___________________________________________________________________
Nursing 354 Stroke Nursing Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
1. A patient arrives in the emergency department with sudden right-sided
weakness and difficulty speaking. Which action is the nurse's priority?
A. Administer oral aspirin
B. Determine the exact time symptoms began
C. Begin range-of-motion exercises
D. Place the patient in a warm bath
Answer: Determine the exact time symptoms began
Rationale: The exact time the patient was last known well is critical when
determining eligibility for time-sensitive stroke therapies, including thrombolytic
treatment.
2. Which finding is most characteristic of an ischemic stroke?
A. Ruptured cerebral aneurysm
B. Blood leaking into the subarachnoid space
C. Occlusion of a cerebral blood vessel
D. Increased cerebrospinal fluid production
Answer: Occlusion of a cerebral blood vessel
,Rationale: An ischemic stroke occurs when cerebral blood flow is interrupted by
thrombosis, embolism, or another vascular obstruction.
3. Which assessment finding should cause the nurse to suspect a stroke?
A. Gradual improvement in memory
B. Sudden facial drooping
C. Chronic bilateral ankle edema
D. Increased appetite
Answer: Sudden facial drooping
Rationale: Sudden facial weakness or drooping is a classic warning sign of acute
stroke and requires immediate evaluation.
4. A patient with suspected stroke is having difficulty speaking. Which
assessment is most appropriate?
A. Ask the patient to repeat a simple phrase
B. Ask the patient to walk independently
C. Offer water to evaluate swallowing
D. Ask the patient to eat a cracker
Answer: Ask the patient to repeat a simple phrase
Rationale: Asking the patient to repeat a phrase helps assess speech and
language function without exposing the patient to aspiration risk.
5. Which diagnostic study is commonly performed urgently to distinguish
ischemic from hemorrhagic stroke?
A. Chest radiograph
B. Noncontrast computed tomography of the head
C. Abdominal ultrasound
D. Bone scan
Answer: Noncontrast computed tomography of the head
Rationale: An urgent noncontrast head CT is used to identify intracranial
hemorrhage and help guide acute stroke treatment.
, 6. Which patient has the greatest risk for ischemic stroke?
A. Patient with controlled blood pressure and no risk factors
B. Patient with atrial fibrillation
C. Patient with seasonal allergies
D. Patient with a healed fracture
Answer: Patient with atrial fibrillation
Rationale: Atrial fibrillation promotes formation of atrial thrombi that can
embolize to the cerebral circulation and cause ischemic stroke.
7. A patient with an acute stroke has difficulty swallowing. What should the
nurse do first?
A. Give the patient thin liquids
B. Provide a regular diet
C. Keep the patient NPO until swallowing is evaluated
D. Encourage the patient to drink through a straw
Answer: Keep the patient NPO until swallowing is evaluated
Rationale: Dysphagia is common after stroke and can lead to aspiration. Oral
intake should be withheld until swallowing safety has been assessed.
8. Which symptom is more commonly associated with a right-hemispheric
stroke?
A. Left-sided weakness
B. Right-sided weakness
C. Expressive aphasia only
D. Right visual field loss only
Answer: Left-sided weakness
Rationale: The right cerebral hemisphere generally controls motor function on
the left side of the body.
9. Which symptom is commonly associated with a left-hemispheric stroke?
, A. Left-sided neglect
B. Right-sided weakness and language impairment
C. Impulsive behavior only
D. Loss of sensation only in the left leg
Answer: Right-sided weakness and language impairment
Rationale: The left hemisphere commonly controls right-sided motor function
and, in most people, important language functions.
10.Which statement about a transient ischemic attack is correct?
A. It always causes permanent brain damage
B. It is a warning sign for possible future stroke
C. It requires no further evaluation
D. It is caused only by hemorrhage
Answer: It is a warning sign for possible future stroke
Rationale: A transient ischemic attack produces temporary neurologic
dysfunction and signals an increased risk for a subsequent stroke.
11.A patient receiving thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke should be
monitored closely for which complication?
A. Intracranial bleeding
B. Constipation
C. Hypothermia
D. Cataracts
Answer: Intracranial bleeding
Rationale: Thrombolytic therapy increases the risk of serious bleeding, including
symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage.
12.Before administering thrombolytic therapy, which information is especially
important?
A. The patient's favorite food
B. The patient's last known well time
Nursing 354 Stroke Nursing Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
1. A patient arrives in the emergency department with sudden right-sided
weakness and difficulty speaking. Which action is the nurse's priority?
A. Administer oral aspirin
B. Determine the exact time symptoms began
C. Begin range-of-motion exercises
D. Place the patient in a warm bath
Answer: Determine the exact time symptoms began
Rationale: The exact time the patient was last known well is critical when
determining eligibility for time-sensitive stroke therapies, including thrombolytic
treatment.
2. Which finding is most characteristic of an ischemic stroke?
A. Ruptured cerebral aneurysm
B. Blood leaking into the subarachnoid space
C. Occlusion of a cerebral blood vessel
D. Increased cerebrospinal fluid production
Answer: Occlusion of a cerebral blood vessel
,Rationale: An ischemic stroke occurs when cerebral blood flow is interrupted by
thrombosis, embolism, or another vascular obstruction.
3. Which assessment finding should cause the nurse to suspect a stroke?
A. Gradual improvement in memory
B. Sudden facial drooping
C. Chronic bilateral ankle edema
D. Increased appetite
Answer: Sudden facial drooping
Rationale: Sudden facial weakness or drooping is a classic warning sign of acute
stroke and requires immediate evaluation.
4. A patient with suspected stroke is having difficulty speaking. Which
assessment is most appropriate?
A. Ask the patient to repeat a simple phrase
B. Ask the patient to walk independently
C. Offer water to evaluate swallowing
D. Ask the patient to eat a cracker
Answer: Ask the patient to repeat a simple phrase
Rationale: Asking the patient to repeat a phrase helps assess speech and
language function without exposing the patient to aspiration risk.
5. Which diagnostic study is commonly performed urgently to distinguish
ischemic from hemorrhagic stroke?
A. Chest radiograph
B. Noncontrast computed tomography of the head
C. Abdominal ultrasound
D. Bone scan
Answer: Noncontrast computed tomography of the head
Rationale: An urgent noncontrast head CT is used to identify intracranial
hemorrhage and help guide acute stroke treatment.
, 6. Which patient has the greatest risk for ischemic stroke?
A. Patient with controlled blood pressure and no risk factors
B. Patient with atrial fibrillation
C. Patient with seasonal allergies
D. Patient with a healed fracture
Answer: Patient with atrial fibrillation
Rationale: Atrial fibrillation promotes formation of atrial thrombi that can
embolize to the cerebral circulation and cause ischemic stroke.
7. A patient with an acute stroke has difficulty swallowing. What should the
nurse do first?
A. Give the patient thin liquids
B. Provide a regular diet
C. Keep the patient NPO until swallowing is evaluated
D. Encourage the patient to drink through a straw
Answer: Keep the patient NPO until swallowing is evaluated
Rationale: Dysphagia is common after stroke and can lead to aspiration. Oral
intake should be withheld until swallowing safety has been assessed.
8. Which symptom is more commonly associated with a right-hemispheric
stroke?
A. Left-sided weakness
B. Right-sided weakness
C. Expressive aphasia only
D. Right visual field loss only
Answer: Left-sided weakness
Rationale: The right cerebral hemisphere generally controls motor function on
the left side of the body.
9. Which symptom is commonly associated with a left-hemispheric stroke?
, A. Left-sided neglect
B. Right-sided weakness and language impairment
C. Impulsive behavior only
D. Loss of sensation only in the left leg
Answer: Right-sided weakness and language impairment
Rationale: The left hemisphere commonly controls right-sided motor function
and, in most people, important language functions.
10.Which statement about a transient ischemic attack is correct?
A. It always causes permanent brain damage
B. It is a warning sign for possible future stroke
C. It requires no further evaluation
D. It is caused only by hemorrhage
Answer: It is a warning sign for possible future stroke
Rationale: A transient ischemic attack produces temporary neurologic
dysfunction and signals an increased risk for a subsequent stroke.
11.A patient receiving thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke should be
monitored closely for which complication?
A. Intracranial bleeding
B. Constipation
C. Hypothermia
D. Cataracts
Answer: Intracranial bleeding
Rationale: Thrombolytic therapy increases the risk of serious bleeding, including
symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage.
12.Before administering thrombolytic therapy, which information is especially
important?
A. The patient's favorite food
B. The patient's last known well time
