Neurological Assessment Exam Master Practice Test Bank |
Multiple Choice Questions & Detailed Clinical Rationales
[2026/2027]
Dominate your upcoming clinical milestones with this massive, high-yield Neurological
Assessment practice test bank containing comprehensive multiple-choice questions.
Master critical nursing and medical assessment concepts, including Cranial Nerve
testing (CN I–XII), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scoring, localized stroke
diagnostics, intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring, and abnormal reflex profiles.
Every verified question features a highly thorough, step-by-step diagnostic rationale
designed to sharpen your clinical reasoning, pass your proctored exams, and ensure
board certification readiness.
Question 1
The brain and spinal cord are included in which of the following systems?
A) Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
B) Somatic Nervous System
C) Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
D) Central Nervous System (CNS)
Correct Answer: D) Central Nervous System (CNS)
Rationale: The Central Nervous System consists of the brain and spinal cord. The PNS
includes cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and their branches. The somatic and autonomic
systems are subdivisions of the PNS.
Question 2
,When admitting an acutely confused 20-year-old patient with a head injury, which
action should the nurse take?
A) Ask family members about the patient's health history.
B) Ask leading questions to assist in obtaining health data.
C) Wait until the patient is better oriented to ask questions.
D) Obtain only the physiologic neurologic assessment data.
Correct Answer: A) Ask family members about the patient's health history.
Rationale: When admitting a patient who is likely to be a poor historian, the nurse should
obtain health history information from others who have knowledge about the patient's
health. Waiting until the patient is oriented or obtaining only physiologic data will result
in incomplete assessment data, which could adversely affect decision making about
treatment.
Question 3
Which finding would the nurse expect when assessing the legs of a patient who has a
lower motor neuron lesion?
A) Spasticity
B) Flaccidity
C) No sensation
D) Hyperactive reflexes
Correct Answer: B) Flaccidity
Rationale: Because the cell bodies of lower motor neurons are located in the spinal cord,
damage to the neuron will decrease motor activity of the affected muscles, leading to
flaccidity. Spasticity and hyperactive reflexes are caused by upper motor neuron damage.
,Question 4
In a person with an upper motor neuron lesion such as a cerebrovascular accident,
which assessment finding would the nurse expect?
A) Flaccid paralysis
B) Spasticity and hyperactive reflexes
C) Fasciculations
D) Muscle atrophy
Correct Answer: B) Spasticity and hyperactive reflexes
Rationale: Upper motor neuron lesions result in spasticity, hyperactive deep tendon
reflexes, and possibly clonus. Flaccidity and fasciculations are associated with lower motor
neuron lesions.
Question 5
The nurse performing a focused assessment of left posterior temporal lobe functions
will assess the patient for:
A) Sensation on the left side of the body.
B) Voluntary movements on the right side.
C) Reasoning and problem-solving abilities.
D) Understanding written and oral language.
Correct Answer: D) Understanding written and oral language.
Rationale: The posterior temporal lobe integrates the visual and auditory input for
language comprehension. Reasoning and problem solving are functions of the anterior
frontal lobe.
, Question 6
To assess the functioning of the trigeminal and facial nerves (CNs V and VII), the nurse
should:
A) Shine a light into the patient's pupil.
B) Check for unilateral eyelid drooping.
C) Touch a cotton wisp strand to the cornea.
D) Have the patient read a magazine or book.
Correct Answer: C) Touch a cotton wisp strand to the cornea.
Rationale: The trigeminal and facial nerves are responsible for the corneal reflex. The optic
nerve is tested by having the patient read a Snellen chart or a newspaper. Assessment of
pupil response to light and ptosis are used to check function of the oculomotor nerve.
Question 7
Which action will the nurse include in the plan of care for a patient with impaired
functioning of the left glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) and the vagus nerve (CN X)?
A) Withhold oral fluid or foods.
B) Provide highly seasoned foods.
C) Insert an oropharyngeal airway.
D) Apply artificial tears every hour.
Correct Answer: A) Withhold oral fluid or foods.
Rationale: The glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves innervate the pharynx and control the
gag reflex. A patient with impaired function of these nerves is at risk for aspiration.
Withholding oral fluids or foods helps prevent aspiration until the patient's swallow can be
evaluated.
Multiple Choice Questions & Detailed Clinical Rationales
[2026/2027]
Dominate your upcoming clinical milestones with this massive, high-yield Neurological
Assessment practice test bank containing comprehensive multiple-choice questions.
Master critical nursing and medical assessment concepts, including Cranial Nerve
testing (CN I–XII), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scoring, localized stroke
diagnostics, intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring, and abnormal reflex profiles.
Every verified question features a highly thorough, step-by-step diagnostic rationale
designed to sharpen your clinical reasoning, pass your proctored exams, and ensure
board certification readiness.
Question 1
The brain and spinal cord are included in which of the following systems?
A) Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
B) Somatic Nervous System
C) Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
D) Central Nervous System (CNS)
Correct Answer: D) Central Nervous System (CNS)
Rationale: The Central Nervous System consists of the brain and spinal cord. The PNS
includes cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and their branches. The somatic and autonomic
systems are subdivisions of the PNS.
Question 2
,When admitting an acutely confused 20-year-old patient with a head injury, which
action should the nurse take?
A) Ask family members about the patient's health history.
B) Ask leading questions to assist in obtaining health data.
C) Wait until the patient is better oriented to ask questions.
D) Obtain only the physiologic neurologic assessment data.
Correct Answer: A) Ask family members about the patient's health history.
Rationale: When admitting a patient who is likely to be a poor historian, the nurse should
obtain health history information from others who have knowledge about the patient's
health. Waiting until the patient is oriented or obtaining only physiologic data will result
in incomplete assessment data, which could adversely affect decision making about
treatment.
Question 3
Which finding would the nurse expect when assessing the legs of a patient who has a
lower motor neuron lesion?
A) Spasticity
B) Flaccidity
C) No sensation
D) Hyperactive reflexes
Correct Answer: B) Flaccidity
Rationale: Because the cell bodies of lower motor neurons are located in the spinal cord,
damage to the neuron will decrease motor activity of the affected muscles, leading to
flaccidity. Spasticity and hyperactive reflexes are caused by upper motor neuron damage.
,Question 4
In a person with an upper motor neuron lesion such as a cerebrovascular accident,
which assessment finding would the nurse expect?
A) Flaccid paralysis
B) Spasticity and hyperactive reflexes
C) Fasciculations
D) Muscle atrophy
Correct Answer: B) Spasticity and hyperactive reflexes
Rationale: Upper motor neuron lesions result in spasticity, hyperactive deep tendon
reflexes, and possibly clonus. Flaccidity and fasciculations are associated with lower motor
neuron lesions.
Question 5
The nurse performing a focused assessment of left posterior temporal lobe functions
will assess the patient for:
A) Sensation on the left side of the body.
B) Voluntary movements on the right side.
C) Reasoning and problem-solving abilities.
D) Understanding written and oral language.
Correct Answer: D) Understanding written and oral language.
Rationale: The posterior temporal lobe integrates the visual and auditory input for
language comprehension. Reasoning and problem solving are functions of the anterior
frontal lobe.
, Question 6
To assess the functioning of the trigeminal and facial nerves (CNs V and VII), the nurse
should:
A) Shine a light into the patient's pupil.
B) Check for unilateral eyelid drooping.
C) Touch a cotton wisp strand to the cornea.
D) Have the patient read a magazine or book.
Correct Answer: C) Touch a cotton wisp strand to the cornea.
Rationale: The trigeminal and facial nerves are responsible for the corneal reflex. The optic
nerve is tested by having the patient read a Snellen chart or a newspaper. Assessment of
pupil response to light and ptosis are used to check function of the oculomotor nerve.
Question 7
Which action will the nurse include in the plan of care for a patient with impaired
functioning of the left glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) and the vagus nerve (CN X)?
A) Withhold oral fluid or foods.
B) Provide highly seasoned foods.
C) Insert an oropharyngeal airway.
D) Apply artificial tears every hour.
Correct Answer: A) Withhold oral fluid or foods.
Rationale: The glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves innervate the pharynx and control the
gag reflex. A patient with impaired function of these nerves is at risk for aspiration.
Withholding oral fluids or foods helps prevent aspiration until the patient's swallow can be
evaluated.
