NCLEXRN Pediatric Neurology Practice
Exam 100 Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026
1. A nurse is assessing a child with increased intracranial pressure (ICP).
Which finding is most concerning?
A. Irritability
B. Headache
C. Decreased level of consciousness
D. Vomiting
Answer: Decreased level of consciousness
Rationale: A decreasing level of consciousness is a late and serious sign of
increased ICP and may indicate worsening cerebral dysfunction.
2. Which assessment finding is commonly associated with increased
intracranial pressure in an infant?
A. Bulging fontanelle
B. Sunken fontanelle
C. Increased bowel sounds
D. Bradycardia only
Answer: Bulging fontanelle
Rationale: An open fontanelle allows increased intracranial pressure to
manifest as a tense or bulging fontanelle.
3. A child with hydrocephalus has a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. Which
finding requires immediate attention?
,A. Mild headache after activity
B. Increased appetite
C. Vomiting with decreased responsiveness
D. Sleeping after a meal
Answer: Vomiting with decreased responsiveness
Rationale: Vomiting combined with altered consciousness may indicate shunt
malfunction and recurrent increased ICP.
4. Which position is generally appropriate for a child with increased ICP?
A. Flat with the neck flexed
B. Head elevated approximately 30 degrees with the neck midline
C. Trendelenburg position
D. Prone with the head turned sharply
Answer: Head elevated approximately 30 degrees with the neck midline
Rationale: Head elevation and a neutral neck position promote venous
drainage and can help reduce ICP.
5. A child is admitted after a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. What is the
nurse's priority?
A. Obtain a detailed dietary history
B. Maintain airway and ensure safety
C. Give oral fluids
D. Restrain the child's extremities
Answer: Maintain airway and ensure safety
Rationale: During and immediately after a seizure, airway protection,
oxygenation, and prevention of injury are priorities.
6. Which action should the nurse take during an active seizure?
A. Insert a tongue blade
B. Restrain the child's arms
C. Turn the child to the side
D. Give oral medication
Answer: Turn the child to the side
, Rationale: Side positioning helps maintain airway patency and allows
secretions to drain, reducing aspiration risk.
7. Which finding is characteristic of a generalized tonic-clonic seizure?
A. Sudden loss of muscle tone without jerking
B. Stiffening followed by rhythmic jerking
C. Brief staring without altered awareness
D. Repetitive blinking only
Answer: Stiffening followed by rhythmic jerking
Rationale: A generalized tonic-clonic seizure typically begins with a tonic
phase of muscle stiffening followed by a clonic phase of rhythmic jerking.
8. A child is prescribed levetiracetam for seizure control. Which teaching is
most important?
A. Stop the medication when seizures stop
B. Take the medication consistently as prescribed
C. Double the next dose if one is missed
D. Take it only when an aura occurs
Answer: Take the medication consistently as prescribed
Rationale: Antiseizure medications must be taken consistently to maintain
therapeutic levels and prevent breakthrough seizures.
9. Which finding after a seizure is expected?
A. Temporary confusion
B. Persistent cyanosis
C. Unresponsiveness for several hours
D. Severe respiratory distress
Answer: Temporary confusion
Rationale: A postictal period may include confusion, drowsiness, headache, or
temporary weakness.
10.Which seizure type is characterized by a brief loss of awareness and
staring?
Exam 100 Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026
1. A nurse is assessing a child with increased intracranial pressure (ICP).
Which finding is most concerning?
A. Irritability
B. Headache
C. Decreased level of consciousness
D. Vomiting
Answer: Decreased level of consciousness
Rationale: A decreasing level of consciousness is a late and serious sign of
increased ICP and may indicate worsening cerebral dysfunction.
2. Which assessment finding is commonly associated with increased
intracranial pressure in an infant?
A. Bulging fontanelle
B. Sunken fontanelle
C. Increased bowel sounds
D. Bradycardia only
Answer: Bulging fontanelle
Rationale: An open fontanelle allows increased intracranial pressure to
manifest as a tense or bulging fontanelle.
3. A child with hydrocephalus has a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. Which
finding requires immediate attention?
,A. Mild headache after activity
B. Increased appetite
C. Vomiting with decreased responsiveness
D. Sleeping after a meal
Answer: Vomiting with decreased responsiveness
Rationale: Vomiting combined with altered consciousness may indicate shunt
malfunction and recurrent increased ICP.
4. Which position is generally appropriate for a child with increased ICP?
A. Flat with the neck flexed
B. Head elevated approximately 30 degrees with the neck midline
C. Trendelenburg position
D. Prone with the head turned sharply
Answer: Head elevated approximately 30 degrees with the neck midline
Rationale: Head elevation and a neutral neck position promote venous
drainage and can help reduce ICP.
5. A child is admitted after a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. What is the
nurse's priority?
A. Obtain a detailed dietary history
B. Maintain airway and ensure safety
C. Give oral fluids
D. Restrain the child's extremities
Answer: Maintain airway and ensure safety
Rationale: During and immediately after a seizure, airway protection,
oxygenation, and prevention of injury are priorities.
6. Which action should the nurse take during an active seizure?
A. Insert a tongue blade
B. Restrain the child's arms
C. Turn the child to the side
D. Give oral medication
Answer: Turn the child to the side
, Rationale: Side positioning helps maintain airway patency and allows
secretions to drain, reducing aspiration risk.
7. Which finding is characteristic of a generalized tonic-clonic seizure?
A. Sudden loss of muscle tone without jerking
B. Stiffening followed by rhythmic jerking
C. Brief staring without altered awareness
D. Repetitive blinking only
Answer: Stiffening followed by rhythmic jerking
Rationale: A generalized tonic-clonic seizure typically begins with a tonic
phase of muscle stiffening followed by a clonic phase of rhythmic jerking.
8. A child is prescribed levetiracetam for seizure control. Which teaching is
most important?
A. Stop the medication when seizures stop
B. Take the medication consistently as prescribed
C. Double the next dose if one is missed
D. Take it only when an aura occurs
Answer: Take the medication consistently as prescribed
Rationale: Antiseizure medications must be taken consistently to maintain
therapeutic levels and prevent breakthrough seizures.
9. Which finding after a seizure is expected?
A. Temporary confusion
B. Persistent cyanosis
C. Unresponsiveness for several hours
D. Severe respiratory distress
Answer: Temporary confusion
Rationale: A postictal period may include confusion, drowsiness, headache, or
temporary weakness.
10.Which seizure type is characterized by a brief loss of awareness and
staring?
