NCLEX Specialty Topics Review Questions –
Latest Update 2026 | Exam Prep | Graded A+
The nurse is performing a neurological assessment on an adult client suspected of
having a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Which signs/symptoms would indicate to the nurse
that the client's ICP is increasing.
1. Projectile vomiting
2. Narrowing pulse pressure
3. Delay in verbal response
4. DTR: left 2+/4+, right 2+/4+
5. (-) Babinski
6. Glasgow Coma Scale Score 13 - correct answer1,3
Which intervention would the nurse include when planning care for a client who has
increased intracranial pressure (IICP)?
Select All That Apply
1. Place client supine.
2. Hyperextend head to maintain airway.
3. Maintain body temperature below 100.4 F (38 C).
4. Cluster nursing care.
5. Monitor vital signs for Cushing's Triad.
6. Limit suctioning. - correct answer3,5,6
The goal of treatment is to relieve the IICP by reducing cerebral edema, reducing the
amount of cerebrospinal fluid, or reducing the blood volume in the brain, We also have
to maintain cerebral perfusion.
Which signs/symptoms would lead the clinic nurse to suspect that a client may have
bacterial meningitis?
Select All That Apply
1. Nuchal rigidity
2. Photophobia
3. (+) Kernig
4. (-) Brudzinski
5. Fever 102.8 F (39.3 C)
6. Reports headache 9/10 - correct answer1,2,3,5,6
Signs and Symptoms of meningitis include nuchal rigidity, photophobia, a positive
Kernig sign, chills and high fever, and severe headache.
, A client is admitted with a diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Which action should the
nurse initiate first?
Choose One
1. Darken room.
2. Provide sponge bath for fever of 102 F (38.8 C).
3. Pad side rails.
4. Place on Droplet precautions - correct answer4
Bacterial meningitis is transmitted through the respiratory system. According to the
Center of Disease Control (CDC), clients with bacterial meningitis should be placed on
"Droplet Precautions".
What assessment finding by the nurse would support a client diagnosis of basilar skull
fracture?
Select All That Apply
1. (+) Halo test
2. Hyper-reflexia
3. Raccoon eyes
4. Battle's sign
5. Kernig sign - correct answer1,3,4
Basilar skull fractures are the most serious fracture. You see bleeding where? Eyes,
ears, nose, and throat. So, you will see cerebrospinal rhinorrhea with a (+) Halo test. If
you have a bloody spot on the sheet, or wherever, when CSF is present, it will settle out
and form a ring or halo around the blood spot. Raccoon eyes, is perioribital bruising
which is seen with a basilar skull fracture. Battle's sign or bruising over the mastoid is
also indicative of a skull fracture.
A client, with a T5 injury, has not had a bowel movement in three days. Today, the client
reports a headache rated 10/10. The nurse takes the client's vital signs: BP 180/110,
HR 52, RR 20. What action by the nurse takes priority?
Choose One
1. Administer hydralazine 20 mg IV.
2. Elevate head of bed 45 degrees.
3. Remove impaction with topical anesthetic.
4. Close air vents in the room. - correct answer2
These signs/symptoms should lead the nurse to realize that the client is experiencing
autonomic dysreflexia. The priority is to lower the blood pressure by raising the head of
the bed to a semi-fowler's position.
The nurse is performing a neurological assesment on a client who reports frequent
headaches. What question(s) should the nurse ask during this assessment?
Latest Update 2026 | Exam Prep | Graded A+
The nurse is performing a neurological assessment on an adult client suspected of
having a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Which signs/symptoms would indicate to the nurse
that the client's ICP is increasing.
1. Projectile vomiting
2. Narrowing pulse pressure
3. Delay in verbal response
4. DTR: left 2+/4+, right 2+/4+
5. (-) Babinski
6. Glasgow Coma Scale Score 13 - correct answer1,3
Which intervention would the nurse include when planning care for a client who has
increased intracranial pressure (IICP)?
Select All That Apply
1. Place client supine.
2. Hyperextend head to maintain airway.
3. Maintain body temperature below 100.4 F (38 C).
4. Cluster nursing care.
5. Monitor vital signs for Cushing's Triad.
6. Limit suctioning. - correct answer3,5,6
The goal of treatment is to relieve the IICP by reducing cerebral edema, reducing the
amount of cerebrospinal fluid, or reducing the blood volume in the brain, We also have
to maintain cerebral perfusion.
Which signs/symptoms would lead the clinic nurse to suspect that a client may have
bacterial meningitis?
Select All That Apply
1. Nuchal rigidity
2. Photophobia
3. (+) Kernig
4. (-) Brudzinski
5. Fever 102.8 F (39.3 C)
6. Reports headache 9/10 - correct answer1,2,3,5,6
Signs and Symptoms of meningitis include nuchal rigidity, photophobia, a positive
Kernig sign, chills and high fever, and severe headache.
, A client is admitted with a diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Which action should the
nurse initiate first?
Choose One
1. Darken room.
2. Provide sponge bath for fever of 102 F (38.8 C).
3. Pad side rails.
4. Place on Droplet precautions - correct answer4
Bacterial meningitis is transmitted through the respiratory system. According to the
Center of Disease Control (CDC), clients with bacterial meningitis should be placed on
"Droplet Precautions".
What assessment finding by the nurse would support a client diagnosis of basilar skull
fracture?
Select All That Apply
1. (+) Halo test
2. Hyper-reflexia
3. Raccoon eyes
4. Battle's sign
5. Kernig sign - correct answer1,3,4
Basilar skull fractures are the most serious fracture. You see bleeding where? Eyes,
ears, nose, and throat. So, you will see cerebrospinal rhinorrhea with a (+) Halo test. If
you have a bloody spot on the sheet, or wherever, when CSF is present, it will settle out
and form a ring or halo around the blood spot. Raccoon eyes, is perioribital bruising
which is seen with a basilar skull fracture. Battle's sign or bruising over the mastoid is
also indicative of a skull fracture.
A client, with a T5 injury, has not had a bowel movement in three days. Today, the client
reports a headache rated 10/10. The nurse takes the client's vital signs: BP 180/110,
HR 52, RR 20. What action by the nurse takes priority?
Choose One
1. Administer hydralazine 20 mg IV.
2. Elevate head of bed 45 degrees.
3. Remove impaction with topical anesthetic.
4. Close air vents in the room. - correct answer2
These signs/symptoms should lead the nurse to realize that the client is experiencing
autonomic dysreflexia. The priority is to lower the blood pressure by raising the head of
the bed to a semi-fowler's position.
The nurse is performing a neurological assesment on a client who reports frequent
headaches. What question(s) should the nurse ask during this assessment?
