Free CNRN Exam Questions That Helps Candidates Pass

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

Vertebrobasilar strokes affect the brainstem and cerebellum, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, double vision (diplopia), ataxia, dysphagia, and altered consciousness. These are often bilateral or diffuse neurological symptoms. Isolated limb weakness is more typical of anterior circulation strokes. Rash and fever are not stroke features. Chronic headache alone is nonspecific.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic used to reduce intracranial pressure by drawing fluid from cerebral tissues into the intravascular space, where it is excreted by the kidneys. Effective therapy is indicated by reduced ICP, improved neurological status, and improved level of consciousness. Increased urine output is expected, not decreased. Rising ICP or worsening confusion suggests treatment failure or progression of brain injury. Serum sodium may fluctuate but clinical neurological improvement is the key indicator of effectiveness.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

By 4–6 months, infants should have good head control. Lack of head control may indicate neuromuscular weakness or neurological developmental delay. Smiling, sleeping after feeds, and crying when hungry are normal infant behaviors and not concerning in isolation. Early identification of motor delays allows timely intervention.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

Aspirin is an antiplatelet agent used in ischemic stroke when thrombolytic therapy is not indicated or after the treatment window has passed. It reduces platelet aggregation and helps prevent additional clot formation. Insulin manages glucose levels, dopamine supports blood pressure in shock, and furosemide is a diuretic. These medications do not address thrombotic stroke pathology.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

The classic “lucid interval” followed by rapid neurological decline is strongly associated with epidural hematoma, typically caused by middle meningeal artery rupture after temporal bone fracture. Patients may briefly regain consciousness before rapidly deteriorating as arterial bleeding increases intracranial pressure. Diffuse axonal injury usually presents with immediate and prolonged coma. Subarachnoid hemorrhage presents with sudden severe headache (“worst headache of life”) rather than a lucid interval. Ischemic stroke does not typically show this biphasic consciousness pattern.