NURS 225 Exam 4 Questions & Answers 2026 | High-Yield
Nursing Review | Graded A+
1. In a clinical scenario, if a patient exhibits decorticate posturing following a
traumatic brain injury, what should be the immediate focus of the medical
team?
To monitor the patient for signs of arthritis.
To perform a full musculoskeletal examination for joint issues.
To provide physical therapy for muscle strengthening.
To assess the extent of brain injury and initiate appropriate
neurological interventions.
2. If a patient has a positive Romberg sign, how will the patient possibly
present?
Ataxia due to dorsal column disease
Clumsy movements moving from finger to nose due to cerebellar
disease
Knee overshoots the knee due to cerebellar disease
Muscle grade of 1 for foot dorsiflexion due to lesion on L4
3. Indicate the set of tests that are used to diagnose cerebellar symptoms
Muscle tone of the limbs, finger-nose testing, muscle strength of the
limbs
Heel-knee testing, neck stiffness, Lasegue sign
Romberg testing, jaw clenching, muscle tone of the limbs
Finger nose testing, fast antagonistic movements, movements of the
eyes
, Reverse Lasegue sign, neck stiffness, heel-knee testing
4. What does the Glasgow Coma Scale assess in a patient?
Cognitive function
Reflexes
Level of consciousness
Muscle strength
5. Lordosis is a common finding in which age group(s)?
Pregnant women and children
Aging Adults and children
Pregnant women and aging adults
Pregnant women
6. In a clinical setting, if a patient presents with subtle symptoms that may
indicate a neurological issue, which type of examination would be more
appropriate to start with, and why?
A physical examination unrelated to neurological assessment.
A cognitive assessment, to evaluate memory and thinking skills.
A screening neurological exam, to quickly identify any significant
deficits.
A complete neurological exam, to gather extensive data immediately.
7. Describe how joint effusion and swelling can affect the assessment of
musculoskeletal conditions.
, Joint effusion is always a sign of arthritis, while swelling indicates a
fracture.
Joint effusion is only assessed in older adults, while swelling is
assessed in all age groups.
Both joint effusion and swelling are irrelevant in musculoskeletal
assessments.
Joint effusion may indicate an underlying joint pathology, while
swelling in surrounding tissues could suggest inflammation or injury.
8. What is opisthotonos?
An inability to focus on one particular item and excessive facial
gramicing/blinking.
Flacidity of the muscles from hyperextension of the neck and ankles,
due to severe meningeal irritation.
Restlessness and pacing, which may lead to a nutritionally deficient
state.
Arching of back (entire body) from hyperextension of the neck and
ankles, due to severe meningeal irritation.
9. What is a normal finding when palpating the cervical spine?
Swelling and pain
Limited range of motion
Muscle spasms
No tenderness or deformity
10. Interpret the significance of opisthotonos posturing in a neurological
examination.
, Opisthotonos posturing is a normal response to stress and does not
indicate any neurological issues.
Opisthotonos posturing is a sign of good health and flexibility.
Opisthotonos posturing suggests a mild muscle strain and is not a
concern.
Opisthotonos posturing indicates severe neurological impairment,
often associated with conditions like meningitis or severe brain
injury.
11. Why is decerebrate posturing considered a serious neurological sign?
Decerebrate posturing suggests minor neurological disturbances.
Decerebrate posturing is a sign of normal brain function.
Decerebrate posturing is often seen in healthy individuals.
Decerebrate posturing indicates severe brain injury and dysfunction
in the brainstem.
12. What is the grading scale for muscular response/motor strength?
1-6, 6 is normal
1-5, 1 is normal
0-4, 2 is normal
0-5, 5 is normal
13. An individual with Rheumatoid Arthritis could present will all the following
deformities EXCEPT:
Boutonniere's deformity
Swan neck deformity
Nursing Review | Graded A+
1. In a clinical scenario, if a patient exhibits decorticate posturing following a
traumatic brain injury, what should be the immediate focus of the medical
team?
To monitor the patient for signs of arthritis.
To perform a full musculoskeletal examination for joint issues.
To provide physical therapy for muscle strengthening.
To assess the extent of brain injury and initiate appropriate
neurological interventions.
2. If a patient has a positive Romberg sign, how will the patient possibly
present?
Ataxia due to dorsal column disease
Clumsy movements moving from finger to nose due to cerebellar
disease
Knee overshoots the knee due to cerebellar disease
Muscle grade of 1 for foot dorsiflexion due to lesion on L4
3. Indicate the set of tests that are used to diagnose cerebellar symptoms
Muscle tone of the limbs, finger-nose testing, muscle strength of the
limbs
Heel-knee testing, neck stiffness, Lasegue sign
Romberg testing, jaw clenching, muscle tone of the limbs
Finger nose testing, fast antagonistic movements, movements of the
eyes
, Reverse Lasegue sign, neck stiffness, heel-knee testing
4. What does the Glasgow Coma Scale assess in a patient?
Cognitive function
Reflexes
Level of consciousness
Muscle strength
5. Lordosis is a common finding in which age group(s)?
Pregnant women and children
Aging Adults and children
Pregnant women and aging adults
Pregnant women
6. In a clinical setting, if a patient presents with subtle symptoms that may
indicate a neurological issue, which type of examination would be more
appropriate to start with, and why?
A physical examination unrelated to neurological assessment.
A cognitive assessment, to evaluate memory and thinking skills.
A screening neurological exam, to quickly identify any significant
deficits.
A complete neurological exam, to gather extensive data immediately.
7. Describe how joint effusion and swelling can affect the assessment of
musculoskeletal conditions.
, Joint effusion is always a sign of arthritis, while swelling indicates a
fracture.
Joint effusion is only assessed in older adults, while swelling is
assessed in all age groups.
Both joint effusion and swelling are irrelevant in musculoskeletal
assessments.
Joint effusion may indicate an underlying joint pathology, while
swelling in surrounding tissues could suggest inflammation or injury.
8. What is opisthotonos?
An inability to focus on one particular item and excessive facial
gramicing/blinking.
Flacidity of the muscles from hyperextension of the neck and ankles,
due to severe meningeal irritation.
Restlessness and pacing, which may lead to a nutritionally deficient
state.
Arching of back (entire body) from hyperextension of the neck and
ankles, due to severe meningeal irritation.
9. What is a normal finding when palpating the cervical spine?
Swelling and pain
Limited range of motion
Muscle spasms
No tenderness or deformity
10. Interpret the significance of opisthotonos posturing in a neurological
examination.
, Opisthotonos posturing is a normal response to stress and does not
indicate any neurological issues.
Opisthotonos posturing is a sign of good health and flexibility.
Opisthotonos posturing suggests a mild muscle strain and is not a
concern.
Opisthotonos posturing indicates severe neurological impairment,
often associated with conditions like meningitis or severe brain
injury.
11. Why is decerebrate posturing considered a serious neurological sign?
Decerebrate posturing suggests minor neurological disturbances.
Decerebrate posturing is a sign of normal brain function.
Decerebrate posturing is often seen in healthy individuals.
Decerebrate posturing indicates severe brain injury and dysfunction
in the brainstem.
12. What is the grading scale for muscular response/motor strength?
1-6, 6 is normal
1-5, 1 is normal
0-4, 2 is normal
0-5, 5 is normal
13. An individual with Rheumatoid Arthritis could present will all the following
deformities EXCEPT:
Boutonniere's deformity
Swan neck deformity
