Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
The PMHNP is treating an 81-year-old man believed to have dementia. She asks him questions about memories that his family has described as prominent aspects of his life. The patient is unable to recall any of these memories. Which area of the brain is affected?
A. Hippocampus
The hippocampus is central to the formation and retrieval of long-term memories. Impairment in this region leads to significant anterograde and retrograde memory deficits seen in dementia.
B. Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus regulates homeostasis and autonomic functions but does not play a primary role in memory recall.
C. Thalamus
The thalamus acts as a relay station for sensory and motor signals and contributes to attention and consciousness but is not the main center for episodic memory retrieval.
D. Amygdala
The amygdala is involved in emotion, fear responses, and emotional memory processing, not the recall of specific episodic memories.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Mental Health Northern Kentucky University Proctored Exam 6. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: The hippocampus is central to the formation and retrieval of long-term memories. Impairment in this region leads to significant anterograde and retrograde memory deficits seen in dementia.
Choice B reason: The hypothalamus regulates homeostasis and autonomic functions but does not play a primary role in memory recall.
Choice C reason: The thalamus acts as a relay station for sensory and motor signals and contributes to attention and consciousness but is not the main center for episodic memory retrieval.
Choice D reason: The amygdala is involved in emotion, fear responses, and emotional memory processing, not the recall of specific episodic memories.
Similar Questions
A 30-year-old woman who has tried for a year to become pregnant presents to the nurse practitioner, who diagnoses cervical stenosis as the probable cause of her infertility. Which is the most appropriate treatment?
A. IUD insertion
IUD insertion is a contraceptive method and would not address cervical stenosis or aid fertility.
B. Cervical dilation
Cervical dilation is the standard treatment for cervical stenosis to mechanically open the cervical canal and restore patency for conception.
C. Colposcopy
Colposcopy is a diagnostic procedure for abnormal cervical findings, not a therapeutic intervention for stenosis.
D. LEEP procedure
LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure) removes abnormal cervical tissue, not indicated for mechanical stenosis without dysplasia.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: IUD insertion is a contraceptive method and would not address cervical stenosis or aid fertility.
Choice B reason: Cervical dilation is the standard treatment for cervical stenosis to mechanically open the cervical canal and restore patency for conception.
Choice C reason: Colposcopy is a diagnostic procedure for abnormal cervical findings, not a therapeutic intervention for stenosis.
Choice D reason: LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure) removes abnormal cervical tissue, not indicated for mechanical stenosis without dysplasia.
In addition to the physical exam and functional assessment, which of the following is used to assess response to treatment for rheumatoid arthritis?
A. White blood cell measurement
White blood cell counts may be affected by infection or medications but are not reliable markers for RA activity.
B. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate measurement
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is an inflammatory marker commonly used to monitor disease activity and response to treatment in rheumatoid arthritis.
C. Hemoglobin measurement
Hemoglobin levels may decrease due to chronic disease or medications but do not directly measure RA activity.
D. Measurement of absolute neutrophils
Absolute neutrophil counts are used to monitor for medication-induced cytopenias, not RA disease activity.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: White blood cell counts may be affected by infection or medications but are not reliable markers for RA activity.
Choice B reason: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is an inflammatory marker commonly used to monitor disease activity and response to treatment in rheumatoid arthritis.
Choice C reason: Hemoglobin levels may decrease due to chronic disease or medications but do not directly measure RA activity.
Choice D reason: Absolute neutrophil counts are used to monitor for medication-induced cytopenias, not RA disease activity.
A 26-year-old woman in her 37th week of pregnancy tested positive for Group B Strep. To prevent passing the infection to her newborn, how will she be treated?
A. Oral antibiotics
Oral antibiotics during pregnancy do not adequately prevent vertical transmission of GBS during labor.
B. Antibiotics prior to delivery
Antibiotics given prior to labor are not effective in preventing neonatal infection at delivery.
C. Birth canal wash with chlorhexidine
Chlorhexidine washes are not effective in preventing neonatal GBS infection.
D. IV antibiotic therapy during labor
IV antibiotics (usually penicillin or ampicillin) administered during labor are standard of care to prevent GBS transmission from mother to newborn.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Oral antibiotics during pregnancy do not adequately prevent vertical transmission of GBS during labor.
Choice B reason: Antibiotics given prior to labor are not effective in preventing neonatal infection at delivery.
Choice C reason: Chlorhexidine washes are not effective in preventing neonatal GBS infection.
Choice D reason: IV antibiotics (usually penicillin or ampicillin) administered during labor are standard of care to prevent GBS transmission from mother to newborn.