Rasmussen University NUR 2755 Module 2 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | MDC 4
Q&A | Nursing
1. Which of the following best describes the primary pathophysiological
difference between an ischemic stroke and a hemorrhagic stroke?
A) Ischemic stroke involves bleeding into brain tissue, while hemorrhagic
stroke involves a clot blocking blood flow
B) Ischemic stroke is caused by an interruption in blood flow due to a
thrombus or embolus, while hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding into
brain tissue or the subarachnoid space
C) Ischemic stroke is always fatal, while hemorrhagic stroke is usually
survivable
D) Ischemic stroke is caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure, while
hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a sudden spike in blood pressure
Correct Answer: Ischemic stroke is caused by an interruption in blood flow
due to a thrombus or embolus, while hemorrhagic stroke is caused by
bleeding into brain tissue or the subarachnoid space
Rationale: Ischemic strokes result from a blockage (thrombus or embolus)
that interrupts cerebral blood flow. Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by
bleeding into brain tissue (intracerebral) or the subarachnoid space, often
from hypertension or aneurysm rupture. The management approaches differ
significantly: ischemic stroke may be treated with thrombolytics, while
hemorrhagic stroke requires controlling bleeding and ICP.
2. A client presents with sudden onset of right-sided weakness, facial droop,
and slurred speech. The nurse should prioritize which action?
A) Obtain a detailed medical history
B) Call a code stroke and initiate the stroke protocol
C) Administer aspirin immediately
D) Notify the family of the client's condition
,Correct Answer: Call a code stroke and initiate the stroke protocol
Rationale: Time is critical in stroke treatment. The priority is to activate the
stroke protocol immediately to minimize time to evaluation and treatment.
The "FAST" mnemonic (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) guides rapid recognition.
Obtaining a history, administering aspirin, and notifying family are important
but secondary to activating the stroke team and obtaining a stat CT scan to
determine stroke type.
3. Which of the following is considered a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?
A) A permanent neurological deficit caused by a stroke
B) A temporary episode of neurological dysfunction caused by focal brain
ischemia without evidence of infarction
C) A type of seizure disorder
D) A sudden loss of consciousness without a clear cause
Correct Answer: A temporary episode of neurological dysfunction caused by
focal brain ischemia without evidence of infarction
Rationale: A TIA is a temporary episode of neurologic dysfunction caused by
focal brain ischemia that resolves within 24 hours without evidence of
infarction. TIAs are important warning signs of an impending stroke and
require prompt evaluation and management.
4. The nurse is assessing a client with a suspected stroke using the NIH
Stroke Scale. Which component is part of this assessment?
A) Level of consciousness
B) Motor function
C) Language
D) All of the above
,Correct Answer: All of the above
Rationale: The NIH Stroke Scale assesses level of consciousness, motor
function, language, sensory function, and other neurologic domains. It is
used to quantify the severity of stroke and guide treatment decisions.
5. A client is diagnosed with an ischemic stroke. Which medication should the
nurse anticipate administering if the client is within the therapeutic window?
A) Aspirin
B) Heparin
C) Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)
D) Clopidogrel
Correct Answer: Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)
Rationale: tPA is the only FDA-approved thrombolytic medication for acute
ischemic stroke and must be administered within 3-4.5 hours of symptom
onset. Aspirin, heparin, and clopidogrel are used for secondary prevention
but are not first-line for acute treatment.
6. The nurse is caring for a client with a stroke who has dysphagia. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A) Place the client in a supine position for meals
B) Provide thin liquids to make swallowing easier
C) Consult with a speech-language pathologist for a swallowing evaluation
D) Encourage the client to eat quickly to prevent fatigue
, Correct Answer: Consult with a speech-language pathologist for a swallowing
evaluation
Rationale: Clients with dysphagia after a stroke are at high risk for aspiration
pneumonia. A formal swallowing evaluation by a speech-language
pathologist is essential to determine the safest diet consistency and feeding
techniques.
7. A client who has had a stroke has expressive aphasia. Which
communication strategy should the nurse use?
A) Speak loudly to improve comprehension
B) Use simple, yes/no questions and allow time for responses
C) Avoid speaking to the client to prevent frustration
D) Use complex sentences to stimulate the client's brain
Correct Answer: Use simple, yes/no questions and allow time for responses
Rationale: Expressive aphasia (Broca's aphasia) is the inability to produce
language, though comprehension may be intact. The nurse should use
simple questions that require a yes/no or short answer and allow the client
adequate time to respond.
8. A client with a stroke is experiencing neglect syndrome. Which behavior
would the nurse expect to observe?
A) The client ignores the affected side of the body
B) The client has difficulty speaking
C) The client has difficulty swallowing
D) The client has visual field cuts
Correct Answer: The client ignores the affected side of the body
Q&A | Nursing
1. Which of the following best describes the primary pathophysiological
difference between an ischemic stroke and a hemorrhagic stroke?
A) Ischemic stroke involves bleeding into brain tissue, while hemorrhagic
stroke involves a clot blocking blood flow
B) Ischemic stroke is caused by an interruption in blood flow due to a
thrombus or embolus, while hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding into
brain tissue or the subarachnoid space
C) Ischemic stroke is always fatal, while hemorrhagic stroke is usually
survivable
D) Ischemic stroke is caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure, while
hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a sudden spike in blood pressure
Correct Answer: Ischemic stroke is caused by an interruption in blood flow
due to a thrombus or embolus, while hemorrhagic stroke is caused by
bleeding into brain tissue or the subarachnoid space
Rationale: Ischemic strokes result from a blockage (thrombus or embolus)
that interrupts cerebral blood flow. Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by
bleeding into brain tissue (intracerebral) or the subarachnoid space, often
from hypertension or aneurysm rupture. The management approaches differ
significantly: ischemic stroke may be treated with thrombolytics, while
hemorrhagic stroke requires controlling bleeding and ICP.
2. A client presents with sudden onset of right-sided weakness, facial droop,
and slurred speech. The nurse should prioritize which action?
A) Obtain a detailed medical history
B) Call a code stroke and initiate the stroke protocol
C) Administer aspirin immediately
D) Notify the family of the client's condition
,Correct Answer: Call a code stroke and initiate the stroke protocol
Rationale: Time is critical in stroke treatment. The priority is to activate the
stroke protocol immediately to minimize time to evaluation and treatment.
The "FAST" mnemonic (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) guides rapid recognition.
Obtaining a history, administering aspirin, and notifying family are important
but secondary to activating the stroke team and obtaining a stat CT scan to
determine stroke type.
3. Which of the following is considered a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?
A) A permanent neurological deficit caused by a stroke
B) A temporary episode of neurological dysfunction caused by focal brain
ischemia without evidence of infarction
C) A type of seizure disorder
D) A sudden loss of consciousness without a clear cause
Correct Answer: A temporary episode of neurological dysfunction caused by
focal brain ischemia without evidence of infarction
Rationale: A TIA is a temporary episode of neurologic dysfunction caused by
focal brain ischemia that resolves within 24 hours without evidence of
infarction. TIAs are important warning signs of an impending stroke and
require prompt evaluation and management.
4. The nurse is assessing a client with a suspected stroke using the NIH
Stroke Scale. Which component is part of this assessment?
A) Level of consciousness
B) Motor function
C) Language
D) All of the above
,Correct Answer: All of the above
Rationale: The NIH Stroke Scale assesses level of consciousness, motor
function, language, sensory function, and other neurologic domains. It is
used to quantify the severity of stroke and guide treatment decisions.
5. A client is diagnosed with an ischemic stroke. Which medication should the
nurse anticipate administering if the client is within the therapeutic window?
A) Aspirin
B) Heparin
C) Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)
D) Clopidogrel
Correct Answer: Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)
Rationale: tPA is the only FDA-approved thrombolytic medication for acute
ischemic stroke and must be administered within 3-4.5 hours of symptom
onset. Aspirin, heparin, and clopidogrel are used for secondary prevention
but are not first-line for acute treatment.
6. The nurse is caring for a client with a stroke who has dysphagia. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A) Place the client in a supine position for meals
B) Provide thin liquids to make swallowing easier
C) Consult with a speech-language pathologist for a swallowing evaluation
D) Encourage the client to eat quickly to prevent fatigue
, Correct Answer: Consult with a speech-language pathologist for a swallowing
evaluation
Rationale: Clients with dysphagia after a stroke are at high risk for aspiration
pneumonia. A formal swallowing evaluation by a speech-language
pathologist is essential to determine the safest diet consistency and feeding
techniques.
7. A client who has had a stroke has expressive aphasia. Which
communication strategy should the nurse use?
A) Speak loudly to improve comprehension
B) Use simple, yes/no questions and allow time for responses
C) Avoid speaking to the client to prevent frustration
D) Use complex sentences to stimulate the client's brain
Correct Answer: Use simple, yes/no questions and allow time for responses
Rationale: Expressive aphasia (Broca's aphasia) is the inability to produce
language, though comprehension may be intact. The nurse should use
simple questions that require a yes/no or short answer and allow the client
adequate time to respond.
8. A client with a stroke is experiencing neglect syndrome. Which behavior
would the nurse expect to observe?
A) The client ignores the affected side of the body
B) The client has difficulty speaking
C) The client has difficulty swallowing
D) The client has visual field cuts
Correct Answer: The client ignores the affected side of the body
