Page 1 of 89
ATI NEUROSENSORY SYSTEM FINAL EXAM LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
ATI NEUROSENSORY SYSTEM: 250 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
SECTION 1: NEUROLOGICAL ASSESSMENT & CRANIAL NERVE FUNCTION
(Questions 1-30)
1. The nurse is performing a neurological assessment on a client with a brain tumor.
Which finding should indicate to the nurse possible cranial nerve involvement?
A) Dysphagia
B) Positive Babinski sign
C) Decreased deep tendon reflexes
D) Ataxia
Rationale: Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) can occur as a result of damage to cranial
nerves IX (glossopharyngeal) or X (vagus) . A positive Babinski sign (B) indicates upper
motor neuron damage. Decreased deep tendon reflexes (C) indicate lower motor
neuron or peripheral nerve damage. Ataxia (D) indicates cerebellar dysfunction.
2. During a neurological assessment, the nurse asks the client to stand with feet
together and eyes open, then close the eyes. The client begins to fall when the eyes
are closed. The nurse should interpret this as a positive Romberg test, indicating:
A) Cerebellar dysfunction
B) Vestibular or proprioceptive dysfunction
C) Cranial nerve III dysfunction
D) Lower motor neuron damage
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Rationale: A positive Romberg test (loss of balance when the eyes are closed) indicates
impaired proprioception or vestibular function. Cerebellar dysfunction (A) would be
assessed by tests of coordination such as finger-to-nose. CN III dysfunction (C) affects
eye movement. Lower motor neuron damage (D) affects reflexes and muscle tone .
3. The nurse is preparing to test the function of cranial nerve X (vagus). Which
procedure should the nurse use?
A) Ask the client to say "aah" and observe for uvular deviation
B) Ask the client to identify a familiar object placed in the hand
C) Ask the client to stand with feet together and eyes closed
D) Test the client's ability to shrug the shoulders against resistance
Rationale: To test cranial nerve X (vagus), the nurse should ask the client to open the
mouth and say "aah," observing for symmetrical elevation of the soft palate and uvula
deviation. Cranial nerve XII (hypoglossal) is also assessed with this technique. CN IX
(glossopharyngeal) and X work together for the gag reflex. Asking the client to identify a
familiar object (B) tests stereognosis. Romberg test (C) tests balance. Shoulder shrug
(D) tests cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory) .
4. During a neurological assessment, the nurse asks the client to name all of their
children, their ages, and birth dates. Which type of memory is the nurse testing?
A) Remote memory
B) Recent memory
C) Immediate memory
D) Procedural memory
Rationale: Asking the client to name children and their birth dates tests remote (long-
term) memory. Asking about yesterday's meals or current events tests recent memory
(B). Asking the client to repeat a series of numbers tests immediate memory (C).
Procedural memory (D) involves motor skills and habits .
5. The nurse is assessing a client who has receptive aphasia following a stroke.
Which communication problem should the nurse expect when assessing this
client?
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A) The client is unable to understand words or sentences heard
B) The client understands speech but cannot formulate words
C) The client has difficulty with both comprehension and expression
D) The client speaks fluently but the words are nonsensical
Rationale: Receptive (Wernicke's) aphasia is characterized by difficulty understanding
spoken or written language. The client cannot comprehend words or sentences they
hear. Expressive aphasia (B) is difficulty speaking but preserved comprehension. Global
aphasia (C) affects both. Fluent but nonsensical speech (D) describes receptive
aphasia as well, but the key feature is impaired comprehension .
6. The nurse is assessing a client who sustained a recent head injury. Which finding
should the nurse recognize as a manifestation of increased intracranial pressure?
A) Widened pulse pressure
B) Tachycardia
C) Periorbital edema
D) Decreased urine output
Rationale: Widened pulse pressure is a component of Cushing's triad (hypertension,
bradycardia, widened pulse pressure) indicating increased intracranial pressure.
Tachycardia (B) is not seen with increased ICP; bradycardia is characteristic. Periorbital
edema (C) is seen with basilar skull fractures or renal conditions. Decreased urine
output (D) may indicate shock or renal issues .
7. The nurse is evaluating a client's sensory function. To evaluate stereognosis,
which action should the nurse take?
A) Ask the client to close the eyes and identify a familiar object placed in the hand
B) Ask the client to identify a number traced on the palm of the hand
C) Ask the client to identify the vibration of a tuning fork
D) Ask the client to identify the smell of a familiar scent
Rationale: Stereognosis is the ability to identify an object by touch alone. The nurse
should ask the client to close the eyes and identify a familiar object (e.g., key, coin)
placed in the hand. Tracing a number on the palm (B) tests graphesthesia. Tuning fork
testing (C) tests vibration sense. Smell (D) tests cranial nerve I (olfactory) .
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8. The nurse is caring for a client who has a brainstem injury. Which physiological
function should the nurse monitor most closely?
A) Respiratory effort
B) Speech ability
C) Voluntary motor movement
D) Sensory perception
Rationale: The brainstem contains the respiratory centers (medulla oblongata) and is
responsible for controlling respiration. A brainstem injury places the client at risk for
respiratory failure and requires close monitoring of respiratory effort. Speech ability (B)
involves cortical areas. Voluntary motor movement (C) involves the motor cortex.
Sensory perception (D) involves sensory pathways .
9. The nurse is preparing to test cranial nerve V (trigeminal). Which action should
the nurse take?
A) Test facial sensation with a cotton ball and have the client clench the jaw
B) Ask the client to follow a finger with the eyes in all directions
C) Test the client's ability to smell a familiar scent
D) Observe for facial symmetry when the client smiles
Rationale: Cranial nerve V (trigeminal) has both sensory (facial sensation) and motor
(muscles of mastication) components. The nurse should test facial sensation using a
cotton ball or sharp/dull stimuli and have the client clench the jaw to assess muscle
strength. Following a finger with eyes (B) tests CN III, IV, and VI. Smell (C) tests CN I.
Facial symmetry (D) tests CN VII (facial) .
10. The nurse asks a client how they arrived at the appointment and with whom.
Which type of memory is the nurse testing?
A) Remote memory
B) Recent memory
C) Immediate memory
D) Episodic memory
ATI NEUROSENSORY SYSTEM FINAL EXAM LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
ATI NEUROSENSORY SYSTEM: 250 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
SECTION 1: NEUROLOGICAL ASSESSMENT & CRANIAL NERVE FUNCTION
(Questions 1-30)
1. The nurse is performing a neurological assessment on a client with a brain tumor.
Which finding should indicate to the nurse possible cranial nerve involvement?
A) Dysphagia
B) Positive Babinski sign
C) Decreased deep tendon reflexes
D) Ataxia
Rationale: Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) can occur as a result of damage to cranial
nerves IX (glossopharyngeal) or X (vagus) . A positive Babinski sign (B) indicates upper
motor neuron damage. Decreased deep tendon reflexes (C) indicate lower motor
neuron or peripheral nerve damage. Ataxia (D) indicates cerebellar dysfunction.
2. During a neurological assessment, the nurse asks the client to stand with feet
together and eyes open, then close the eyes. The client begins to fall when the eyes
are closed. The nurse should interpret this as a positive Romberg test, indicating:
A) Cerebellar dysfunction
B) Vestibular or proprioceptive dysfunction
C) Cranial nerve III dysfunction
D) Lower motor neuron damage
, Page 2 of 89
Rationale: A positive Romberg test (loss of balance when the eyes are closed) indicates
impaired proprioception or vestibular function. Cerebellar dysfunction (A) would be
assessed by tests of coordination such as finger-to-nose. CN III dysfunction (C) affects
eye movement. Lower motor neuron damage (D) affects reflexes and muscle tone .
3. The nurse is preparing to test the function of cranial nerve X (vagus). Which
procedure should the nurse use?
A) Ask the client to say "aah" and observe for uvular deviation
B) Ask the client to identify a familiar object placed in the hand
C) Ask the client to stand with feet together and eyes closed
D) Test the client's ability to shrug the shoulders against resistance
Rationale: To test cranial nerve X (vagus), the nurse should ask the client to open the
mouth and say "aah," observing for symmetrical elevation of the soft palate and uvula
deviation. Cranial nerve XII (hypoglossal) is also assessed with this technique. CN IX
(glossopharyngeal) and X work together for the gag reflex. Asking the client to identify a
familiar object (B) tests stereognosis. Romberg test (C) tests balance. Shoulder shrug
(D) tests cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory) .
4. During a neurological assessment, the nurse asks the client to name all of their
children, their ages, and birth dates. Which type of memory is the nurse testing?
A) Remote memory
B) Recent memory
C) Immediate memory
D) Procedural memory
Rationale: Asking the client to name children and their birth dates tests remote (long-
term) memory. Asking about yesterday's meals or current events tests recent memory
(B). Asking the client to repeat a series of numbers tests immediate memory (C).
Procedural memory (D) involves motor skills and habits .
5. The nurse is assessing a client who has receptive aphasia following a stroke.
Which communication problem should the nurse expect when assessing this
client?
, Page 3 of 89
A) The client is unable to understand words or sentences heard
B) The client understands speech but cannot formulate words
C) The client has difficulty with both comprehension and expression
D) The client speaks fluently but the words are nonsensical
Rationale: Receptive (Wernicke's) aphasia is characterized by difficulty understanding
spoken or written language. The client cannot comprehend words or sentences they
hear. Expressive aphasia (B) is difficulty speaking but preserved comprehension. Global
aphasia (C) affects both. Fluent but nonsensical speech (D) describes receptive
aphasia as well, but the key feature is impaired comprehension .
6. The nurse is assessing a client who sustained a recent head injury. Which finding
should the nurse recognize as a manifestation of increased intracranial pressure?
A) Widened pulse pressure
B) Tachycardia
C) Periorbital edema
D) Decreased urine output
Rationale: Widened pulse pressure is a component of Cushing's triad (hypertension,
bradycardia, widened pulse pressure) indicating increased intracranial pressure.
Tachycardia (B) is not seen with increased ICP; bradycardia is characteristic. Periorbital
edema (C) is seen with basilar skull fractures or renal conditions. Decreased urine
output (D) may indicate shock or renal issues .
7. The nurse is evaluating a client's sensory function. To evaluate stereognosis,
which action should the nurse take?
A) Ask the client to close the eyes and identify a familiar object placed in the hand
B) Ask the client to identify a number traced on the palm of the hand
C) Ask the client to identify the vibration of a tuning fork
D) Ask the client to identify the smell of a familiar scent
Rationale: Stereognosis is the ability to identify an object by touch alone. The nurse
should ask the client to close the eyes and identify a familiar object (e.g., key, coin)
placed in the hand. Tracing a number on the palm (B) tests graphesthesia. Tuning fork
testing (C) tests vibration sense. Smell (D) tests cranial nerve I (olfactory) .
, Page 4 of 89
8. The nurse is caring for a client who has a brainstem injury. Which physiological
function should the nurse monitor most closely?
A) Respiratory effort
B) Speech ability
C) Voluntary motor movement
D) Sensory perception
Rationale: The brainstem contains the respiratory centers (medulla oblongata) and is
responsible for controlling respiration. A brainstem injury places the client at risk for
respiratory failure and requires close monitoring of respiratory effort. Speech ability (B)
involves cortical areas. Voluntary motor movement (C) involves the motor cortex.
Sensory perception (D) involves sensory pathways .
9. The nurse is preparing to test cranial nerve V (trigeminal). Which action should
the nurse take?
A) Test facial sensation with a cotton ball and have the client clench the jaw
B) Ask the client to follow a finger with the eyes in all directions
C) Test the client's ability to smell a familiar scent
D) Observe for facial symmetry when the client smiles
Rationale: Cranial nerve V (trigeminal) has both sensory (facial sensation) and motor
(muscles of mastication) components. The nurse should test facial sensation using a
cotton ball or sharp/dull stimuli and have the client clench the jaw to assess muscle
strength. Following a finger with eyes (B) tests CN III, IV, and VI. Smell (C) tests CN I.
Facial symmetry (D) tests CN VII (facial) .
10. The nurse asks a client how they arrived at the appointment and with whom.
Which type of memory is the nurse testing?
A) Remote memory
B) Recent memory
C) Immediate memory
D) Episodic memory
