NCLEX Neurology Practice Questions
1. A nurse is assessing a client with a head injury. Which finding indicates increased
intracranial pressure (ICP)?
✅ Answer: B. Bradycardia
Rationale: Cushing’s triad (bradycardia, widened pulse pressure, irregular respirations)
signals increased ICP.
2. A client recovering from a stroke suddenly becomes confused and has slurred speech.
What is the nurse’s priority action?
✅ Answer: B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Rationale: These are signs of a recurrent stroke — rapid intervention is needed.
3. A client has a lumbar puncture. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
✅ Answer: B. Clear drainage from the puncture site
Rationale: Clear drainage may indicate CSF leak — risk for infection or herniation.
4. Which assessment is most reliable for determining the level of consciousness?
✅ Answer: B. Glasgow Coma Scale
Rationale: GCS provides a standardized, objective measure of consciousness.
5. Which intervention helps reduce ICP?
✅ Answer: B. Keeping the head midline
Rationale: Promotes venous drainage from the brain.
6. During a seizure, the nurse should:
✅ Answer: C. Place client on side and protect head
Rationale: Prevents aspiration and injury; restraints and oral meds contraindicated.
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, 7. A patient with myasthenia gravis is experiencing difficulty swallowing. The nurse should:
✅ Answer: C. Provide small, frequent meals with rest
Rationale: Prevents aspiration and fatigue of muscles.
8. In Parkinson’s disease, the neurotransmitter deficiency is:
✅ Answer: B. Dopamine
Rationale: Dopamine deficiency leads to tremors and rigidity.
9. The priority for a client with Guillain-Barré syndrome is monitoring:
✅ Answer: B. Respiratory status
Rationale: Paralysis can progress to respiratory failure.
10. Which finding indicates effective treatment of increased ICP?
✅ Answer: B. Improved LOC
Rationale: Improved neurologic status shows reduced ICP.
11. Which diagnostic test confirms meningitis?
✅ Answer: C. Lumbar puncture
Rationale: CSF analysis identifies infection and causative organism.
12. For a client with a spinal cord injury at T4, which finding requires immediate action?
✅ Answer: A. Flushed skin and headache
Rationale: Indicates autonomic dysreflexia — a medical emergency.
13. Which medication is given to reduce cerebral edema after head injury?
This study source was downloaded by 100000804717335 from CourseHero.com on 11-21-2025 03:42:46 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/252796167/NCLEX-Neurology-Practice-Questions-1docx/
1. A nurse is assessing a client with a head injury. Which finding indicates increased
intracranial pressure (ICP)?
✅ Answer: B. Bradycardia
Rationale: Cushing’s triad (bradycardia, widened pulse pressure, irregular respirations)
signals increased ICP.
2. A client recovering from a stroke suddenly becomes confused and has slurred speech.
What is the nurse’s priority action?
✅ Answer: B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Rationale: These are signs of a recurrent stroke — rapid intervention is needed.
3. A client has a lumbar puncture. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
✅ Answer: B. Clear drainage from the puncture site
Rationale: Clear drainage may indicate CSF leak — risk for infection or herniation.
4. Which assessment is most reliable for determining the level of consciousness?
✅ Answer: B. Glasgow Coma Scale
Rationale: GCS provides a standardized, objective measure of consciousness.
5. Which intervention helps reduce ICP?
✅ Answer: B. Keeping the head midline
Rationale: Promotes venous drainage from the brain.
6. During a seizure, the nurse should:
✅ Answer: C. Place client on side and protect head
Rationale: Prevents aspiration and injury; restraints and oral meds contraindicated.
This study source was downloaded by 100000804717335 from CourseHero.com on 11-21-2025 03:42:46 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/252796167/NCLEX-Neurology-Practice-Questions-1docx/
, 7. A patient with myasthenia gravis is experiencing difficulty swallowing. The nurse should:
✅ Answer: C. Provide small, frequent meals with rest
Rationale: Prevents aspiration and fatigue of muscles.
8. In Parkinson’s disease, the neurotransmitter deficiency is:
✅ Answer: B. Dopamine
Rationale: Dopamine deficiency leads to tremors and rigidity.
9. The priority for a client with Guillain-Barré syndrome is monitoring:
✅ Answer: B. Respiratory status
Rationale: Paralysis can progress to respiratory failure.
10. Which finding indicates effective treatment of increased ICP?
✅ Answer: B. Improved LOC
Rationale: Improved neurologic status shows reduced ICP.
11. Which diagnostic test confirms meningitis?
✅ Answer: C. Lumbar puncture
Rationale: CSF analysis identifies infection and causative organism.
12. For a client with a spinal cord injury at T4, which finding requires immediate action?
✅ Answer: A. Flushed skin and headache
Rationale: Indicates autonomic dysreflexia — a medical emergency.
13. Which medication is given to reduce cerebral edema after head injury?
This study source was downloaded by 100000804717335 from CourseHero.com on 11-21-2025 03:42:46 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/252796167/NCLEX-Neurology-Practice-Questions-1docx/
