ATI Medical-Surgical Exam 4: Neurological Disorders Study Guide 2026
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a client with Multiple Sclerosis. Which of the following is
an early clinical manifestation of this disorder?
A. Muscle atrophy
B. Flaccid paralysis
C. Dementia
D. Diplopia
Answer: D
Rationale: Diplopia (double vision) and other visual changes are often among the first
symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis due to demyelination of the optic nerves or pathways.
2. Which neurotransmitter is primarily deficient in the brain of a client
diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease?
A. Acetylcholine
B. Serotonin
C. Dopamine
D. Gamma-aminobutyric acid
Answer: C
Rationale: Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the degeneration of dopamine-
producing neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to motor dysfunction.
,3. A client with Myasthenia Gravis is receiving a Tensilon test. Which of the
following findings indicates a positive result for myasthenic crisis?
A. No change in muscle symptoms
B. Increased muscle weakness and twitching
C. Severe bradycardia and hypotension
D. A brief improvement in muscle strength
Answer: D
Rationale: In a myasthenic crisis, administering Edrophonium (Tensilon) prevents the
breakdown of acetylcholine, resulting in a temporary improvement in muscle strength.
4. What is the priority nursing intervention for a client admitted with Guillain-
Barre Syndrome?
A. Managing skin integrity
B. Monitoring respiratory status
C. Providing range-of-motion exercises
D. Administering IV pain medication
Answer: B
Rationale: Guillain-Barre involves ascending paralysis that can reach the diaphragm,
leading to respiratory failure; therefore, airway and breathing are the top priorities.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who just had a tonic-clonic seizure. What is the
priority nursing action during the postictal phase?
A. Restrain the client to prevent injury
B. Place the client in a side-lying position
C. Administer an oral anti-epileptic drug
D. Check the client’s pupillary response
Answer: B
Rationale: Placing the client in a side-lying position is critical to maintain a patent airway
and prevent aspiration of secretions or vomitus.
, 6. A client has suffered a stroke in the left cerebral hemisphere. Which clinical
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Impulsivity and poor judgment
B. Left-sided hemiplegia
C. Overestimation of physical abilities
D. Aphasia
Answer: D
Rationale: The left hemisphere is responsible for language processing in most people.
Damage typically results in aphasia (expressive or receptive).
7. A client with a T4 spinal cord injury reports a sudden, severe headache and
has a blood pressure of 190/100 mmHg. What is the first action the nurse
should take?
A. Administer hydralazine IV
B. Place the client in a high-Fowler’s position
C. Assess the client for bladder distention
D. Check the client’s oxygen saturation
Answer: B
Rationale: The client is exhibiting signs of autonomic dysreflexia. The immediate first
action is to sit the client up to help lower blood pressure through orthostatic effects.
8. Which of the following findings is part of Cushing’s triad, indicating increased
intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. Tachycardia
B. Narrowed pulse pressure
C. Hypotension
D. Bradycardia
Answer: D
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a client with Multiple Sclerosis. Which of the following is
an early clinical manifestation of this disorder?
A. Muscle atrophy
B. Flaccid paralysis
C. Dementia
D. Diplopia
Answer: D
Rationale: Diplopia (double vision) and other visual changes are often among the first
symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis due to demyelination of the optic nerves or pathways.
2. Which neurotransmitter is primarily deficient in the brain of a client
diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease?
A. Acetylcholine
B. Serotonin
C. Dopamine
D. Gamma-aminobutyric acid
Answer: C
Rationale: Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the degeneration of dopamine-
producing neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to motor dysfunction.
,3. A client with Myasthenia Gravis is receiving a Tensilon test. Which of the
following findings indicates a positive result for myasthenic crisis?
A. No change in muscle symptoms
B. Increased muscle weakness and twitching
C. Severe bradycardia and hypotension
D. A brief improvement in muscle strength
Answer: D
Rationale: In a myasthenic crisis, administering Edrophonium (Tensilon) prevents the
breakdown of acetylcholine, resulting in a temporary improvement in muscle strength.
4. What is the priority nursing intervention for a client admitted with Guillain-
Barre Syndrome?
A. Managing skin integrity
B. Monitoring respiratory status
C. Providing range-of-motion exercises
D. Administering IV pain medication
Answer: B
Rationale: Guillain-Barre involves ascending paralysis that can reach the diaphragm,
leading to respiratory failure; therefore, airway and breathing are the top priorities.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who just had a tonic-clonic seizure. What is the
priority nursing action during the postictal phase?
A. Restrain the client to prevent injury
B. Place the client in a side-lying position
C. Administer an oral anti-epileptic drug
D. Check the client’s pupillary response
Answer: B
Rationale: Placing the client in a side-lying position is critical to maintain a patent airway
and prevent aspiration of secretions or vomitus.
, 6. A client has suffered a stroke in the left cerebral hemisphere. Which clinical
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Impulsivity and poor judgment
B. Left-sided hemiplegia
C. Overestimation of physical abilities
D. Aphasia
Answer: D
Rationale: The left hemisphere is responsible for language processing in most people.
Damage typically results in aphasia (expressive or receptive).
7. A client with a T4 spinal cord injury reports a sudden, severe headache and
has a blood pressure of 190/100 mmHg. What is the first action the nurse
should take?
A. Administer hydralazine IV
B. Place the client in a high-Fowler’s position
C. Assess the client for bladder distention
D. Check the client’s oxygen saturation
Answer: B
Rationale: The client is exhibiting signs of autonomic dysreflexia. The immediate first
action is to sit the client up to help lower blood pressure through orthostatic effects.
8. Which of the following findings is part of Cushing’s triad, indicating increased
intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. Tachycardia
B. Narrowed pulse pressure
C. Hypotension
D. Bradycardia
Answer: D
