NURSING 205 COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 2026
FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED
A+
◉ The nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient prescribed
prednisone to be taken on alternate days. The patient asks why he cannot
take half a pill every day. What is the nurse's best response?
to eliminate adverse side effects
to prolong therapeutic efforts
to prevent steroidal tolerance
to decrease adrenal suppression . Answer: - to decrease adrenal
suppression
*** remember this can help DECREASE adverse side effects not
eliminate them. Many of the side effects are the result of adrenal gland
suppression/ reduction in cortisol production. So decreasing the
suppression of the adrenal glands makes the most sense!
◉ AG a citadel student living on campus presented to the emergency
department. He developed a fever (Tmax 103/F/ 39.4C) 1 day prior. He
presented with mild rhinorrhea, headache, decreased appetite, and was
lethargic with an O2 sat of 97%. This morning his room mate had
,difficulty arousing him. Which of the following assessment/ intervention
would a nurse perform FIRST?
- perform a focused neuro assessment
- obtain a set of vital signs
- obtain a peripheral blood glucose level
- auscultation of the respiratory system . Answer: - obtain a set of vital
signs
*** you would want to get vitals first, perform a neuro assessment,
obtain SMBG, auscultate respiratory last
◉ AG student living on campus presented to the emergency department.
He developed a fever (Tmax 103F/ 39.4C) 1 day prior. He presented
with mild rhinorrhea, headache, decreased appetite, and is lethargic. This
morning his room mate had difficulty arousing him. Reviewing the lab
values, which of the following would the nurse suggest to the provider?
- request an order for frequent (q2hr) neurosensory assessment, an order
for blood cultures (WBC elevated so we need to see what infection he is
fighting off), request and opioid for pain. . Answer: *** remember
elevated C-reactive protein levels in the blood increase inflammation.
This can lead to an increased risk in ischemia possible resulting in an
ischemic CVA. (too much inflammation = too much pressure on vessels
= could cause stroke). So if patient has high CRP then neuro checks need
to be frequent to assess for S and S of too much inflammation in the
brain. CRP should be 0.1 or lower his was 12. something!!!
,◉ In assessing the neurological status on an older patient, the nurse
needs to consider which-age related change of the neurological system?
- reaction time is slower
- flexibility is maintained
- pain sensation is heightened
- higher basal body temperature . Answer: - reaction time is slower
***with age, our temperature regulators aren't as effective as they used
to be (hypothalamus) resulting in an overall decrease in basil body temp.
Why elderly patients often describe feeling cold, keep their rooms at
warmer temps, require extra blankets, and dress for cold weather even
when it's relatively warm outside. Pain sensation is actually dullened.
Flexibility slightly decreases (typically/ norm) and slower reaction time.
The brains shrinks, loses a little weight, and thus decreases the firing
speed of neurons and interferes with neuronal transfer at the synaptic
cleft = delayed neuronal transmissions which presents as slowed or
delayed reaction time. Both gross and motor.
◉ A nurse receives report on a patient who recently experienced a 15-
minute generalized (Tonic Clonic)} seizure in the emergency
department. On arrival to the unit, the patient is prone, breathing noisily,
and hard to arouse. The nurse would initiate which of the following?
(select all that apply)
, - place an oral airway
- administer intravenous antibiotics
- place patient in side lying position
- perform a neurovascular assessment
- obtain oxygen saturation level
- call rapid response team . Answer: - place patient in side lying
position
- obtain oxygen saturation level
- call a rapid response team
*** remember this patient had a TONIC CLONIC!!! = total loss of
muscle control, often aphasic and dysphasic. So we aren't putting
anything in their mouth. IV antibiotics aren't going to do anything as this
likely isn't from a bacterial infection of the brain.
A SIDE LYING position is best to prevent aspiration and prevent pt.
from biting their tongue. A neuro assessment? - pt. isn't capable and it's
past assessment time it's intervention and evaluation time. You would
want to obtain O2 sats to assess O2 to the brain. Call a rapid response
team because you may need all hands on deck!
◉ The nurse notes that a patient has ataxia. Which test does the nurse
use to gain more information about the patient's gait?
- romberg
FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED
A+
◉ The nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient prescribed
prednisone to be taken on alternate days. The patient asks why he cannot
take half a pill every day. What is the nurse's best response?
to eliminate adverse side effects
to prolong therapeutic efforts
to prevent steroidal tolerance
to decrease adrenal suppression . Answer: - to decrease adrenal
suppression
*** remember this can help DECREASE adverse side effects not
eliminate them. Many of the side effects are the result of adrenal gland
suppression/ reduction in cortisol production. So decreasing the
suppression of the adrenal glands makes the most sense!
◉ AG a citadel student living on campus presented to the emergency
department. He developed a fever (Tmax 103/F/ 39.4C) 1 day prior. He
presented with mild rhinorrhea, headache, decreased appetite, and was
lethargic with an O2 sat of 97%. This morning his room mate had
,difficulty arousing him. Which of the following assessment/ intervention
would a nurse perform FIRST?
- perform a focused neuro assessment
- obtain a set of vital signs
- obtain a peripheral blood glucose level
- auscultation of the respiratory system . Answer: - obtain a set of vital
signs
*** you would want to get vitals first, perform a neuro assessment,
obtain SMBG, auscultate respiratory last
◉ AG student living on campus presented to the emergency department.
He developed a fever (Tmax 103F/ 39.4C) 1 day prior. He presented
with mild rhinorrhea, headache, decreased appetite, and is lethargic. This
morning his room mate had difficulty arousing him. Reviewing the lab
values, which of the following would the nurse suggest to the provider?
- request an order for frequent (q2hr) neurosensory assessment, an order
for blood cultures (WBC elevated so we need to see what infection he is
fighting off), request and opioid for pain. . Answer: *** remember
elevated C-reactive protein levels in the blood increase inflammation.
This can lead to an increased risk in ischemia possible resulting in an
ischemic CVA. (too much inflammation = too much pressure on vessels
= could cause stroke). So if patient has high CRP then neuro checks need
to be frequent to assess for S and S of too much inflammation in the
brain. CRP should be 0.1 or lower his was 12. something!!!
,◉ In assessing the neurological status on an older patient, the nurse
needs to consider which-age related change of the neurological system?
- reaction time is slower
- flexibility is maintained
- pain sensation is heightened
- higher basal body temperature . Answer: - reaction time is slower
***with age, our temperature regulators aren't as effective as they used
to be (hypothalamus) resulting in an overall decrease in basil body temp.
Why elderly patients often describe feeling cold, keep their rooms at
warmer temps, require extra blankets, and dress for cold weather even
when it's relatively warm outside. Pain sensation is actually dullened.
Flexibility slightly decreases (typically/ norm) and slower reaction time.
The brains shrinks, loses a little weight, and thus decreases the firing
speed of neurons and interferes with neuronal transfer at the synaptic
cleft = delayed neuronal transmissions which presents as slowed or
delayed reaction time. Both gross and motor.
◉ A nurse receives report on a patient who recently experienced a 15-
minute generalized (Tonic Clonic)} seizure in the emergency
department. On arrival to the unit, the patient is prone, breathing noisily,
and hard to arouse. The nurse would initiate which of the following?
(select all that apply)
, - place an oral airway
- administer intravenous antibiotics
- place patient in side lying position
- perform a neurovascular assessment
- obtain oxygen saturation level
- call rapid response team . Answer: - place patient in side lying
position
- obtain oxygen saturation level
- call a rapid response team
*** remember this patient had a TONIC CLONIC!!! = total loss of
muscle control, often aphasic and dysphasic. So we aren't putting
anything in their mouth. IV antibiotics aren't going to do anything as this
likely isn't from a bacterial infection of the brain.
A SIDE LYING position is best to prevent aspiration and prevent pt.
from biting their tongue. A neuro assessment? - pt. isn't capable and it's
past assessment time it's intervention and evaluation time. You would
want to obtain O2 sats to assess O2 to the brain. Call a rapid response
team because you may need all hands on deck!
◉ The nurse notes that a patient has ataxia. Which test does the nurse
use to gain more information about the patient's gait?
- romberg
