Kaplan NCLEX Nervous System –
Batch 1 (Questions 1–10)
Question 1
A patient with a head injury has a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
score of 7. Which is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Place patient in side-lying position
B. Assess pupillary reaction
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D. Administer analgesics
Answer: C
Rationale: GCS ≤ 8 indicates severe brain injury; rapid provider
notification is critical to prevent deterioration.
Question 2
A patient with Parkinson’s disease is prescribed levodopa-
carbidopa. Which teaching point is essential?
A. Take with high-protein meals
B. Rise slowly from sitting or lying positions
C. Stop medication once tremors improve
D. Avoid all dairy products
Answer: B
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is common; rising slowly
reduces fall risk.
Question 3
Which early sign indicates increasing intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. Bradycardia and widened pulse pressure
B. Restlessness and confusion
,C. Fixed, dilated pupils
D. Vomiting
Answer: B
Rationale: Mental status changes, such as confusion or
restlessness, are early signs; vital sign changes occur later.
Question 4
A patient with a history of stroke develops right-sided facial droop
and slurred speech. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer aspirin
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C. Position supine
D. Obtain an MRI
Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid intervention is critical; early recognition and
treatment improve outcomes.
Question 5
A patient with multiple sclerosis complains of fatigue and
numbness. Which nursing action is appropriate?
A. Encourage heavy exercise
B. Assess for triggers and implement energy conservation
C. Increase fluid intake to reduce fatigue
D. Administer high-dose steroids independently
Answer: B
Rationale: Energy conservation helps prevent symptom
exacerbation; triggers like stress and heat should be minimized.
Question 6
Which cranial nerve is tested by asking a patient to shrug their
shoulders against resistance?
A. CN III
, B. CN V
C. CN XI
D. CN VII
Answer: C
Rationale: CN XI (spinal accessory) controls the trapezius and
sternocleidomastoid muscles.
Question 7
A patient with a tonic-clonic seizure is in the postictal phase. What
is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Assess airway and oxygen saturation
C. Insert an oral airway immediately
D. Document the seizure only
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway and oxygenation are top priorities post-
seizure; suctioning may be required if secretions accumulate.
Question 8
A patient with bacterial meningitis develops a fever and nuchal
rigidity. Which precaution is most appropriate?
A. Droplet precautions
B. Contact precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions only
Answer: A
Rationale: Meningitis is transmitted via respiratory droplets;
droplet precautions prevent spread.
Question 9 (SATA)
Which interventions help prevent secondary brain injury in a
patient with head trauma?
Batch 1 (Questions 1–10)
Question 1
A patient with a head injury has a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
score of 7. Which is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Place patient in side-lying position
B. Assess pupillary reaction
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D. Administer analgesics
Answer: C
Rationale: GCS ≤ 8 indicates severe brain injury; rapid provider
notification is critical to prevent deterioration.
Question 2
A patient with Parkinson’s disease is prescribed levodopa-
carbidopa. Which teaching point is essential?
A. Take with high-protein meals
B. Rise slowly from sitting or lying positions
C. Stop medication once tremors improve
D. Avoid all dairy products
Answer: B
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is common; rising slowly
reduces fall risk.
Question 3
Which early sign indicates increasing intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. Bradycardia and widened pulse pressure
B. Restlessness and confusion
,C. Fixed, dilated pupils
D. Vomiting
Answer: B
Rationale: Mental status changes, such as confusion or
restlessness, are early signs; vital sign changes occur later.
Question 4
A patient with a history of stroke develops right-sided facial droop
and slurred speech. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer aspirin
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C. Position supine
D. Obtain an MRI
Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid intervention is critical; early recognition and
treatment improve outcomes.
Question 5
A patient with multiple sclerosis complains of fatigue and
numbness. Which nursing action is appropriate?
A. Encourage heavy exercise
B. Assess for triggers and implement energy conservation
C. Increase fluid intake to reduce fatigue
D. Administer high-dose steroids independently
Answer: B
Rationale: Energy conservation helps prevent symptom
exacerbation; triggers like stress and heat should be minimized.
Question 6
Which cranial nerve is tested by asking a patient to shrug their
shoulders against resistance?
A. CN III
, B. CN V
C. CN XI
D. CN VII
Answer: C
Rationale: CN XI (spinal accessory) controls the trapezius and
sternocleidomastoid muscles.
Question 7
A patient with a tonic-clonic seizure is in the postictal phase. What
is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Assess airway and oxygen saturation
C. Insert an oral airway immediately
D. Document the seizure only
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway and oxygenation are top priorities post-
seizure; suctioning may be required if secretions accumulate.
Question 8
A patient with bacterial meningitis develops a fever and nuchal
rigidity. Which precaution is most appropriate?
A. Droplet precautions
B. Contact precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions only
Answer: A
Rationale: Meningitis is transmitted via respiratory droplets;
droplet precautions prevent spread.
Question 9 (SATA)
Which interventions help prevent secondary brain injury in a
patient with head trauma?
