Nursing 354 Neurological Nursing
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
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Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
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1. A nurse is assessing a client with a suspected stroke. Which finding requires the
most immediate attention?
A. Mild headache
B. Difficulty swallowing
C. Sudden unilateral weakness
D. Blurred vision
Answer: Sudden unilateral weakness
Rationale: Sudden unilateral weakness is a classic manifestation of an acute
stroke and requires immediate assessment and intervention because rapid
treatment can limit neurological injury.
2. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of increased intracranial
pressure (ICP)?
A. Bradycardia with widened pulse pressure
B. Hypotension with tachycardia
,C. Increased bowel sounds
D. Warm, flushed skin
Answer: Bradycardia with widened pulse pressure
Rationale: Bradycardia, widened pulse pressure, and abnormal respiratory
patterns are components of Cushing’s response, a late sign of increased ICP.
3. A client with a spinal cord injury suddenly develops severe hypertension,
headache, and flushing above the level of injury. What should the nurse do first?
A. Place the client flat
B. Sit the client upright
C. Administer a sedative
D. Restrict fluids
Answer: Sit the client upright
Rationale: These findings suggest autonomic dysreflexia. Sitting the client
upright helps lower blood pressure while the nurse immediately searches for and
removes the triggering stimulus.
4. Which medication is commonly prescribed to reduce cerebral edema associated
with increased ICP?
A. Mannitol
B. Furosemide
C. Warfarin
D. Phenytoin
Answer: Mannitol
Rationale: Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that draws fluid from cerebral tissue
into the intravascular space, helping reduce cerebral edema and ICP.
,5. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a generalized tonic-clonic seizure.
Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Insert a tongue blade
B. Restrain the extremities
C. Turn the client to the side
D. Give oral fluids
Answer: Turn the client to the side
Rationale: Side-lying positioning helps maintain airway patency and allows
secretions to drain. The nurse should not restrain the client or place objects in
the mouth.
6. Which finding is commonly associated with Parkinson’s disease?
A. Flaccid paralysis
B. Resting tremor
C. Hyperactive speech
D. Sudden complete vision loss
Answer: Resting tremor
Rationale: Parkinson’s disease commonly produces resting tremor, bradykinesia,
rigidity, and postural instability.
7. Which medication is commonly used to increase dopamine activity in clients
with Parkinson’s disease?
A. Levodopa/carbidopa
B. Acetazolamide
C. Alteplase
D. Nimodipine
Answer: Levodopa/carbidopa
, Rationale: Levodopa is converted to dopamine in the brain, while carbidopa
reduces peripheral conversion of levodopa and improves its availability to the
central nervous system.
8. A client with meningitis is admitted to the neurological unit. Which intervention
is most appropriate?
A. Initiate appropriate isolation precautions
B. Encourage frequent visitors
C. Keep the room brightly illuminated
D. Encourage strenuous activity
Answer: Initiate appropriate isolation precautions
Rationale: Certain forms of bacterial meningitis require droplet precautions,
particularly during the initial period of effective antimicrobial therapy, to reduce
transmission.
9. Which clinical finding is most consistent with a left-sided cerebrovascular
accident?
A. Left-sided neglect
B. Right-sided weakness
C. Bilateral hearing loss
D. Left-sided paralysis only
Answer: Right-sided weakness
Rationale: The cerebral hemispheres generally control the opposite side of the
body. A left-sided stroke commonly produces right-sided weakness or paralysis
and may cause language disturbances.
10. Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for vision?
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
1. A nurse is assessing a client with a suspected stroke. Which finding requires the
most immediate attention?
A. Mild headache
B. Difficulty swallowing
C. Sudden unilateral weakness
D. Blurred vision
Answer: Sudden unilateral weakness
Rationale: Sudden unilateral weakness is a classic manifestation of an acute
stroke and requires immediate assessment and intervention because rapid
treatment can limit neurological injury.
2. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of increased intracranial
pressure (ICP)?
A. Bradycardia with widened pulse pressure
B. Hypotension with tachycardia
,C. Increased bowel sounds
D. Warm, flushed skin
Answer: Bradycardia with widened pulse pressure
Rationale: Bradycardia, widened pulse pressure, and abnormal respiratory
patterns are components of Cushing’s response, a late sign of increased ICP.
3. A client with a spinal cord injury suddenly develops severe hypertension,
headache, and flushing above the level of injury. What should the nurse do first?
A. Place the client flat
B. Sit the client upright
C. Administer a sedative
D. Restrict fluids
Answer: Sit the client upright
Rationale: These findings suggest autonomic dysreflexia. Sitting the client
upright helps lower blood pressure while the nurse immediately searches for and
removes the triggering stimulus.
4. Which medication is commonly prescribed to reduce cerebral edema associated
with increased ICP?
A. Mannitol
B. Furosemide
C. Warfarin
D. Phenytoin
Answer: Mannitol
Rationale: Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that draws fluid from cerebral tissue
into the intravascular space, helping reduce cerebral edema and ICP.
,5. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a generalized tonic-clonic seizure.
Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Insert a tongue blade
B. Restrain the extremities
C. Turn the client to the side
D. Give oral fluids
Answer: Turn the client to the side
Rationale: Side-lying positioning helps maintain airway patency and allows
secretions to drain. The nurse should not restrain the client or place objects in
the mouth.
6. Which finding is commonly associated with Parkinson’s disease?
A. Flaccid paralysis
B. Resting tremor
C. Hyperactive speech
D. Sudden complete vision loss
Answer: Resting tremor
Rationale: Parkinson’s disease commonly produces resting tremor, bradykinesia,
rigidity, and postural instability.
7. Which medication is commonly used to increase dopamine activity in clients
with Parkinson’s disease?
A. Levodopa/carbidopa
B. Acetazolamide
C. Alteplase
D. Nimodipine
Answer: Levodopa/carbidopa
, Rationale: Levodopa is converted to dopamine in the brain, while carbidopa
reduces peripheral conversion of levodopa and improves its availability to the
central nervous system.
8. A client with meningitis is admitted to the neurological unit. Which intervention
is most appropriate?
A. Initiate appropriate isolation precautions
B. Encourage frequent visitors
C. Keep the room brightly illuminated
D. Encourage strenuous activity
Answer: Initiate appropriate isolation precautions
Rationale: Certain forms of bacterial meningitis require droplet precautions,
particularly during the initial period of effective antimicrobial therapy, to reduce
transmission.
9. Which clinical finding is most consistent with a left-sided cerebrovascular
accident?
A. Left-sided neglect
B. Right-sided weakness
C. Bilateral hearing loss
D. Left-sided paralysis only
Answer: Right-sided weakness
Rationale: The cerebral hemispheres generally control the opposite side of the
body. A left-sided stroke commonly produces right-sided weakness or paralysis
and may cause language disturbances.
10. Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for vision?
