NUR 5461 Module 4 Quiz – Advanced
Pathophysiology – (2026) Actual
Questions & Answers (William Paterson
University)
Question 1
A 23-year-old reports bilateral pain with a sensation of a tight band around the
head. Which type of headache fits this description?
A) Migraine with aura
B) Migraine without aura
C) Tension headache
D) Cluster headache
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A tension-type headache is characterized by bilateral location, a "tight
band" or "vice-like" sensation around the head, and mild to moderate intensity.
Unlike migraines, these do not involve nausea, vomiting, or extreme sensitivity to
light and sound. Migraines are typically unilateral with throbbing pain, while
cluster headaches are severe, unilateral, and occur around one eye with autonomic
symptoms .
Question 2
Migraines occur most frequently during which time period?
,A) During sleep
B) Before and during menses
C) After meals
D) During exercise
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Migraines occur most frequently before and during menses, likely due
to estrogen withdrawal. The hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle are a
well-established trigger for migraine headaches in susceptible women .
Question 3
An electroencephalogram (EEG) can be used to confirm a diagnosis of which
condition?
A) Tension headache
B) Cluster headache
C) Migraine headache
D) Seizure disorder
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: While the response feedback in the source material notes that "An EEG
helps confirm diagnosis" for migraines, EEG is actually most definitive for seizure
disorders. The diagnosis of migraine is primarily made from medical history and
physical examination, not EEG findings .
,Question 4
Which are characteristics of Alzheimer disease? (Select all that apply.)
A) Rapid onset
B) Memory loss
C) Increased irritability
D) Anxiety and depression
Correct Answers: B, C, D
Rationale: Alzheimer disease and other forms of dementia have a slow,
progressive onset. Mental status changes include memory loss (especially recent
memory) and behavioral changes that include irritability, agitation, anxiety,
restlessness, and depression. Rapid onset is NOT characteristic of Alzheimer
disease .
Question 5
Age and the initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score are important diagnostic
factors in TBI. Which initial GCS score describes a severe TBI?
A) 13-15
B) 12-13
C) 9-12
D) 3-8
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined by an initial GCS score
of 3-8. Moderate TBI is 9-12, and mild TBI is 13-15. The GCS assesses eye
opening, verbal response, and motor response to determine injury severity .
, Question 6
An older adult who abuses alcohol has fallen and is diagnosed with a hematoma
that is located under the skull but outside of the brain. Which type of hematoma
fits this description?
A) Epidural hematoma
B) Subdural hematoma
C) Intracerebral hematoma
D) Subarachnoid hematoma
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A subdural hematoma is located between the dura mater and the
arachnoid mater (under the skull but outside the brain parenchyma). Older adults
and those with alcohol use disorder are at increased risk due to cerebral atrophy
and increased bridging vein fragility .
Question 7
A patient is hit in the temporal portion of the skull. Although initial loss of
consciousness occurs, the patient soon awakens and is conversant. Three hours
later vomiting, drowsiness, and confusion are noted. These symptoms are most
likely related to which type of brain injury?
A) Diffuse axonal injury
B) Intracerebral hematoma
C) Subdural hematoma
D) Epidural hematoma
Pathophysiology – (2026) Actual
Questions & Answers (William Paterson
University)
Question 1
A 23-year-old reports bilateral pain with a sensation of a tight band around the
head. Which type of headache fits this description?
A) Migraine with aura
B) Migraine without aura
C) Tension headache
D) Cluster headache
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A tension-type headache is characterized by bilateral location, a "tight
band" or "vice-like" sensation around the head, and mild to moderate intensity.
Unlike migraines, these do not involve nausea, vomiting, or extreme sensitivity to
light and sound. Migraines are typically unilateral with throbbing pain, while
cluster headaches are severe, unilateral, and occur around one eye with autonomic
symptoms .
Question 2
Migraines occur most frequently during which time period?
,A) During sleep
B) Before and during menses
C) After meals
D) During exercise
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Migraines occur most frequently before and during menses, likely due
to estrogen withdrawal. The hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle are a
well-established trigger for migraine headaches in susceptible women .
Question 3
An electroencephalogram (EEG) can be used to confirm a diagnosis of which
condition?
A) Tension headache
B) Cluster headache
C) Migraine headache
D) Seizure disorder
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: While the response feedback in the source material notes that "An EEG
helps confirm diagnosis" for migraines, EEG is actually most definitive for seizure
disorders. The diagnosis of migraine is primarily made from medical history and
physical examination, not EEG findings .
,Question 4
Which are characteristics of Alzheimer disease? (Select all that apply.)
A) Rapid onset
B) Memory loss
C) Increased irritability
D) Anxiety and depression
Correct Answers: B, C, D
Rationale: Alzheimer disease and other forms of dementia have a slow,
progressive onset. Mental status changes include memory loss (especially recent
memory) and behavioral changes that include irritability, agitation, anxiety,
restlessness, and depression. Rapid onset is NOT characteristic of Alzheimer
disease .
Question 5
Age and the initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score are important diagnostic
factors in TBI. Which initial GCS score describes a severe TBI?
A) 13-15
B) 12-13
C) 9-12
D) 3-8
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined by an initial GCS score
of 3-8. Moderate TBI is 9-12, and mild TBI is 13-15. The GCS assesses eye
opening, verbal response, and motor response to determine injury severity .
, Question 6
An older adult who abuses alcohol has fallen and is diagnosed with a hematoma
that is located under the skull but outside of the brain. Which type of hematoma
fits this description?
A) Epidural hematoma
B) Subdural hematoma
C) Intracerebral hematoma
D) Subarachnoid hematoma
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A subdural hematoma is located between the dura mater and the
arachnoid mater (under the skull but outside the brain parenchyma). Older adults
and those with alcohol use disorder are at increased risk due to cerebral atrophy
and increased bridging vein fragility .
Question 7
A patient is hit in the temporal portion of the skull. Although initial loss of
consciousness occurs, the patient soon awakens and is conversant. Three hours
later vomiting, drowsiness, and confusion are noted. These symptoms are most
likely related to which type of brain injury?
A) Diffuse axonal injury
B) Intracerebral hematoma
C) Subdural hematoma
D) Epidural hematoma
