NUR 505 Module 8 Study Guide
with Answers | 2026 Update
University of Alabama
, Part 1: Neurological Assessment & Cranial Nerves
1. A 65-year-old female is having trouble navigating steps and needs help
stepping off curbs. Which part of the nervous system should be assessed?
Answer: Cerebellum. The cerebellum coordinates voluntary movement, equilibrium, and
muscle tone.
2. Which tests are appropriate for a nurse to perform to test Cranial Nerve VIII
(Acoustic/Vestibulocochlear)?
Answer: Whisper test, Rinne test, and Weber test using a tuning fork.
3. A patient cannot run each heel smoothly down each shin. What domain requires
further assessment?
Answer: Balance and coordination. Deviation during the heel-to-shin test may indicate
cerebellar disease.
4. A patient has a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 3. How should the nurse
assess for pain?
Answer: Assess for nonverbal signs (e.g., facial expression, body movement). A score of
3 indicates deep coma, but the patient may still experience pain.
5. Following a frontal lobe contusion from an MVA, what deficit would the nurse
most likely find?
Answer: Difficulty speaking (expressive aphasia) due to injury to Broca's area.
6. A nurse is testing for Kernig's sign. Which findings suggest meningeal irritation?
(Select all that apply)
Answer: Resistance to knee extension and pain when the knee is extended.
7. To assess Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory), what should the nurse ask the patient to
do?
Answer: Occlude one nostril and identify a specific scent (e.g., coffee, orange).
8. When assessing Cranial Nerves IX (Glossopharyngeal) and X (Vagus), what is a
normal finding?
with Answers | 2026 Update
University of Alabama
, Part 1: Neurological Assessment & Cranial Nerves
1. A 65-year-old female is having trouble navigating steps and needs help
stepping off curbs. Which part of the nervous system should be assessed?
Answer: Cerebellum. The cerebellum coordinates voluntary movement, equilibrium, and
muscle tone.
2. Which tests are appropriate for a nurse to perform to test Cranial Nerve VIII
(Acoustic/Vestibulocochlear)?
Answer: Whisper test, Rinne test, and Weber test using a tuning fork.
3. A patient cannot run each heel smoothly down each shin. What domain requires
further assessment?
Answer: Balance and coordination. Deviation during the heel-to-shin test may indicate
cerebellar disease.
4. A patient has a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 3. How should the nurse
assess for pain?
Answer: Assess for nonverbal signs (e.g., facial expression, body movement). A score of
3 indicates deep coma, but the patient may still experience pain.
5. Following a frontal lobe contusion from an MVA, what deficit would the nurse
most likely find?
Answer: Difficulty speaking (expressive aphasia) due to injury to Broca's area.
6. A nurse is testing for Kernig's sign. Which findings suggest meningeal irritation?
(Select all that apply)
Answer: Resistance to knee extension and pain when the knee is extended.
7. To assess Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory), what should the nurse ask the patient to
do?
Answer: Occlude one nostril and identify a specific scent (e.g., coffee, orange).
8. When assessing Cranial Nerves IX (Glossopharyngeal) and X (Vagus), what is a
normal finding?
