Below are 5 free sample exam questions for the Neuro Intensive Care exam.
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Sample Questions
- Which of the following best describes synaptic pruning?
- a. Abnormal process until young adulthood
- b. Natural process during childhood and adulthood; only occurs during infancy if exposed to a significant hypoxic event
- c. Natural process that occurs throughout life, even during infancy
- A pull to sit maneuver is performed on a term infant. There is a small amount of head lag present. This is:
- a. abnormal and indicates need for a full neurological assessment
- b. abnormal and indicates need for repeat assessment within 24 hours
- c. normal
- Which infant is most appropriate to get a routine head ultrasound screening to assess for neurologic injury?
- a. 30 weeks gestational age infant, birth weight 1600 gm
- b. 32 weeks gestational age infant, birth weight 1400 gm/li>
- c. 40 weeks gestational age infant, birth weight 3500 gm, history of seizures
- Primary observation of an infant diagnosed with a subgaleal hemorrhage includes:
- a. Monitoring for apnea and desaturations
- b. Monitoring for hypotension
- c. Monitoring for liver failure
- Which of the following infant states is optimal for cue based care time, including feeding?
- a. Active alert
- b. Hyperalert
- c. Quiet alert
Scroll down or click here to see the answer key.
Answer Key
1. c. Normal process that occurs throughout life, even during infancy. Synaptic pruning is the process by which extra synapses are “pruned” from existence. The bulk of the pruning occurs between the ages of 2 and 10, although it is normal for some pruning to occur during infancy.
2. c. normal. A small amount of head lag during a pull to sit maneuver is considered normal.
3. b. 32 weeks gestational age infant, 1400 gm. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends routine head ultrasound screening on all infants born less than 30 weeks gestation or with a birth weight of less than 1500 gm. The term infant with seizures of unknown etiology would benefit more from an MRI scan, as it is more sensitive to rule out HIE, stroke, or meningitis findings which are among the more common causes of seizures.
4. b. Monitoring for hypotension. . Infants may lose a large quantity of their blood volume during this hemorrhage process and develop signs of shock and hypotension. Emergent blood may be required. Apnea and desaturations will eventually occur, but as a late sign of complications.
5. c. Quiet alert. . The quiet alert state is the optimal time for cue-based care time, including feeding. Active alert and hyperalert states occur when the infant is sensitive to stimuli and less able to be organized and focus on the caregiver’s interaction and working on feeding skills.