NCLEX-PN
NCLEX Neurological Disorders Questions
Question 1 of 5
A 78-year-old client is admitted to the emergency department (ED) with numbness and weakness of the left arm and slurred speech. Which nursing intervention is priority?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For a suspected stroke, the priority is to confirm the diagnosis and determine the type of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) before initiating treatment. A STAT CT scan of the head is critical to rule out hemorrhagic stroke, which contraindicates thrombolytic therapy like rt-PA. Administering rt-PA without imaging could be harmful, discussing precipitating factors is not urgent, and a speech pathology consult is secondary to diagnostic imaging.
Question 2 of 5
The client is at risk for septic emboli after being diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis. Which action by the nurse directly addresses this risk?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Monitoring VS is indicated but does not address the complication of septic emboli. Immunization with the meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Menomune) is a preventive measure against meningitis and would not be included in treatment. Frequent neurological assessments are indicated but do not address the complication of septic emboli. Frequent vascular assessments will detect vascular compromise secondary to septic emboli. Early detection allows for interventions that will prevent gangrene and possible loss of limb.
Question 3 of 5
The charge nurse is making client assignments for a neuro-medical floor. Which client should be assigned to the most experienced nurse?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A stroke in evolution (
A) is an acute, progressing condition requiring experienced monitoring. TIA (
B) is stable, Guillain-Barré pain (
C) is manageable, and wandering (
D) needs supervision but is less acute.
Question 4 of 5
The client with a closed head injury has clear fluid draining from the nose. Which action should the nurse implement first?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Clear nasal drainage post-head injury may indicate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, confirmed by testing for glucose (
C). This is the first step to guide further action. Notifying the provider (
A) follows confirmation, antihistamines (
B) are irrelevant, and gauze (
D) is a secondary measure.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is admitting a client with the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Which assessment data support this diagnosis?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Masklike facies and shuffling gait (
D) are hallmark signs of Parkinson’s due to bradykinesia and rigidity. Crackles and JVD (
A) suggest heart failure, weakness and ptosis (
B) indicate myasthenia gravis, and exaggerated arm swinging (
C) is opposite to Parkinson’s.