NURS 6531 FINAL EXAM
WALDEN UNIVERSITY 2026 NURS 6531 FINAL
EXAM LATEST SPRING SUMMER ACTUAL
EXAM SOLVED Test Bank with 200+ Practice
Questions and Correct Verified Answers
A patient who has a seizure disorder and takes levetiracetam is brought to an
emergency department as two consecutive 15-minute seizures occur. What is
the priority action for this patient?
a. Administer a dose of levetiracetam now and repeat in 10 minutes.
b. Administer lorazepam and monitor cardiorespiratory status.
A+ TEST BANK 1
, NURS 6531 FINAL EXAM
c. Administer phenytoin and phenobarbital along with oxygen.
d. Admit the patient to the hospital for a diagnostic work up. –
Correct Answer :ANS: B
This patient has status epilepticus, which should be treated with
benzodiazepines and close monitoring of airway, breathing, and circulation. The
other interventions are not appropriate for acute seizure management.
Which drug is used to treat patients with focal epilepsy and complex partial
seizures?
a. Carbamazepine
b. Ethosuximide
c. Lamotrigine
d. Topiramate –
Correct Answer :ANS: A
Carbamazepine is used for focal and complex partial seizures. Ethosuximide is
useful for petit mal seizures in children. Lamotrigine has a wide range of
effectiveness but has an increased risk for Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Topiramate is not a first-line drug because of cognitive side effects.
A patient reports paroxysms of burning, shock-like pain on both sides of the face
usually triggered by chewing or talking. The provider suspects trigeminal
neuralgia. Based on these presenting symptoms, what testing is indicated?
a. Autoimmune laboratory panel
b. Inflammatory markers
A+ TEST BANK 2
, NURS 6531 FINAL EXAM
c. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
d. Plain radiographs –
Correct Answer :ANS: C
Trigeminal neuralgia is a clinical diagnosis. Pain on both sides of the face raises a
suspicion for multiple sclerosis and MRI is done to corroborate the presence of
MS. Autoimmune laboratory pane is performed if alternative diagnoses are
suspected. Inflammatory markers are not diagnostic. Plain radiographs are not
indicated.
A patient is diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia and reports having paroxysms
several times each day. What is the initial treatment for this patient?
a. A combination of baclofen, lamotrigine, and phenytoin
b. A high dose of carbamazepine with subsequent titration downward
c. Botox injections or intranasal lidocaine as needed
d. Low doses of anticonvulsants with gradual increase as needed –
Correct Answer :ANS: B
Anticonvulsants are first-line treatments for trigeminal neuralgia -
carbamazepine is started at the maximum therapeutic dose and titrated down
to the lowest effective dose. Combination drug therapy is begun if the initial
treatment is not effective or if the single drug regimen has intolerable side
effects. Botox injections and intranasal lidocaine are used as adjuncts to
anticonvulsants for acute pain relief.
A+ TEST BANK 3
, NURS 6531 FINAL EXAM
A patient diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia has tried several medication
regimens to control pain without success. What is the next step in management
for this condition?
a. Consultation with a psychiatrist
b. Education about alternative treatments
c. Recommending a pain center
d. Referral to a neurosurgeon –
Correct Answer :ANS: D
Referral to a neurosurgeon is indicated after medical therapies have been
exhausted. The other options may be included in long-term care, but a
neurosurgery referral is warranted.
A patient develops a gait disorder and the patient's spouse reports noticing
recent personality changes. The provider suspects a brain lesion. Which
evaluation is especially important in the initial physical examination?
a. Assessment of peripheral reflexes
b. Evaluation of speech
c. Examination of the optic fundi
d. Testing for memory loss –
Correct Answer :ANS: C
Gait disorders and personality changes are more typical presentations with
nonfocal lesions. Examination of the optic fundi for papilledema may be the only
finding to indicate increased intracranial pressure. The other assessments help
determine focal involvement.
A+ TEST BANK 4
WALDEN UNIVERSITY 2026 NURS 6531 FINAL
EXAM LATEST SPRING SUMMER ACTUAL
EXAM SOLVED Test Bank with 200+ Practice
Questions and Correct Verified Answers
A patient who has a seizure disorder and takes levetiracetam is brought to an
emergency department as two consecutive 15-minute seizures occur. What is
the priority action for this patient?
a. Administer a dose of levetiracetam now and repeat in 10 minutes.
b. Administer lorazepam and monitor cardiorespiratory status.
A+ TEST BANK 1
, NURS 6531 FINAL EXAM
c. Administer phenytoin and phenobarbital along with oxygen.
d. Admit the patient to the hospital for a diagnostic work up. –
Correct Answer :ANS: B
This patient has status epilepticus, which should be treated with
benzodiazepines and close monitoring of airway, breathing, and circulation. The
other interventions are not appropriate for acute seizure management.
Which drug is used to treat patients with focal epilepsy and complex partial
seizures?
a. Carbamazepine
b. Ethosuximide
c. Lamotrigine
d. Topiramate –
Correct Answer :ANS: A
Carbamazepine is used for focal and complex partial seizures. Ethosuximide is
useful for petit mal seizures in children. Lamotrigine has a wide range of
effectiveness but has an increased risk for Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Topiramate is not a first-line drug because of cognitive side effects.
A patient reports paroxysms of burning, shock-like pain on both sides of the face
usually triggered by chewing or talking. The provider suspects trigeminal
neuralgia. Based on these presenting symptoms, what testing is indicated?
a. Autoimmune laboratory panel
b. Inflammatory markers
A+ TEST BANK 2
, NURS 6531 FINAL EXAM
c. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
d. Plain radiographs –
Correct Answer :ANS: C
Trigeminal neuralgia is a clinical diagnosis. Pain on both sides of the face raises a
suspicion for multiple sclerosis and MRI is done to corroborate the presence of
MS. Autoimmune laboratory pane is performed if alternative diagnoses are
suspected. Inflammatory markers are not diagnostic. Plain radiographs are not
indicated.
A patient is diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia and reports having paroxysms
several times each day. What is the initial treatment for this patient?
a. A combination of baclofen, lamotrigine, and phenytoin
b. A high dose of carbamazepine with subsequent titration downward
c. Botox injections or intranasal lidocaine as needed
d. Low doses of anticonvulsants with gradual increase as needed –
Correct Answer :ANS: B
Anticonvulsants are first-line treatments for trigeminal neuralgia -
carbamazepine is started at the maximum therapeutic dose and titrated down
to the lowest effective dose. Combination drug therapy is begun if the initial
treatment is not effective or if the single drug regimen has intolerable side
effects. Botox injections and intranasal lidocaine are used as adjuncts to
anticonvulsants for acute pain relief.
A+ TEST BANK 3
, NURS 6531 FINAL EXAM
A patient diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia has tried several medication
regimens to control pain without success. What is the next step in management
for this condition?
a. Consultation with a psychiatrist
b. Education about alternative treatments
c. Recommending a pain center
d. Referral to a neurosurgeon –
Correct Answer :ANS: D
Referral to a neurosurgeon is indicated after medical therapies have been
exhausted. The other options may be included in long-term care, but a
neurosurgery referral is warranted.
A patient develops a gait disorder and the patient's spouse reports noticing
recent personality changes. The provider suspects a brain lesion. Which
evaluation is especially important in the initial physical examination?
a. Assessment of peripheral reflexes
b. Evaluation of speech
c. Examination of the optic fundi
d. Testing for memory loss –
Correct Answer :ANS: C
Gait disorders and personality changes are more typical presentations with
nonfocal lesions. Examination of the optic fundi for papilledema may be the only
finding to indicate increased intracranial pressure. The other assessments help
determine focal involvement.
A+ TEST BANK 4
