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 nurse is planning care for a client experiencing agnosia secondary to a cerebrovascular accident. Which collaborative intervention will be included in the plan of care?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Agnosia is the inability to recognize objects, people, or sounds, impacting functional abilities. Referring to an occupational therapist (
D) is appropriate to assess and develop strategies for managing agnosia. Swallowing issues (A,
C) are related to dysphagia, not agnosia, and semi-Fowler’s position (
B) is not specific to agnosia management.
Question 3 of 5
The client is diagnosed with expressive aphasia. Which psychosocial client problem would the nurse include in the plan of care?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Expressive aphasia impairs the ability to communicate, leading to frustration and feelings of powerlessness (
B). Injury (
A) is physical, disturbed thought processes (
C) relate to cognition, and sexual dysfunction (
D) is not directly linked to aphasia.
Question 4 of 5
The client diagnosed with a mild concussion is being discharged from the emergency department. Which discharge instruction should the nurse teach the client's significant other?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For a mild concussion, monitoring for worsening neurological status is key. Awakening every 2 hours (
A) allows assessment for altered consciousness. Monitoring ICP (
B) is complex and not feasible at home, hypervigilance (
C) is not typical, and frequent feeding (
D) is unnecessary.
Question 5 of 5
The client is admitted to the medical floor with a diagnosis of closed head injury. Which nursing intervention has priority?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Airway maintenance (
D) is the highest priority in any critically ill patient, including those with head injuries, to ensure oxygenation. Neurological assessment (
A), vital signs (
B), and IV access (
C) follow after securing the airway.