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NR 572 Final Exam 2026/2027 Chamberlain Advanced Acute
Care Management Actual Exam Questions Verified Answers
Study Guide Grade A
1. After giving IV alteplase (tPA), what should be done 24 hours prior to initiating
anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents?
A. A follow-up CT scan of the head
B. A repeat INR and PTT
C. Neurological assessment every 15 minutes
D. A baseline ECG
Correct Answer: A. A follow-up CT scan of the head
Rationale: After IV alteplase administration, a follow-up CT scan of the head should be
performed at 24 hours to rule out intracranial hemorrhage before initiating
anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents.
2. Which of the following are indications for performing a lumbar puncture (LP)? Select
all that apply.
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A. CSF sample for examination
B. Pressure measurements for normal pressure hydrocephalus
C. Reduction in CSF pressure
D. Spinal anesthesia administration
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Indications for LP include CSF sampling, pressure measurement for NPH, CSF
pressure reduction, infections, subarachnoid hemorrhage, inflammatory conditions,
multiple sclerosis, carcinomatosis, spinal anesthetics, antitumor agents, antibiotics,
myelography, and radionuclide cisternography.
3. Which of the following are absolute contraindications for performing a lumbar
puncture? Select all that apply.
A. Increased risk of fatal cerebellar or transtentorial herniation
B. Coagulopathy
C. Infection over the puncture site
D. Spinal block requiring a sample above the lesion
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Contraindications to LP include increased risk of herniation, coagulopathy,
infection over the puncture site, and spinal block requiring a sample above the lesion.
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4. A patient develops sciatic pain during lumbar puncture needle insertion. What is the
most likely cause?
A. Needle placement too laterally
B. Needle placement too medially
C. Patient anxiety
D. Infection at the puncture site
Correct Answer: A. Needle placement too laterally
Rationale: Sciatic pain during needle insertion indicates the needle is placed too
laterally, irritating the sciatic nerve. The needle should be redirected medially.
5. How is chronic meningitis diagnosed?
A. Lumbar puncture with CSF analysis or contrast MRI/CT showing meningeal
enhancement
B. Blood cultures alone
C. Brain biopsy
D. Clinical symptoms only
Correct Answer: A. Lumbar puncture with CSF analysis or contrast MRI/CT showing
meningeal enhancement
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Rationale: Chronic meningitis is diagnosed via lumbar puncture with CSF analysis
showing persistent inflammation or contrast-enhanced MRI/CT showing leakage of
contrast into the meninges.
6. A patient with a suspected brain abscess develops worsening headache and
meningismus. What complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Resolution of the abscess
B. Rupture or spread of the abscess
C. Medication side effect
D. Increased intracranial pressure only
Correct Answer: B. Rupture or spread of the abscess
Rationale: Worsening headache with development of meningismus (meningeal
irritation) suggests rupture or spread of the brain abscess into the subarachnoid space.
7. What is the preferred neuroimaging modality for diagnosing a brain abscess?
A. CT without contrast
B. CT with contrast
C. MRI
D. X-ray
NR 572 Final Exam 2026/2027 Chamberlain Advanced Acute
Care Management Actual Exam Questions Verified Answers
Study Guide Grade A
1. After giving IV alteplase (tPA), what should be done 24 hours prior to initiating
anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents?
A. A follow-up CT scan of the head
B. A repeat INR and PTT
C. Neurological assessment every 15 minutes
D. A baseline ECG
Correct Answer: A. A follow-up CT scan of the head
Rationale: After IV alteplase administration, a follow-up CT scan of the head should be
performed at 24 hours to rule out intracranial hemorrhage before initiating
anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents.
2. Which of the following are indications for performing a lumbar puncture (LP)? Select
all that apply.
,2|Page
A. CSF sample for examination
B. Pressure measurements for normal pressure hydrocephalus
C. Reduction in CSF pressure
D. Spinal anesthesia administration
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Indications for LP include CSF sampling, pressure measurement for NPH, CSF
pressure reduction, infections, subarachnoid hemorrhage, inflammatory conditions,
multiple sclerosis, carcinomatosis, spinal anesthetics, antitumor agents, antibiotics,
myelography, and radionuclide cisternography.
3. Which of the following are absolute contraindications for performing a lumbar
puncture? Select all that apply.
A. Increased risk of fatal cerebellar or transtentorial herniation
B. Coagulopathy
C. Infection over the puncture site
D. Spinal block requiring a sample above the lesion
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Contraindications to LP include increased risk of herniation, coagulopathy,
infection over the puncture site, and spinal block requiring a sample above the lesion.
,3|Page
4. A patient develops sciatic pain during lumbar puncture needle insertion. What is the
most likely cause?
A. Needle placement too laterally
B. Needle placement too medially
C. Patient anxiety
D. Infection at the puncture site
Correct Answer: A. Needle placement too laterally
Rationale: Sciatic pain during needle insertion indicates the needle is placed too
laterally, irritating the sciatic nerve. The needle should be redirected medially.
5. How is chronic meningitis diagnosed?
A. Lumbar puncture with CSF analysis or contrast MRI/CT showing meningeal
enhancement
B. Blood cultures alone
C. Brain biopsy
D. Clinical symptoms only
Correct Answer: A. Lumbar puncture with CSF analysis or contrast MRI/CT showing
meningeal enhancement
, 4|Page
Rationale: Chronic meningitis is diagnosed via lumbar puncture with CSF analysis
showing persistent inflammation or contrast-enhanced MRI/CT showing leakage of
contrast into the meninges.
6. A patient with a suspected brain abscess develops worsening headache and
meningismus. What complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Resolution of the abscess
B. Rupture or spread of the abscess
C. Medication side effect
D. Increased intracranial pressure only
Correct Answer: B. Rupture or spread of the abscess
Rationale: Worsening headache with development of meningismus (meningeal
irritation) suggests rupture or spread of the brain abscess into the subarachnoid space.
7. What is the preferred neuroimaging modality for diagnosing a brain abscess?
A. CT without contrast
B. CT with contrast
C. MRI
D. X-ray
