ABNNP Advanced Board Certification in
Neuroscience Nursing Actual Questions with
Verified Answers | New 2025/2026 Update |
100% Correct.
1. The neuroscience nurse is assessing a patient with a
suspected stroke. Which finding is most consistent with a left
hemisphere stroke?
A. Left-sided neglect
B. Right-sided hemiparesis and aphasia
C. Impulsivity and poor judgment
D. Left visual field deficit
Answer: B
Rationale: Left hemisphere stroke typically causes right-sided
hemiparesis and aphasia. Left-sided neglect, impulsivity, and
left visual field deficit are associated with right hemisphere
stroke.
,2. A patient with a traumatic brain injury has a Glasgow Coma
Scale score of 6. What does this indicate?
A. Mild injury
B. Moderate injury
C. Severe injury
D. Normal function
Answer: C
Rationale: A GCS of 8 or less indicates severe traumatic brain
injury. Mild is 13 to 15. Moderate is 9 to 12.
3. Which finding is an early sign of increased intracranial
pressure?
A. Decreased level of consciousness
B. Fixed and dilated pupils
C. Cushing's triad
D. Decerebrate posturing
Answer: A
,Rationale: A decreased level of consciousness is the earliest sign
of increased ICP. Fixed pupils, Cushing's triad, and posturing are
later signs.
4. A patient with myasthenia gravis reports difficulty swallowing
and double vision. Which medication should the nurse
anticipate?
A. Pyridostigmine
B. Levodopa
C. Phenytoin
D. Sumatriptan
Answer: A
Rationale: Pyridostigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor used for
myasthenia gravis. Levodopa is for Parkinson's disease.
Phenytoin is for seizures. Sumatriptan is for migraines.
5. Which is a hallmark sign of Parkinson's disease?
A. Resting tremor
B. Intention tremor
C. Hemiparesis
, D. Aphasia
Answer: A
Rationale: Resting tremor is a hallmark of Parkinson's disease.
Intention tremor is associated with cerebellar disorders.
Hemiparesis and aphasia suggest stroke.
6. A patient with a spinal cord injury at T6 suddenly reports a
severe headache and has a blood pressure of 210/110 mm Hg.
What is the priority action?
A. Elevate the head of the bed and check for bladder distention
B. Administer an antihypertensive
C. Perform a rectal exam
D. Encourage fluids
Answer: A
Rationale: This indicates autonomic dysreflexia. Elevating the
head and checking for triggers such as bladder distention is the
priority. Rectal exams can worsen it.
7. Which medication is first-line for status epilepticus?
Neuroscience Nursing Actual Questions with
Verified Answers | New 2025/2026 Update |
100% Correct.
1. The neuroscience nurse is assessing a patient with a
suspected stroke. Which finding is most consistent with a left
hemisphere stroke?
A. Left-sided neglect
B. Right-sided hemiparesis and aphasia
C. Impulsivity and poor judgment
D. Left visual field deficit
Answer: B
Rationale: Left hemisphere stroke typically causes right-sided
hemiparesis and aphasia. Left-sided neglect, impulsivity, and
left visual field deficit are associated with right hemisphere
stroke.
,2. A patient with a traumatic brain injury has a Glasgow Coma
Scale score of 6. What does this indicate?
A. Mild injury
B. Moderate injury
C. Severe injury
D. Normal function
Answer: C
Rationale: A GCS of 8 or less indicates severe traumatic brain
injury. Mild is 13 to 15. Moderate is 9 to 12.
3. Which finding is an early sign of increased intracranial
pressure?
A. Decreased level of consciousness
B. Fixed and dilated pupils
C. Cushing's triad
D. Decerebrate posturing
Answer: A
,Rationale: A decreased level of consciousness is the earliest sign
of increased ICP. Fixed pupils, Cushing's triad, and posturing are
later signs.
4. A patient with myasthenia gravis reports difficulty swallowing
and double vision. Which medication should the nurse
anticipate?
A. Pyridostigmine
B. Levodopa
C. Phenytoin
D. Sumatriptan
Answer: A
Rationale: Pyridostigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor used for
myasthenia gravis. Levodopa is for Parkinson's disease.
Phenytoin is for seizures. Sumatriptan is for migraines.
5. Which is a hallmark sign of Parkinson's disease?
A. Resting tremor
B. Intention tremor
C. Hemiparesis
, D. Aphasia
Answer: A
Rationale: Resting tremor is a hallmark of Parkinson's disease.
Intention tremor is associated with cerebellar disorders.
Hemiparesis and aphasia suggest stroke.
6. A patient with a spinal cord injury at T6 suddenly reports a
severe headache and has a blood pressure of 210/110 mm Hg.
What is the priority action?
A. Elevate the head of the bed and check for bladder distention
B. Administer an antihypertensive
C. Perform a rectal exam
D. Encourage fluids
Answer: A
Rationale: This indicates autonomic dysreflexia. Elevating the
head and checking for triggers such as bladder distention is the
priority. Rectal exams can worsen it.
7. Which medication is first-line for status epilepticus?
