NSG 3107 CORE EXAM TEST 2026 QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
✔✔Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (concussion) - ✔✔Most common
Transient, reversible
Resolves 7-10d
Instant loss of awareness followed by amnesia and confusion
✔✔Contusion + Laceration - ✔✔Visible bruising and tearing of cerebral tissue
S+S vary depending on extent
Shaken baby syndrome
✔✔Skull Fractures - ✔✔Requires a lot of force
Underside fracture can tear brain tissue -> bleeds
✔✔Cerebral Edema - ✔✔Some edema expected after injury (esp 24-72 hrs after)
Caused by direct cellular injury or vascular injury
Diffuse swelling and changes in CBF are common patterns after head injury in children
✔✔Emergency Head Injury Assessment - ✔✔No food/drinks/meds
Check pupils q4
Seek medical attention if: fall is greater than childs height, LOC, crying >10min, clear
fluid from nose/ear, 3+ vomiting, visible swelling, speech slur, neck stiffness, bruising
below eyelid
✔✔Diagnostic Evaluation - ✔✔Hx
CAB
Shock
Spinal cord injury?
VS, neuro, LOC
Imaging (CT, MRI, EEG, LP)
✔✔Submersion Injury - ✔✔"submersion", "near drowning"
Age 1-4 highest risk
Hypoxia, asphyxiation, aspiration (pneum), hypothermia
Management: based on degree of injury
✔✔Intracranial Infection - ✔✔CNS limited response to injury
Lab studies required to determine causative agent
Inflammation can affect meninges/brain
, ✔✔Bacterial Meningitis (Def + Cause) - ✔✔Acute inflammation of meninges and CSF
Decr incidence w/ Hib vax
Cause: strep pneum, GBS, e coli
✔✔Bacterial Meningitis (Clinical Manifestations) - ✔✔
✔✔Bacterial Meningitis (Dx + Management) - ✔✔Dx: clinical features + CSF findings
Manage: dim lights, quiet voice, abx, supportive care
✔✔Nonbacterial Meningitis (Def, Cause, Dx) - ✔✔"Aseptic Meningitis"
Caused usu by viruses (entero)
Abrupt or gradual onset
Dx: clinical features + CSF findings
✔✔Nonbacterial Meningitis (Manifestations + Management) - ✔✔h/a, fvr, photophobia,
nuchal rigidity
Tx: symptomatic, virus will resolve on its own
✔✔Encephalitis - ✔✔Inflammatory process of CNA with altered function of brain and
spinal cord
Usually viral cause
Sudden or gradual onset
Management: observe ICP, supportive care
✔✔Reye's Syndrome (RS) - ✔✔Toxic encephalopathy associated with other
characteristic organ involvement
Usually viral cause (?ASA therapy)
Fever, LOC, disordered hepatic fxn
Prognosis: rapid recovery, no/few consequences
Management: avoid cerebral edema (no fluid overload, monitor I/O), observe signs of
ICP (correct if present)
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
✔✔Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (concussion) - ✔✔Most common
Transient, reversible
Resolves 7-10d
Instant loss of awareness followed by amnesia and confusion
✔✔Contusion + Laceration - ✔✔Visible bruising and tearing of cerebral tissue
S+S vary depending on extent
Shaken baby syndrome
✔✔Skull Fractures - ✔✔Requires a lot of force
Underside fracture can tear brain tissue -> bleeds
✔✔Cerebral Edema - ✔✔Some edema expected after injury (esp 24-72 hrs after)
Caused by direct cellular injury or vascular injury
Diffuse swelling and changes in CBF are common patterns after head injury in children
✔✔Emergency Head Injury Assessment - ✔✔No food/drinks/meds
Check pupils q4
Seek medical attention if: fall is greater than childs height, LOC, crying >10min, clear
fluid from nose/ear, 3+ vomiting, visible swelling, speech slur, neck stiffness, bruising
below eyelid
✔✔Diagnostic Evaluation - ✔✔Hx
CAB
Shock
Spinal cord injury?
VS, neuro, LOC
Imaging (CT, MRI, EEG, LP)
✔✔Submersion Injury - ✔✔"submersion", "near drowning"
Age 1-4 highest risk
Hypoxia, asphyxiation, aspiration (pneum), hypothermia
Management: based on degree of injury
✔✔Intracranial Infection - ✔✔CNS limited response to injury
Lab studies required to determine causative agent
Inflammation can affect meninges/brain
, ✔✔Bacterial Meningitis (Def + Cause) - ✔✔Acute inflammation of meninges and CSF
Decr incidence w/ Hib vax
Cause: strep pneum, GBS, e coli
✔✔Bacterial Meningitis (Clinical Manifestations) - ✔✔
✔✔Bacterial Meningitis (Dx + Management) - ✔✔Dx: clinical features + CSF findings
Manage: dim lights, quiet voice, abx, supportive care
✔✔Nonbacterial Meningitis (Def, Cause, Dx) - ✔✔"Aseptic Meningitis"
Caused usu by viruses (entero)
Abrupt or gradual onset
Dx: clinical features + CSF findings
✔✔Nonbacterial Meningitis (Manifestations + Management) - ✔✔h/a, fvr, photophobia,
nuchal rigidity
Tx: symptomatic, virus will resolve on its own
✔✔Encephalitis - ✔✔Inflammatory process of CNA with altered function of brain and
spinal cord
Usually viral cause
Sudden or gradual onset
Management: observe ICP, supportive care
✔✔Reye's Syndrome (RS) - ✔✔Toxic encephalopathy associated with other
characteristic organ involvement
Usually viral cause (?ASA therapy)
Fever, LOC, disordered hepatic fxn
Prognosis: rapid recovery, no/few consequences
Management: avoid cerebral edema (no fluid overload, monitor I/O), observe signs of
ICP (correct if present)
