Neurology Practice Test 2
Neurology NCLEX Practice Test
Neurology is a key topic within the NCLEX test plan, located under Nursing Science → Clinical Foundations → Neurology. This section integrates neuroanatomy and function into neurologic assessments and early detection of deficits. Each test contains 50 questions designed to mirror the difficulty and variety of the real exam.
This is the 2nd part of the Neurology series. To explore all practice tests under this topic, use the “Back to Main Topic” button at the end of the page.
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In the Neurology Study Cards section, shared by real NCLEX candidates, you’ll find concise summaries and high-yield insights related to the most tested concepts. It’s a perfect space to reinforce challenging topics and sharpen your recall through quick, focused repetitions. Short, powerful, and repeatable!
Neurology Practice Test 2
Which nerve is involved in carpal tunnel syndrome?
- Ulnar nerve
- Median nerve
- Femoral nerve
- Radial nerve
Explanation: Answer reason: Carpal tunnel syndrome results from compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel.
Cranial nerve II is related to...?
- Hearing
- Smell
- Taste
- Vision
Explanation: Answer reason: Cranial nerve II is the optic nerve, responsible for vision. Hearing is CN VIII, smell is CN I, and taste is mainly via CN VII, IX, and X.
Kernig's sign is a striking feature of what?
- Neuritis
- Down syndrome
- Turner syndrome
- Meningitis
Explanation: Answer reason: Kernig's sign indicates meningeal irritation—pain/resistance to knee extension with the hip flexed—classically seen in meningitis.
"Mask-like faces" are typical features of?
- Tetanus
- Hypothyroidism
- Parkinson's disease
- Down syndrome
Explanation: Answer reason: Masked facies is characteristic of Parkinson's disease due to hypomimia from bradykinesia and rigidity of facial muscles.
Which one of the following is the largest portion of the brain in humans?
- Cerebrum
- Cerebellum
- Medulla
- Pons
Explanation: Answer reason: The cerebrum constitutes the majority of brain mass (about 80%), making it the largest portion of the human brain.
A client with myasthenia gravis asks the nurse why the disease occurred. What pathology underlies the nurse's reply?
- A genetic defect in the production of acetylcholine.
- An inefficient use of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
- A decreased number of functioning acetylcholine receptor sites.
- An inhibition of the enzyme AChE leaves the end-plates folded.
Explanation: Answer reason: Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder causing antibody-mediated destruction of postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction, reducing functional receptor sites.
The micturition reflex center is located in the?
- Pons
- Midbrain
- Lumbar Plexus
- Sacral Plexus
Explanation: Answer reason: Micturition is coordinated by the pontine micturition center (Barrington’s nucleus) in the pons; it modulates the sacral spinal reflex.
What are the causes of neonatal seizures?
- Hypoxia-induced ischemic encephalopathy
- Intracranial hemorrhage
- Torch Infections
- Hypocalcemia
- All of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: All listed conditions—hypoxic‑ischemic encephalopathy, intracranial hemorrhage, TORCH infections, and hypocalcemia—are established causes of neonatal seizures.
Korsakoff's syndrome is caused by the intake of?
- Cannabis
- Opium
- Alcohol
- Amphetamine
Explanation: Answer reason: Korsakoff syndrome is a thiamine-deficiency amnestic disorder most commonly caused by chronic alcohol use; among the options, alcohol is the causative intake.
Microcephaly is diagnosed when the head circumference is less than?
- Three standard deviations
- 4 standard deviations.
- 1 standard deviation
- 2 standard deviations
Explanation: Answer reason: Standard definition: microcephaly is head circumference less than 2 SD below the mean for age and sex (severe at >3 SD).
A 23-year-old client is admitted with a tonic-clonic seizure. The nurse knows that the most common cause of tonic-clonic seizures for this age group is?
- Stroke
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Head trauma
- Congenital defect in the brain
Explanation: Answer reason: In young adults, new-onset generalized tonic–clonic seizures are most commonly due to head trauma; stroke is typical in older adults, congenital defects in children, and electrolyte imbalance is less common as a primary cause in this age group.
Which of the following functions is influenced by the autonomic nervous system?
- Knee-jerk response
- Pupillary reflex
- Peristalsis of the intestine
- Blinking of the eye
Explanation: Answer reason: The autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary activity of visceral smooth muscle, including gastrointestinal motility (peristalsis). Knee-jerk and blinking are somatic reflexes.
The best prognosis for neonatal seizures is in?
- Myoclonic
- Tonic-clonic
- Focal clonic
- Opsoclonus
Explanation: Answer reason: Among neonatal seizure types, focal clonic seizures are associated with the least underlying brain injury and have the most favorable neurodevelopmental outcome; myoclonic and tonic patterns carry poorer prognosis.
Most common type of seizure in a newborn?
- Clonic
- Tonic
- Subtle
- Myoclonic
Explanation: Answer reason: In neonates the most frequent seizure type is subtle seizures (e.g., eye deviation, chewing, bicycling) due to immature cortical organization; tonic/clonic and myoclonic types are less common.
Klumpke's palsy is due to the involvement of?
- 5th and 6th cervical nerves
- 7th and 8th cervical nerves
- 5th and 6th thoracic nerves
- 7th and 8th thoracic nerves
Explanation: Answer reason: Klumpke’s palsy involves the lower brachial plexus, classically C8–T1. Among the given options, the closest match is the 7th and 8th cervical nerves.
Do simple or typical febrile seizures occur in?
- Below 3 months
- 0 to 1 year
- 6 months to 5 years
- 3 to 6 years
Explanation: Answer reason: Typical febrile seizures occur in children between 6 months and 5 years of age; outside this range is atypical.
Jitteriness can be distinguished from seizures by all of the following EXCEPT?
- Sensitivity to stimulus
- Frequency of movement
- Abnormality of Gaze
- Autonomic disturbance
Explanation: Answer reason: Jitteriness is typically stimulus-sensitive and lacks ocular phenomena and autonomic changes, which are common in seizures. Movement frequency is not a reliable distinguishing criterion.
Paralysis of both upper & lower extremities is known?
- Hemiplegia
- Paraplegia
- Monoplegia
- Quadriplegia
Explanation: Answer reason: Paralysis of all four limbs—both upper and lower extremities—is termed quadriplegia; paraplegia involves only the legs, hemiplegia one side, and monoplegia a single limb.
The client is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome. Which past medical history finding makes the client most at risk for this disease?
- Meningitis or encephalitis during the last 5 years
- Seizures or trauma to the brain within the last year
- Back injury or trauma to the spinal cord during the last 2 years
- Respiratory or gastrointestinal infection during the previous month
Explanation: Answer reason: Guillain-Barré syndrome commonly follows a respiratory or gastrointestinal infection 1–4 weeks earlier (e.g., Campylobacter, CMV). Recent infection is the most relevant risk factor.
Tingling, numbness and pain in the thumb and fingers of a pregnant women suggestive of which condition?
- Osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Calcium deficiency
Explanation: Answer reason: Median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel during pregnancy causes paresthesia and pain in the thumb, index, middle, and radial half of the ring finger—classic for carpal tunnel syndrome.
A brain tumor located within the anterior 2/3rd of brain mainly cerebrum is called?
- Supra tentorial
- Inferior tentorial
- Posterior tentorial
- Middle tentorial
Explanation: Answer reason: The anterior two-thirds of the brain consist mainly of the cerebral hemispheres located above the tentorium cerebelli; tumors here are termed supratentorial.
Which of the following disorder causes dopamine neurons to die?
- Seizure disorder
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Lou Gehrig’s disease
Explanation: Answer reason: Parkinson’s disease is characterized by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to dopamine depletion. The other listed disorders do not primarily cause dopamine neuron death.
Olfactory nerve is?
- None of the above
- Purely Sensory
- Both Sensory and Motor
- Mainly Motor
Explanation: Answer reason: Cranial nerve I (olfactory) carries special sensory fibers for smell only and has no motor component.
The part of the neuron that receive messages from other cells is called?
- Soma
- Schwann cell
- Dendrites
- Axon
Explanation: Answer reason: Dendrites are the neuronal processes that receive synaptic input from other cells; the axon transmits outputs, the soma integrates signals, and Schwann cells are glia.
This is the ability to identify an object with sensation only?
- Sterognosis
- Asterognosis
- Atxia
- Apraxia
Explanation: Answer reason: Stereognosis is the ability to recognize objects by touch alone; asterognosis is the inability to do so. Ataxia is incoordination and apraxia is impaired purposeful movement.
Upper lesions of brachial plexus causes?
- Erb-Duchenne Palsy
- Klumpkeplasy
- Both A and B
- None of above
Explanation: Answer reason: An upper trunk (C5–C6) brachial plexus injury classically causes Erb-Duchenne palsy. Klumpke palsy results from lower trunk (C8–T1) injury.
Which area in the frontal lobe is responsible for language production?
- Broca's area
- Wernicke's area
- Prefrontal cortex
- Motor cortex
Explanation: Answer reason: Broca's area, located in the inferior frontal gyrus of the frontal lobe, is responsible for language production; Wernicke's is for comprehension, prefrontal for executive functions, and motor cortex for voluntary movement.
The process of thinking is known as?
- Awareness
- Cognition
- Alertness
- Attention
Explanation: Answer reason: Cognition refers to the mental processes involved in thinking, understanding, and knowing. Awareness, alertness, and attention are related states but not the comprehensive process of thinking.
Which organ controls all body activities?
- Lungs
- Liver
- Brain
- Heart
Explanation: Answer reason: The brain is the body’s control center; it coordinates and regulates all bodily activities via the nervous system. The lungs, liver, and heart have specific functions but do not control all activities.
Which device is used to detect brain wave activity?
- Endoscopy
- MRI
- ECG
- EEG
Explanation: Answer reason: EEG (electroencephalogram) records electrical activity of the brain; MRI images structure, ECG measures heart activity, and endoscopy visualizes internal lumens.
Brain is what percent of body weight?
- 2%
- 5%
- 1%
- 10%
Explanation: Answer reason: The adult human brain weighs about 1.3–1.4 kg, which is roughly 2% of average body weight.
What part of the brain controls movement?
- Brainstem
- Cortex
- Cerebrum
Explanation: Answer reason: Voluntary movement is initiated by the primary motor cortex of the cerebral cortex; the brainstem handles vital functions and reflexes, and 'cerebrum' is too broad.
Which part of the brain controls emotions and memory?
- Amygdala
- Pons
- Medulla
- Occipital lobe
Explanation: Answer reason: The amygdala is central to processing emotions and forming emotional memories; pons and medulla handle brainstem functions, and the occipital lobe is visual.
“Saturday night palsy” is due to compression of?
- Ulnar nerve
- Axillary nerve
- Median nerve
- Radial nerve
Explanation: Answer reason: Saturday night palsy results from prolonged compression of the radial nerve in the spiral groove, typically after sleeping with the arm draped over a chair, leading to wrist drop.
Positive Romberg test indicates problem in?
- Cerebellum
- Brainstem
- Frontal lobe
- Hypothalamus
Explanation: Answer reason: Romberg assesses balance; loss of postural stability is classically tied to balance/coordination systems—among the choices, the cerebellum is the most directly responsible.
The central nervous system is composed of the?
- Spinal cord and sensory nerves
- Motor and sensory nerves
- Brain and sensory nerves
- Brain and spinal cord.
Explanation: Answer reason: The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord; peripheral nerves (motor or sensory) belong to the peripheral nervous system.
Excessive daytime sleepiness is known as?
- Narcolepsy
- Enuresis
- Insomnia
- Somnambulism
Explanation: Answer reason: Narcolepsy is characterized by irresistible sleep attacks and excessive daytime sleepiness; enuresis is bedwetting, insomnia is difficulty sleeping, and somnambulism is sleepwalking.
A student nurse is observing a neurological nurse perform an assessment. When the nurse asks the client to "stick out his tongue," the nurse is assessing the function of which cranial nerve?
- II optic
- I olfactory
- X vagus
- XII hypoglossal
Explanation: Answer reason: Protrusion and movement of the tongue are controlled by cranial nerve XII (hypoglossal). CN I is smell, CN II is vision, and CN X is mainly palate, gag, and autonomic functions.
A client is admitted to the hospital with seizures. The client has jerking of the right arm and twitching of the face, but is alert and aware of the seizure. This behavior is characteristic of which type of seizure?
- Absence
- Complex partial
- Simple partial
- Tonic-clonic
Explanation: Answer reason: Focal motor activity with preserved awareness is characteristic of a simple partial (focal aware) seizure; complex partial and generalized seizures involve impaired consciousness.
A client is admitted with a tumor in the parietal lobe. Which symptoms would be expected due to this tumor's location?
- Hemplegia
- Aphasia
- Paresthesia
- Nausea
Explanation: Answer reason: The parietal lobe contains the primary somatosensory cortex; lesions commonly cause contralateral sensory loss or abnormal sensations (paresthesias). Hemiplegia is from the motor cortex (frontal), aphasia is typically frontal/temporal dominant hemisphere, and nausea is nonspecific.
Which of the following statements about neurotransmitter changes in depression and mania is correct?
- Increase serotonin in depression
- Increase acetylcholine (ACH) in depression
- Decrease GABA in mania
- Decrease serotonin and epinephrine with increase ACH in depression
Explanation: Answer reason: Depression is classically linked to decreased monoamines (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine) with relative cholinergic predominance; hence increased acetylcholine is associated with depression. Option A is opposite of expected, D incorrectly cites epinephrine, and C is not the core tested change for mania.
What set of nerves is responsible for carrying information from the body to the brain?
- Sensory
- Motor
- Cranial
- Vetebral
Explanation: Answer reason: Sensory (afferent) nerves transmit impulses from peripheral receptors to the CNS; motor (efferent) carry signals from the CNS to muscles. Cranial and vertebral are not the correct functional categories.
Which part of the brain regulates hunger?
- Hypothalamus
- Cerebrum
- Cerebellum
- Medulla oblongata
Explanation: Answer reason: The hypothalamus contains the hunger and satiety centers (e.g., lateral and ventromedial nuclei) and integrates signals like leptin and ghrelin to regulate appetite.
In a dangerous situation while walking alone, which part of your nervous system is activated to help you find an escape route?
- Central Nervous System
- Parasympathetic Nervous System
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Enteric Nervous System
Explanation: Answer reason: Danger triggers the autonomic fight-or-flight response, mediated by the sympathetic nervous system, which heightens alertness and readiness to escape.
The primary neurotransmitter involved in depression is?
- Acetylcholine
- Dopamine
- Serotonin
- GABA
Explanation: Answer reason: Depression is strongly linked to decreased serotonergic activity; SSRIs that increase serotonin are first-line treatments.
The paralysis of both upper and lower extremities is known as?
- Hemiplegia
- Paraplegia
- Monoplegia
- Quadriplegia
Explanation: Answer reason: Quadriplegia refers to paralysis of all four limbs; hemiplegia is one side of the body, paraplegia affects both lower limbs, and monoplegia affects a single limb.
Respiratory rhythm centre is present in which part of brain?
- Pons
- Medulla
- Cerebrum
- Cerebellum
Explanation: Answer reason: The basic respiratory rhythm is generated by medullary centers (dorsal and ventral respiratory groups including the pre-Bötzinger complex). The pons modulates but does not generate the rhythm.
Which part of the brain processes visual signals?
- Occipital lobe
- Occipital lobe
- Temporal lobe
- Frontal lobe
Explanation: Answer reason: Visual processing occurs primarily in the occipital lobe, which contains the primary visual cortex.
The Respiration centre is in?
- Pons Varolii
- Medulla Oblongata
- Cerebellum
- Cerebrum
Explanation: Answer reason: Primary respiratory rhythm is generated by medullary centers (dorsal and ventral respiratory groups); pontine centers modulate but do not initiate breathing.
Where is dopamine primarily produced in the body?
- Spinal cord
- Pancreas
- Adrenal gland
- Brain
Explanation: Answer reason: Dopamine is chiefly synthesized in the brain, especially in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area.
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