STROKE- NCLEX EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
RATED A+ 2025/2026 NEW!!
The nurse is caring for a pa ent with a history of transient ischemic a acks (TIAs) and moderate
caro d stenosis who has undergone a caro d endarterectomy. Which of the following
postopera ve findings would cause the nurse the most concern?
a) Blood pressure (BP): 128/86 mm Hg
b) Neck pain: 3/10 (0 to 10 pain scale)
c) Mild neck edema
d) Difficulty swallowing - Correct Answers Difficulty swallowing
The pa ent's inability to swallow without difficulty would cause the nurse the most concern.
Difficulty in swallowing, hoarseness or other signs of cranial nerve dysfunc on must be
assessed. The nurse focuses on assessment of the following cranial nerves: facial (VII), vagus (X),
spinal accessory (XI), and hypoglossal (XII). Some edema in the neck a9er surgery is expected;
however, extensive edema and hematoma forma on can obstruct the airway. Emergency airway
supplies, including those needed for a tracheostomy, must be available. The pa ent's neck pain
and mild BP eleva on need addressing but would not cause the nurse the most concern.
Hypotension is avoided to prevent cerebral ischemia and thrombosis. Uncontrolled
hypertension may precipitate cerebral hemorrhage, edema, hemorrhage at the surgical incision,
or disrup on of the arterial reconstruc on.
An emergency department nurse is interviewing a client with signs of an ischemic stroke that
began 2 hours ago. The client reports that she had a cholecystectomy 6 weeks ago and is taking
digoxin, coumadin, and labetelol. This client is not eligible for thromboly c therapy for which of
the following reasons?
,a) She is not within the treatment me window.
b) She had surgery 6 weeks ago.
c) She is taking digoxin.
d) She is taking coumadin. - Correct Answers She is taking coumadin.
To be eligible for thromboly c therapy, the client cannot be taking coumadin. Ini a on of
thromboly c therapy must be within 3 hours in clients with ischemic stroke. The client is not
eligible for thromboly c therapy if she has had surgery within 14 days. Digoxin and labetelol do
not prohibit thromboly c therapy.
Which disturbance results in loss of half of the visual field?
a) Anisocoria
b) Homonymous hemianopsia
c) Nystagmus
d) Diplopia - Correct Answers Homonymous hemianopsia
,Homonymous hemianopsia (loss of half of the visual field) may occur from stroke and may be
temporary or permanent. Double vision is documented as diplopia. Nystagmus is ocular
bobbing and may be seen in mul ple sclerosis. Anisocoria is unequal pupils.
A client with a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is having difficulty with ea ng food on the plate.
Which is the best nursing ac on to be taken?
a) Reposi on the tray and plate.
b) Perform a vision field assessment.
c) Know this is a normal finding for CVA.
d) Assist the client with feeding. - Correct Answers Perform a vision field assessment.
The nurse should perform a vision field assessment to evaluate the client forhemianopia. This
finding could indicate damage to the visual area of the brain as a result of evolving CVA.
Reposi oning the tray and assis ng with feeding would not be the best nursing ac on un l new
finding has been evaluated. Hemianopia can be associated with a CVA but, when presen ng as a
new finding, should be evaluated and reported immediately. (less)
A client is hospitalized when they present to the Emergency Department with right-sided
weakness. Within 6 hours of being admi ed, the neurologic deficits had resolved and the client
was back to their presymptoma c state. The nurse caring for the client knows that the probable
cause of the neurologic deficit was what?
a) Cerebral aneurysm
, b) Transient ischemic a ack
c) Le9-sided stroke
d) Right-sided stroke - Correct Answers Transient ischemic a ack
A transient ischemic a ack (TIA) is a sudden, brief a ack of neurologic impairment caused by a
temporary interrup on in cerebral blood flow. Symptoms may disappear within 1 hour; some
con nue for as long as 1 day. When the symptoms terminate, the client resumes his or her
presymptoma c state. The symptoms do not describe a le9- or right-sided stroke or a cerebral
aneurysm.
Which of the following terms refer to the failure to recognize familiar objects perceived by the
senses?
a) Agnosia
b) Persevera on
c) Apraxia
d) Agraphia - Correct Answers Agnosia
Auditory agnosia is failure to recognize significance of sounds. Agraphia refers to disturbances in
wri ng intelligible words. Apraxia refers to inability to perform previously learned purposeful
RATED A+ 2025/2026 NEW!!
The nurse is caring for a pa ent with a history of transient ischemic a acks (TIAs) and moderate
caro d stenosis who has undergone a caro d endarterectomy. Which of the following
postopera ve findings would cause the nurse the most concern?
a) Blood pressure (BP): 128/86 mm Hg
b) Neck pain: 3/10 (0 to 10 pain scale)
c) Mild neck edema
d) Difficulty swallowing - Correct Answers Difficulty swallowing
The pa ent's inability to swallow without difficulty would cause the nurse the most concern.
Difficulty in swallowing, hoarseness or other signs of cranial nerve dysfunc on must be
assessed. The nurse focuses on assessment of the following cranial nerves: facial (VII), vagus (X),
spinal accessory (XI), and hypoglossal (XII). Some edema in the neck a9er surgery is expected;
however, extensive edema and hematoma forma on can obstruct the airway. Emergency airway
supplies, including those needed for a tracheostomy, must be available. The pa ent's neck pain
and mild BP eleva on need addressing but would not cause the nurse the most concern.
Hypotension is avoided to prevent cerebral ischemia and thrombosis. Uncontrolled
hypertension may precipitate cerebral hemorrhage, edema, hemorrhage at the surgical incision,
or disrup on of the arterial reconstruc on.
An emergency department nurse is interviewing a client with signs of an ischemic stroke that
began 2 hours ago. The client reports that she had a cholecystectomy 6 weeks ago and is taking
digoxin, coumadin, and labetelol. This client is not eligible for thromboly c therapy for which of
the following reasons?
,a) She is not within the treatment me window.
b) She had surgery 6 weeks ago.
c) She is taking digoxin.
d) She is taking coumadin. - Correct Answers She is taking coumadin.
To be eligible for thromboly c therapy, the client cannot be taking coumadin. Ini a on of
thromboly c therapy must be within 3 hours in clients with ischemic stroke. The client is not
eligible for thromboly c therapy if she has had surgery within 14 days. Digoxin and labetelol do
not prohibit thromboly c therapy.
Which disturbance results in loss of half of the visual field?
a) Anisocoria
b) Homonymous hemianopsia
c) Nystagmus
d) Diplopia - Correct Answers Homonymous hemianopsia
,Homonymous hemianopsia (loss of half of the visual field) may occur from stroke and may be
temporary or permanent. Double vision is documented as diplopia. Nystagmus is ocular
bobbing and may be seen in mul ple sclerosis. Anisocoria is unequal pupils.
A client with a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is having difficulty with ea ng food on the plate.
Which is the best nursing ac on to be taken?
a) Reposi on the tray and plate.
b) Perform a vision field assessment.
c) Know this is a normal finding for CVA.
d) Assist the client with feeding. - Correct Answers Perform a vision field assessment.
The nurse should perform a vision field assessment to evaluate the client forhemianopia. This
finding could indicate damage to the visual area of the brain as a result of evolving CVA.
Reposi oning the tray and assis ng with feeding would not be the best nursing ac on un l new
finding has been evaluated. Hemianopia can be associated with a CVA but, when presen ng as a
new finding, should be evaluated and reported immediately. (less)
A client is hospitalized when they present to the Emergency Department with right-sided
weakness. Within 6 hours of being admi ed, the neurologic deficits had resolved and the client
was back to their presymptoma c state. The nurse caring for the client knows that the probable
cause of the neurologic deficit was what?
a) Cerebral aneurysm
, b) Transient ischemic a ack
c) Le9-sided stroke
d) Right-sided stroke - Correct Answers Transient ischemic a ack
A transient ischemic a ack (TIA) is a sudden, brief a ack of neurologic impairment caused by a
temporary interrup on in cerebral blood flow. Symptoms may disappear within 1 hour; some
con nue for as long as 1 day. When the symptoms terminate, the client resumes his or her
presymptoma c state. The symptoms do not describe a le9- or right-sided stroke or a cerebral
aneurysm.
Which of the following terms refer to the failure to recognize familiar objects perceived by the
senses?
a) Agnosia
b) Persevera on
c) Apraxia
d) Agraphia - Correct Answers Agnosia
Auditory agnosia is failure to recognize significance of sounds. Agraphia refers to disturbances in
wri ng intelligible words. Apraxia refers to inability to perform previously learned purposeful
