ATI Medical-Surgical Neurological Exam
Questions with Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
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Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client who has experienced an ischemic
stroke. Which finding should the nurse recognize as most
consistent with involvement of the client's left cerebral
hemisphere?
A. Left-sided hemiplegia
B. Impulsive behavior and poor judgment
C. Right-sided weakness with expressive aphasia
D. Difficulty recognizing familiar objects
Correct answer: C. Right-sided weakness with expressive
aphasia
The left cerebral hemisphere generally controls motor function
on the right side of the body and is dominant for language in
most individuals. Damage to the left hemisphere can therefore
cause right-sided weakness or paralysis and language
disturbances such as expressive aphasia. A stroke involving the
,right hemisphere is more commonly associated with left-sided
weakness, impaired spatial perception, neglect, impulsivity, and
poor judgment.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client who has increased intracranial
pressure (ICP). Which assessment finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Headache that is worse in the morning
B. Nausea without vomiting
C. Decreased level of consciousness
D. Pupils that are equal and reactive
Correct answer: C. Decreased level of consciousness
Changes in level of consciousness are among the earliest and
most sensitive indicators of neurological deterioration
associated with increasing ICP. A decreasing level of
consciousness can indicate worsening cerebral perfusion and
possible brain herniation. Morning headache and nausea can
occur with increased ICP, but a deteriorating level of
consciousness is a more urgent finding requiring immediate
neurological reassessment and intervention.
Question 3
,A nurse is assessing a client with suspected meningitis. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia with hypothermia
B. Nuchal rigidity and photophobia
C. Painless neck movement
D. Increased appetite
Correct answer: B. Nuchal rigidity and photophobia
Nuchal rigidity, or neck stiffness, and photophobia are classic
findings associated with meningeal inflammation. Clients with
meningitis can also develop fever, severe headache, vomiting,
altered mental status, and positive Kernig or Brudzinski signs.
Because bacterial meningitis can rapidly become life-
threatening, prompt recognition and treatment are essential.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who has a seizure disorder. Which
action should the nurse take when the client begins having a
generalized tonic-clonic seizure?
A. Insert a tongue blade into the client's mouth
B. Restrain the client's extremities
C. Give the client oral fluids
D. Protect the client's head and remove nearby objects
, Correct answer: D. Protect the client's head and remove
nearby objects
During a seizure, the priority is to protect the client from injury
while maintaining safety. The nurse should clear the area of
objects that could cause injury, protect the client's head, loosen
restrictive clothing, and monitor airway and breathing. The
nurse should never place an object in the client's mouth or
restrain the client's movements because these actions can cause
injury.
Question 5
A client with a head injury develops clear drainage from the
nose. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Insert cotton packing into the nostril
B. Suction the nasal passage
C. Test the drainage for cerebrospinal fluid as prescribed
D. Ask the client to blow the nose
Correct answer: C. Test the drainage for cerebrospinal fluid as
prescribed
Clear drainage from the nose following a head injury can
indicate a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak caused by a skull
fracture. The nurse should avoid inserting anything into the
nose or encouraging the client to blow the nose because these
Questions with Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
Download PDF
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client who has experienced an ischemic
stroke. Which finding should the nurse recognize as most
consistent with involvement of the client's left cerebral
hemisphere?
A. Left-sided hemiplegia
B. Impulsive behavior and poor judgment
C. Right-sided weakness with expressive aphasia
D. Difficulty recognizing familiar objects
Correct answer: C. Right-sided weakness with expressive
aphasia
The left cerebral hemisphere generally controls motor function
on the right side of the body and is dominant for language in
most individuals. Damage to the left hemisphere can therefore
cause right-sided weakness or paralysis and language
disturbances such as expressive aphasia. A stroke involving the
,right hemisphere is more commonly associated with left-sided
weakness, impaired spatial perception, neglect, impulsivity, and
poor judgment.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client who has increased intracranial
pressure (ICP). Which assessment finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Headache that is worse in the morning
B. Nausea without vomiting
C. Decreased level of consciousness
D. Pupils that are equal and reactive
Correct answer: C. Decreased level of consciousness
Changes in level of consciousness are among the earliest and
most sensitive indicators of neurological deterioration
associated with increasing ICP. A decreasing level of
consciousness can indicate worsening cerebral perfusion and
possible brain herniation. Morning headache and nausea can
occur with increased ICP, but a deteriorating level of
consciousness is a more urgent finding requiring immediate
neurological reassessment and intervention.
Question 3
,A nurse is assessing a client with suspected meningitis. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia with hypothermia
B. Nuchal rigidity and photophobia
C. Painless neck movement
D. Increased appetite
Correct answer: B. Nuchal rigidity and photophobia
Nuchal rigidity, or neck stiffness, and photophobia are classic
findings associated with meningeal inflammation. Clients with
meningitis can also develop fever, severe headache, vomiting,
altered mental status, and positive Kernig or Brudzinski signs.
Because bacterial meningitis can rapidly become life-
threatening, prompt recognition and treatment are essential.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who has a seizure disorder. Which
action should the nurse take when the client begins having a
generalized tonic-clonic seizure?
A. Insert a tongue blade into the client's mouth
B. Restrain the client's extremities
C. Give the client oral fluids
D. Protect the client's head and remove nearby objects
, Correct answer: D. Protect the client's head and remove
nearby objects
During a seizure, the priority is to protect the client from injury
while maintaining safety. The nurse should clear the area of
objects that could cause injury, protect the client's head, loosen
restrictive clothing, and monitor airway and breathing. The
nurse should never place an object in the client's mouth or
restrain the client's movements because these actions can cause
injury.
Question 5
A client with a head injury develops clear drainage from the
nose. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Insert cotton packing into the nostril
B. Suction the nasal passage
C. Test the drainage for cerebrospinal fluid as prescribed
D. Ask the client to blow the nose
Correct answer: C. Test the drainage for cerebrospinal fluid as
prescribed
Clear drainage from the nose following a head injury can
indicate a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak caused by a skull
fracture. The nurse should avoid inserting anything into the
nose or encouraging the client to blow the nose because these
