Neurological System (Exam One) Flashcards

1
Q

What is the purpose of the myelin sheath?

A

Insulation for the neuron cells

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2
Q

What is the purpose of glial cells?

A
  • Support neurons
  • Protect neurons
  • Nourish neurons
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3
Q

Damage to the frontal lobe changes an individuals what?

A
  • Personality

- Judgement

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4
Q

Broca’s area is located in which lobe of the brain?

A

Frontal lobe

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5
Q

Wernicke’s area is located in which lobe of the brain?

A

Temporal lobe

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6
Q

Broca’s area is responsible for __________ language.

A

Expressing

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7
Q

Wernicke’s area is responsible for __________ language.

A

Understanding

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8
Q

If Broca’s area is damaged, what type of problem might occur?

A

Expressive aphasia

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9
Q

If Wernicke’s area is damaged, what type of problem might occur?

A

Receptive aphasia

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10
Q

On which side of the brain are language centers located, for most individuals?

A

Left side

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11
Q

If an individual has damage to the left side of their brain, such as a stroke or tumor, what is likely to be affected?

A

Speech

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12
Q

If an individual has a tumor located in the occipital lobe of the brain, what is likely to be affected?

A

Vision

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13
Q

What is the primary function of the hypothalamus?

A

Regulates body function

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14
Q

The brainstem regulates:

A
  • Heart rate
  • Breathing
  • Blood pressure
  • Swallowing
  • Digestion
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15
Q

What would be the priority nursing assessment for a patient who has a experienced trauma to their brainstem?

A
  • Oxygen saturation

- Respiratory assessment

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16
Q

What is the primary function of the cerebellum?

A

Provides smooth, coordinated body movement

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17
Q

A patient has experienced trauma to their cerebellum. The nurse should be most concerned about what?

A
  • Falling

- Safety

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18
Q

Describe hydrocephalus.

A

Excessive build-up of fluid

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19
Q

What is considered the normal rate of cerebrospinal fluid production?

A

20 mL/hr

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20
Q

In regard to muscle tone, lower motor neuron lesions will cause what?

A

Flaccidity

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21
Q

In regard to muscle tone, upper motor neuron lesions will cause what?

A

Spasticity

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22
Q

What is considered a normal Babinski sign for children over age 2 and adults?

A

Flexion of toes downward

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23
Q

An adult patient has fanning of the toes when the nurse assess’s their Babinski reflex. Is this considered a normal of abnormal finding in an adult? What type of problem might this indicate?

A
  • Abnormal

- Indicate a neural problem

24
Q

Describe a clonus.

A
  • Continual jerking

- Hypereflexia

25
Q

Which cranial nerves are assess concurrently using the 6 cardinal fields test?

A
  • Cranial nerve 3 (Oculomotor)
  • Cranial nerve 4 (Trochlear)
  • Cranial nerve 6 (Abducens)
26
Q

Which cranial nerves control the gag reflex?

A
  • Cranial nerve 9 (Glossopharyngeal)

- Cranial nerve 10 (Vagus)

27
Q

If cranial nerve 9 (glossopharyngeal) and cranial nerve 10 (vagus) nerve are impaired, what is the primary nursing intervention?

A

Keep patient NPO

28
Q

When assessing cranial nerve 3, constriction of the pupils does not occur. The nurse knows that this may be indicative of what?

A

Herniation

29
Q

If the patient is a poor historian or unable to answer questions regarding their condition, who should the nurse get that information from?

A
  • Family members

- Person at bedside

30
Q

The nurse is assessing a patients sensory function. What type of question would the nurse want to ask this patient? What should the nurse avoid when asking this question?

A
  • “Can you feel this?”

- Avoid using descriptors like sharp or dull

31
Q

What diagnostic test is used to assess for electrical activity of the brain or seizures?

A

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

32
Q

The nurse knows they must assess for what if the patient is receiving any type of diagnostic test that uses contrast medium, such as a myelogram?

A

Shellfish allergy

33
Q

What is the primary nursing assessment for a patient who has had a cerebral angiography?

A
  • Bleeding
  • Blood pressure
  • Heart rate
34
Q

What position is the patient positioned in during a lumbar puncture?

A

Lateral position

35
Q

When should a lumbar puncture not be performed?

A

If increased intracranial pressure is suspected

36
Q

What is the normal appearance of cerebrospinal fluid?

A

Clear

37
Q

What is the normal amount of pressure of cerebrospinal fluid?

A

9 - 18 cm/H2O

38
Q

What is the normal amount of white blood cells in cerebrospinal fluid?

A

0 - 5 WBC/mm3

39
Q

What is the normal amount of glucose in cerebrospinal fluid?

A

50 - 75 mg/dL

40
Q

What is the normal amount of total protein in cerebrospinal fluid?

A

15 - 40 mg/dL

41
Q

The nurse is caring for a patient who is admitted after a head injury. When would the nurse obtain most of the data related to this patient’s mental status?

A. While observing patient behaviors
B. During the nursing health history
C. While asking specific problem-solving questions
D. While reviewing answers on a written mental examination

A

B. During the nursing health history

42
Q

Intracranial pressure is balanced by:

A
  • Brain tissue
  • Blood
  • Cerebrospinal fluid
43
Q

What is considered a normal amount of pressure inside of the skull?

A

5 - 15 mm/Hg

44
Q

Should excess blood be shunted to the brain if the patient has a head injury?

A

No

45
Q

The nurse knows the brain needs a constant supply of what in order to maintain cerebral blood flow?

A
  • Oxygen

- Glucose

46
Q

What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient with cerebral edema, hyponatremia, and a headache?

A

Administer 3% or 5% hypertonic saline

47
Q

What is the most sensitive and reliable indicator of a patients neurological status?

A

Level of consciousness

48
Q

A fixed unilateral, dilated pupil that is unresponsive to light may be indicative of what?

A
  • Herniation of the brain

- Medical emergency!

49
Q

If a patient arrives at the emergency department (ED) orientated upon initial assessment, but become disoriented after 30 minutes, what is the priority nursing intervention?

A
  • Further assessment

- Call the physician

50
Q

List the three components of Cushing’s triad.

A
  • Bradycardia
  • Hypertension
  • Irregular breathing
51
Q

Cushing’s triad is a sign of what?

A
  • Brainstem compression

- Medical emergency!

52
Q

An increase in temperature is an indication of an increase in what?

A

Intracranial pressure

53
Q

What diagnostic test is the gold standard for monitoring intracranial pressure?

A

Ventriculostomy

54
Q

What is a serious complication of a ventriculostomy?

A

Infection

55
Q

What does the ventriculostomy measure?

A

Pressure within the ventricles

56
Q

A normal intracranial pressure waveform resembles a what?

A

Staircase