MN 576 UNIT 10 — NEUROLOGICAL ASSESSMENT AND
DISORDERS PRACTICE EXAMINATION — STUDY GUIDE |
LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM | PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW | 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED SOLUTIONS|NEWEST
UPDATE.
Course/Program: MN 576 Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic
Reasoning
Field of Study: Advanced Nursing, Neurological Assessment, Neurologic
Disorders, Diagnostic Reasoning
Level: Graduate, Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Practice Nursing
Edition: 2026–2027
Introduction
This advanced practice examination is designed for graduate nursing
students enrolled in MN 576 Unit 10, focusing on neurological
assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and clinical management of common
and complex neurologic disorders. It contains 100 multiple-choice
questions covering mental status examination, cranial nerve
assessment, motor and sensory function, cerebellar testing, stroke
recognition and management, seizures, headaches, Parkinson disease,
Alzheimer disease, multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular disorders,
traumatic brain injury, and neurodiagnostic interpretation. Each
question reflects current evidence-based neurology guidelines and
advanced practice nursing standards. The answer key provides detailed
rationales to reinforce clinical reasoning and safe care. Use this
document to assess readiness, identify knowledge gaps, and strengthen
preparation for the 2026–2027 examination cycle. All questions are
original practice items and are not from actual MN 576 exams.
,Table of Contents
1. Neurological History and Mental Status Examination
2. Cranial Nerve Assessment
3. Motor, Sensory, and Cerebellar Function
4. Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disorders
5. Seizures and Epilepsy
6. Headaches and Migraine
7. Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders
8. Alzheimer Disease and Dementia
9. Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunologic Disorders
10. Traumatic Brain Injury and Neurologic Emergencies
1.
A 72-year-old patient presents with a sudden onset of right-sided
weakness and aphasia that began 45 minutes ago. What is the priority
action?
A) Administer aspirin immediately
B) Obtain a noncontrast CT scan of the head and determine time of
symptom onset
C) Wait for symptoms to resolve before acting
D) Refer to physical therapy without further evaluation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acute stroke requires immediate noncontrast CT to rule out
hemorrhage before thrombolysis. Time of onset determines eligibility
for alteplase or mechanical thrombectomy. Aspirin is given after
hemorrhage is excluded; waiting or referral delays life-saving treatment.
, 2.
Which cranial nerve is assessed by having the patient shrug their
shoulders against resistance?
A) Cranial nerve V
B) Cranial nerve VII
C) Cranial nerve XI
D) Cranial nerve XII
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory) innervates the trapezius
and sternocleidomastoid muscles. Shrugging shoulders tests trapezius
strength. CN V is facial sensation and mastication; CN VII is facial
expression; CN XII is tongue movement.
3.
A patient is unable to identify a key placed in their hand with eyes
closed. Which sense is impaired?
A) Graphesthesia
B) Stereognosis
C) Proprioception
D) Vibration sense
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Stereognosis is the ability to recognize an object by touch
without visual input, relying on intact sensory pathways and cortical
integration. Graphesthesia is recognizing letters traced on skin;
proprioception is joint position; vibration uses tuning fork.
4.
, What is the most common cause of Alzheimer disease?
A) Multiple sclerosis
B) Neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques
C) Chronic ischemia
D) Vitamin B12 deficiency only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Alzheimer disease is characterized pathologically by
extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles of
hyperphosphorylated tau protein. These lead to progressive neuronal
loss and cognitive decline. It is not primarily caused by MS, ischemia, or
B12 deficiency.
5.
Which of the following is a hallmark feature of Parkinson disease?
A) Hyperreflexia and spasticity
B) Resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability
C) Flaccid paralysis and sensory loss
D) Ataxia and nystagmus only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Parkinson disease is a hypokinetic movement disorder
characterized by resting tremor (pill-rolling), cogwheel rigidity,
bradykinesia, and postural instability due to dopaminergic neuron loss
in the substantia nigra. Hyperreflexia/spasticity suggests upper motor
neuron lesions; ataxia is cerebellar.
6.
A patient presents with severe unilateral headache, nausea, and
photophobia lasting 6 hours. She prefers a dark, quiet room. What is
DISORDERS PRACTICE EXAMINATION — STUDY GUIDE |
LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM | PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW | 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED SOLUTIONS|NEWEST
UPDATE.
Course/Program: MN 576 Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic
Reasoning
Field of Study: Advanced Nursing, Neurological Assessment, Neurologic
Disorders, Diagnostic Reasoning
Level: Graduate, Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Practice Nursing
Edition: 2026–2027
Introduction
This advanced practice examination is designed for graduate nursing
students enrolled in MN 576 Unit 10, focusing on neurological
assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and clinical management of common
and complex neurologic disorders. It contains 100 multiple-choice
questions covering mental status examination, cranial nerve
assessment, motor and sensory function, cerebellar testing, stroke
recognition and management, seizures, headaches, Parkinson disease,
Alzheimer disease, multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular disorders,
traumatic brain injury, and neurodiagnostic interpretation. Each
question reflects current evidence-based neurology guidelines and
advanced practice nursing standards. The answer key provides detailed
rationales to reinforce clinical reasoning and safe care. Use this
document to assess readiness, identify knowledge gaps, and strengthen
preparation for the 2026–2027 examination cycle. All questions are
original practice items and are not from actual MN 576 exams.
,Table of Contents
1. Neurological History and Mental Status Examination
2. Cranial Nerve Assessment
3. Motor, Sensory, and Cerebellar Function
4. Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disorders
5. Seizures and Epilepsy
6. Headaches and Migraine
7. Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders
8. Alzheimer Disease and Dementia
9. Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunologic Disorders
10. Traumatic Brain Injury and Neurologic Emergencies
1.
A 72-year-old patient presents with a sudden onset of right-sided
weakness and aphasia that began 45 minutes ago. What is the priority
action?
A) Administer aspirin immediately
B) Obtain a noncontrast CT scan of the head and determine time of
symptom onset
C) Wait for symptoms to resolve before acting
D) Refer to physical therapy without further evaluation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acute stroke requires immediate noncontrast CT to rule out
hemorrhage before thrombolysis. Time of onset determines eligibility
for alteplase or mechanical thrombectomy. Aspirin is given after
hemorrhage is excluded; waiting or referral delays life-saving treatment.
, 2.
Which cranial nerve is assessed by having the patient shrug their
shoulders against resistance?
A) Cranial nerve V
B) Cranial nerve VII
C) Cranial nerve XI
D) Cranial nerve XII
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory) innervates the trapezius
and sternocleidomastoid muscles. Shrugging shoulders tests trapezius
strength. CN V is facial sensation and mastication; CN VII is facial
expression; CN XII is tongue movement.
3.
A patient is unable to identify a key placed in their hand with eyes
closed. Which sense is impaired?
A) Graphesthesia
B) Stereognosis
C) Proprioception
D) Vibration sense
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Stereognosis is the ability to recognize an object by touch
without visual input, relying on intact sensory pathways and cortical
integration. Graphesthesia is recognizing letters traced on skin;
proprioception is joint position; vibration uses tuning fork.
4.
, What is the most common cause of Alzheimer disease?
A) Multiple sclerosis
B) Neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques
C) Chronic ischemia
D) Vitamin B12 deficiency only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Alzheimer disease is characterized pathologically by
extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles of
hyperphosphorylated tau protein. These lead to progressive neuronal
loss and cognitive decline. It is not primarily caused by MS, ischemia, or
B12 deficiency.
5.
Which of the following is a hallmark feature of Parkinson disease?
A) Hyperreflexia and spasticity
B) Resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability
C) Flaccid paralysis and sensory loss
D) Ataxia and nystagmus only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Parkinson disease is a hypokinetic movement disorder
characterized by resting tremor (pill-rolling), cogwheel rigidity,
bradykinesia, and postural instability due to dopaminergic neuron loss
in the substantia nigra. Hyperreflexia/spasticity suggests upper motor
neuron lesions; ataxia is cerebellar.
6.
A patient presents with severe unilateral headache, nausea, and
photophobia lasting 6 hours. She prefers a dark, quiet room. What is
