ASSESSMENT WITH ANSWERS
AGNP BOARD EXAM QUESTIONS Neurology Assessment
Question:
When eliciting deep tendon reflexes in the knee, the nurse practitioner notes an
abnormal reflex in the right knee. This abnormality is probably consistent with
a pathological lesion in which segmented level of the spine?
Cervical 5 and 6
Cervical 6 and 7
Lumbar 2, 3, and 4 Correct
Sacral 1
Explanation:
The segmented levels of the deep tendon reflexes are: Ankle: sacral 1; knee: lumbar
2,3, & 4; Supinator and biceps: cervical 5 & 6; and triceps: cervical 6 & 7.
Question:
A 80 year old male visits the nurse practitioner for an annual well exam. History reveals
two falls in the prior 12 months and difficulty with balance. The next step the nurse
practitioner should take is:
reassess the patient in 6 months.
obtain cognitive and functional assessment. Correct
assess respiratory
assessment. assess cardiac
function.
Explanation:
High-risk older adults, namely those with a single fall in the past 12 months with
, AGNP BOARD EXAM QUESTIONS NEUROLOGY
ASSESSMENT WITH ANSWERS
abnormal gait and balance and those with two or more falls in the prior 12 months, an
acute fall, and/or difficulties with gait and balance, require further assessment to
determine the reasons for the falls. Obtaining relevant medical history, physical exam,
cognitive and functional assessment and determining multifactorial fall risks are
essential to the preventing future falls.
Question:
When evaluating the sensory system, testing the spinothalamic tracts would include
assessing sensations of:
position and vibration.
pain and temperature. Correct
deep touch.
discriminative
sensations.
,AGNP BOARD EXAM QUESTIONS NEUROLOGY
ASSESSMENT WITH ANSWERS
Explanation:
When evaluating the sensory system, testing the spinothalamic tracts would include
assessing sensations of pain and temperature. Assessing position and vibration
evaluate the posterior columns. Light touch assesses both the spinothalamic and
posterior column tracts. To assess discriminative sensation, both the spinothalamic and
posterior columns tracts as well as the cortex would be assessed.
Question:
When testing for corneal reflex, an absent blink reflex is noted. This finding may be
suggestive of a lesion in which cranial nerve?
Cranial Nerve II (CN
II) Cranial Nerve IV
(CN IV) Cranial Nerve
VI (CN V)
Cranial Nerve VII (CN VII) Correct
Explanation:
When testing for corneal reflex, an absent blink reflex would be suggestive of a lesion in
cranial nerves V or VII (CN V or CN VII)-Trigeminal or facial nerves.
Question:
An example of symmetric weakness
is: the right shoulder.
the right hand.
both arms.
Correct
one the right side of the face.
Explanation:
, AGNP BOARD EXAM QUESTIONS NEUROLOGY
ASSESSMENT WITH ANSWERS
There are 4 different patterns of weakness: Proximal, distal, symmetric, and
asymmetric. An example of proximal weakness is weakness in the shoulder or hip
girdle. Distal weakness occurs in the hands or feet. Symmetric weakness occurs in the
same areas on both sides of the body. An asymmetric weakness occurs in a portion of
the face or extremity - a form of focal weakness.
Question:
One maneuver used to assess coordination is to observe the patient:
dorsiflexing the ankle.
walking heel-to-toe in a straight line. Correct
squeezing the examiner's
fingers. counting to 10
backwards.
Explanation:
To assess coordination, observe the patient’s performance in rapid alternating
movements, point-to-point movements, gait and other related body movements,
standing in specified ways. Walking heel-to-toe would be an example of observing the
patient's gait. Dorsiflexion would be assessing the patient's joint function. Squeezing
the examiner's fingers would be one way to assess hand grasp. Counting has nothing
to do with coordination.