NSG 3180 Exam 3 Practice Questions & Answers
1. Which statement best differentiates TIA from stroke?
A. TIAs produce permanent deficits while strokes do not
B. TIAs are transient with no irreversible damage; strokes may be
irreversible
C. Strokes cannot be diagnosed with CT scan
D. TIAs increase risk only for hemorrhagic stroke
ANS: B
Rationale:
• B (Correct): TIA = transient, no permanent damage; stroke can be
irreversible. CT is used in stroke diagnosis.
• A (Incorrect): Reverse of the truth.
• C (Incorrect): Non-contrast CT is a key first test for suspected stroke.
• D (Incorrect): Review notes TIA raises risk for thrombotic (not hemorrhagic)
stroke.
2. (SATA) Which communication strategies are appropriate for a patient with
stroke-related language deficits?
A. Use short, useful phrases
B. Speak slowly
C. Provide a writing board
D. Increase room noise to stimulate responses
E. Limit distractions
ANS: A, B, C, E
Rationale:
• A/B/C/E (Correct): Short phrases, slow speech, writing boards, and
minimizing distractions support comprehension.
, • D (Incorrect): Noise/distractions can worsen symptoms.
3. Before considering thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke, which single
question is most critical? A. “When were you last known normal?”
B. “What is your fasting status?”
C. “Do you have a headache?”
D. “Have you ever had surgery?”
ANS: A
Rationale:
• A (Correct): Establishing time of symptom onset/last known well
determines eligibility (goal < 3 hours in this review).
• B/C/D (Incorrect): May be relevant, but not the key determinant for
thrombolytics.
4. (SATA) Which interventions are appropriate to limit increased intracranial
pressure (ICP)?
A. Keep environment quiet
B. Encourage vigorous coughing and suctioning
C. Avoid hypotonic solutions
D. Cluster all care at once to be efficient
E. Monitor for altered respiratory patterns
ANS: A, C, E
Rationale:
• A (Correct): Quiet environment reduces stimulation that can raise ICP.
• C (Correct): Avoid hypotonic fluids—they can worsen cerebral edema/ICP.
• E (Correct): Changes in respirations can signal rising ICP.
• B (Incorrect): Can increase ICP; use only if needed.
, • D (Incorrect): Clustered care may spike ICP; pace care.
5. (SATA) Which nursing actions are appropriate when feeding and
positioning a patient post-stroke? A. Avoid solid foods if dysphagic
B. Maintain semi-Fowler after feeding
C. Provide passive ROM, especially on weak side
D. Place patient flat immediately after meals
E. Withhold any therapy to the weak side
ANS: A, B, C
Rationale:
• A (Correct): Solid foods can be dangerous with dysphagia.
• B (Correct): Semi-Fowler after feeding reduces aspiration risk.
• C (Correct): Passive ROM prevents atrophy/contractures.
• D/E (Incorrect): Flat positioning increases aspiration risk; neglecting weak
side worsens outcomes.
6. During an active generalized seizure in the hallway, which action is the
nurse’s priority?
A. Insert a padded tongue blade
B. Hold the patient down to prevent movement
C. Maintain ABCs and protect from injury
D. Place the patient in a chair
ANS: C
Rationale:
• C (Correct): Airway/breathing/circulation, clear hazards, and safety first;
assess breathing after the event.
• A/B (Incorrect): Do not put objects in mouth or restrain.
, • D (Incorrect): Keep on floor/bed to prevent falls.
7. (SATA) Teaching for a patient with tonic-clonic seizures should include which
instructions?
A. You may be drowsy for a few hours after
B. Remove eyeglasses and loosen tight clothing during an event
C. Put your dentures back in to protect the tongue
D. Do not place anything in the mouth during a seizure
E. Caregivers should allow the seizure to occur and then assess breathing
ANS: A, B, D, E
Rationale:
• A/B/D/E (Correct): Postictal drowsiness is expected; loosen clothing,
nothing in the mouth, ensure airway after.
• C (Incorrect): Never insert dentures/objects—aspiration/trauma risk.
8. (SATA) Which statements indicate correct understanding of phenytoin
therapy?
A. Take exactly as prescribed without missing doses
B. Skipping doses is acceptable if you feel well
C. Maintaining the therapeutic range is critical
D. Double up on the next dose if one is missed
E. Antiepileptics often have a narrow therapeutic window
ANS: A, C, E Rationale:
• A/C/E (Correct): Adherence maintains the therapeutic level; many
antiepileptics have narrow ranges.
• B/D (Incorrect): Skipping or doubling can lead to subtherapeutic/toxic
levels.
1. Which statement best differentiates TIA from stroke?
A. TIAs produce permanent deficits while strokes do not
B. TIAs are transient with no irreversible damage; strokes may be
irreversible
C. Strokes cannot be diagnosed with CT scan
D. TIAs increase risk only for hemorrhagic stroke
ANS: B
Rationale:
• B (Correct): TIA = transient, no permanent damage; stroke can be
irreversible. CT is used in stroke diagnosis.
• A (Incorrect): Reverse of the truth.
• C (Incorrect): Non-contrast CT is a key first test for suspected stroke.
• D (Incorrect): Review notes TIA raises risk for thrombotic (not hemorrhagic)
stroke.
2. (SATA) Which communication strategies are appropriate for a patient with
stroke-related language deficits?
A. Use short, useful phrases
B. Speak slowly
C. Provide a writing board
D. Increase room noise to stimulate responses
E. Limit distractions
ANS: A, B, C, E
Rationale:
• A/B/C/E (Correct): Short phrases, slow speech, writing boards, and
minimizing distractions support comprehension.
, • D (Incorrect): Noise/distractions can worsen symptoms.
3. Before considering thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke, which single
question is most critical? A. “When were you last known normal?”
B. “What is your fasting status?”
C. “Do you have a headache?”
D. “Have you ever had surgery?”
ANS: A
Rationale:
• A (Correct): Establishing time of symptom onset/last known well
determines eligibility (goal < 3 hours in this review).
• B/C/D (Incorrect): May be relevant, but not the key determinant for
thrombolytics.
4. (SATA) Which interventions are appropriate to limit increased intracranial
pressure (ICP)?
A. Keep environment quiet
B. Encourage vigorous coughing and suctioning
C. Avoid hypotonic solutions
D. Cluster all care at once to be efficient
E. Monitor for altered respiratory patterns
ANS: A, C, E
Rationale:
• A (Correct): Quiet environment reduces stimulation that can raise ICP.
• C (Correct): Avoid hypotonic fluids—they can worsen cerebral edema/ICP.
• E (Correct): Changes in respirations can signal rising ICP.
• B (Incorrect): Can increase ICP; use only if needed.
, • D (Incorrect): Clustered care may spike ICP; pace care.
5. (SATA) Which nursing actions are appropriate when feeding and
positioning a patient post-stroke? A. Avoid solid foods if dysphagic
B. Maintain semi-Fowler after feeding
C. Provide passive ROM, especially on weak side
D. Place patient flat immediately after meals
E. Withhold any therapy to the weak side
ANS: A, B, C
Rationale:
• A (Correct): Solid foods can be dangerous with dysphagia.
• B (Correct): Semi-Fowler after feeding reduces aspiration risk.
• C (Correct): Passive ROM prevents atrophy/contractures.
• D/E (Incorrect): Flat positioning increases aspiration risk; neglecting weak
side worsens outcomes.
6. During an active generalized seizure in the hallway, which action is the
nurse’s priority?
A. Insert a padded tongue blade
B. Hold the patient down to prevent movement
C. Maintain ABCs and protect from injury
D. Place the patient in a chair
ANS: C
Rationale:
• C (Correct): Airway/breathing/circulation, clear hazards, and safety first;
assess breathing after the event.
• A/B (Incorrect): Do not put objects in mouth or restrain.
, • D (Incorrect): Keep on floor/bed to prevent falls.
7. (SATA) Teaching for a patient with tonic-clonic seizures should include which
instructions?
A. You may be drowsy for a few hours after
B. Remove eyeglasses and loosen tight clothing during an event
C. Put your dentures back in to protect the tongue
D. Do not place anything in the mouth during a seizure
E. Caregivers should allow the seizure to occur and then assess breathing
ANS: A, B, D, E
Rationale:
• A/B/D/E (Correct): Postictal drowsiness is expected; loosen clothing,
nothing in the mouth, ensure airway after.
• C (Incorrect): Never insert dentures/objects—aspiration/trauma risk.
8. (SATA) Which statements indicate correct understanding of phenytoin
therapy?
A. Take exactly as prescribed without missing doses
B. Skipping doses is acceptable if you feel well
C. Maintaining the therapeutic range is critical
D. Double up on the next dose if one is missed
E. Antiepileptics often have a narrow therapeutic window
ANS: A, C, E Rationale:
• A/C/E (Correct): Adherence maintains the therapeutic level; many
antiepileptics have narrow ranges.
• B/D (Incorrect): Skipping or doubling can lead to subtherapeutic/toxic
levels.
