ATI NEUROSENSORY ULTIMATE EXAM
====================================================
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATE
- This comprehensive examination covers all core neurosensory concepts tested on
ATI Medical - Surgical Nursing exams, NCLEX - RN, and HESI assessments.
- Each question has four (4) options (A, B, C, D).
- Select the single best answer for each question.
- Detailed explanations are provided immediately after each question for learning and
review purposes.
- An Answer Key is provided at the end of this document.
- Primary focus areas: Neurological Assessment, Increased Intracranial Pressure
(ICP), Traumatic Brain Injury , Stroke/CVA, Seizure Disorders, Spinal Cord Injury,
Sensory Disorders (Eye & Ear), Meningitis, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease,
Multiple Sclerosis, and Medication Management.
====================================================
SECTION 1: NEUROLOGICAL ASSESSMENT & CRANIAL NERVE FUNCTION (Questions 1 -
25)
====================================================
----------------------------------------------------
QUESTION 1
----------------------------------------------------
The nurse is performing a neurological assessment on a
client with a brain tumor. Which finding should indicate
to the nurse possible cranial nerve involvement?
,A) Dysphagia
B) Positive Babinski sign
C) Decreased deep tendon reflexes
D) Ataxia
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) can
occur as a result of damage to cranial nerves IX
(glossopharyngeal) or X (vagus).[reference:0] A positive
Babinski sign (B) indicates upper motor neuron damage.
Decreased deep tendon reflexes (C) indicate lower motor
neuron or peripheral nerve damage. Ataxia (D) indicates
cerebellar dysfunction.[reference:1]
----------------------------------------------------
QUESTION 2
----------------------------------------------------
During a neurological assessment, the nurse asks the
client to stand with feet together and eyes open, then
close the eyes. The client begins to fall when the eyes
are closed. The nurse should interpret this as a
positive Romberg test, indicating:
A) Cerebellar dysfunction
B) Vestibular or proprioceptive dysfunction
,C) Cranial nerve III dysfunction
D) Lower motor neuron damage
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A positive Romberg test (loss of balance
when the eyes are closed) indicates impaired
proprioception or vestibular function.[reference:2]
Cerebellar dysfunction (A) would be assessed by tests
of coordination such as finger - to- nose. CN III
dysfunction (C) affects eye movement. Lower motor
neuron damage (D) affects reflexes and muscle tone.
[reference:3]
----------------------------------------------------
QUESTION 3
----------------------------------------------------
The nurse is preparing to test the function of cranial
nerve X (vagus). Which procedure should the nurse use?
A) Ask the client to say "aah" and observe for uvular
deviation
B) Ask the client to identify a familiar object placed
in the hand
C) Ask the client to stand with feet together and eyes
closed
, D) Test the client's ability to shrug the shoulders
against resistance
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: To test cranial nerve X (vagus), the nurse
should ask the client to open the mouth and say "aah,"
observing for symmetrical elevation of the soft palate
and uvula deviation.[reference:4] CN IX (glossopharyngeal)
and X work together for the gag reflex. Asking the
client to identify a familiar object (B) tests
stereognosis. Romberg test (C) tests balance. Shoulder
shrug (D) tests cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory).
[reference:5]
----------------------------------------------------
QUESTION 4
----------------------------------------------------
During a neurological assessment, the nurse asks the
client to name all of their children, their ages, and
birth dates. Which type of memory is the nurse testing?
A) Remote memory
B) Recent memory
C) Immediate memory
D) Procedural memory
====================================================
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATE
- This comprehensive examination covers all core neurosensory concepts tested on
ATI Medical - Surgical Nursing exams, NCLEX - RN, and HESI assessments.
- Each question has four (4) options (A, B, C, D).
- Select the single best answer for each question.
- Detailed explanations are provided immediately after each question for learning and
review purposes.
- An Answer Key is provided at the end of this document.
- Primary focus areas: Neurological Assessment, Increased Intracranial Pressure
(ICP), Traumatic Brain Injury , Stroke/CVA, Seizure Disorders, Spinal Cord Injury,
Sensory Disorders (Eye & Ear), Meningitis, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease,
Multiple Sclerosis, and Medication Management.
====================================================
SECTION 1: NEUROLOGICAL ASSESSMENT & CRANIAL NERVE FUNCTION (Questions 1 -
25)
====================================================
----------------------------------------------------
QUESTION 1
----------------------------------------------------
The nurse is performing a neurological assessment on a
client with a brain tumor. Which finding should indicate
to the nurse possible cranial nerve involvement?
,A) Dysphagia
B) Positive Babinski sign
C) Decreased deep tendon reflexes
D) Ataxia
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) can
occur as a result of damage to cranial nerves IX
(glossopharyngeal) or X (vagus).[reference:0] A positive
Babinski sign (B) indicates upper motor neuron damage.
Decreased deep tendon reflexes (C) indicate lower motor
neuron or peripheral nerve damage. Ataxia (D) indicates
cerebellar dysfunction.[reference:1]
----------------------------------------------------
QUESTION 2
----------------------------------------------------
During a neurological assessment, the nurse asks the
client to stand with feet together and eyes open, then
close the eyes. The client begins to fall when the eyes
are closed. The nurse should interpret this as a
positive Romberg test, indicating:
A) Cerebellar dysfunction
B) Vestibular or proprioceptive dysfunction
,C) Cranial nerve III dysfunction
D) Lower motor neuron damage
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A positive Romberg test (loss of balance
when the eyes are closed) indicates impaired
proprioception or vestibular function.[reference:2]
Cerebellar dysfunction (A) would be assessed by tests
of coordination such as finger - to- nose. CN III
dysfunction (C) affects eye movement. Lower motor
neuron damage (D) affects reflexes and muscle tone.
[reference:3]
----------------------------------------------------
QUESTION 3
----------------------------------------------------
The nurse is preparing to test the function of cranial
nerve X (vagus). Which procedure should the nurse use?
A) Ask the client to say "aah" and observe for uvular
deviation
B) Ask the client to identify a familiar object placed
in the hand
C) Ask the client to stand with feet together and eyes
closed
, D) Test the client's ability to shrug the shoulders
against resistance
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: To test cranial nerve X (vagus), the nurse
should ask the client to open the mouth and say "aah,"
observing for symmetrical elevation of the soft palate
and uvula deviation.[reference:4] CN IX (glossopharyngeal)
and X work together for the gag reflex. Asking the
client to identify a familiar object (B) tests
stereognosis. Romberg test (C) tests balance. Shoulder
shrug (D) tests cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory).
[reference:5]
----------------------------------------------------
QUESTION 4
----------------------------------------------------
During a neurological assessment, the nurse asks the
client to name all of their children, their ages, and
birth dates. Which type of memory is the nurse testing?
A) Remote memory
B) Recent memory
C) Immediate memory
D) Procedural memory
