache and some neurological symptoms, they usually include visual disturbances, nausea, or photophobia rather than one-sided weakness and numbness.
C. Hypoglycemia: Hypoglycemia can cause confusion, weakness, and headache, but it typically lacks the focal neurological symptoms, like one-sided weakness and numbness.
D. Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): A TIA can cause similar symptoms, but the deficits are usually transient and resolve within 24 hours without lasting neurological damage. Persistent symptoms are more indicative of a stroke.