If you're a nursing student gearing up for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), you've come to the right place. As we delve into the fascinating realm of neuro nursing, we'll be providing you with exclusive Neuro NCLEX questions that will challenge your knowledge and sharpen your critical thinking skills.
NCLEX questions neurological disorders can be complex, but fear not! Our carefully curated neurological disorders NCLEX questions will not only help you assess your proficiency but also prepare you to excel on the upcoming NCLEX.
So, let's embark on this educational journey together and equip ourselves with the expertise needed to confidently face the challenges that lie ahead in the world of neuro nursing. Are you ready to dive in? Let's get started!
Understanding neuro NCLEX questions
Understanding NCLEX neurology questions can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can improve your ability to answer them correctly. Here are some tips to help you tackle NCLEX neurological assessment questions effectively:
1- Review neuroanatomy
Familiarize yourself with the basic anatomy of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Understanding the structures and their functions will provide a foundation for answering neuro-related questions.
2- Know common neuro disorders
Be well-versed in common neurological disorders such as stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic), seizures, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and traumatic brain injury. Understand their pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment approaches.
3- Master neurological assessments
Learn the key components of a neurological assessment, including assessing mental status, cranial nerves, motor function, sensory function, reflexes, and cerebellar function. Understanding these assessments will help you interpret symptoms presented in the question.
4- Analyze the stem of the question
Pay close attention to the stem (the main part of the question) and identify the essential information. Look for keywords that indicate the patient's condition or the specific nursing action required.
5- Consider safety and prioritization
Neurological conditions often require urgent interventions. Identify critical situations and prioritize care accordingly. For example, airway, breathing, and circulation (ABC) take precedence in many neurological emergencies.
6- Use the process of elimination
If you're unsure of the correct answer, eliminate options that are clearly incorrect. This strategy improves your odds of choosing the right answer among the remaining choices.
7- Practice with sample questions
Practice is essential to improve your skills. Work through a variety of neuro-related NCLEX practice questions to become more comfortable with the content and question format.
8- Read rationales carefully
After answering questions, review the rationales thoroughly, even for the questions you answered correctly. This will deepen your understanding of the topic and help you avoid similar mistakes in the future.
Neuro NCLEX questions
Achieving success in the NCLEX exam requires dedication and diligence. However, with the appropriate strategy and efficient preparation, your likelihood of passing can be substantially enhanced.
Smart'n provides valuable assistance to students preparing for the NCLEX by offering a comprehensive package that includes over 2500 practice questions and more than 60 hours of NGN nursing case studies.
What sets Smart'n apart is its personalized approach, tailoring the questions to address the individual needs of each student.
Below are a few examples of Neuro NCLEX questions, along with their rationales:
Question 1:
A client is admitted to the neurology unit with a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. The nurse observes the client's swallowing ability and cough strength prior to administering oral medications. Which is the most appropriate rationale for this nursing action?
A) Myasthenia gravis can lead to dysphagia and an increased risk of aspiration.
B) Assessing swallowing ability is required by hospital policy for all neurology patients.
C) The client's cough strength indicates the severity of the myasthenic crisis.
D) Oral medications are contraindicated in clients with myasthenia gravis.
Correct Answer: A) Myasthenia gravis can lead to dysphagia and an increased risk of aspiration.
Rationale: Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disorder that can cause weakness in the muscles responsible for swallowing, leading to dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and an increased risk of aspiration (inhaling food or fluids into the lungs). The nurse should assess the client's ability to swallow before administering oral medications to ensure safe administration and prevent aspiration.
Question 2:
A 64-year-old client with a history of hypertension is admitted to the emergency department with sudden onset right-sided weakness, facial droop, and difficulty speaking. Which nursing intervention is the highest priority in the initial management of this client?
A) Notify the speech pathologist for an emergency consultation.
B) Discuss the precipitating factors that caused the symptoms.
C) Prepare to administer recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA).
D) Schedule for A STAT computer tomography (CT) scan of the head.
Correct answer: Correct Answer: D) Schedule for A STAT computer tomography (CT) scan of the head.
Rationale: A CT scan will determine if the client is having a stroke or has a brain tumor or another neurological disorder. This would also determine if it is a hemorrhagic or ischemic accident and guide the treatment because only an ischemic stroke can use rt-PA. Demonstrates structural abnormalities, edema, hematomas, ischemia, and infarctions. Demonstrates structural abnormalities, edema, hematomas, ischemia, and infarctions.
Question 3:
A client recovering from a head injury is participating in care. The nurse determines that the client understands measures to prevent elevations in intracranial pressure if the nurse observes the client doing which activity?
A) Isometric exercises
B) Coughing vigorously
C) Blowing the nose
D) Exhaling during repositioning
Correct answer: D) Exhaling during repositioning
Rationale: Activities that increase intrathoracic and intraabdominal pressures cause an indirect elevation of the intracranial pressure. Some of these activities include isometric exercises, Valsalva’s maneuver, coughing, sneezing, and blowing the nose. Exhaling during activities such as repositioning or pulling up in bed opens the glottis, which prevents intrathoracic pressure from rising.
Question 4:
During the first 24 hours after thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke, the primary goal is to control the client’s:
A) Blood pressure
B) Temperature
C) Respirations
D) Pulse
Correct answer: A) Blood pressure
Rationale: Controlling blood pressure is critical because an intracerebral hemorrhage is the major adverse effect of thrombolytic therapy. Blood pressure should be maintained according to the physician and is specific to the client’s ischemic tissue needs and risks of bleeding from treatment. Other vital signs are monitored, but the priority is blood pressure.
Question 5:
The client diagnosed with atrial fibrillation has experienced a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Which medication would the nurse anticipate being ordered for the client on discharge?
A) An oral anticoagulant medication
B) A thrombolytic medication
C) An anti-hyperuricemic medication
D) A beta-blocker medication
Correct Answer: A) An oral anticoagulant medication
Rationale: Thrombi form secondary to atrial fibrillation. Therefore, an anticoagulant would be anticipated to prevent thrombus formation; and oral (warfarin [Coumadin]) at discharge versus intravenous. Oral anticoagulation is indicated for patients with atrial fibrillation or other sources of cardioembolic sources of TIA.
Question 6:
A client is admitted to the emergency department with a suspected stroke. The nurse assesses the client using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Which of the following assessments is NOT included in the NIHSS?
A) Motor strength
B) Facial expression
C) Visual acuity
D) Language ability
Correct Answer: C) Visual acuity
Rationale: The NIHSS is a standardized tool used to assess the severity of a stroke and includes assessments related to motor strength, facial expression, and language ability. Visual acuity is not part of the NIHSS.
Question 7:
The nurse has given suggestions to a client with trigeminal neuralgia about strategies to minimize episodes of pain. The nurse determines that the client needs further education if the client makes which statement?
A) “I should rinse my mouth if toothbrushing is painful”
B) “I will wash my face with cotton pads”
C) “I’ll have to start chewing on my unaffected side”
D) “I’ll try to eat my food either very warm or very cold”
Correct Answer: D) “I’ll try to eat my food either very warm or very cold”
Rationale: Facial pain can be minimized by using cotton pads to wash the face and using room temperature water. The client should chew on the unaffected side of the mouth, eat a soft diet, and take in foods and beverages at room temperature. If toothbrushing triggers pain, an oral rinse after meals may be helpful instead.
Question 8:
A client admitted to the hospital with a subarachnoid hemorrhage has complaints of severe headache, nuchal rigidity, and projectile vomiting. The nurse knows lumbar puncture (LP) would be contraindicated in this client in which of the following circumstances?
A) Blood is anticipated in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
B) Intracranial pressure (ICP) is increased.
C) The client needs mechanical ventilation.
D) Vomiting continues.
Correct Answer: B) Intracranial pressure (ICP) is increased.
Rationale: Sudden removal of CSF results in pressures lower in the lumbar area than the brain and favors herniation of the brain; therefore, LP is contraindicated with increased ICP. A head computed tomogram (CT) should be obtained before performing a lumbar puncture if there is a concern for increased intracranial pressure. Signs and symptoms of possible increased intracranial pressure include altered mental status, focal neurological deficits, new-onset seizure, papilledema, immunocompromised state, malignancy, history of focal CNS disease (stroke, focal infection, tumor), concern for mass CNS lesion and age greater than 60 years old.
Question 9:
The nurse is assessing the motor function of an unconscious client. The nurse would plan to use which of the following to test the client’s peripheral response to pain?
A) Squeezing the sternocleidomastoid muscle
B) Nail bed pressure
C) Pressure on the orbital rim
D) Sternal rub
Correct Answer: B) Nail bed pressure
Rationale: Motor testing on the unconscious client can be done only by testing response to painful stimuli. Nail bed pressure tests a basic peripheral response. Using peripheral pain to elicit a response isn’t an effective test of brain function. A response may indicate that the patient feels the stimulus, but the response is from the spinal cord. If the patient didn’t respond at all to central stimuli, apply a peripheral stimulus to all four extremities to establish a baseline. If all but one of his extremities responded to a central stimulus, test only the nonresponsive extremity. Pressing on his nail plate with a pencil is an acceptable technique.
Question 10:
A client with multiple sclerosis (MS) reports fatigue and difficulty with walking. The nurse plans to implement interventions to improve mobility. Which intervention is most appropriate for this client?
A) Encouraging the client to perform high-impact exercises
B) Teaching the client relaxation techniques to conserve energy
C) Instructing the client to avoid physical activity to prevent falls
D) Providing assistive devices for all mobility tasks
Correct Answer: B) Teaching the client relaxation techniques to conserve energy
Rationale: Fatigue and difficulty with walking are common symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Teaching relaxation techniques can help the client conserve energy and manage fatigue. High-impact exercises may exacerbate symptoms, and avoiding physical activity altogether can lead to deconditioning. Assistive devices should be used as needed but may not address the underlying issue of energy conservation.
If you need more neuro NCLEX questions, you can sign up on Smart’n and use its NCLEX practice questions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Neuro NCLEX questions in the 2023 practice test serve as invaluable tools for aspiring nurses preparing to embark on their healthcare journeys. Through these thought-provoking and challenging questions, students can enhance their understanding of neurological concepts and sharpen their critical thinking skills. As we embrace the advancements and discoveries in the medical field, staying up-to-date with the latest trends and knowledge is paramount for nursing professionals.
FAQs
1- Can you pass Nclex with 150 questions?
The number of questions you receive during the exam is not an indication of your performance. The difficulty level of the questions will adjust based on your answers. If you are consistently answering questions correctly, the computer will present more challenging questions. Conversely, if you are struggling with some questions, it may offer easier ones.
The exam is pass/fail, and the number of questions you answer does not necessarily correlate with your success on the NCLEX. The critical factor is how well you answer the questions presented to you, regardless of the total number.
2- What is the best thing to study for NCLEX?
The crucial element for achieving NCLEX success lies in practicing answering questions, rather than solely focusing on content review. Additionally, it is essential to seek ample practice with a reputable NCLEX Qbank that offers realistic questions in the NCLEX-style, accompanied by comprehensive explanations.
