NUR 265 Exam 3 NCLEX-Style Practice Questions and
Answers | Fall 2025/2026 Update | 100% Correct
1. The nurse is caring for a patient with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Which finding
should the nurse recognize as the earliest sign of neurologic deterioration?
A. Fixed pupils
B. Decreased level of consciousness
C. Decerebrate posturing
D. Cushing’s triad
Answer: B. Decreased level of consciousness
Rationale: A change in level of consciousness (LOC) is the earliest indicator of
neurologic deterioration and must be reported immediately.
2. A patient has a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 6. How should the nurse interpret
this finding?
A. Mild neurologic impairment
B. Moderate neurologic impairment
C. Patient is comatose
D. Normal neurologic status
Answer: C. Patient is comatose
Rationale: A GCS score of 7 or less indicates coma and reflects severe neurologic
dysfunction requiring immediate intervention.
3. The nurse observes abnormal flexion of the patient’s arms, wrists, and fingers with
plantar flexion of the legs. How should this finding be documented?
A. Decerebrate posturing
B. Flaccid paralysis
C. Decorticate posturing
D. Hemiparesis
Answer: C. Decorticate posturing
Rationale: Decorticate (flexor) posturing is characterized by flexion of the arms, wrists,
and fingers with internal rotation and plantar flexion of the legs.
mailto:https://www.stuvia.com/user/Wisdoms
Answers | Fall 2025/2026 Update | 100% Correct
1. The nurse is caring for a patient with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Which finding
should the nurse recognize as the earliest sign of neurologic deterioration?
A. Fixed pupils
B. Decreased level of consciousness
C. Decerebrate posturing
D. Cushing’s triad
Answer: B. Decreased level of consciousness
Rationale: A change in level of consciousness (LOC) is the earliest indicator of
neurologic deterioration and must be reported immediately.
2. A patient has a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 6. How should the nurse interpret
this finding?
A. Mild neurologic impairment
B. Moderate neurologic impairment
C. Patient is comatose
D. Normal neurologic status
Answer: C. Patient is comatose
Rationale: A GCS score of 7 or less indicates coma and reflects severe neurologic
dysfunction requiring immediate intervention.
3. The nurse observes abnormal flexion of the patient’s arms, wrists, and fingers with
plantar flexion of the legs. How should this finding be documented?
A. Decerebrate posturing
B. Flaccid paralysis
C. Decorticate posturing
D. Hemiparesis
Answer: C. Decorticate posturing
Rationale: Decorticate (flexor) posturing is characterized by flexion of the arms, wrists,
and fingers with internal rotation and plantar flexion of the legs.
mailto:https://www.stuvia.com/user/Wisdoms
