Galen College NUR 170 Exam 2 (PDF) | 200 Practice Questions
& Detailed Answers | MedicalSurgical Nursing | A+ Guide
SECTION I: NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS (Questions 1–50)
1. Which of the following patients would the nurse identify as being at highest risk for stroke?
A) A 27yearold heavy cocaine user
B) A 30yearold who drinks one beer per day
C) A 40yearold who uses seasonal antihistamines
D) A 65yearold who is active and on no medications
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cocaine use is a significant risk factor for stroke due to its vasoconstrictive effects and ability
to cause hypertension, vasospasm, and cardiac arrhythmias. Age is also a risk factor, but the acute
effects of cocaine use present a more immediate and severe risk.
2. A nurse assesses a client who has a history of migraines. Which clinical manifestation would the nurse
identify as an aura?
A) Vertigo
B) Visual disturbances
C) Lethargy
D) Numbness of the tongue
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: An aura in migraines typically presents as visual disturbances such as flashing lights, zigzag
lines, or temporary vision loss. Aura occurs in about 20% of migraine cases and precedes the headache
phase.
3. A nurse assesses a patient with earlyonset multiple sclerosis. Which clinical manifestation would the
nurse expect to find?
A) Hyperresponsive reflexes
B) Nystagmus
C) Excessive somnolence
D) Heat intolerance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nystagmus (involuntary eye movements) is a common early manifestation of multiple
sclerosis due to demyelination of the optic nerves and brainstem pathways. Heat intolerance is also
common but is not specific to early onset.
4. A client begins to experience a tonicclonic seizure and loss of consciousness. What action would the
nurse take first?
A) Start fluids via a largebore catheter
B) Administer IV push diazepam
C) Turn the client's head to the side
D) Prepare to intubate the patient
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: During a seizure, the priority is to maintain the airway and prevent aspiration. Turning the
client's head to the side allows secretions to drain and helps keep the airway patent.
5. A patient is being evaluated for possible Parkinson's disease. Which finding is most characteristic of
this condition?
A) Choreoathetoid movements
B) Resting tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia
C) Hemiplegia
D) Ataxia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Parkinson's disease is characterized by the classic triad of resting tremor, rigidity, and
bradykinesia (slowness of movement). These result from dopamine depletion in the nigrostriatal
pathway.
6. The nurse is teaching a patient with Parkinson's disease about medication management. Which
statement indicates the patient understands the teaching?
A) "I should take my levodopa with a highprotein meal."
B) "I will take my medications on time every day to maintain steady levels."
C) "I can stop my medication when I feel better."
D) "I only need to take my medication when I have symptoms."
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Consistent timing of Parkinson's medications is crucial to maintain therapeutic levels and
minimize "onoff" fluctuations. Levodopa should be taken on an empty stomach or with lowprotein foods
to maximize absorption.
7. A patient with multiple sclerosis is experiencing an exacerbation. Which intervention should the nurse
prioritize?
A) Administering corticosteroids as prescribed
B) Initiating physical therapy
C) Providing a highfat diet
D) Encouraging strenuous exercise
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment for acute MS exacerbations to reduce
inflammation and shorten the duration of symptoms.
8. A patient presents with sudden onset of severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and photophobia. The
nurse should suspect:
A) Tension headache
B) Migraine headache
C) Cluster headache
& Detailed Answers | MedicalSurgical Nursing | A+ Guide
SECTION I: NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS (Questions 1–50)
1. Which of the following patients would the nurse identify as being at highest risk for stroke?
A) A 27yearold heavy cocaine user
B) A 30yearold who drinks one beer per day
C) A 40yearold who uses seasonal antihistamines
D) A 65yearold who is active and on no medications
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cocaine use is a significant risk factor for stroke due to its vasoconstrictive effects and ability
to cause hypertension, vasospasm, and cardiac arrhythmias. Age is also a risk factor, but the acute
effects of cocaine use present a more immediate and severe risk.
2. A nurse assesses a client who has a history of migraines. Which clinical manifestation would the nurse
identify as an aura?
A) Vertigo
B) Visual disturbances
C) Lethargy
D) Numbness of the tongue
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: An aura in migraines typically presents as visual disturbances such as flashing lights, zigzag
lines, or temporary vision loss. Aura occurs in about 20% of migraine cases and precedes the headache
phase.
3. A nurse assesses a patient with earlyonset multiple sclerosis. Which clinical manifestation would the
nurse expect to find?
A) Hyperresponsive reflexes
B) Nystagmus
C) Excessive somnolence
D) Heat intolerance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nystagmus (involuntary eye movements) is a common early manifestation of multiple
sclerosis due to demyelination of the optic nerves and brainstem pathways. Heat intolerance is also
common but is not specific to early onset.
4. A client begins to experience a tonicclonic seizure and loss of consciousness. What action would the
nurse take first?
A) Start fluids via a largebore catheter
B) Administer IV push diazepam
C) Turn the client's head to the side
D) Prepare to intubate the patient
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: During a seizure, the priority is to maintain the airway and prevent aspiration. Turning the
client's head to the side allows secretions to drain and helps keep the airway patent.
5. A patient is being evaluated for possible Parkinson's disease. Which finding is most characteristic of
this condition?
A) Choreoathetoid movements
B) Resting tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia
C) Hemiplegia
D) Ataxia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Parkinson's disease is characterized by the classic triad of resting tremor, rigidity, and
bradykinesia (slowness of movement). These result from dopamine depletion in the nigrostriatal
pathway.
6. The nurse is teaching a patient with Parkinson's disease about medication management. Which
statement indicates the patient understands the teaching?
A) "I should take my levodopa with a highprotein meal."
B) "I will take my medications on time every day to maintain steady levels."
C) "I can stop my medication when I feel better."
D) "I only need to take my medication when I have symptoms."
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Consistent timing of Parkinson's medications is crucial to maintain therapeutic levels and
minimize "onoff" fluctuations. Levodopa should be taken on an empty stomach or with lowprotein foods
to maximize absorption.
7. A patient with multiple sclerosis is experiencing an exacerbation. Which intervention should the nurse
prioritize?
A) Administering corticosteroids as prescribed
B) Initiating physical therapy
C) Providing a highfat diet
D) Encouraging strenuous exercise
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment for acute MS exacerbations to reduce
inflammation and shorten the duration of symptoms.
8. A patient presents with sudden onset of severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and photophobia. The
nurse should suspect:
A) Tension headache
B) Migraine headache
C) Cluster headache
