NUR 265 COMPLEX MOBILITY AND
COGNITION EXAM 3 (2026) Galen College of
Nursing | Latest Updated Practice Questions
questions cover all essential topics including TBI, SCI, Alzheimer's/dementia, stroke, Parkinson's, MS,
neurological signs, and nursing interventions. Review the detailed rationales carefully to understand
the reasoning behind each answer, master neurology nursing concepts, and prepare for success on
your exam!
Question 1
A patient with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) has a blood pressure of 180/90
mmHg and heart rate of 50 bpm. What is the most appropriate nursing
intervention?
A. Administer IV fluids to increase BP
B. Prepare for intubation and Вh VE (ventilation)
C. Elevate head of bed to 30 degrees and monitor for signs of increased ICP
D. Administer IV antihypertensive to lower BP immediately
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Elevate head of bed to 30 degrees and monitor for signs of
increased ICP is the most appropriate nursing intervention. The patient
has Cushing's triad (high BP 180/90, low HR 50 =
bradycardia) indicating increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Head elevation
to 30 degrees promotes venous drainage and reduces ICP. IV fluids to increase
BP would worsen ICP. Intubation may be needed but head elevation is first-line
nursing intervention. Antihypertensive to lower BP immediately is dangerous
(brain needs perfusion pressure). Nursing must recognize Cushing's triad as
increased ICP sign and elevate head.
Question 2
A patient with spinal cord injury (SCI) at C5 level has weakness in shoulders
and elbows but no hand function. What is the expected functional outcome?
A. Independent walking with brace
B. Can feed self with adaptive devices but needs help for most ADLs
,C. Complete independence in all ADLs
D. Can drive car with hand controls
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Can feed self with adaptive devices but needs help for most
ADLs is the expected functional outcome for C5 level SCI. C5 injury
preserves shoulder and elbow function (deltoid, biceps) but no hand/wrist
function. Patient can feed self with adaptive devices (weighted utensils, built-up
handles) but needs help for bathing, dressing, toileting. Independent
walking requires lower injury (lumbar). Complete independence requires C6-C7
or lower. Driving requires hand function (C6-C7). Nursing must understand
functional outcomes by SCI level.
Question 3
A patient with Alzheimer's disease has severe cognitive impairment, cannot
recognize family, and needs total assistance for ADLs. What stage of
Alzheimer's is this?
A. Stage 1 (Mild)
B. Stage 3 (Moderate)
C. Stage 5-6 (Severe)
D. Stage 7 (Very Severe)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Stage 5-6 (Severe) is the correct stage. The patient has severe
cognitive impairment, cannot recognize family, and needs total assistance for
ADLs, consistent with Stage 5-6 (Severe Alzheimer's). Stage 5: moderate-severe
cognitive decline, needs help with ADLs. Stage 6: severe cognitive decline,
cannot recognize family, total assistance needed. Stage 1: mild, no memory
loss. Stage 3: moderate, some memory loss. Stage 7: very severe, loss of
verbal/motor function. Nursing must identify Alzheimer's stages for care
planning.
Question 4
A patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) presents with ataxia, tremor, and
difficulty coordinating movements. What symptom is this?
,A. Numbness
B. Dysarthria
C. Ataxia
D. Spasticity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ataxia is the correct symptom. The patient has ataxia, tremor, and
difficulty coordinating movements, which defines ataxia (loss of
coordination/balance). MS causes neurological deficits from
demyelination. Numbness is sensory loss. Dysarthria is slurred
speech. Spasticity is muscle stiffness. Nursing must recognize ataxia as
coordination deficit in MS.
Question 5
A patient with stroke (CVA) in the right hemisphere has neglect of left side and
poor judgment. What is this called?
A. Aphasia
B. Homonymous hemianopsia
C. Unilateral neglect
D. Dysphagia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Unilateral neglect is the correct term. The patient with right
hemisphere stroke has neglect of left side and poor judgment, which
is unilateral neglect (ignoring one side of body/space). Right hemisphere stroke
causes left-sided neglect, poor judgment, impulsivity. Aphasia is language
deficit (left hemisphere). Homonymous hemianopsia is visual field
cut. Dysphagia is swallowing difficulty. Nursing must recognize unilateral neglect
for safety.
Question 6
A patient with Parkinson's disease has rigidity, bradykinesia, and resting
tremor. What medication is first-line?
, A. Levodopa-carbidopa
B. Donepezil
C. Baclofen
D. Prednisone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Levodopa-carbidopa is first-line for Parkinson's disease. The patient
has rigidity, bradykinesia, resting tremor (classic Parkinson's triad). Levodopa-
carbidopa is dopamine replacement, first-line treatment. Donepezil is for
Alzheimer's. Baclofen is for spasticity. Prednisone is steroid for inflammation.
Nursing must know Parkinson's first-line medication.
Question 7
A patient with severe TBI has GCS score of 6. What does this indicate?
A. Mild TBI
B. Moderate TBI
C. Severe TBI
D. No brain injury
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Severe TBI is indicated by GCS score of 6. Glasgow Coma Scale
(GCS): 13-15 = mild TBI, 9-12 = moderate TBI, 3-8 = severe TBI. GCS
6 is severe TBI (coma, needs intubation). 13-15 is mild. 9-12 is moderate. No
brain injury would be GCS 15. Nursing must use GCS to classify TBI severity.
Question 8
A patient with SCI at T10 level has paraplegia (lower extremity weakness).
What is the expected functional outcome?
A. Independent walking with brace
B. Wheelchair independent, can drive with hand controls
C. Complete bedrest
D. Needs assistance for all mobility
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Wheelchair independent, can drive with hand controls is expected
COGNITION EXAM 3 (2026) Galen College of
Nursing | Latest Updated Practice Questions
questions cover all essential topics including TBI, SCI, Alzheimer's/dementia, stroke, Parkinson's, MS,
neurological signs, and nursing interventions. Review the detailed rationales carefully to understand
the reasoning behind each answer, master neurology nursing concepts, and prepare for success on
your exam!
Question 1
A patient with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) has a blood pressure of 180/90
mmHg and heart rate of 50 bpm. What is the most appropriate nursing
intervention?
A. Administer IV fluids to increase BP
B. Prepare for intubation and Вh VE (ventilation)
C. Elevate head of bed to 30 degrees and monitor for signs of increased ICP
D. Administer IV antihypertensive to lower BP immediately
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Elevate head of bed to 30 degrees and monitor for signs of
increased ICP is the most appropriate nursing intervention. The patient
has Cushing's triad (high BP 180/90, low HR 50 =
bradycardia) indicating increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Head elevation
to 30 degrees promotes venous drainage and reduces ICP. IV fluids to increase
BP would worsen ICP. Intubation may be needed but head elevation is first-line
nursing intervention. Antihypertensive to lower BP immediately is dangerous
(brain needs perfusion pressure). Nursing must recognize Cushing's triad as
increased ICP sign and elevate head.
Question 2
A patient with spinal cord injury (SCI) at C5 level has weakness in shoulders
and elbows but no hand function. What is the expected functional outcome?
A. Independent walking with brace
B. Can feed self with adaptive devices but needs help for most ADLs
,C. Complete independence in all ADLs
D. Can drive car with hand controls
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Can feed self with adaptive devices but needs help for most
ADLs is the expected functional outcome for C5 level SCI. C5 injury
preserves shoulder and elbow function (deltoid, biceps) but no hand/wrist
function. Patient can feed self with adaptive devices (weighted utensils, built-up
handles) but needs help for bathing, dressing, toileting. Independent
walking requires lower injury (lumbar). Complete independence requires C6-C7
or lower. Driving requires hand function (C6-C7). Nursing must understand
functional outcomes by SCI level.
Question 3
A patient with Alzheimer's disease has severe cognitive impairment, cannot
recognize family, and needs total assistance for ADLs. What stage of
Alzheimer's is this?
A. Stage 1 (Mild)
B. Stage 3 (Moderate)
C. Stage 5-6 (Severe)
D. Stage 7 (Very Severe)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Stage 5-6 (Severe) is the correct stage. The patient has severe
cognitive impairment, cannot recognize family, and needs total assistance for
ADLs, consistent with Stage 5-6 (Severe Alzheimer's). Stage 5: moderate-severe
cognitive decline, needs help with ADLs. Stage 6: severe cognitive decline,
cannot recognize family, total assistance needed. Stage 1: mild, no memory
loss. Stage 3: moderate, some memory loss. Stage 7: very severe, loss of
verbal/motor function. Nursing must identify Alzheimer's stages for care
planning.
Question 4
A patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) presents with ataxia, tremor, and
difficulty coordinating movements. What symptom is this?
,A. Numbness
B. Dysarthria
C. Ataxia
D. Spasticity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ataxia is the correct symptom. The patient has ataxia, tremor, and
difficulty coordinating movements, which defines ataxia (loss of
coordination/balance). MS causes neurological deficits from
demyelination. Numbness is sensory loss. Dysarthria is slurred
speech. Spasticity is muscle stiffness. Nursing must recognize ataxia as
coordination deficit in MS.
Question 5
A patient with stroke (CVA) in the right hemisphere has neglect of left side and
poor judgment. What is this called?
A. Aphasia
B. Homonymous hemianopsia
C. Unilateral neglect
D. Dysphagia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Unilateral neglect is the correct term. The patient with right
hemisphere stroke has neglect of left side and poor judgment, which
is unilateral neglect (ignoring one side of body/space). Right hemisphere stroke
causes left-sided neglect, poor judgment, impulsivity. Aphasia is language
deficit (left hemisphere). Homonymous hemianopsia is visual field
cut. Dysphagia is swallowing difficulty. Nursing must recognize unilateral neglect
for safety.
Question 6
A patient with Parkinson's disease has rigidity, bradykinesia, and resting
tremor. What medication is first-line?
, A. Levodopa-carbidopa
B. Donepezil
C. Baclofen
D. Prednisone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Levodopa-carbidopa is first-line for Parkinson's disease. The patient
has rigidity, bradykinesia, resting tremor (classic Parkinson's triad). Levodopa-
carbidopa is dopamine replacement, first-line treatment. Donepezil is for
Alzheimer's. Baclofen is for spasticity. Prednisone is steroid for inflammation.
Nursing must know Parkinson's first-line medication.
Question 7
A patient with severe TBI has GCS score of 6. What does this indicate?
A. Mild TBI
B. Moderate TBI
C. Severe TBI
D. No brain injury
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Severe TBI is indicated by GCS score of 6. Glasgow Coma Scale
(GCS): 13-15 = mild TBI, 9-12 = moderate TBI, 3-8 = severe TBI. GCS
6 is severe TBI (coma, needs intubation). 13-15 is mild. 9-12 is moderate. No
brain injury would be GCS 15. Nursing must use GCS to classify TBI severity.
Question 8
A patient with SCI at T10 level has paraplegia (lower extremity weakness).
What is the expected functional outcome?
A. Independent walking with brace
B. Wheelchair independent, can drive with hand controls
C. Complete bedrest
D. Needs assistance for all mobility
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Wheelchair independent, can drive with hand controls is expected
