NEURO NCLEX REVIEW QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
1. A white female client is admitted to an acute care facility with a diagnosis of
cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Her history reveals bronchial asthma, exogenous obesity, and
iron deficiency anemia. Which history finding is a risk factor for CVA?
a. Caucasian race
b. Female sex
c. Obesity
d. Bronchial asthma
Answer C. Obesity is a risk factor for CVA. Other risk factors include a history of ischemic
episodes, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis of the cranial vessels,
hypertension, polycythemia, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, oral contraceptive use, emotional
stress, family history of CVA, and advancing age. The client's race, sex, and bronchial asthma
aren't risk factors for CVA.
2. The nurse is teaching a female client with multiple sclerosis. When teaching the client how
to reduce fatigue, the nurse should tell the client to:
a. take a hot bath.
b. rest in an air-conditioned room
c. increase the dose of muscle relaxants.
d. avoid naps during the day
,Answer B. Fatigue is a common symptom in clients with multiple sclerosis. Lowering the body
temperature by resting in an air-conditioned room may relieve fatigue; however, extreme cold
should be avoided. A hot bath or shower can increase body temperature, producing fatigue.
Muscle relaxants, prescribed to reduce spasticity, can cause drowsiness and fatigue. Planning
for frequent rest periods and naps can relieve fatigue. Other measures to reduce fatigue in the
client with multiple sclerosis include treating depression, using occupational therapy to learn
energy conservation techniques, and reducing spasticity.
3. A male client is having a tonic-clonic seizures. What should the nurse do first?
a. Elevate the head of the bed.
b. Restrain the client's arms and legs.
c. Place a tongue blade in the client's mouth.
d. Take measures to prevent injury.
Answer D. Protecting the client from injury is the immediate priority during a seizure. Elevating
the head of the bed would have no effect on the client's condition or safety. Restraining the
client's arms and legs could cause injury. Placing a tongue blade or other object in the client's
mouth could damage the teeth
4. A female client with Guillain-Barré syndrome has paralysis affecting the respiratory
muscles and requires mechanical ventilation. When the client asks the nurse about the
paralysis, how should the nurse respond?
a. "You may have difficulty believing this, but the paralysis caused by this disease is
temporary."
, b. "You'll have to accept the fact that you're permanently paralyzed. However, you won't
have any sensory loss."
c. "It must be hard to accept the permanency of your paralysis."
d. "You'll first regain use of your legs and then your arms."
4. Answer A. The nurse should inform the client that the paralysis that accompanies Guillain-
Barré syndrome is only temporary. Return of motor function begins proximally and extends
distally in the legs.
5. The nurse is working on a surgical floor. The nurse must logroll a male client following a:
a. laminectomy.
b. thoracotomy.
c. hemorrhoidectomy.
d. cystectomy.
5. Answer A. The client who has had spinal surgery, such as laminectomy, must be logrolled to
keep the spinal column straight when turning. The client who has had a thoracotomy or
cystectomy may turn himself or may be assisted into a comfortable position. Under normal
circumstances, hemorrhoidectomy is an outpatient procedure, and the client may resume
normal activities immediately after surgery.
6. A female client with a suspected brain tumor is scheduled for computed tomography (CT).
What should the nurse do when preparing the client for this test?
a. Immobilize the neck before the client is moved onto a stretcher.
b. Determine whether the client is allergic to iodine, contrast dyes, or shellfish.
CORRECT ANSWERS
1. A white female client is admitted to an acute care facility with a diagnosis of
cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Her history reveals bronchial asthma, exogenous obesity, and
iron deficiency anemia. Which history finding is a risk factor for CVA?
a. Caucasian race
b. Female sex
c. Obesity
d. Bronchial asthma
Answer C. Obesity is a risk factor for CVA. Other risk factors include a history of ischemic
episodes, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis of the cranial vessels,
hypertension, polycythemia, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, oral contraceptive use, emotional
stress, family history of CVA, and advancing age. The client's race, sex, and bronchial asthma
aren't risk factors for CVA.
2. The nurse is teaching a female client with multiple sclerosis. When teaching the client how
to reduce fatigue, the nurse should tell the client to:
a. take a hot bath.
b. rest in an air-conditioned room
c. increase the dose of muscle relaxants.
d. avoid naps during the day
,Answer B. Fatigue is a common symptom in clients with multiple sclerosis. Lowering the body
temperature by resting in an air-conditioned room may relieve fatigue; however, extreme cold
should be avoided. A hot bath or shower can increase body temperature, producing fatigue.
Muscle relaxants, prescribed to reduce spasticity, can cause drowsiness and fatigue. Planning
for frequent rest periods and naps can relieve fatigue. Other measures to reduce fatigue in the
client with multiple sclerosis include treating depression, using occupational therapy to learn
energy conservation techniques, and reducing spasticity.
3. A male client is having a tonic-clonic seizures. What should the nurse do first?
a. Elevate the head of the bed.
b. Restrain the client's arms and legs.
c. Place a tongue blade in the client's mouth.
d. Take measures to prevent injury.
Answer D. Protecting the client from injury is the immediate priority during a seizure. Elevating
the head of the bed would have no effect on the client's condition or safety. Restraining the
client's arms and legs could cause injury. Placing a tongue blade or other object in the client's
mouth could damage the teeth
4. A female client with Guillain-Barré syndrome has paralysis affecting the respiratory
muscles and requires mechanical ventilation. When the client asks the nurse about the
paralysis, how should the nurse respond?
a. "You may have difficulty believing this, but the paralysis caused by this disease is
temporary."
, b. "You'll have to accept the fact that you're permanently paralyzed. However, you won't
have any sensory loss."
c. "It must be hard to accept the permanency of your paralysis."
d. "You'll first regain use of your legs and then your arms."
4. Answer A. The nurse should inform the client that the paralysis that accompanies Guillain-
Barré syndrome is only temporary. Return of motor function begins proximally and extends
distally in the legs.
5. The nurse is working on a surgical floor. The nurse must logroll a male client following a:
a. laminectomy.
b. thoracotomy.
c. hemorrhoidectomy.
d. cystectomy.
5. Answer A. The client who has had spinal surgery, such as laminectomy, must be logrolled to
keep the spinal column straight when turning. The client who has had a thoracotomy or
cystectomy may turn himself or may be assisted into a comfortable position. Under normal
circumstances, hemorrhoidectomy is an outpatient procedure, and the client may resume
normal activities immediately after surgery.
6. A female client with a suspected brain tumor is scheduled for computed tomography (CT).
What should the nurse do when preparing the client for this test?
a. Immobilize the neck before the client is moved onto a stretcher.
b. Determine whether the client is allergic to iodine, contrast dyes, or shellfish.
