Certified Pediatric Nursing certification focused on
Neurology Exam Review Questions and A+ Level pass rate
solutions; Latest 2026/2027
Neural Tube Defects; Types; Anencephaly - correct answer*Both cerebral hemispheres
are absent; brain stem and cerebellum may be present; incomplete with life; still born or
die within hours/days of life; organ donation may be considered if born live
Neural Tube Defects; Types; Encephalocele - correct answer*Brain is herniated
through a defect in the skull resulting in a fluid filled sac sometimes with brain tissue
inside
Neural Tube Defects; Types; Meningocele (one type of Spina Bifida); - correct
answer*Hernial protrusion of a saclike cyst containing meninges but not spinal cord
Neural Tube Defects; Types; Myelomeningocele (most common type of Spina Bifida);
increased risk for paralysis - correct answer*Incomplete closure of the posterior portion
of the vertebrae laminae anywhere along the spinal cord, resulting in a protruding sac
containing CSF, meninges, and a portion of the spinal cord
Neural Tube Defects; Preoperative Assessment - correct answer-Leakage from the sac
-Infection around the sac
-Signs of CNS infection
-Motor activity below the sac
-Head circumference for baseline data
**high risk for hydrocephalus
**symptoms frequently do not present immediately and sometimes after the closure of
the opening in the back.
-Bladder function and patterns
Neural Tube Defects; Preoperative Intervention - correct answer*Provide emotional
support to the parents preparing for surgery within 24-48 hours after birth
,-Prevent trauma by keeping pressure off of the sac; position the child on the abdomen
(prone) or sidelying
-Avoid contamination of sac with urine or stool
-Prevent sac from drying; cover it with a saline soaked sterile dressing
Neural Tube Defects; Postoperative Assessment - correct answer*Note leg movement
in response to discomfort
*Assess for possible paralysis
-Note sensitivity to touch below the level of the lesion
*Observe for club foot
*Assess for neurogenic bladder; indicated retention/stasis of urine in bladder
-Perform post void residual assessment via urinary catheterization after urination/wet
diapers (<20 ml good)
**post void volumes of >20ml show insufficient bladder emptying requiring ongoing
catheterization; retained in bladder; needs to be chronically cath'd
**Intermittent urinary catheterization prevents infection and kidney damage due to
increased bladder pressure
**This is a VERY important part of treatment for all neonates with neural tube defects
*Observe for signs and symptoms of ICP
-measure head circumference
Neural Tube Defects; Postoperative Intervention - correct answer*Provide routine
postoperative care;
*In the event of paralysis; provide skin care measures
*Prevent constipation
*Promote range of motion
*Teach clean, intermittent catheterization; Remind parents that the child may still have
wet diapers, but still requires post void clean intermittent catheterization
*Provide for a latex free environment due to increased incidence of latex allergies in this
population; Cath schedule; If don't empty bladder completely, can cause kidney damage
, Reye Syndrome; Overview - correct answer*A disorder of toxic encephalopathy
associated with other characteristic organ involvement
-fever
-profound impairment of consciousness; caused by cerebral edema;
-impaired hepatic function; caused by fatty changes of the liver; change in LFT's
*Etiology;
-Not well-understood
-Most cases follow a common viral illness such as varicella or influenza particularly
when combined with salicylates foundin aspirin; or Pepto bismal; has aspirin in it!
No ASA or anything containing ASA when under 18 yrs of age!!!
Reye Syndrome; Assessment - correct answer*Signs of ICP
*Monitor LFT's
Reye Syndrome; Intervention - correct answer*Initiate seizure precautions
*Monitor fluid status carefully
-2/3 IV maintenance fluid therapy
*Teach parents to avoid aspirin in children <18
Meningitis; Definition - correct answer*An inflammation of the meninges of the brain
and spinal cord
*Sudden onset
*Serious illness within 24 hours
Meningitis; Types - correct answer*Bacterial; can treat and manage
*Viral (Aseptic Meningitis)
Meningitis; Assessment - correct answer*Infants;
-Fever
Neurology Exam Review Questions and A+ Level pass rate
solutions; Latest 2026/2027
Neural Tube Defects; Types; Anencephaly - correct answer*Both cerebral hemispheres
are absent; brain stem and cerebellum may be present; incomplete with life; still born or
die within hours/days of life; organ donation may be considered if born live
Neural Tube Defects; Types; Encephalocele - correct answer*Brain is herniated
through a defect in the skull resulting in a fluid filled sac sometimes with brain tissue
inside
Neural Tube Defects; Types; Meningocele (one type of Spina Bifida); - correct
answer*Hernial protrusion of a saclike cyst containing meninges but not spinal cord
Neural Tube Defects; Types; Myelomeningocele (most common type of Spina Bifida);
increased risk for paralysis - correct answer*Incomplete closure of the posterior portion
of the vertebrae laminae anywhere along the spinal cord, resulting in a protruding sac
containing CSF, meninges, and a portion of the spinal cord
Neural Tube Defects; Preoperative Assessment - correct answer-Leakage from the sac
-Infection around the sac
-Signs of CNS infection
-Motor activity below the sac
-Head circumference for baseline data
**high risk for hydrocephalus
**symptoms frequently do not present immediately and sometimes after the closure of
the opening in the back.
-Bladder function and patterns
Neural Tube Defects; Preoperative Intervention - correct answer*Provide emotional
support to the parents preparing for surgery within 24-48 hours after birth
,-Prevent trauma by keeping pressure off of the sac; position the child on the abdomen
(prone) or sidelying
-Avoid contamination of sac with urine or stool
-Prevent sac from drying; cover it with a saline soaked sterile dressing
Neural Tube Defects; Postoperative Assessment - correct answer*Note leg movement
in response to discomfort
*Assess for possible paralysis
-Note sensitivity to touch below the level of the lesion
*Observe for club foot
*Assess for neurogenic bladder; indicated retention/stasis of urine in bladder
-Perform post void residual assessment via urinary catheterization after urination/wet
diapers (<20 ml good)
**post void volumes of >20ml show insufficient bladder emptying requiring ongoing
catheterization; retained in bladder; needs to be chronically cath'd
**Intermittent urinary catheterization prevents infection and kidney damage due to
increased bladder pressure
**This is a VERY important part of treatment for all neonates with neural tube defects
*Observe for signs and symptoms of ICP
-measure head circumference
Neural Tube Defects; Postoperative Intervention - correct answer*Provide routine
postoperative care;
*In the event of paralysis; provide skin care measures
*Prevent constipation
*Promote range of motion
*Teach clean, intermittent catheterization; Remind parents that the child may still have
wet diapers, but still requires post void clean intermittent catheterization
*Provide for a latex free environment due to increased incidence of latex allergies in this
population; Cath schedule; If don't empty bladder completely, can cause kidney damage
, Reye Syndrome; Overview - correct answer*A disorder of toxic encephalopathy
associated with other characteristic organ involvement
-fever
-profound impairment of consciousness; caused by cerebral edema;
-impaired hepatic function; caused by fatty changes of the liver; change in LFT's
*Etiology;
-Not well-understood
-Most cases follow a common viral illness such as varicella or influenza particularly
when combined with salicylates foundin aspirin; or Pepto bismal; has aspirin in it!
No ASA or anything containing ASA when under 18 yrs of age!!!
Reye Syndrome; Assessment - correct answer*Signs of ICP
*Monitor LFT's
Reye Syndrome; Intervention - correct answer*Initiate seizure precautions
*Monitor fluid status carefully
-2/3 IV maintenance fluid therapy
*Teach parents to avoid aspirin in children <18
Meningitis; Definition - correct answer*An inflammation of the meninges of the brain
and spinal cord
*Sudden onset
*Serious illness within 24 hours
Meningitis; Types - correct answer*Bacterial; can treat and manage
*Viral (Aseptic Meningitis)
Meningitis; Assessment - correct answer*Infants;
-Fever
