Neurological NCLEX Questions and Answers 100% Pass
The nurse is caring for a patient who suffered massive head trauma, and suspected increased intracranial pressure (ICP) from an automobile accident. Which cranial nerves are most appropriate to check at this time?
- CN I and CN II
- CN II and CN III
- CN III and CN IV
D .CN IV and CN V ✔✔B. CN II and CN III
When increased ICP is suspected, the nurse performs a complete neurologic assessment. What does the pupillary response indicate?
- High pressure can cause blurred vision.
- Hemorrhage can cause visual impairment.
- Pupil dilation is the first sign of increased ICP.
- Pupil changes can be caused by pressure on the ocular nerve. ✔✔D. Pupil changes can be
caused by pressure on the ocular nerve.
When rating a patient using the Glasgow Coma Scale, what would be appropriate for the LPN/LVN to ask the patient to do in order to test the patient's motor response?
- Roll his eyes in a circle.
- Take a deep breath and exhale.
- Describe the view from his window.
- Touch his nose with his left index finger. ✔✔D. Touch his nose with his left index finger.
The nurse is assessing a patient who has a brain tumor. What assessment finding is most indicative of increased ICP in this patient?
- Decreasing level of consciousness (LOC)
- Elevated temperature
- Agitation and hostility
- Increasing blood pressure (BP) ✔✔A. Decreasing level of consciousness (LOC)
The nurse is assessing the patient's patellar reflex. The patient asks what the purpose of this exam is. Which response by the nurse is correct?
- "I am checking the conscious nerve response in your leg."
- "This assessment determines your hand-eye coordination."
- "Checking this reflex assesses involuntary muscular contractions."
- "The patellar reflex demonstrates large voluntary muscle coordination." ✔✔C. "Checking
this reflex assesses involuntary muscular contractions."
The nurse is performing a "neuro check" on a patient who has demonstrated a decreased LOC.What is the best way to assess the patient's neuromuscular status?
- Measure the patient's vital signs.
- Test the reaction of the patient's pupils to light.
- Check the patient's response to the stimulus of pinching.
- Determine whether the patient is able to move his legs and arms ✔✔D. Determine whether
the patient is able to move his legs and arms
A patient who is to have computed tomography (CT scan) of the brain voices concern about the procedure. The LPN/LVN can best allay the patient's fears by making which statement?
- "CT scans use only a small amount of radioactive material injected into your brain."
- "The procedure is safe and painless; you will hear a clicking noise as the CT machine
- "You will probably be given something to make you drowsy and deaden the pain during the
rotates."
CT scan."
- "CT scanning is a new procedure, and since it involves the brain, I think the doctor can
answer your questions better than I can." ✔✔B. "The procedure is safe and painless; you will hear a clicking noise as the CT machine rotates."
The nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone a lumbar puncture in order to run tests on the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The nurse knows which laboratory value is abnormal?
- Glucose 60 mg/100 mL
- Clear, colorless appearance
- White blood cells (WBCs) 100/mm3
- Total protein 40 mg/100 mL ✔✔C. White blood cells (WBCs) 100/mm3
The nurse is measuring the pressure of the CSF. Which statement accurately describes CSF?(Select all that apply.)
- CSF circulates within the subarachnoid space.
- CSF cushions and protects the brain and spinal cord.
- CSF normal pressure is 90 to 150 cm water pressure (cm H2O).
- CSF is reabsorbed by the arachnoid villi at the same rate at which it is formed.
- CSF is formed continuously within the ventricles of the brain as a filtrate from the blood.
✔✔A. CSF circulates within the subarachnoid space.