Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN) Practice Exam

Tremors resulting from toxic or metabolic abnormalities occur in which situation?

1. Only at rest

2. Only with motion

3. Both at rest and with motion

4. Neither at rest nor with motion

The correct answer is: Both at rest and with motion

Tremors resulting from toxic or metabolic abnormalities can manifest in both static and dynamic situations, which is why the correct answer is that these tremors occur both at rest and with motion. Conditions such as drug toxicity or metabolic disturbances (like electrolyte imbalances) can lead to tremors that do not exclusively present in one specific context. For example, patients experiencing tremors associated with conditions like metabolic encephalopathy or certain drug toxicities may show an oscillatory movement whether they are stationary or active. This contrasts with other types of tremors where specific conditions might dictate that they only occur at rest (such as Parkinson's disease tremors) or only during movement (as seen in essential tremor). Therefore, understanding the nature of tremors in relation to the underlying cause is crucial for adequate assessment and management in neuroscience nursing.