HESI RN NEUROLOGICAL NURSING ACCURATE
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM WITH ALL
POSSIBLE APPROVED WELL ELABORATED
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
PLUS EXPERT ANSWER KEY (100% CORRECT
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS) 2026-2027 CURRENTLY
UPDATED VERSION Q&A GUARANTEED PASS A+
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A client is admitted with a traumatic brain injury.
Which assessment finding is the earliest and most
sensitive indicator of increased intracranial pressure
(ICP)?
A) Change in level of consciousness
B) Pupillary dilation
C) Systolic hypertension
D) Bradycardia
,Correct Answer: A) Change in level of
consciousness
Rationale: A change in level of consciousness (LOC)
is the earliest and most sensitive indicator of
increased ICP. As pressure rises, cerebral perfusion
decreases, affecting the reticular activating system
first. Pupillary changes, Cushing's triad
(hypertension, bradycardia, irregular respirations),
and other vital sign changes occur later and are
signs of impending herniation.
2. The nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of
subarachnoid hemorrhage from a ruptured cerebral
aneurysm. What is the priority nursing intervention
to prevent re-bleeding?
A) Maintaining strict bed rest in a darkened room
B) Administering stool softeners as prescribed
C) Keeping the head of the bed flat
D) Administering anticoagulants as prescribed
Correct Answer: B) Administering stool softeners as
prescribed
Rationale: Preventing straining during defecation
is critical to avoid sudden increases in ICP that
,could cause re-bleeding. Stool softeners are
prescribed to prevent constipation and the
Valsalva maneuver. While bed rest and a quiet
environment are important, they are not the
primary intervention for re-bleeding prevention.
The head of the bed should be elevated to promote
venous drainage, and anticoagulants are
contraindicated due to the risk of hemorrhage.
3. A client who has had a stroke is exhibiting
expressive aphasia. Which statement best describes
this condition?
A) The client is unable to understand spoken
language.
B) The client is unable to speak or write coherently
but can understand language.
C) The client has difficulty with both understanding
and producing language.
D) The client has difficulty with reading and writing
only.
Correct Answer: B) The client is unable to speak or
write coherently but can understand language.
Rationale: Expressive aphasia (Broca's aphasia)
, involves damage to the frontal lobe, specifically
Broca's area. The client knows what they want to
say but cannot produce the words. They can
understand spoken and written language.
Receptive aphasia (Wernicke's) involves an
inability to understand language. Global aphasia
affects both expression and comprehension.
4. The nurse is performing a neurological
assessment on a client. Which cranial nerve is being
tested when the client is asked to shrug their
shoulders against resistance?
A) Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B) Cranial Nerve X (Vagus)
C) Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal Accessory)
D) Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
Correct Answer: C) Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal
Accessory)
Rationale: Cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory nerve)
innervates the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius
muscles, which control shoulder shrugging and
head turning. Cranial nerve IX controls the gag
reflex and swallowing. Cranial nerve X controls
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM WITH ALL
POSSIBLE APPROVED WELL ELABORATED
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
PLUS EXPERT ANSWER KEY (100% CORRECT
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS) 2026-2027 CURRENTLY
UPDATED VERSION Q&A GUARANTEED PASS A+
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A client is admitted with a traumatic brain injury.
Which assessment finding is the earliest and most
sensitive indicator of increased intracranial pressure
(ICP)?
A) Change in level of consciousness
B) Pupillary dilation
C) Systolic hypertension
D) Bradycardia
,Correct Answer: A) Change in level of
consciousness
Rationale: A change in level of consciousness (LOC)
is the earliest and most sensitive indicator of
increased ICP. As pressure rises, cerebral perfusion
decreases, affecting the reticular activating system
first. Pupillary changes, Cushing's triad
(hypertension, bradycardia, irregular respirations),
and other vital sign changes occur later and are
signs of impending herniation.
2. The nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of
subarachnoid hemorrhage from a ruptured cerebral
aneurysm. What is the priority nursing intervention
to prevent re-bleeding?
A) Maintaining strict bed rest in a darkened room
B) Administering stool softeners as prescribed
C) Keeping the head of the bed flat
D) Administering anticoagulants as prescribed
Correct Answer: B) Administering stool softeners as
prescribed
Rationale: Preventing straining during defecation
is critical to avoid sudden increases in ICP that
,could cause re-bleeding. Stool softeners are
prescribed to prevent constipation and the
Valsalva maneuver. While bed rest and a quiet
environment are important, they are not the
primary intervention for re-bleeding prevention.
The head of the bed should be elevated to promote
venous drainage, and anticoagulants are
contraindicated due to the risk of hemorrhage.
3. A client who has had a stroke is exhibiting
expressive aphasia. Which statement best describes
this condition?
A) The client is unable to understand spoken
language.
B) The client is unable to speak or write coherently
but can understand language.
C) The client has difficulty with both understanding
and producing language.
D) The client has difficulty with reading and writing
only.
Correct Answer: B) The client is unable to speak or
write coherently but can understand language.
Rationale: Expressive aphasia (Broca's aphasia)
, involves damage to the frontal lobe, specifically
Broca's area. The client knows what they want to
say but cannot produce the words. They can
understand spoken and written language.
Receptive aphasia (Wernicke's) involves an
inability to understand language. Global aphasia
affects both expression and comprehension.
4. The nurse is performing a neurological
assessment on a client. Which cranial nerve is being
tested when the client is asked to shrug their
shoulders against resistance?
A) Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B) Cranial Nerve X (Vagus)
C) Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal Accessory)
D) Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
Correct Answer: C) Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal
Accessory)
Rationale: Cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory nerve)
innervates the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius
muscles, which control shoulder shrugging and
head turning. Cranial nerve IX controls the gag
reflex and swallowing. Cranial nerve X controls
