Page 1 of 167
Neurological Nursing 2026/2027
Questions and Correct Answers with
Rationale | Newest Update | Galen
College of Nursing
Q1. A patient is in the clinic for weakness in the left arm and
leg that has been going on for the past week. The nurse
would perform which type of neurological examination?
a) Glasgow Coma Scale
b) Neurologic recheck examination
c) Complete neurologic examination
d) Screening neurologic examination
Answer: C
Rationale: A complete neurologic examination is indicated for
patients with new or unexplained neurologic symptoms, such as
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unilateral weakness. The Glasgow Coma Scale assesses level of
consciousness only, a recheck is for known conditions, and a
screening exam is brief .
Q2. During an assessment of the cranial nerves (CNs), the
nurse finds the following: asymmetry when the patient smiles
or frowns, uneven lifting of the eyebrows, sagging of the
lower eyelids, and escape of air when the nurse presses
against the right puffed cheek. These findings indicate
dysfunction of which cranial nerve(s)?
a) Motor component of CN IV
b) Motor component of CN VII
c) Motor and sensory components of CN XII
d) Motor component of CN X and sensory component of CN VII
Answer: B
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Rationale: The facial nerve (CN VII) controls facial expression
muscles. Asymmetry with smiling, frowning, eyebrow lifting,
eyelid sagging, and inability to puff the cheek indicates
dysfunction of the motor component of CN VII .
Q3. The nurse is testing the function of CN XI. Which
statement best describes the response the nurse would expect
if this nerve is intact?
a) Patient demonstrates the ability to hear normal conversation.
b) When patient sticks out tongue it is midline and without
tremors or deviation.
c) Patient follows an object with his or her eyes without
nystagmus or strabismus.
d) Patient moves the head and shoulders against resistance
with equal strength.
Answer: D
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Rationale: CN XI is the spinal accessory nerve, which innervates
the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. Intact function
allows the patient to shrug shoulders and turn head against
resistance .
Q4. A 20-year-old construction worker has been brought into
the emergency department with heat stroke. He has delirium
as a result of a fluid and electrolyte imbalance. When
assessing his orientation, what is the earliest indication of
decreasing level of consciousness (LOC)?
a) Changes in orientation to time
b) Changes in orientation to place
c) Changes in orientation to person
d) Not knowing his name and birth date
Answer: A
Neurological Nursing 2026/2027
Questions and Correct Answers with
Rationale | Newest Update | Galen
College of Nursing
Q1. A patient is in the clinic for weakness in the left arm and
leg that has been going on for the past week. The nurse
would perform which type of neurological examination?
a) Glasgow Coma Scale
b) Neurologic recheck examination
c) Complete neurologic examination
d) Screening neurologic examination
Answer: C
Rationale: A complete neurologic examination is indicated for
patients with new or unexplained neurologic symptoms, such as
,Page 2 of 167
unilateral weakness. The Glasgow Coma Scale assesses level of
consciousness only, a recheck is for known conditions, and a
screening exam is brief .
Q2. During an assessment of the cranial nerves (CNs), the
nurse finds the following: asymmetry when the patient smiles
or frowns, uneven lifting of the eyebrows, sagging of the
lower eyelids, and escape of air when the nurse presses
against the right puffed cheek. These findings indicate
dysfunction of which cranial nerve(s)?
a) Motor component of CN IV
b) Motor component of CN VII
c) Motor and sensory components of CN XII
d) Motor component of CN X and sensory component of CN VII
Answer: B
,Page 3 of 167
Rationale: The facial nerve (CN VII) controls facial expression
muscles. Asymmetry with smiling, frowning, eyebrow lifting,
eyelid sagging, and inability to puff the cheek indicates
dysfunction of the motor component of CN VII .
Q3. The nurse is testing the function of CN XI. Which
statement best describes the response the nurse would expect
if this nerve is intact?
a) Patient demonstrates the ability to hear normal conversation.
b) When patient sticks out tongue it is midline and without
tremors or deviation.
c) Patient follows an object with his or her eyes without
nystagmus or strabismus.
d) Patient moves the head and shoulders against resistance
with equal strength.
Answer: D
, Page 4 of 167
Rationale: CN XI is the spinal accessory nerve, which innervates
the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. Intact function
allows the patient to shrug shoulders and turn head against
resistance .
Q4. A 20-year-old construction worker has been brought into
the emergency department with heat stroke. He has delirium
as a result of a fluid and electrolyte imbalance. When
assessing his orientation, what is the earliest indication of
decreasing level of consciousness (LOC)?
a) Changes in orientation to time
b) Changes in orientation to place
c) Changes in orientation to person
d) Not knowing his name and birth date
Answer: A
