NUR 2063 / NUR2063: Essentials of Pathophysiology — Exam
3 | Rasmussen University | 150 Latest Multiple-Choice
Questions with Correct Answers (2025–2026 Edition)
Neurological Disorders
1. A patient with a history of migraines presents with a sudden, severe "thunderclap"
headache and nuchal rigidity. Which condition is most likely?
A. Tension headache
B. Cluster headache
C. Migraine with aura
D. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Correct Answer: D — Subarachnoid hemorrhage.
2. In Parkinson disease, the primary neurotransmitter deficiency is:
A. Acetylcholine
B. Dopamine
,C. Serotonin
D. Norepinephrine
Correct Answer: B — Dopamine.
3. A patient with multiple sclerosis is most likely to have which finding on MRI?
A. Subcortical lacunar infarcts
B. Corpus callosum atrophy
C. Periventricular plaques (demyelination)
D. Meningeal enhancement
Correct Answer: C — Periventricular plaques (demyelination).
4. A patient with myasthenia gravis is treated with pyridostigmine. What is the
mechanism of action?
A. Acetylcholine receptor blockade
B. Acetylcholinesterase inhibition
C. Immunosuppression
D. Voltage-gated calcium channel blockade
Correct Answer: B — Acetylcholinesterase inhibition.
,5. Which type of stroke is most commonly caused by atrial fibrillation?
A. Ischemic (thrombotic)
B. Ischemic (embolic)
C. Hemorrhagic (intracerebral)
D. Hemorrhagic (subarachnoid)
Correct Answer: B — Ischemic (embolic).
6. A patient with status epilepticus requires immediate treatment with:
A. Phenytoin
B. Levetiracetam
C. Benzodiazepine (lorazepam)
D. Valproate
Correct Answer: C — Benzodiazepine (lorazepam).
7. In Guillain-Barré syndrome, the primary pathophysiology is:
A. Axonal degeneration
B. Motor neuron loss
C. Muscle acetylcholine receptor destruction
D. Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Correct Answer: D — Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.
, 8. A patient with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) develops wide pulse pressure,
bradycardia, and irregular respirations. This triad is called:
A. Kerning sign
B. Brzezinski sign
C. Cushing triad
D. Decerebrate posturing
Correct Answer: C — Cushing triad.
9. What is the best way a nurse can assess if a client has altered brain function?
A. Normal cranial nerve assessment
B. Asking addition and subtraction questions
C. Altered level of consciousness
D. Vital signs
Correct Answer: C — Altered level of consciousness.
10. What are signs of meningitis? (Select all that apply.)
A. Nuchal rigidity
B. Headache
3 | Rasmussen University | 150 Latest Multiple-Choice
Questions with Correct Answers (2025–2026 Edition)
Neurological Disorders
1. A patient with a history of migraines presents with a sudden, severe "thunderclap"
headache and nuchal rigidity. Which condition is most likely?
A. Tension headache
B. Cluster headache
C. Migraine with aura
D. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Correct Answer: D — Subarachnoid hemorrhage.
2. In Parkinson disease, the primary neurotransmitter deficiency is:
A. Acetylcholine
B. Dopamine
,C. Serotonin
D. Norepinephrine
Correct Answer: B — Dopamine.
3. A patient with multiple sclerosis is most likely to have which finding on MRI?
A. Subcortical lacunar infarcts
B. Corpus callosum atrophy
C. Periventricular plaques (demyelination)
D. Meningeal enhancement
Correct Answer: C — Periventricular plaques (demyelination).
4. A patient with myasthenia gravis is treated with pyridostigmine. What is the
mechanism of action?
A. Acetylcholine receptor blockade
B. Acetylcholinesterase inhibition
C. Immunosuppression
D. Voltage-gated calcium channel blockade
Correct Answer: B — Acetylcholinesterase inhibition.
,5. Which type of stroke is most commonly caused by atrial fibrillation?
A. Ischemic (thrombotic)
B. Ischemic (embolic)
C. Hemorrhagic (intracerebral)
D. Hemorrhagic (subarachnoid)
Correct Answer: B — Ischemic (embolic).
6. A patient with status epilepticus requires immediate treatment with:
A. Phenytoin
B. Levetiracetam
C. Benzodiazepine (lorazepam)
D. Valproate
Correct Answer: C — Benzodiazepine (lorazepam).
7. In Guillain-Barré syndrome, the primary pathophysiology is:
A. Axonal degeneration
B. Motor neuron loss
C. Muscle acetylcholine receptor destruction
D. Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Correct Answer: D — Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.
, 8. A patient with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) develops wide pulse pressure,
bradycardia, and irregular respirations. This triad is called:
A. Kerning sign
B. Brzezinski sign
C. Cushing triad
D. Decerebrate posturing
Correct Answer: C — Cushing triad.
9. What is the best way a nurse can assess if a client has altered brain function?
A. Normal cranial nerve assessment
B. Asking addition and subtraction questions
C. Altered level of consciousness
D. Vital signs
Correct Answer: C — Altered level of consciousness.
10. What are signs of meningitis? (Select all that apply.)
A. Nuchal rigidity
B. Headache
