MDC 4 Exam 1
MDC 4 EXAM 1 NEWEST 2025/2026 COMPLETE 200 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
|ALREADY GRADED A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!!
A patient with a subarachnoid hemorrhage begins to complain of a sudden
worsening headache and confusion on day 7 after admission.
What complication does the nurse suspect?
A. Rebleeding
B. Cerebral vasospasm
C. Hydrocephalus
D. Aspiration pneumonia
Answer: B. Cerebral vasospasm
Rationale: Vasospasm often develops 3–14 days post-hemorrhage and presents
with worsening headache and neurologic decline
A patient is being treated for a hemorrhagic stroke. The nurse notes declining LOC
and a sluggish pupillary response.
Which nursing intervention is priority?
A. Lower the head of the bed flat
B. Administer mannitol as prescribed
C. Increase IV fluids rapidly
D. Encourage coughing and deep breathing
Answer: B. Administer mannitol as prescribed
Rationale: Mannitol reduces cerebral edema and lowers ICP
A stroke patient coughs after drinking water and has a wet-sounding voice.
1|Page
, MDC 4 Exam 1
What is the nurse’s best immediate action?
A. Allow the patient to continue eating with supervision
B. Stop oral intake and consult speech therapy
C. Offer smaller sips of water
D. Raise the HOB to 30 degrees
Answer: B. Stop oral intake and consult speech therapy
Rationale: Signs of dysphagia require stopping intake and obtaining a swallowing
evaluation
A patient who had an ischemic stroke asks how to prevent another stroke.
Which teaching point is most important?
A. "You should avoid cold environments."
B. "Manage your blood pressure carefully."
C. "Increase your intake of sugary snacks for energy."
D. "Avoid all physical activity to prevent another stroke."
Answer: B. "Manage your blood pressure carefully."
Rationale: Hypertension is the leading modifiable risk factor for both ischemic and
hemorrhagic strokes
A nurse is caring for a post-subarachnoid hemorrhage patient. The patient shows
low sodium levels.
Which additional assessment helps differentiate SIADH from cerebral salt wasting
(CSW)?
A. Checking blood glucose levels
B. Monitoring urine output and hydration status
C. Assessing pupil reaction
2|Page
, MDC 4 Exam 1
D. Testing for babinski reflex
Answer: B. Monitoring urine output and hydration status
Rationale: SIADH causes fluid retention (euvolemic or hypervolemic
hyponatremia), whereas CSW causes volume depletion
A patient is admitted after a motor vehicle accident with clear fluid draining from
the nose. The nurse suspects a basilar skull fracture.What should the nurse do
first?
A. Insert a nasogastric tube immediately
B. Test the drainage for glucose
C. Apply nasal packing with sterile gauze
D. Suction the nose gently to clear secretions
Answer: B. Test the drainage for glucose
Rationale: Clear drainage from the nose could be CSF. Testing for glucose or a
"halo sign" helps confirm a CSF leak
A patient with a suspected epidural hematoma becomes increasingly drowsy after
a brief period of lucidity.
What is the priority nursing action?
A. Prepare for emergency surgical intervention
B. Administer IV fluids rapidly
C. Place the patient in high Fowler's position
D. Provide emotional support to the family
Answer: A. Prepare for emergency surgical intervention
Rationale: Epidural hematomas often require immediate surgical evacuation to
prevent brain herniation
3|Page
, MDC 4 Exam 1
The nurse is monitoring a patient with a traumatic brain injury (TBI).Which finding
indicates early increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. Bradycardia and widening pulse pressure
B. Restlessness and irritability
C. Deep coma with no pupil response
D. Decerebrate posturing
Answer: B. Restlessness and irritability
Rationale: Early signs of ICP include subtle changes in behavior such as
restlessness and disorientation
A nurse is caring for a patient with a cervical spine injury at C4.
Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Flaccid paralysis of the legs
B. Hypotension with bradycardia
C. Diminished lung sounds and use of accessory muscles
D. Loss of bowel and bladder control
Answer: C. Diminished lung sounds and use of accessory muscles
Rationale: C4 injuries compromise respiratory muscles; airway and breathing must
be prioritized
A patient with a spinal cord injury suddenly experiences a pounding headache,
hypertension, and profuse sweating.
What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Place the patient in supine position
B. Administer an antihypertensive
C. Sit the patient upright
4|Page
MDC 4 EXAM 1 NEWEST 2025/2026 COMPLETE 200 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
|ALREADY GRADED A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!!
A patient with a subarachnoid hemorrhage begins to complain of a sudden
worsening headache and confusion on day 7 after admission.
What complication does the nurse suspect?
A. Rebleeding
B. Cerebral vasospasm
C. Hydrocephalus
D. Aspiration pneumonia
Answer: B. Cerebral vasospasm
Rationale: Vasospasm often develops 3–14 days post-hemorrhage and presents
with worsening headache and neurologic decline
A patient is being treated for a hemorrhagic stroke. The nurse notes declining LOC
and a sluggish pupillary response.
Which nursing intervention is priority?
A. Lower the head of the bed flat
B. Administer mannitol as prescribed
C. Increase IV fluids rapidly
D. Encourage coughing and deep breathing
Answer: B. Administer mannitol as prescribed
Rationale: Mannitol reduces cerebral edema and lowers ICP
A stroke patient coughs after drinking water and has a wet-sounding voice.
1|Page
, MDC 4 Exam 1
What is the nurse’s best immediate action?
A. Allow the patient to continue eating with supervision
B. Stop oral intake and consult speech therapy
C. Offer smaller sips of water
D. Raise the HOB to 30 degrees
Answer: B. Stop oral intake and consult speech therapy
Rationale: Signs of dysphagia require stopping intake and obtaining a swallowing
evaluation
A patient who had an ischemic stroke asks how to prevent another stroke.
Which teaching point is most important?
A. "You should avoid cold environments."
B. "Manage your blood pressure carefully."
C. "Increase your intake of sugary snacks for energy."
D. "Avoid all physical activity to prevent another stroke."
Answer: B. "Manage your blood pressure carefully."
Rationale: Hypertension is the leading modifiable risk factor for both ischemic and
hemorrhagic strokes
A nurse is caring for a post-subarachnoid hemorrhage patient. The patient shows
low sodium levels.
Which additional assessment helps differentiate SIADH from cerebral salt wasting
(CSW)?
A. Checking blood glucose levels
B. Monitoring urine output and hydration status
C. Assessing pupil reaction
2|Page
, MDC 4 Exam 1
D. Testing for babinski reflex
Answer: B. Monitoring urine output and hydration status
Rationale: SIADH causes fluid retention (euvolemic or hypervolemic
hyponatremia), whereas CSW causes volume depletion
A patient is admitted after a motor vehicle accident with clear fluid draining from
the nose. The nurse suspects a basilar skull fracture.What should the nurse do
first?
A. Insert a nasogastric tube immediately
B. Test the drainage for glucose
C. Apply nasal packing with sterile gauze
D. Suction the nose gently to clear secretions
Answer: B. Test the drainage for glucose
Rationale: Clear drainage from the nose could be CSF. Testing for glucose or a
"halo sign" helps confirm a CSF leak
A patient with a suspected epidural hematoma becomes increasingly drowsy after
a brief period of lucidity.
What is the priority nursing action?
A. Prepare for emergency surgical intervention
B. Administer IV fluids rapidly
C. Place the patient in high Fowler's position
D. Provide emotional support to the family
Answer: A. Prepare for emergency surgical intervention
Rationale: Epidural hematomas often require immediate surgical evacuation to
prevent brain herniation
3|Page
, MDC 4 Exam 1
The nurse is monitoring a patient with a traumatic brain injury (TBI).Which finding
indicates early increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. Bradycardia and widening pulse pressure
B. Restlessness and irritability
C. Deep coma with no pupil response
D. Decerebrate posturing
Answer: B. Restlessness and irritability
Rationale: Early signs of ICP include subtle changes in behavior such as
restlessness and disorientation
A nurse is caring for a patient with a cervical spine injury at C4.
Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Flaccid paralysis of the legs
B. Hypotension with bradycardia
C. Diminished lung sounds and use of accessory muscles
D. Loss of bowel and bladder control
Answer: C. Diminished lung sounds and use of accessory muscles
Rationale: C4 injuries compromise respiratory muscles; airway and breathing must
be prioritized
A patient with a spinal cord injury suddenly experiences a pounding headache,
hypertension, and profuse sweating.
What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Place the patient in supine position
B. Administer an antihypertensive
C. Sit the patient upright
4|Page
