Neurological NCLEX Questions and

Neurological NCLEX Questions and Answers

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 demonst 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

rotates."

• "You will probably be given something to make you drowsy and deaden the pain during the

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.