Rehabilitation Nursing Exam Questions with
Correct Answers (VerifiedAnswers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download PDF
Question 1
A patient recovering from a stroke has left-sided weakness and
is beginning rehabilitation. Which intervention is most
appropriate for promoting independence?
A. Perform all activities of daily living for the patient
B. Encourage the patient to use the stronger side exclusively
C. Encourage the patient to perform as much of each activity
as safely possible
D. Limit activities until muscle strength completely returns
Rationale: Rehabilitation nursing emphasizes maximizing
functional independence rather than creating unnecessary
dependence. The patient should be encouraged to participate in
bathing, dressing, grooming, transfers, and other activities
within their abilities. Assistance should be provided when
necessary to maintain safety, but the nurse should avoid doing
tasks that the patient can safely accomplish independently.
Repeated participation helps reinforce motor skills, confidence,
problem-solving, and adaptation to disability.
,Question 2
A patient with a spinal cord injury is learning to transfer from
the bed to a wheelchair. Which nursing action best promotes
safe transfer training?
A. Complete the transfer for the patient
B. Tell the patient to move quickly to prevent fatigue
C. Teach the patient proper body mechanics and allow practice
with appropriate assistance
D. Discourage wheelchair use until full lower-extremity strength
returns
Rationale: Safe transfer training is a fundamental component of
rehabilitation. Proper body mechanics reduce the risk of injury
to both the patient and caregiver. The patient should be taught
positioning, wheelchair placement, use of transfer equipment
when indicated, and appropriate sequencing of movements.
Allowing supervised practice promotes skill acquisition and
independence while maintaining safety.
Question 3
A patient with a new spinal cord injury suddenly develops
severe headache, facial flushing, sweating above the level of
injury, and markedly elevated blood pressure. What should the
nurse suspect?
,A. Orthostatic hypotension
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Autonomic dysreflexia
D. Pulmonary embolism
Rationale: Autonomic dysreflexia is a potentially life-threatening
complication most commonly associated with spinal cord
injuries at or above T6. A noxious stimulus below the level of
injury, frequently bladder distention or bowel impaction, can
trigger uncontrolled sympathetic activity. Severe hypertension,
headache, sweating, flushing, and bradycardia may occur. The
nurse should recognize the condition promptly, position the
patient upright, assess for and remove the triggering stimulus,
and follow emergency treatment protocols.
Question 4
Which finding in a patient undergoing rehabilitation after a
stroke requires the nurse to intervene most urgently?
A. Mild fatigue after physical therapy
B. Frustration when learning a new task
C. Difficulty remembering instructions
D. Sudden worsening of speech and new facial weakness
Rationale: Sudden neurological deterioration can indicate
recurrent stroke or another acute neurological event. New facial
, weakness and worsening speech are important warning signs
requiring immediate assessment and notification of the
appropriate healthcare team. Fatigue, frustration, and cognitive
difficulties may occur during rehabilitation, but sudden changes
in neurological function should never be attributed
automatically to the rehabilitation process.
Question 5
A patient with hemiplegia is learning to dress independently.
Which technique should the nurse teach?
A. Dress the unaffected extremity first
B. Put both legs into the clothing simultaneously
C. Dress the affected extremity first and undress it last
D. Avoid using the affected extremity during dressing
Rationale: Dressing the affected extremity first reduces the
amount of movement and strength required from the impaired
limb. When removing clothing, the affected extremity is
generally undressed last to reduce unnecessary strain and
facilitate the process. This approach promotes independence
while accommodating weakness, paralysis, impaired
coordination, or limited range of motion.
Question 6
Correct Answers (VerifiedAnswers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download PDF
Question 1
A patient recovering from a stroke has left-sided weakness and
is beginning rehabilitation. Which intervention is most
appropriate for promoting independence?
A. Perform all activities of daily living for the patient
B. Encourage the patient to use the stronger side exclusively
C. Encourage the patient to perform as much of each activity
as safely possible
D. Limit activities until muscle strength completely returns
Rationale: Rehabilitation nursing emphasizes maximizing
functional independence rather than creating unnecessary
dependence. The patient should be encouraged to participate in
bathing, dressing, grooming, transfers, and other activities
within their abilities. Assistance should be provided when
necessary to maintain safety, but the nurse should avoid doing
tasks that the patient can safely accomplish independently.
Repeated participation helps reinforce motor skills, confidence,
problem-solving, and adaptation to disability.
,Question 2
A patient with a spinal cord injury is learning to transfer from
the bed to a wheelchair. Which nursing action best promotes
safe transfer training?
A. Complete the transfer for the patient
B. Tell the patient to move quickly to prevent fatigue
C. Teach the patient proper body mechanics and allow practice
with appropriate assistance
D. Discourage wheelchair use until full lower-extremity strength
returns
Rationale: Safe transfer training is a fundamental component of
rehabilitation. Proper body mechanics reduce the risk of injury
to both the patient and caregiver. The patient should be taught
positioning, wheelchair placement, use of transfer equipment
when indicated, and appropriate sequencing of movements.
Allowing supervised practice promotes skill acquisition and
independence while maintaining safety.
Question 3
A patient with a new spinal cord injury suddenly develops
severe headache, facial flushing, sweating above the level of
injury, and markedly elevated blood pressure. What should the
nurse suspect?
,A. Orthostatic hypotension
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Autonomic dysreflexia
D. Pulmonary embolism
Rationale: Autonomic dysreflexia is a potentially life-threatening
complication most commonly associated with spinal cord
injuries at or above T6. A noxious stimulus below the level of
injury, frequently bladder distention or bowel impaction, can
trigger uncontrolled sympathetic activity. Severe hypertension,
headache, sweating, flushing, and bradycardia may occur. The
nurse should recognize the condition promptly, position the
patient upright, assess for and remove the triggering stimulus,
and follow emergency treatment protocols.
Question 4
Which finding in a patient undergoing rehabilitation after a
stroke requires the nurse to intervene most urgently?
A. Mild fatigue after physical therapy
B. Frustration when learning a new task
C. Difficulty remembering instructions
D. Sudden worsening of speech and new facial weakness
Rationale: Sudden neurological deterioration can indicate
recurrent stroke or another acute neurological event. New facial
, weakness and worsening speech are important warning signs
requiring immediate assessment and notification of the
appropriate healthcare team. Fatigue, frustration, and cognitive
difficulties may occur during rehabilitation, but sudden changes
in neurological function should never be attributed
automatically to the rehabilitation process.
Question 5
A patient with hemiplegia is learning to dress independently.
Which technique should the nurse teach?
A. Dress the unaffected extremity first
B. Put both legs into the clothing simultaneously
C. Dress the affected extremity first and undress it last
D. Avoid using the affected extremity during dressing
Rationale: Dressing the affected extremity first reduces the
amount of movement and strength required from the impaired
limb. When removing clothing, the affected extremity is
generally undressed last to reduce unnecessary strain and
facilitate the process. This approach promotes independence
while accommodating weakness, paralysis, impaired
coordination, or limited range of motion.
Question 6
