Stroke and Neurological Emergencies
Practice Exam Merged With Correct
Verified And Well Analyzed Answers |
2026 Latest Update | Already Graded
A+
1. A nurse is assessing a patient suspected of having an ischemic
stroke. Which symptom should the nurse recognize as a
common early manifestation?
A. Sudden unilateral weakness B. Gradual hearing loss C. Chronic
low back pain D. Bilateral ankle edema
Answer: A. Sudden unilateral weakness
Rationale: Ischemic strokes commonly present with sudden
neurological deficits such as unilateral weakness, facial drooping, or
speech difficulty. These symptoms occur due to interrupted blood flow
to a specific region of the brain. Hearing loss, low back pain, and
ankle edema are not typical acute stroke manifestations.
2. Which action should the nurse take first when caring for a
patient with signs of acute stroke?
A. Administer oral fluids B. Assess airway, breathing, and
circulation C. Place the patient in Trendelenburg position D. Obtain
a dietary history
,Answer: B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
Rationale: Initial stroke management follows the ABCs of emergency
care. Airway patency, adequate breathing, and circulation must be
assessed immediately to prevent hypoxia and further brain injury. Oral
fluids may increase aspiration risk, and Trendelenburg positioning is
not recommended for stroke patients.
3. A patient arrives in the emergency department with slurred
speech and facial drooping that began 30 minutes ago. Which
diagnostic test is most important initially?
A. Chest X-ray B. Electrocardiogram C. Noncontrast CT scan of the
head D. Abdominal ultrasound
Answer: C. Noncontrast CT scan of the head
Rationale: A noncontrast CT scan is the priority diagnostic study
because it distinguishes ischemic stroke from hemorrhagic stroke.
This information is essential before administering thrombolytic
therapy. Chest X-rays and ECGs may be useful later but are not the
immediate priority.
4. Which assessment finding is most consistent with increased
intracranial pressure?
A. Bradycardia and hypertension B. Hypotension and tachycardia
C. Warm flushed skin D. Polyuria and thirst
Answer: A. Bradycardia and hypertension
Rationale: Increased intracranial pressure may produce Cushing’s
triad, which includes bradycardia, hypertension with widened pulse
pressure, and irregular respirations. These findings indicate brainstem
compression and require immediate intervention.
, 5. A nurse is preparing to administer alteplase to a patient with
ischemic stroke. Which finding would contraindicate this
medication?
A. Blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg B. Symptom onset 1 hour ago C.
Intracranial hemorrhage on CT scan D. Age of 65 years
Answer: C. Intracranial hemorrhage on CT scan
Rationale: Alteplase is contraindicated in hemorrhagic stroke because
it can worsen bleeding and increase mortality risk. Patients with
ischemic stroke who meet eligibility criteria may benefit from
thrombolytic therapy if given within the recommended time frame.
6. Which position is best for a patient with increased intracranial
pressure?
A. Supine with legs elevated B. Flat on the abdomen C. Head of bed
elevated 30 degrees D. Trendelenburg position
Answer: C. Head of bed elevated 30 degrees
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed promotes venous drainage
from the brain and helps reduce intracranial pressure. Flat or
Trendelenburg positions may worsen cerebral edema and increase
pressure within the skull.
7. A patient with a transient ischemic attack asks the nurse what
this condition means. Which response is most appropriate?
A. “It is a temporary interruption in blood flow to the brain.” B. “It
is a severe type of hemorrhagic stroke.” C. “It means permanent
brain damage has occurred.” D. “It is unrelated to future stroke
risk.”
Answer: A. “It is a temporary interruption in blood flow to the
brain.”
Practice Exam Merged With Correct
Verified And Well Analyzed Answers |
2026 Latest Update | Already Graded
A+
1. A nurse is assessing a patient suspected of having an ischemic
stroke. Which symptom should the nurse recognize as a
common early manifestation?
A. Sudden unilateral weakness B. Gradual hearing loss C. Chronic
low back pain D. Bilateral ankle edema
Answer: A. Sudden unilateral weakness
Rationale: Ischemic strokes commonly present with sudden
neurological deficits such as unilateral weakness, facial drooping, or
speech difficulty. These symptoms occur due to interrupted blood flow
to a specific region of the brain. Hearing loss, low back pain, and
ankle edema are not typical acute stroke manifestations.
2. Which action should the nurse take first when caring for a
patient with signs of acute stroke?
A. Administer oral fluids B. Assess airway, breathing, and
circulation C. Place the patient in Trendelenburg position D. Obtain
a dietary history
,Answer: B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
Rationale: Initial stroke management follows the ABCs of emergency
care. Airway patency, adequate breathing, and circulation must be
assessed immediately to prevent hypoxia and further brain injury. Oral
fluids may increase aspiration risk, and Trendelenburg positioning is
not recommended for stroke patients.
3. A patient arrives in the emergency department with slurred
speech and facial drooping that began 30 minutes ago. Which
diagnostic test is most important initially?
A. Chest X-ray B. Electrocardiogram C. Noncontrast CT scan of the
head D. Abdominal ultrasound
Answer: C. Noncontrast CT scan of the head
Rationale: A noncontrast CT scan is the priority diagnostic study
because it distinguishes ischemic stroke from hemorrhagic stroke.
This information is essential before administering thrombolytic
therapy. Chest X-rays and ECGs may be useful later but are not the
immediate priority.
4. Which assessment finding is most consistent with increased
intracranial pressure?
A. Bradycardia and hypertension B. Hypotension and tachycardia
C. Warm flushed skin D. Polyuria and thirst
Answer: A. Bradycardia and hypertension
Rationale: Increased intracranial pressure may produce Cushing’s
triad, which includes bradycardia, hypertension with widened pulse
pressure, and irregular respirations. These findings indicate brainstem
compression and require immediate intervention.
, 5. A nurse is preparing to administer alteplase to a patient with
ischemic stroke. Which finding would contraindicate this
medication?
A. Blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg B. Symptom onset 1 hour ago C.
Intracranial hemorrhage on CT scan D. Age of 65 years
Answer: C. Intracranial hemorrhage on CT scan
Rationale: Alteplase is contraindicated in hemorrhagic stroke because
it can worsen bleeding and increase mortality risk. Patients with
ischemic stroke who meet eligibility criteria may benefit from
thrombolytic therapy if given within the recommended time frame.
6. Which position is best for a patient with increased intracranial
pressure?
A. Supine with legs elevated B. Flat on the abdomen C. Head of bed
elevated 30 degrees D. Trendelenburg position
Answer: C. Head of bed elevated 30 degrees
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed promotes venous drainage
from the brain and helps reduce intracranial pressure. Flat or
Trendelenburg positions may worsen cerebral edema and increase
pressure within the skull.
7. A patient with a transient ischemic attack asks the nurse what
this condition means. Which response is most appropriate?
A. “It is a temporary interruption in blood flow to the brain.” B. “It
is a severe type of hemorrhagic stroke.” C. “It means permanent
brain damage has occurred.” D. “It is unrelated to future stroke
risk.”
Answer: A. “It is a temporary interruption in blood flow to the
brain.”
