Question 1

A patient has a herniated disk compressing the lumbar spine at L2, L3, and L4 that is impairing deep tendon reflexes. Which response does a nurse expect from this patient?

Accepted Answer

A)  Diminished contraction of the gastrocnemius muscle with plantar flexion of the foot 
B)  Diminished contraction of the quadriceps muscle with extension of the lower leg 
C)  Diminished plantar flexion of the toes 
D)  Diminished dorsiflexion of the foot and flexion of the toes 
A)  Diminished contraction of the gastrocnemius muscle with plantar flexion of the foot 
B)  Diminished contraction of the quadriceps muscle with extension of the lower leg 
C)  Diminished plantar flexion of the toes 
D)  Diminished dorsiflexion of the foot and flexion of the toes

Question 2

A nurse correlates a patient's altered stereognosis with a neurologic dysfunction in which part of the nervous system?

Accepted Answer

A)  Midbrain or pons 
B)  Temporal lobe or ascending nerve tracts 
C)  Frontal lobe or motor nerve tracts 
D)  Parietal lobe or sensory nerve tracts 
A)  Midbrain or pons 
B)  Temporal lobe or ascending nerve tracts 
C)  Frontal lobe or motor nerve tracts 
D)  Parietal lobe or sensory nerve tracts

Question 3

The nurse holds the patient's relaxed arm with elbow flexed at a 90-degree angle, places a thumb over a tendon in the antecubital fossa, and strikes the thumb with the pointed end of the reflex hammer. Which deep tendon reflex is the nurse assessing?

Accepted Answer

A)  Brachioradialis 
B)  Biceps 
C)  Triceps 
D)  Deltoid 
A)  Brachioradialis 
B)  Biceps 
C)  Triceps 
D)  Deltoid

Question 4

What is the earliest and most sensitive indication of altered cerebral function?

Accepted Answer

A)  Unequal pupils 
B)  Loss of deep tendon reflexes 
C)  Paralysis on one side of the body 
D)  Change in level of consciousness 
A)  Unequal pupils 
B)  Loss of deep tendon reflexes 
C)  Paralysis on one side of the body 
D)  Change in level of consciousness

Question 5

Which characteristics are risk factors for cerebrovascular accident? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)  Excessive alcohol intake 
B)  Smoking 
C)  Eating large amounts of smoked foods 
D)  Obesity 
E)  Atherosclerosis
F) High blood pressure 
A)  Excessive alcohol intake 
B)  Smoking 
C)  Eating large amounts of smoked foods 
D)  Obesity 
E)  Atherosclerosis
F) High blood pressure

Question 6

How does a nurse test the brachioradial deep tendon reflex?

Accepted Answer

A)  Uses the end of the handle on the reflex hammer to stroke the lateral aspect of the sole of the patient's foot from heel to ball. 
B)  Asks the patient to slightly pronate the relaxed forearm into the nurse's hand and strikes the appropriate tendon with the reflex hammer. 
C)  Holds the patient's relaxed arm with the elbow flexed at a 90-degree angle in one hand, and palpates and strikes the appropriate tendon just above the elbow with the flat end of the reflex hammer. 
D)  Holds the patient's relaxed arm with the elbow flexed at a 90-degree angle, places a thumb over the appropriate tendon in the antecubital fossa, and strikes the thumb with the pointed end of the reflex hammer. 
A)  Uses the end of the handle on the reflex hammer to stroke the lateral aspect of the sole of the patient's foot from heel to ball. 
B)  Asks the patient to slightly pronate the relaxed forearm into the nurse's hand and strikes the appropriate tendon with the reflex hammer. 
C)  Holds the patient's relaxed arm with the elbow flexed at a 90-degree angle in one hand, and palpates and strikes the appropriate tendon just above the elbow with the flat end of the reflex hammer. 
D)  Holds the patient's relaxed arm with the elbow flexed at a 90-degree angle, places a thumb over the appropriate tendon in the antecubital fossa, and strikes the thumb with the pointed end of the reflex hammer.

Question 7

As a patient is walking down the hall, the nurse notices the patient's staggering, unsteady gait. What findings does the nurse anticipate on the neurologic examination?

Accepted Answer

A)  When the patient stands with feet together, eyes open and then closed, an upright posture is maintained. 
B)  When the patient touches the end of each finger to the thumb of the same hand, a tremor is observed in the fingers. 
C)  When the patient is giving a history to the nurse, a tremor is noticed as the patient's hands rest in the lap. 
D)  When lying supine, the patient is able to move the heel of one foot down the shin of the other leg. 
A)  When the patient stands with feet together, eyes open and then closed, an upright posture is maintained. 
B)  When the patient touches the end of each finger to the thumb of the same hand, a tremor is observed in the fingers. 
C)  When the patient is giving a history to the nurse, a tremor is noticed as the patient's hands rest in the lap. 
D)  When lying supine, the patient is able to move the heel of one foot down the shin of the other leg.

Question 8

Which response does a nurse expect when testing ankle clonus of a healthy woman?

Accepted Answer

A)  No movement of the foot 
B)  Plantar flexion of the foot 
C)  Extension of the lower leg 
D)  Dorsiflexion of the foot 
A)  No movement of the foot 
B)  Plantar flexion of the foot 
C)  Extension of the lower leg 
D)  Dorsiflexion of the foot

Question 9

A patient reports having difficulty swallowing. Based on this information, how does the nurse assess the appropriate cranial nerve?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ask the patient to stick out the tongue and move it in all directions. 
B)  Ask the patient to move the head to the right and left. 
C)  Observe the symmetry of the face when the patient talks. 
D)  Assess for taste on the anterior part of the tongue. 
A)  Ask the patient to stick out the tongue and move it in all directions. 
B)  Ask the patient to move the head to the right and left. 
C)  Observe the symmetry of the face when the patient talks. 
D)  Assess for taste on the anterior part of the tongue.

Question 10

A nurse asks the patient to stand with feet together, arms resting at the sides, with eyes open and then with the eyes closed. Which response by the patient indicates an expected cerebellar function?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sways slightly and maintains upright posture with feet together 
B)  Is unable to stand upright after turning around in a circle once 
C)  Steps sideways when standing with feet together and eyes closed 
D)  Has to move arms horizontally to maintain balance 
A)  Sways slightly and maintains upright posture with feet together 
B)  Is unable to stand upright after turning around in a circle once 
C)  Steps sideways when standing with feet together and eyes closed 
D)  Has to move arms horizontally to maintain balance

Question 11

The nurse assesses the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) by testing which reflex?

Accepted Answer

A)  Corneal reflex 
B)  Gag reflex 
C)  Blink reflex 
D)  Cough reflex 
A)  Corneal reflex 
B)  Gag reflex 
C)  Blink reflex 
D)  Cough reflex

Question 12

A nurse holds the patient's relaxed arm with the elbow flexed at a 90-degree angle, places a thumb over the appropriate tendon in the antecubital fossa, and strikes the thumb with the pointed end of the reflex hammer. What is the expected response for this deep tendon reflex?

Accepted Answer

A)  Extension of the left elbow 
B)  Pronation of the left forearm 
C)  Supination of the left arm 
D)  Flexion of the left elbow 
A)  Extension of the left elbow 
B)  Pronation of the left forearm 
C)  Supination of the left arm 
D)  Flexion of the left elbow

Question 13

Which manifestations does a nurse correlate with a patient with suspected meningitis? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)  Ptosis 
B)  Loss of balance when standing with feet together and the eyes closed 
C)  Confusion, agitation, and irritability 
D)  Severe headache 
E)  Stiff neck
F) Lethargy 
A)  Ptosis 
B)  Loss of balance when standing with feet together and the eyes closed 
C)  Confusion, agitation, and irritability 
D)  Severe headache 
E)  Stiff neck
F) Lethargy

Question 14

Which part of the nervous system is a nurse assessing when he places a vibrating tuning fork on a patient's wrist or ankle?

Accepted Answer

A)  Frontal lobe and motor tracts 
B)  Parietal lobe and sensory tracts 
C)  Hypothalamus and sensory tracts 
D)  Cerebellum and motor tracts 
A)  Frontal lobe and motor tracts 
B)  Parietal lobe and sensory tracts 
C)  Hypothalamus and sensory tracts 
D)  Cerebellum and motor tracts

A patient has a herniated disk compressing the lumbar spine at L2, L3, and L4 that is impairing deep tendon reflexes. Which response does a nurse expect from this patient?

A nurse correlates a patient's altered stereognosis with a neurologic dysfunction in which part of the nervous system?

The nurse holds the patient's relaxed arm with elbow flexed at a 90-degree angle, places a thumb over a tendon in the antecubital fossa, and strikes the thumb with the pointed end of the reflex hammer. Which deep tendon reflex is the nurse assessing?

What is the earliest and most sensitive indication of altered cerebral function?

Which characteristics are risk factors for cerebrovascular accident? (Select all that apply.)

How does a nurse test the brachioradial deep tendon reflex?

As a patient is walking down the hall, the nurse notices the patient's staggering, unsteady gait. What findings does the nurse anticipate on the neurologic examination?

Which response does a nurse expect when testing ankle clonus of a healthy woman?

A patient reports having difficulty swallowing. Based on this information, how does the nurse assess the appropriate cranial nerve?

A nurse asks the patient to stand with feet together, arms resting at the sides, with eyes open and then with the eyes closed. Which response by the patient indicates an expected cerebellar function?

The nurse assesses the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) by testing which reflex?

A nurse holds the patient's relaxed arm with the elbow flexed at a 90-degree angle, places a thumb over the appropriate tendon in the antecubital fossa, and strikes the thumb with the pointed end of the reflex hammer. What is the expected response for this deep tendon reflex?

Which manifestations does a nurse correlate with a patient with suspected meningitis? (Select all that apply.)

Which part of the nervous system is a nurse assessing when he places a vibrating tuning fork on a patient's wrist or ankle?

Introduction to Health Assessment

Obtaining a Health History

Techniques and Equipment for Physical Assessment

General Inspection and Measurement of Vital Signs

Cultural Assessment

Pain Assessment

Mental Health Assessment

Nutritional Assessment

Skin, Hair, and Nails

Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat

Lungs and Respiratory System

Heart and Peripheral Vascular System

Abdomen and Gastrointestinal System

Musculoskeletal System

Breasts and Axillae

Reproductive System and the Perineum

Developmental Assessment Throughout the Life Span

Assessment of the Infant, Child, and Adolescent

Assessment of the Pregnant Patient

Assessment of the Older Adult

Conducting a Head-to-Toe Examination

Documenting the Comprehensive Health Assessment

Adapting Health Assessment to the Hospitalized Patient

Filters

Exam 15: Neurologic System

A patient has a herniated disk compressing the lumbar spine at L2, L3, and L4 that is impairing deep tendon reflexes. Which response does a nurse expect from this patient?

A nurse correlates a patient's altered stereognosis with a neurologic dysfunction in which part of the nervous system?

The nurse holds the patient's relaxed arm with elbow flexed at a 90-degree angle, places a thumb over a tendon in the antecubital fossa, and strikes the thumb with the pointed end of the reflex hammer. Which deep tendon reflex is the nurse assessing?

What is the earliest and most sensitive indication of altered cerebral function?

Which characteristics are risk factors for cerebrovascular accident? (Select all that apply.)

How does a nurse test the brachioradial deep tendon reflex?

As a patient is walking down the hall, the nurse notices the patient's staggering, unsteady gait. What findings does the nurse anticipate on the neurologic examination?

Which response does a nurse expect when testing ankle clonus of a healthy woman?

A patient reports having difficulty swallowing. Based on this information, how does the nurse assess the appropriate cranial nerve?

A nurse asks the patient to stand with feet together, arms resting at the sides, with eyes open and then with the eyes closed. Which response by the patient indicates an expected cerebellar function?

The nurse assesses the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) by testing which reflex?

A nurse holds the patient's relaxed arm with the elbow flexed at a 90-degree angle, places a thumb over the appropriate tendon in the antecubital fossa, and strikes the thumb with the pointed end of the reflex hammer. What is the expected response for this deep tendon reflex?

Which manifestations does a nurse correlate with a patient with suspected meningitis? (Select all that apply.)

Which part of the nervous system is a nurse assessing when he places a vibrating tuning fork on a patient's wrist or ankle?

Introduction to Health Assessment

Obtaining a Health History

Techniques and Equipment for Physical Assessment

General Inspection and Measurement of Vital Signs

Cultural Assessment

Pain Assessment

Mental Health Assessment

Nutritional Assessment

Skin, Hair, and Nails

Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat

Lungs and Respiratory System

Heart and Peripheral Vascular System

Abdomen and Gastrointestinal System

Musculoskeletal System

Breasts and Axillae

Reproductive System and the Perineum

Developmental Assessment Throughout the Life Span

Assessment of the Infant, Child, and Adolescent

Assessment of the Pregnant Patient

Assessment of the Older Adult

Conducting a Head-to-Toe Examination

Documenting the Comprehensive Health Assessment

Adapting Health Assessment to the Hospitalized Patient

Filters