Final Practice Questions

Question 1

What is dementia?

Answer 1

A disease process involving progressive decline in cognitive function and memory loss

Over 170 types of dementias exist, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common.

Question 2

How is dementia treated?

Answer 2

Pharmacotherapy and person-centred care

Medications can help with chemical changes but not structural changes.

Question 3

What are cholinesterase inhibitors?

Answer 3

Medications like donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine that stop the breakdown of acetylcholine

They show modest improvement in cognition, function, and behavior.

Question 4

What is the role of memantine in treating Alzheimer’s Disease?

Answer 4

Blocks the pathological effects of abnormal glutamate release

It is indicated for moderate to severe Alzheimer’s and shown to slow cognitive decline.

Question 5

What is the main function of the thalamus?

Answer 5

Major relay centre for almost all sensory information prior to reaching the cerebrum.

Question 6

What are the four major lobes of the cerebrum?

Answer 6

• Frontal
• Parietal
• Temporal
• Occipital

Question 7

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Answer 7

Coordinates fine motor movements, maintains balance and posture.

Question 8

What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?

Answer 8

• Tremor
• Rigidity
• Akinesia
• Bradykinesia
• Postural instability

Question 9

What is the primary cause of Parkinson’s Disease?

Answer 9

Degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the basal ganglia.

Question 10

What does the blood-brain barrier do?

Answer 10

Limits movement of substances into the CNS, allowing only lipophilic substances to cross.

Question 11

What is the role of the basal nuclei?

Answer 11

Regulates starting and stopping of skeletal muscle movements and assists with cognitive functions.

Question 12

What does the reticular activating system (RAS) do?

Answer 12

Promotes wakefulness and alertness; inhibits sleepiness and drowsiness.

Question 13

What are common risks associated with acute care admissions for patients with dementia?

Answer 13

• Delay to diagnosis
• Increased incidence of delirium, falls, and infections
• Increased length of stay
• Increased mortality

Question 14

What are dopamine agonists?

Answer 14

Medications that directly stimulate dopamine receptors

Examples include bromocriptine and pramipexole.

Question 15

Fill in the blank: Alzheimer’s disease accounts for approximately _______ of all dementias.

Answer 15

70%

Question 16

What is the primary function of the hypothalamus?

Answer 16

Major visceral control centre for hunger, thirst, body temperature, and regulation of sympathetic functions.

Question 17

What characterizes Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?

Answer 17

Demyelination of neurons affecting both sensory and motor branches.

Question 18

What are the early signs of Multiple Sclerosis?

Answer 18

• Muscle weakness
• Visual disturbances
• Paresthesia
• Bladder control problems

Question 19

What are some causes of seizures?

Answer 19

• Infectious diseases
• Trauma
• Metabolic disorders
• Vascular disease

Question 20

True or False: All convulsions are seizures.

Answer 20

True

Question 21

How do seizures typically progress?

Answer 21

They have a beginning (aura), middle (ictus), and end (post-ictal period).

Question 22

What is the ‘on-off’ phenomenon in Parkinson’s Disease?

Answer 22

A long-term adverse effect where symptoms fluctuate between control and uncontrolled states.

Question 23

What are the main functions of the limbic system?

Answer 23

• Emotional states
• Learning
• Memory

Question 24

What is the primary neurotransmitter involved in memory and cognition affected by Alzheimer’s?

Answer 24

Acetylcholine

Question 25

What is the role of GABA as a neurotransmitter?

Answer 25

Always inhibitory

Question 26

What is the period referred to as after a seizure?

Answer 26

Post-ictal period ## Footnote An ictus is a seizure.

Question 27

What are some known causes of seizures?

Answer 27

* Fever (rapid, febrile) * Infectious disease * Trauma * Metabolic disorder * Pediatric disorder * Vascular disease * Neoplastic disease

Question 28

What is epilepsy?

Answer 28

Any disorder in which a client experiences recurrent seizures.

Question 29

What percentage of epilepsy cases are idiopathic?

Answer 29

More than 50%.

Question 30

How are seizures categorized?

Answer 30

Based on symptoms and distribution of abnormal activity in the brain (generalized onset vs. partial onset).

Question 31

What are the two types of partial (focal) seizures?

Answer 31

* Simple partial * Complex partial

Question 32

What characterizes simple partial seizures?

Answer 32

Regional symptoms including motor and non-motor symptoms.

Question 33

What is a complex partial seizure?

Answer 33

Altered level of consciousness, often with aura, may include motor, sensory, and autonomic symptoms.

Question 34

What are generalized seizures?

Answer 34

Multiple foci that spread abnormal neuronal discharges across both hemispheres of the brain simultaneously.

Question 35

What are absence seizures?

Answer 35

Staring and transient loss of consciousness, usually in children, lasting a few seconds.

Question 36

What are atonic seizures also known as?

Answer 36

Drop attacks.

Question 37

What characterizes tonic-clonic seizures?

Answer 37

Aura, intense muscle contraction, and loss of consciousness.

Question 38

What is status epilepticus?

Answer 38

Series of generalized seizures that occur without full recovery of consciousness between attacks.

Question 39

What are the risks associated with status epilepticus?

Answer 39

Respiratory arrest leading to hypoxia and potential brain damage.

Question 40

What is a medical emergency related to seizures?

Answer 40

Status epilepticus.

Question 41

What are some treatments used for status epilepticus?

Answer 41

* Cerbyx * Ativan * Valium IV * Oxygen and airway device/intubation * IV hydration using glucose

Question 42

What are the four mechanisms of action for drugs used to treat seizures?

Answer 42

* Increasing stimulation of GABA receptors * Reducing Na+ influx into neurons * Reducing Ca+2 influx into neurons * Blocking glutamate receptors

Question 43

What are barbiturates primarily indicated for?

Answer 43

Tonic-clonic seizures.

Question 44

What is gabapentin indicated for?

Answer 44

Partial seizures.

Question 45

What are hydantoins indicated for?

Answer 45

All seizures except absence.

Question 46

What is IVIG therapy?

Answer 46

Intravenous immunoglobulin that works to suppress inflammation related to neurological disorders.

Question 47

What is the ketogenic therapy?

Answer 47

A rigid, mathematically calculated, doctor-supervised diet for controlling seizures.

Question 48

Who is a candidate for ketogenic therapy?

Answer 48

Individuals with uncontrolled seizures that have failed at least two medications.

Question 49

What is the primary energy source shifted by the ketogenic diet?

Answer 49

Fat-based (ketones) instead of sugar-based (glucose).

Question 50

What are potential side effects of the ketogenic diet?

Answer 50

* Lack of weight gain * Slightly decreased growth * High cholesterol * Constipation * Kidney stones * Acidosis

Question 51

What is important for client adherence in seizure management?

Answer 51

Following directions for administering anti-seizure medications.

Question 52

What should be done during a seizure?

Answer 52

* Keep calm * Time the seizure * Clear the area of hard objects * Place something soft under the head * Turn the patient onto one side

Question 53

What are immediate potential injuries from seizures?

Answer 53

* Lacerations * Bruises * Burns * Head trauma * Fractures * Drowning/near drowning

Question 54

What should be documented during seizure observation?

Answer 54

What happened before, during, and after the event.