NUR 137 REHABILITATION NURSING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
- Foundations of Rehabilitation Nursing
- Functional Assessment and Mobility
- Neurogenic Bladder and Bowel Management
- Skin Integrity and Pressure Injury Prevention
- Psychosocial Adaptation and Patient Education
- Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Standards
- Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration
- Community Reintegration and Discharge Planning
- Chronic Disease Management in Rehabilitation
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess essential knowledge and clinical reasoning skills required for
proficient rehabilitation nursing practice. The exam evaluates foundational theory, applied professional judgment,
regulatory compliance, ethics, and real-world decision-making in rehabilitation settings. Each multiple-choice
question is paired with a scenario or direct knowledge application to mirror actual patient care situations.
Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary collaboration, patient advocacy, functional outcomes, and safe, evidence-
based interventions. Correct answers are verified and accompanied by rationales to reinforce learning. This
assessment supports exam readiness and clinical competency for rehabilitation nursing practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
,Question 1
A rehabilitation nurse is caring for a patient with an incomplete spinal cord injury at T5. The patient suddenly
reports a severe pounding headache, nasal congestion, and flushed skin above the level of injury. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Administer prescribed antihypertensive medication
B. Elevate the head of the bed to 90 degrees
C. Check the urinary catheter for kinks or obstruction
D. Apply a cold cloth to the patient’s forehead
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: The patient is exhibiting signs of autonomic dysreflexia, a medical emergency. Raising the head
of the bed reduces blood pressure and intracranial pressure. Checking the catheter (option C) is essential but
not the first action; position change is priority.
Question 2
Which functional independence measure (FIM) score indicates that a patient requires total assistance with
bathing?
A. 1
B. 3
C. 5
D. 7
🟢A
,🔴 RATIONALE: FIM scoring ranges from 1 (total dependence) to 7 (complete independence). A score of 1
means the patient performs less than 25% of the task or requires full physical assistance.
Question 3
A patient with a right hemisphere stroke presents with left-sided neglect. Which nursing intervention best
addresses this deficit during meals?
A. Place all food on the right side of the tray
B. Stand on the patient’s left side and cue them to scan left
C. Feed the patient to ensure adequate nutrition
D. Use a plate guard and built-up utensils only
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Standing on the affected side and providing verbal cues encourages scanning and attention to
the neglected side. Simply placing food on the right (A) reinforces neglect.
Question 4
Which statement by a patient with a new C6 spinal cord injury indicates accurate understanding of autonomic
dysreflexia triggers?
A. “I should avoid drinking cold liquids to prevent this condition.”
B. “Only full bladder situations cause this problem.”
C. “A tight shoe or wrinkled sock could trigger a dangerous rise in my blood pressure.”
D. “This condition only happens during the first month after my injury.”
🟢C
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Any noxious stimulus below the level of injury, including tight clothing or pressure, can trigger
autonomic dysreflexia. Options A, B, and D are incorrect or incomplete.
Question 5
A rehabilitation nurse is teaching a patient with multiple sclerosis about energy conservation techniques. Which
approach is most appropriate?
A. Perform all heavy tasks in the morning when fatigue is less
B. Plan rest periods before and after high-energy activities
C. Avoid using assistive devices to maintain muscle strength
D. Exercise vigorously for 30 minutes daily to build endurance
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Planned rest periods prevent fatigue crashes. Morning exertion (A) may still cause fatigue;
avoiding devices (C) increases energy expenditure; vigorous exercise (D) may worsen fatigue in MS.
Question 6
Which ethical principle is primarily violated when a rehabilitation nurse fails to respect a patient’s refusal of
physical therapy?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Autonomy
D. Justice
🟢C
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
- Foundations of Rehabilitation Nursing
- Functional Assessment and Mobility
- Neurogenic Bladder and Bowel Management
- Skin Integrity and Pressure Injury Prevention
- Psychosocial Adaptation and Patient Education
- Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Standards
- Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration
- Community Reintegration and Discharge Planning
- Chronic Disease Management in Rehabilitation
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess essential knowledge and clinical reasoning skills required for
proficient rehabilitation nursing practice. The exam evaluates foundational theory, applied professional judgment,
regulatory compliance, ethics, and real-world decision-making in rehabilitation settings. Each multiple-choice
question is paired with a scenario or direct knowledge application to mirror actual patient care situations.
Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary collaboration, patient advocacy, functional outcomes, and safe, evidence-
based interventions. Correct answers are verified and accompanied by rationales to reinforce learning. This
assessment supports exam readiness and clinical competency for rehabilitation nursing practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
,Question 1
A rehabilitation nurse is caring for a patient with an incomplete spinal cord injury at T5. The patient suddenly
reports a severe pounding headache, nasal congestion, and flushed skin above the level of injury. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Administer prescribed antihypertensive medication
B. Elevate the head of the bed to 90 degrees
C. Check the urinary catheter for kinks or obstruction
D. Apply a cold cloth to the patient’s forehead
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: The patient is exhibiting signs of autonomic dysreflexia, a medical emergency. Raising the head
of the bed reduces blood pressure and intracranial pressure. Checking the catheter (option C) is essential but
not the first action; position change is priority.
Question 2
Which functional independence measure (FIM) score indicates that a patient requires total assistance with
bathing?
A. 1
B. 3
C. 5
D. 7
🟢A
,🔴 RATIONALE: FIM scoring ranges from 1 (total dependence) to 7 (complete independence). A score of 1
means the patient performs less than 25% of the task or requires full physical assistance.
Question 3
A patient with a right hemisphere stroke presents with left-sided neglect. Which nursing intervention best
addresses this deficit during meals?
A. Place all food on the right side of the tray
B. Stand on the patient’s left side and cue them to scan left
C. Feed the patient to ensure adequate nutrition
D. Use a plate guard and built-up utensils only
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Standing on the affected side and providing verbal cues encourages scanning and attention to
the neglected side. Simply placing food on the right (A) reinforces neglect.
Question 4
Which statement by a patient with a new C6 spinal cord injury indicates accurate understanding of autonomic
dysreflexia triggers?
A. “I should avoid drinking cold liquids to prevent this condition.”
B. “Only full bladder situations cause this problem.”
C. “A tight shoe or wrinkled sock could trigger a dangerous rise in my blood pressure.”
D. “This condition only happens during the first month after my injury.”
🟢C
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Any noxious stimulus below the level of injury, including tight clothing or pressure, can trigger
autonomic dysreflexia. Options A, B, and D are incorrect or incomplete.
Question 5
A rehabilitation nurse is teaching a patient with multiple sclerosis about energy conservation techniques. Which
approach is most appropriate?
A. Perform all heavy tasks in the morning when fatigue is less
B. Plan rest periods before and after high-energy activities
C. Avoid using assistive devices to maintain muscle strength
D. Exercise vigorously for 30 minutes daily to build endurance
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Planned rest periods prevent fatigue crashes. Morning exertion (A) may still cause fatigue;
avoiding devices (C) increases energy expenditure; vigorous exercise (D) may worsen fatigue in MS.
Question 6
Which ethical principle is primarily violated when a rehabilitation nurse fails to respect a patient’s refusal of
physical therapy?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Autonomy
D. Justice
🟢C
