Stroke nursing Exam Questions and answers
A 67-year-old patient is brought to the emergency room with sudden onset of slurred speech and right-
sided weakness. What is the first action the nurse should take?
Call a Code Stroke
3 multiple choice options
A patient arrives at the hospital with symptoms of a stroke. The physician orders a non-contrast CT scan.
What is the primary reason for this order?
To determine if the stroke is ischemic or hemorrhagic
3 multiple choice options
A 72-year-old male with hypertension is admitted with left-sided weakness, slurred speech, and a "worst
headache of his life." What is the most likely diagnosis?
Hemorrhagic stroke
3 multiple choice options
A 55-year-old female patient is diagnosed with a thrombotic stroke. Which underlying condition is most
likely the cause?
High cholesterol
3 multiple choice options
A patient experiencing a TIA reports that their symptoms have resolved after 45 minutes. What is the
nurse's priority in this situation?
Assess for potential bleeding
Arrange for carotid ultrasound
Educate the patient on stroke prevention
Monitor for signs of another TIA
Arrange for carotid ultrasound
3 multiple choice options
The nurse is performing an NIH Stroke Scale assessment on a stroke patient. The patient has an
abnormal arm drift. How should the nurse document this finding?
Normal arm movement
Both arms move equally
One arm drifts when the patient is asked to extend both arms
The arms do not move
One arm drifts when the patient is asked to extend both arms
3 multiple choice options
,A patient is receiving intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for an ischemic stroke. What is the
nurse's priority during the first 24 hours after administration?
Monitor for signs of increased intracranial pressure
Assess the patient's motor skills
Provide oral hydration
Perform a swallow evaluation
Monitor for signs of increased intracranial pressure
3 multiple choice options
A nurse is caring for a stroke patient who has expressive aphasia. Which intervention would be most
helpful?
Use simple, one-step commands
Speak to the patient using complex medical terminology
Provide a written script for the patient to read aloud
Avoid communication to reduce frustration
Use simple, one-step commands
3 multiple choice options
A patient recovering from a stroke has difficulty recognizing objects in their environment. This condition
is most likely related to damage in which part of the brain?
Left hemisphere
Right hemisphere
Brainstem
Cerebellum
Right hemisphere
3 multiple choice options
A stroke patient in the ICU has a blood pressure of 190/110 mmHg. What should the nurse do first?
Administer a stool softener
Call the physician for an antihypertensive order
Increase the fluid intake to lower BP
Begin deep breathing exercises
Call the physician for an antihypertensive order
3 multiple choice options
After a stroke, a patient shows signs of visual-perceptual issues, such as not noticing their affected arm.
What is the best intervention to address this?
Approach the patient from the unaffected side
Remind the patient to move the affected side
Encourage the patient to turn their head to increase field of vision
Offer the patient visual aids
,Approach the patient from the unaffected side
3 multiple choice options
A stroke patient has a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 9. How should the nurse interpret this score?
The patient is fully alert and responsive
The patient is in a deep coma
The patient has moderate impairment of consciousness
The patient is confused but responsive
The patient has moderate impairment of consciousness
3 multiple choice options
A 58-year-old male patient with a history of hypertension and diabetes has a hemorrhagic stroke. What
is a likely contributing factor to his condition?
High blood sugar
Atherosclerosis
Anticoagulant therapy
Uncontrolled blood pressure
Uncontrolled blood pressure
3 multiple choice options
A nurse is caring for a stroke patient who is nonverbal and exhibits signs of agitation. Which intervention
is most appropriate?
Speak slowly and calmly, using simple phrases
Ignore the agitation to prevent reinforcing negative behavior
Use restraints to calm the patient
Provide medication immediately
Speak slowly and calmly, using simple phrases
3 multiple choice options
A stroke patient who has right-sided hemiparesis needs assistance with feeding. Which is the most
appropriate positioning for the patient during meals?
Ensure the patient's affected arm is supported on a pillow
Position the patient on their left side to promote swallowing
Place the patient upright with both arms extended
Encourage the patient to feed themselves with both hands
Ensure the patient's affected arm is supported on a pillow
3 multiple choice options
A stroke patient is being treated with clopidogrel (Plavix). What is the nurse's primary concern when
administering this medication?
Risk of hemorrhage
Increased risk of blood clots
, Dehydration
Hypertension
Risk of hemorrhage
3 multiple choice options
A patient with a recent ischemic stroke is being prepared for discharge. What should the nurse
emphasize during discharge teaching?
The importance of taking anticoagulants as prescribed
A lifetime of bed rest to prevent re-injury
The need to continue a strict low-fat diet indefinitely
Continuous monitoring for respiratory infections
The importance of taking anticoagulants as prescribed
3 multiple choice options
A patient recovering from a stroke has difficulty swallowing. What is the nurse's first priority in care?
Assist with oral feeding using thickened liquids
Perform a swallow evaluation
Provide speech therapy consult
Position the patient upright before feeding
Perform a swallow evaluation
3 multiple choice options
A 60-year-old patient is admitted to the hospital after experiencing a TIA. Which of the following
interventions would the nurse prioritize?
Administer aspirin
Prepare for surgery
Monitor for signs of another TIA or stroke
Restrict all oral intake
Monitor for signs of another TIA or stroke
3 multiple choice options
A 65-year-old female patient with a history of atrial fibrillation is diagnosed with an ischemic stroke.
What is the nurse's priority intervention?
Administer thrombolytics
Administer anticoagulants as ordered
Monitor for signs of hemorrhage
Assess for carotid artery stenosis
Administer anticoagulants as ordered
3 multiple choice options
A 67-year-old patient is brought to the emergency room with sudden onset of slurred speech and right-
sided weakness. What is the first action the nurse should take?
Call a Code Stroke
3 multiple choice options
A patient arrives at the hospital with symptoms of a stroke. The physician orders a non-contrast CT scan.
What is the primary reason for this order?
To determine if the stroke is ischemic or hemorrhagic
3 multiple choice options
A 72-year-old male with hypertension is admitted with left-sided weakness, slurred speech, and a "worst
headache of his life." What is the most likely diagnosis?
Hemorrhagic stroke
3 multiple choice options
A 55-year-old female patient is diagnosed with a thrombotic stroke. Which underlying condition is most
likely the cause?
High cholesterol
3 multiple choice options
A patient experiencing a TIA reports that their symptoms have resolved after 45 minutes. What is the
nurse's priority in this situation?
Assess for potential bleeding
Arrange for carotid ultrasound
Educate the patient on stroke prevention
Monitor for signs of another TIA
Arrange for carotid ultrasound
3 multiple choice options
The nurse is performing an NIH Stroke Scale assessment on a stroke patient. The patient has an
abnormal arm drift. How should the nurse document this finding?
Normal arm movement
Both arms move equally
One arm drifts when the patient is asked to extend both arms
The arms do not move
One arm drifts when the patient is asked to extend both arms
3 multiple choice options
,A patient is receiving intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for an ischemic stroke. What is the
nurse's priority during the first 24 hours after administration?
Monitor for signs of increased intracranial pressure
Assess the patient's motor skills
Provide oral hydration
Perform a swallow evaluation
Monitor for signs of increased intracranial pressure
3 multiple choice options
A nurse is caring for a stroke patient who has expressive aphasia. Which intervention would be most
helpful?
Use simple, one-step commands
Speak to the patient using complex medical terminology
Provide a written script for the patient to read aloud
Avoid communication to reduce frustration
Use simple, one-step commands
3 multiple choice options
A patient recovering from a stroke has difficulty recognizing objects in their environment. This condition
is most likely related to damage in which part of the brain?
Left hemisphere
Right hemisphere
Brainstem
Cerebellum
Right hemisphere
3 multiple choice options
A stroke patient in the ICU has a blood pressure of 190/110 mmHg. What should the nurse do first?
Administer a stool softener
Call the physician for an antihypertensive order
Increase the fluid intake to lower BP
Begin deep breathing exercises
Call the physician for an antihypertensive order
3 multiple choice options
After a stroke, a patient shows signs of visual-perceptual issues, such as not noticing their affected arm.
What is the best intervention to address this?
Approach the patient from the unaffected side
Remind the patient to move the affected side
Encourage the patient to turn their head to increase field of vision
Offer the patient visual aids
,Approach the patient from the unaffected side
3 multiple choice options
A stroke patient has a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 9. How should the nurse interpret this score?
The patient is fully alert and responsive
The patient is in a deep coma
The patient has moderate impairment of consciousness
The patient is confused but responsive
The patient has moderate impairment of consciousness
3 multiple choice options
A 58-year-old male patient with a history of hypertension and diabetes has a hemorrhagic stroke. What
is a likely contributing factor to his condition?
High blood sugar
Atherosclerosis
Anticoagulant therapy
Uncontrolled blood pressure
Uncontrolled blood pressure
3 multiple choice options
A nurse is caring for a stroke patient who is nonverbal and exhibits signs of agitation. Which intervention
is most appropriate?
Speak slowly and calmly, using simple phrases
Ignore the agitation to prevent reinforcing negative behavior
Use restraints to calm the patient
Provide medication immediately
Speak slowly and calmly, using simple phrases
3 multiple choice options
A stroke patient who has right-sided hemiparesis needs assistance with feeding. Which is the most
appropriate positioning for the patient during meals?
Ensure the patient's affected arm is supported on a pillow
Position the patient on their left side to promote swallowing
Place the patient upright with both arms extended
Encourage the patient to feed themselves with both hands
Ensure the patient's affected arm is supported on a pillow
3 multiple choice options
A stroke patient is being treated with clopidogrel (Plavix). What is the nurse's primary concern when
administering this medication?
Risk of hemorrhage
Increased risk of blood clots
, Dehydration
Hypertension
Risk of hemorrhage
3 multiple choice options
A patient with a recent ischemic stroke is being prepared for discharge. What should the nurse
emphasize during discharge teaching?
The importance of taking anticoagulants as prescribed
A lifetime of bed rest to prevent re-injury
The need to continue a strict low-fat diet indefinitely
Continuous monitoring for respiratory infections
The importance of taking anticoagulants as prescribed
3 multiple choice options
A patient recovering from a stroke has difficulty swallowing. What is the nurse's first priority in care?
Assist with oral feeding using thickened liquids
Perform a swallow evaluation
Provide speech therapy consult
Position the patient upright before feeding
Perform a swallow evaluation
3 multiple choice options
A 60-year-old patient is admitted to the hospital after experiencing a TIA. Which of the following
interventions would the nurse prioritize?
Administer aspirin
Prepare for surgery
Monitor for signs of another TIA or stroke
Restrict all oral intake
Monitor for signs of another TIA or stroke
3 multiple choice options
A 65-year-old female patient with a history of atrial fibrillation is diagnosed with an ischemic stroke.
What is the nurse's priority intervention?
Administer thrombolytics
Administer anticoagulants as ordered
Monitor for signs of hemorrhage
Assess for carotid artery stenosis
Administer anticoagulants as ordered
3 multiple choice options
