NUR 3250 Med-Surg Exam 3 question and answers.pdf

NUR 3250 Med-Surg Exam 3 Review – Kahoot |
99 Questions, Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Neuro & Sensory | 2026/2027
Updated | Galen College




NUR 3250 Med-Surg Exam 3 Review – Kahoot-Style Practice Exam
Neuro & Sensory | 130 Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales
Galen College of Nursing | 2026/2027 Updated
SECTION 1: NEUROLOGIC ASSESSMENT & CRANIAL NERVES (Questions 1–20)
1. A nurse is assessing a client's cranial nerves. The client is unable to smell
coffee. Which cranial nerve is affected?
A. CN I
B. CN II
C. CN V
D. CN VII
Correct Answer: A. CN I (Olfactory). Rationale: The olfactory nerve (CN I) is
responsible for the sense of smell. Testing involves asking the client to identify
familiar odors with each nostril occluded. Anosmia (loss of smell) indicates CN I
dysfunction.


2. A client presents with a dilated pupil and ptosis (drooping eyelid). Which
cranial nerve is most likely dysfunctional?

,A. CN II
B. CN III
C. CN IV
D. CN VI
Correct Answer: B. CN III (Oculomotor). Rationale: CN III controls pupil
constriction, eyelid elevation (via levator palpebrae), and most extraocular
movements. A dilated pupil with ptosis is a classic sign of CN III dysfunction, which
can indicate increased intracranial pressure (ICP) or uncal herniation.


3. During a neurologic assessment, the nurse asks the client to smile, frown, and
puff out their cheeks. Which cranial nerve is being tested?
A. CN V
B. CN VII
C. CN IX
D. CN X
Correct Answer: B. CN VII (Facial). Rationale: CN VII controls facial expression,
including smiling, frowning, and puffing cheeks. It also controls taste on the
anterior two-thirds of the tongue and tear production. Facial asymmetry may
indicate Bell's palsy or stroke.


4. A client reports hearing loss in the right ear. Which cranial nerve should the
nurse suspect is affected?
A. CN V
B. CN VII
C. CN VIII
D. CN IX
Correct Answer: C. CN VIII (Vestibulocochlear). Rationale: CN VIII is responsible
for hearing (cochlear branch) and balance (vestibular branch). Hearing loss,
tinnitus, and vertigo are signs of CN VIII dysfunction. Testing includes whisper test
and Weber/Rinne tests.

,5. The nurse asks a client to stick out their tongue and move it side to side.
Which cranial nerve is being assessed?
A. CN IX
B. CN X
C. CN XI
D. CN XII
Correct Answer: D. CN XII (Hypoglossal). Rationale: CN XII controls tongue
movement. The nurse assesses by asking the client to protrude the tongue and
move it side to side. Deviation to one side indicates weakness or dysfunction on
that side.


6. A client is unable to shrug their shoulders against resistance. Which cranial
nerve is dysfunctional?
A. CN X
B. CN XI
C. CN XII
D. CN IX
Correct Answer: B. CN XI (Spinal Accessory). Rationale: CN XI innervates the
sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles, which are responsible for shoulder
shrugging and head rotation. Inability to shrug shoulders indicates CN XI
dysfunction.


7. During assessment of CN IX (Glossopharyngeal), the nurse should test:
A. Visual acuity
B. Gag reflex and taste on posterior tongue
C. Pupil constriction
D. Shoulder strength

, Correct Answer: B. Gag reflex and taste on posterior tongue. Rationale: CN IX
(Glossopharyngeal) is responsible for the gag reflex (sensory component), taste on
the posterior one-third of the tongue, and swallowing. Testing involves stimulating
the posterior pharynx to elicit the gag reflex.


8. A client has a positive Babinski sign. The nurse interprets this as:
A. Normal in adults
B. Dorsiflexion of the big toe and fanning of other toes
C. Plantar flexion of the big toe
D. Absence of a gag reflex
Correct Answer: B. Dorsiflexion of the big toe and fanning of other toes.
Rationale: A positive Babinski sign involves dorsiflexion of the big toe and fanning
of the other toes when the lateral side of the foot is stroked. This is abnormal in
adults and indicates upper motor neuron dysfunction (e.g., stroke, spinal cord
injury). It is normal in infants under 2 years.


9. The nurse is assessing a client's level of consciousness using the Glasgow
Coma Scale (GCS). The client opens eyes to painful stimulus, makes
incomprehensible sounds, and withdraws from pain. What is the GCS score?
A. 6
B. 7
C. 8
D. 9
Correct Answer: C. 8. Rationale: GCS scoring: Eye opening to pain = 2, Verbal
incomprehensible sounds = 2, Motor withdrawal from pain = 4. Total = 2 + 2 + 4 =
8. A GCS of 8 or less typically indicates the need for airway protection (intubation).


10. Which assessment finding indicates increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in
an adult client?