Free Neurological Nursing MCQs with Answers
50 Neurological Nursing MCQs from Medical Surgical Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Covers nursing assessment and management of stroke, epilepsy, meningitis, raised intracranial pressure, head injury, spinal cord disorders, Parkinson disease and multiple sclerosis. Key areas include level of consciousness, pupil responses, motor and sensory findings, seizure precautions and distinguishing upper motor neuron from lower motor neuron signs.
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50 questions · page 1 of 3
- A. Give oral fluids to prevent dehydration
- B. Place the patient flat and leave to rest
- C. Activate the stroke response and note symptom onset
- D. Administer a sedative to reduce muscle activity
Explanation: Rapid stroke assessment is essential because some treatments are time dependent.
Correct answer: Activate the stroke response and note symptom onset2. Which assessment finding most strongly suggests raised intracranial pressure in an adult patient?
- A. Increased appetite with warm, flushed skin
- B. Widening pulse pressure with decreasing pulse rate
- C. Rapid pulse with low blood pressure
- D. Frequent diarrhoea with abdominal cramping
Explanation: Widening pulse pressure and bradycardia are components of Cushing response, which indicates severe raised intracranial pressure.
Correct answer: Widening pulse pressure with decreasing pulse rate- A. Restrain the arms to prevent fractures
- B. Insert a tongue blade between the teeth
- C. Clear nearby objects and protect the head
- D. Offer water immediately after the jerking begins
Explanation: The first priority during a seizure is safety and prevention of injury.
Correct answer: Clear nearby objects and protect the head- A. Use droplet precautions according to facility policy
- B. Encourage visitors to share personal eating utensils
- C. Place the patient in a brightly lit room
- D. Delay antibiotics until neck stiffness resolves
Explanation: Suspected bacterial meningitis requires prompt infection-control measures, including droplet precautions according to local policy, and…
Correct answer: Use droplet precautions according to facility policy- A. Equal pupils that constrict briskly to light
- B. Mild tearing when exposed to bright light
- C. One newly dilated pupil that reacts poorly to light
- D. Pupils that become smaller in dim light
Explanation: A new unilateral dilated and poorly reactive pupil may indicate compression of the third cranial nerve from increasing intracranial…
Correct answer: One newly dilated pupil that reacts poorly to light- A. Flaccid paralysis with absent reflexes
- B. Muscle wasting with fasciculations
- C. Spasticity with exaggerated deep tendon reflexes
- D. Reduced muscle tone with a normal plantar response
Explanation: Upper motor neuron damage commonly produces spasticity, increased tone and hyperreflexia, often with an extensor plantar response.
Correct answer: Spasticity with exaggerated deep tendon reflexes- A. Place the patient flat and offer oral fluids
- B. Sit the patient upright and assess for bladder distension
- C. Apply a warm blanket and reduce room lighting
- D. Encourage the patient to walk to improve circulation
Explanation: These findings suggest autonomic dysreflexia, a medical emergency in patients with injuries at or above T6.
Correct answer: Sit the patient upright and assess for bladder distension- A. I should stop the medicine when my tremor improves
- B. I should change positions slowly to reduce dizziness
- C. I should double the next dose if I forget one dose
- D. I should expect the medicine to cure the disease permanently
Explanation: Levodopa may cause orthostatic hypotension, so changing position slowly reduces the risk of falls.
Correct answer: I should change positions slowly to reduce dizziness- A. Use cooling measures and plan rest periods
- B. Perform strenuous exercise until the weakness stops
- C. Take hot baths to relax the affected muscles
- D. Avoid all activity permanently to prevent relapse
Explanation: Heat and fatigue can temporarily worsen multiple sclerosis symptoms, so cooling, energy conservation and planned rest are useful.
Correct answer: Use cooling measures and plan rest periods- A. 9
- B. 10
- C. 11
- D. 12
Explanation: The score is eye opening 3 for response to voice, verbal response 4 for confusion, and motor response 4 for withdrawal from pain, giving a…
Correct answer: 11- A. Keep the patient nil by mouth and request a swallowing assessment
- B. Offer thickened fluids and reassess the cough later
- C. Place the patient flat and encourage repeated swallowing
- D. Give oral medicines with water to test swallowing ability
Explanation: Coughing and a wet voice suggest impaired swallowing with a high aspiration risk.
Correct answer: Keep the patient nil by mouth and request a swallowing assessment- A. A typical postictal state after a brief seizure
- B. Status epilepticus requiring urgent treatment
- C. A focal seizure with preserved awareness
- D. A sleep-related movement disorder needing observation
Explanation: A seizure lasting five minutes or longer, or repeated seizures without recovery, is treated as status epilepticus.
Correct answer: Status epilepticus requiring urgent treatment- A. Use droplet precautions until 24 hours of effective antibiotics
- B. Use contact precautions until the patient is afebrile
- C. Use airborne precautions throughout the admission
- D. Use standard precautions without additional measures
Explanation: Suspected bacterial meningitis requires droplet precautions, usually until at least 24 hours after effective antibiotic therapy has…
Correct answer: Use droplet precautions until 24 hours of effective antibiotics- A. Elevate the head about 30 degrees and keep the neck midline
- B. Place the patient flat with the neck turned toward the side
- C. Flex the hips sharply to improve venous drainage
- D. Place the patient prone with the head lower than the chest
Explanation: Head elevation with a neutral neck promotes venous drainage from the brain and may reduce intracranial pressure.
Correct answer: Elevate the head about 30 degrees and keep the neck midline- A. Apply a loose sterile dressing and notify the clinician
- B. Pack the nostril firmly with gauze to stop the drainage
- C. Ask the patient to blow the nose to clear the passage
- D. Insert a nasogastric tube through the affected nostril
Explanation: Clear nasal drainage after head trauma may be cerebrospinal fluid and should be reported promptly.
Correct answer: Apply a loose sterile dressing and notify the clinician- A. Neurogenic shock caused by loss of sympathetic tone
- B. Hypovolemic shock caused by excessive fluid loss
- C. Septic shock caused by an unrecognized infection
- D. Obstructive shock caused by a pulmonary embolus
Explanation: Neurogenic shock can follow spinal cord injury and causes hypotension, bradycardia and warm, dry skin because sympathetic vasoconstriction…
Correct answer: Neurogenic shock caused by loss of sympathetic tone- A. Stop safely, shift weight, and step over an imaginary line
- B. Walk faster immediately to prevent the feet from stopping
- C. Pull the patient forward by the arm to restart movement
- D. Remain completely still until the freezing episode ends
Explanation: Weight shifting and visual or rhythmic cues can help overcome freezing and improve initiation of movement.
Correct answer: Stop safely, shift weight, and step over an imaginary line- A. Measure residual urine after the patient voids
- B. Restrict all fluids after the evening meal
- C. Insert an indwelling catheter without assessment
- D. Encourage the patient to delay voiding for several hours
Explanation: Post-void residual measurement identifies urinary retention caused by neurogenic bladder dysfunction and guides safe management.
Correct answer: Measure residual urine after the patient voids- A. Flaccid weakness with muscle wasting and reduced reflexes
- B. Spastic weakness with increased tone and brisk reflexes
- C. Positive Babinski response with preserved muscle bulk
- D. Slow voluntary movement with increased resistance to motion
Explanation: Lower motor neuron damage interrupts the final motor pathway and commonly causes flaccidity, muscle atrophy, fasciculations and reduced…
Correct answer: Flaccid weakness with muscle wasting and reduced reflexes- A. Record the exact sensory level and grade movement in each limb
- B. Document only whether the patient reports back pain
- C. Record the blood pressure once during every shift
- D. Describe the legs as normal because some movement remains
Explanation: The sensory level and muscle strength in each limb provide objective data for detecting extension or improvement of cord dysfunction.
Correct answer: Record the exact sensory level and grade movement in each limbNeurological Nursing MCQs: common questions
Are these Neurological Nursing MCQs free?
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How many Neurological Nursing MCQs are on this page?
There are 50 Neurological Nursing MCQs in the Medical Surgical Nursing bank, shown ten to a page with the correct answer and an explanation on each.
Does every Neurological Nursing MCQ have an explanation?
Yes. Each Neurological Nursing question shows the correct option and a written explanation of why it is correct, so a wrong answer teaches you something rather than just being marked wrong.
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