Neurological System Assessment: Quizzes for Advanced Health Assessment

Question 1

For evaluating a suspected acute intracranial hemorrhage, which imaging technique is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

CT scan

Answer

MRI scan

Answer

EEG

Question 2

Which cranial nerve controls the muscles involved in chewing?

Accepted Answer

Trigeminal nerve (V)

Answer

Facial nerve (VII)

Answer

Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)

Answer

Hypoglossal nerve (XII)

Question 3

During a neurological examination, the Romberg test is used to evaluate:

Accepted Answer

Coordination and balance

Answer

Sensory perception

Answer

Motor strength

Answer

Reflexes

Question 4

A positive Babinski reflex is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Extensor response of the great toe

Answer

Flexor response of the great toe

Answer

Absence of toe movement

Answer

Inversion of the foot

Question 5

Kernig's sign is significant in a patient with suspected meningitis because it:

Accepted Answer

Indicates increased intracranial pressure

Answer

Rules out meningitis as a possible diagnosis

Answer

Suggests a peripheral nerve injury

Answer

Confirms the presence of a spinal cord tumor

Question 6

Which neuroimaging technique provides the most detailed anatomical images of the brain?

Accepted Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer

Computed tomography (CT)

Answer

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer

Transcranial Doppler ultrasound

Question 7

The primary function of the vestibular system is to:

Accepted Answer

Maintain balance and spatial orientation

Answer

Control eye movements

Answer

Initiate voluntary movements

Answer

Regulate body temperature

Question 8

What is the main purpose of a sensory examination in neurological assessment?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate the patient's ability to detect different stimuli

Answer

To assess motor strength and coordination

Answer

To determine the level of consciousness

Answer

To detect any abnormalities in cranial nerve function

Question 9

Which of the following is a common symptom of peripheral neuropathy?

Accepted Answer

Numbness, tingling, or pain in the extremities

Answer

Difficulty with fine motor skills

Answer

Cognitive impairment

Answer

Visual disturbances

Question 10

What is the term for a neurological condition characterized by difficulty in initiating voluntary movements?

Accepted Answer

Apraxia

Answer

Aphasia

Answer

Agnosia

Answer

Ataxia

Question 11

Which cranial nerve innervates the muscles of facial expression?

Accepted Answer

Facial nerve

Answer

Trigeminal nerve

Answer

Glossopharyngeal nerve

Answer

Vagus nerve

Question 12

What is the primary responsibility of the cerebellum?

Accepted Answer

Coordination and balance

Answer

Sensory perception

Answer

Motor control

Answer

Language comprehension

Question 13

Which of the following is not included in a comprehensive neurological examination?

Accepted Answer

Laboratory tests

Answer

Mental status assessment

Answer

Cranial nerve examination

Answer

Motor examination

Question 14

What is the clinical significance of an extensor plantar response (Babinski reflex)?

Accepted Answer

Suggests upper motor neuron damage

Answer

Indicates lower motor neuron damage

Answer

Assesses proprioception

Answer

Tests muscle strength

Question 15

What is the typical initial symptom of an ischemic stroke?

Accepted Answer

Sudden onset of weakness or numbness

Answer

Progressive headache

Answer

Nausea and vomiting

Answer

Seizures

Question 16

Which type of headache is commonly associated with underlying neurological conditions?

Accepted Answer

Trigeminal neuralgia

Answer

Migraine

Answer

Tension headache

Answer

Cluster headache

Question 17

What is the most prevalent cause of peripheral neuropathy?

Accepted Answer

Diabetes

Answer

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Answer

HIV infection

Answer

Guillain-Barré syndrome

Question 18

The cerebrum is primarily responsible for:

Accepted Answer

Higher-order cognitive functions

Answer

Motor control

Answer

Sensory processing

Answer

Autonomic regulation

Question 19

Facial sensation and expression are primarily controlled by which cranial nerve?

Accepted Answer

Facial nerve

Answer

Trigeminal nerve

Answer

Glossopharyngeal nerve

Answer

Vestibulocochlear nerve

Question 20

The most common cause of Guillain-Barré syndrome is believed to be:

Accepted Answer

Autoimmune disorder

Answer

Infection

Answer

Trauma

Answer

Genetic mutation

Question 21

Which type of stroke occurs due to sudden blockage of a cerebral artery?

Accepted Answer

Ischemic stroke

Answer

Hemorrhagic stroke

Answer

Transient ischemic attack

Answer

Embolic stroke

Question 22

The primary nursing intervention for a patient with a traumatic brain injury is:

Accepted Answer

Controlling intracranial pressure

Answer

Maintaining airway patency

Answer

Administering pain medication

Answer

Positioning for comfort

Question 23

Which Brodmann area in the brain is responsible for primary motor function?

Accepted Answer

Area 4 (Primary motor cortex)

Answer

Area 17 (Visual cortex)

Answer

Area 6 (Premotor cortex)

Answer

Area 39 (Angular gyrus)

Question 24

Which cranial nerve innervates the ciliary muscles responsible for pupillary constriction?

Accepted Answer

Oculomotor nerve (CN III)

Answer

Trochlear nerve (CN IV)

Answer

Trigeminal nerve (CN V)

Answer

Facial nerve (CN VII)

Question 25

Among adults, which type of primary headache is the most prevalent?

Accepted Answer

Tension headache

Answer

Migraine

Answer

Cluster headache

Answer

Sinus headache

Question 26

The oculocephalic reflex primarily serves to:

Accepted Answer

Maintain visual fixation during head movement

Answer

Control eye movements during sleep

Answer

Coordinate eye movements with vestibular input

Answer

Regulate pupillary size in response to light

Question 27

How do cultural and linguistic factors impact the interpretation of neurological exam findings, and what strategies promote culturally competent assessments?

Accepted Answer

Building rapport, using open-ended questions, and observing nonverbal cues improve interpretation accuracy.

Answer

Cultural background alone determines neurological exam findings.

Answer

Patients from a specific culture share identical neurological exam findings.

Answer

Interpreters should translate instructions and questions directly, ignoring cultural context.

Question 28

How does cerebellar dysfunction impact speech and gait, and what are the distinguishing characteristics of these impairments?

Accepted Answer

Speech: dysarthria, ataxic speech; Gait: wide-based, ataxic

Answer

Speech: aphasia, dyslexia; Gait: hemiparesis, spasticity

Answer

Speech: normal; Gait: antalgic gait

Answer

Speech: hoarseness, laryngeal stridor; Gait: Trendelenburg gait

Question 29

Which eye movement function is controlled by cranial nerves III, IV, and VI?

Accepted Answer

Upward, downward, medial, and lateral movement of the eyes

Answer

Blinking

Answer

Constriction and dilation of the pupils

Answer

Accommodation of the lens

Question 30

Which of the following is a characteristic of ataxia?

Accepted Answer

Lack of muscle coordination

Answer

Increased muscle tone

Answer

Tremor at rest

Answer

Involuntary muscle contractions

Question 31

Which reflex is used to assess the integrity of the corticospinal tract?

Accepted Answer

Babinski reflex

Answer

Patellar reflex

Answer

Ankle reflex

Answer

Biceps reflex

Question 32

The primary purpose of the Romberg test is to assess:

Accepted Answer

Balance and proprioception

Answer

Muscle strength

Answer

Coordination

Answer

Vision

Question 33

Which of the following is a common symptom of a cerebellar lesion?

Accepted Answer

Dysmetria

Answer

Aphasia

Answer

Spasticity

Answer

Hyperreflexia

Question 34

Which type of reflex arc is involved in the deep tendon reflexes?

Accepted Answer

Monosynaptic reflex arc

Answer

Autonomic reflex arc

Answer

Crossed extensor reflex arc

Answer

Polysynaptic reflex arc

Question 35

A patient with a spinal cord injury at the level of C4 is likely to exhibit:

Accepted Answer

Quadriplegia

Answer

Paraplegia

Answer

Hemiplegia

Answer

Monoplegia

Question 36

A patient presents with a sudden, severe headache accompanied by nausea and vomiting.  Which neurological condition should be a primary concern for the nurse practitioner?

Accepted Answer

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Answer

Tension headache

Answer

Migraine headache

Question 37

During a neurological assessment, you observe a patient's gait is unsteady and they exhibit a wide-based stance. This finding is most suggestive of:

Accepted Answer

Cerebellar dysfunction

Answer

Peripheral neuropathy

Answer

Spinal cord injury

Question 38

Before performing a lumbar puncture on a patient with a suspected brain tumor, what important precaution should be taken?

Accepted Answer

Check for increased intracranial pressure

Answer

Ensure the patient is NPO

Answer

Administer pain medication

Answer

Obtain informed consent

Question 39

Which of the following is a reliable tool for assessing cognitive function in a neurological assessment?

Accepted Answer

Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)

Answer

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

Answer

Cranial Nerve Examination

Question 40

During the assessment of cranial nerves, you observe a patient's pupils constrict briskly to light. This finding indicates:

Accepted Answer

Normal pupillary response

Answer

Optic nerve damage

Answer

Third nerve palsy

Answer

Increased intracranial pressure

Question 41

A patient reports experiencing involuntary muscle movements, particularly in the face and limbs. This finding is characteristic of:

Accepted Answer

Movement disorders

Answer

Peripheral neuropathy

Answer

Spinal cord injury

Answer

Seizures

Question 42

What is a key principle in conducting a neurological assessment?

Accepted Answer

Thorough history taking and physical examination

Answer

Immediate referral to a neurologist

Answer

Use of specialized diagnostic tests

Answer

Focusing on the most concerning symptom

Question 43

A patient with a history of multiple sclerosis presents with new neurological symptoms. What should the nurse practitioner's initial approach be?

Accepted Answer

Assess the new symptoms and their impact on daily life

Answer

Prescribe disease-modifying therapy

Answer

Immediately order an MRI scan