CHAPTERS 19 - Practice Questions PrepU

Which is an important function of serotonin? - Coordination of impulses - Promotion of motivation - Prevention of over-excitability - Prevents depression

- Prevents depression p. 330 Rationale: Serotonin, which is found in the limbic system, is important to arousal and sleep, as well as in preventing depression and promoting motivation. Dopamine is involved in the coordination of impulses and responses, both motor and intellectual. Gamma-aminobutyric acid is important in preventing over-excitability or stimulation such as a seizure.

A client is experiencing major depressive disorder. Which neurotransmitter is most likely implicated? Norepinephrine Dopamine Serotonin GABA

Serotonin p. 330 Rationale: Serotonin abnormalities are thought to be involved in mental depression and sleep disorders.

A nurse is reviewing the structure and function of the blood--brain barrier . This anatomical feature would have the greatest effect on what aspect of nursing care? - Obtaining accurate electroencephalography readings - Administering antibiotics to treat brain infections - Determining the site of damage after a traumatic brain injury - Assessing a client's cranial nerve function

- Administering antibiotics to treat brain infections p. 330 Rationale: The blood-brain barrier is a functioning boundary that keeps toxins, proteins, and other large structures out of the brain and prevents their contact with the sensitive and fragile neurons. It also makes it more difficult for medication to penetrate to locations beyond the barrier. It has not significant effect on assessing cranial nerve function, determining sites of injury or perfoming EEG's.

The nurse is providing a continuing education program to teenagers about the nervous system. The nurse is reviewing the parts of the neuron with the students. Based on this information, the nurse asks a student to describe the axon of a neuron. Which explanation by the student best describes the axon? - Carries impulses away from the neuron cell body - A junction or space between one neuron and dendrites of the next - Short, often highly branched, extensions of the cell body - Allows nerve impulses to cross the synapse and reach the dendrite

- Carries impulses away from the neuron cell body p. 328 Rationale: An axon is an extension that carries impulses away from the neuron cell body. Dendrites are short, often highly branched extensions of the cell body. The synapse or synaptic cleft is the junction, or space, between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites of the next. A neurotransmitter is a chemical released by the axon that enables nerve impulses to cross the synapse and reach the dendrites.

What occurs when the cell returns to the resting membrane potential? - Depolarizarion - Repolarization - Myelinization - Synapse

- Repolarization p. 327 Rationale: Using the sodium-potassium pump, the cell then returns that section of membrane to the resting membrane potential. Depolarization means that the sodium channels open in response to the stimulus, and sodium ions rush into the cell, following the established concentration gradient. A synapse is the junction between a nerve and an effector. Myelinization of nerve fibers allows the electrical impulse to increase in speed.

A client has had an injury to the cerebellum. The nurse is collecting data from the client and family to document in preparing an individualized nursing care plan. Which is the best description of the function of the cerebellum that has to be considered when collecting data from the client? - Regulates body temperature - Responsible for muscle control - Regulates sleep wake cycle - Influences release of hormones from the pituitary

- Responsible for muscle control p. 331 Rationale: The cerebellum is responsible for muscle control. The hypothalamus regulates many body functions, such as temperature, thirst, hunger, urination, swallowing, and the sleep-wake cycle. It also secretes some hormones and influences release of hormones from the pituitary, thereby influencing the metabolism of nutrients and regulation of fluid balance and general homeostasis.

A nurse is reading an article about sleep and arousal that includes a discussion of a neurotransmitter. Which neurotransmitter would most likely be discussed? - Norepinephrine - Dopamine - GABA - Serotonin

- Serotonin p. 330 Rationale: Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter involved in arousal and sleep. GABA is important in preventing overexcitability or stimulation of nerve activity. Norepinephrine is a catecholamine involved in the fight-or-flight response. Dopamine is involved in the coordination of impulses and responses, both motor and intellectual.

When levels of serotonin are high in the RAS, the system shuts off and what occurs? - Arousal - Pain - Memory loss - Sleep

- Sleep p. 331 Rationale: When levels of serotonin become high in the RAS, the system shuts down and sleep begins to occur. The medulla absorbs serotonin from the RAS; when the levels are low enough, consciousness or arousal results.

After teaching a group of students about the functions of the nervous system, the instructor determines that the teaching was effective when the students identify that a function is: - control of body functions. - generation of incoming stimuli. - prevention of stimulus exposure. - separation of responses.

- control of body functions. p. 326 Rationale: The nervous system is responsible for controlling body function, analyzing incoming stimuli, and integrating internal and external responses.

The CNS structure containing groups of neurons responsible for vital cardiac, respiratory, and vasomotor functions is the: - reticular activating system. - medulla oblongata. - limbic system. - hypothalamus.

- medulla oblongata. p. 331 Rationale: Only the medulla oblongata controls autonomic functions and relays nerve signals between the brain and spinal cord. It is also responsible for controlling several major points and autonomic functions of the body.

A nurse is reviewing the structure and function of the blood--brain barrier . This anatomical feature would have the greatest effect on what aspect of nursing care? - Assessing a client's cranial nerve function - Administering antibiotics to treat brain infections - Determining the site of damage after a traumatic brain injury - Obtaining accurate electroencephalography readings

Administering antibiotics to treat brain infections p. 330 Rationale: The blood-brain barrier is a functioning boundary that keeps toxins, proteins, and other large structures out of the brain and prevents their contact with the sensitive and fragile neurons. It also makes it more difficult for medication to penetrate to locations beyond the barrier. It has not significant effect on assessing cranial nerve function, determining sites of injury or perfoming EEG's.

What would a nurse identify as being responsible for carrying information from the nerve to the effector cell? Axon Ganglia Dendrite Soma

Axon p. 326 Rationale: The axon carries information from a nerve to be transmitted to effector cells. The dendrite brings information into the neuron from other neurons. The soma is the cell body of the neuron. Ganglia are groups of nerve bodies located in specific areas.

A nurse is preparing to assess a patient's cerebellar function. What would the nurse expect to test? Mental status Balance Remote memory Sensation

Balance p. 331 Rationale: Balance and coordination are functions of the pyramidal and extrapyramidal tracts of the motor and cerebellar systems. Remote memory and mental status exam provide information about the patient's cognitive ability. Testing for sensation would address issues with specific cranial nerves or problems involving the parietal lobe.

A nurse is preparing to assess a patient's cerebellar function. What would the nurse expect to test? - Mental status - Sensation - Balance - Remote memory

Balance p. 331 Rationale: Balance and coordination are functions of the pyramidal and extrapyramidal tracts of the motor and cerebellar systems. Remote memory and mental status exam provide information about the patient's cognitive ability. Testing for sensation would address issues with specific cranial nerves or problems involving the parietal lobe.

What part of the brain controls and coordinates muscle movement? - Cerebellum - Midbrain - Brain stem - Cerebrum

Cerebellum p. 331 Rationale: The cerebellum, which is located behind and below the cerebrum, controls and coordinates muscle movement.

A patient exhibiting an uncoordinated gait has presented at the clinic. The nurse knows that what brain structure has the function of balance and coordination? - Midbrain - Medulla - Pons - Cerebellum

Cerebellum p. 331 Rationale: The cerebellum controls fine movement, balance, position sense, and integration of sensory input. Portions of the pons control the heart, respiration, and blood pressure. Cranial nerves IX through XII connect to the brain in the medulla. Cranial nerves III and IV originate in the midbrain.

The carotids and the vertebrals deliver blood to which common vessel at the bottom of the brain? Anterior spinal artery Middle cerebral artery Basilar artery Circle of Willis

Circle of Willis p. 330 Rationale: Two arteries, the carotids and the vertebrals, all deliver blood to a common vessel at the bottom of the brain called the Circle of Willis, which distributes the blood as it is needed.

A patient has sustained an injury to the cerebellum. Which area would be the primary area for assessment? Coordination Neurologic system Vital signs Cardiac function

Coordination p. 331 Rationale: The cerebellum's primary functions include coordination and smoothing of voluntary movements, maintenance of equilibrium, and maintenance of muscle tone. Therefore, a priority assessment area would be coordination.

When describing the function of the extrapyramidal system, what would the instructor include? - Processing of emotional information - Coordination of position and posture - Coordination of voluntary movement - Regulation of motor function control

Coordination of position and posture p. 332 Rationale: The extrapyramidal system coordinates unconscious motor activity that regulates control of posture and position. Motor function control is regulated by sensory nerves and motor nerves along with the pyramidal system, which coordinates voluntary movement, and the extrapyramidal system. The cerebral cortex is involved in processing intellectual and emotional information, but the exact mechanism is not known.

What is responsible for carrying nerve impulses from the central nervous system to stimulate a muscle? - Presynaptic nerve - Schwann cell - Neurotransmitter - Efferent fibers

Efferent fibers p. 326 Rationale: Efferent fibers are nerve axons that carry nerve impulses from the central nervous system to the peripheral to stimulate muscles or glands. The presynaptic nerve is the nerve that releases a chemical, a neurotransmitter, into the synaptic cleft. Schwann cells are cells located at specific intervals along nerve axons to allow nerve conduction.

Dendrites route information away from the nerve cell while axons bring information to the nerve. True False

False p. 330 Rationale: Axons route information away from the nerve cells; dendrites bring information to the nerve.

Which is the most primitive area of the brain and contains the brain stem? - Limbic system - Midbrain - Forebrain - Hindbrain

Hindbrain p. 331 Rationale: The hindbrain, which runs from the top of the spinal cord into the midbrain, is the most primitive area of the brain and contains the brain stem, where the pons and medulla oblongata are located.

After teaching a group of students about major divisions of the brain, the instructor determines that additional teaching is needed when the students identify what as part of the hindbrain? Respiratory control center Swallowing center Hypothalamus Reticular activating system

Hypothalamus p. 331 Rationale: The hypothalamus is part of the midbrain. The reticular activating system is part of the hindbrain. The swallowing center is part of the hindbrain. The respiratory control center is part of the hindbrain.

A 10-year-old child has been playing soccer and sustains a closed head injury in a collision with another player. The parent states that the child was unconscious for 5 minutes. Upon admission to the emergency department, the child has difficulty breathing. What area of the brain will have developed cerebral edema? Pituitary Thalamus Cerebellum Medulla oblongata

Medulla oblongata p. 331 Rationale: The medulla contains groups of neurons that form the vital cardiac, respiratory, and vasomotor centers. If the respiratory center is depressed, respiratory rate and depth are decreased. The thalamus receives impulses carrying sensations such as heat, cold, pain, and muscle position sense. The cerebellum, connected with the motor center in the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia, coordinates muscle activity. The pituitary gland secretes hormones to regulate body functions.

Which would be associated with the forebrain? (Select all that apply.) - Spinal nerve roots - Speech area - Motor neurons - Chemoreceptor trigger zone - Cranial nerves

Motor neurons Speech area p. 331 Rationale: The cerebrum contains motor and sensory neurons and the speech/communication areas. Cranial nerves and the chemoreceptor trigger zone are part of the hindbrain. Spinal nerve roots are found in the spinal cord.

A client is brought to the emergency room following a motor vehicle accident in which the client sustained head trauma. The client reports blindness in the left eye. The nurse would be correct in documenting this abnormal finding as corresponding to which cerebral lobe? - Frontal - Temporal - Occipital - Parietal

Occipital Rationale: The posterior lobe of the cerebral hemisphere is responsible for visual interpretation. The temporal lobe contains the auditory receptive areas. The parietal lobe contains the primary sensory cortex, and is essential to an individual's awareness of the body in space, as well as orientation in space and spatial relations. The frontal lobe functions in concentration, abstract thought, information storage or memory, and motor function.

A client has had an injury to the cerebellum. The nurse is collecting data from the client and family to document in preparing an individualized nursing care plan. Which is the best description of the function of the cerebellum that has to be considered when collecting data from the client? - Regulates sleep wake cycle - Regulates body temperature - Influences release of hormones from the pituitary - Responsible for muscle control

Responsible for muscle control p. 331 Rationale: The cerebellum is responsible for muscle control. The hypothalamus regulates many body functions, such as temperature, thirst, hunger, urination, swallowing, and the sleep-wake cycle. It also secretes some hormones and influences release of hormones from the pituitary, thereby influencing the metabolism of nutrients and regulation of fluid balance and general homeostasis.

A signal has reached the terminus of a client's nerve and is in the space where the nerve is closest to the effector cell in a muscle. At what location is this signal? Schwann cell Synapse Neuron Soma

Synapse p. 325 Rationale: Neurons communicate at structures called synapses in a process called synaptic transmission. The synapse consists of the two neurons, one of which is sending information to the other. The sending neuron is known as the presynaptic neuron (ie, before the synapse), whereas the receiving neuron is known as the postsynaptic neuron (ie, after the synapse). Although the flow of information around the brain is achieved by electrical activity, communication between neurons is a chemical process.

The brain stem holds the medulla oblongata. What is the function of the medulla oblongata? Transmits motor impulses from the brain to the spinal cord Controls striated muscle activity in blood vessel walls Controls parasympathetic nerve impulses in the pons Transmits sensory impulses from the brain to the spinal cord

Transmits motor impulses from the brain to the spinal cord p. 331 Rationale: The medulla oblongata lies below the pons and transmits motor impulses from the brain to the spinal cord and sensory impulses from peripheral sensory neurons to the brain. The medulla contains vital centers concerned with respiration, heartbeat, and vasomotor activity (the control of smooth muscle activity in blood vessel walls).

GABA plays an important role in preventing overexcitability. True False

True p. 330 Rationale: Gamma-aminobutyric acid, which is found in the brain, inhibits nerve activity and is important in preventing overexcitability or stimulation such as seizure activity.

The CNS structure involved in all higher order functions, including conscious processes containing both motor and sensory areas, is the: cerebral cortex. corpus callosum. thalamus. hypothalamus.

cerebral cortex. p. 333 Rationale: The thalamus is the brain region that serves as a switching center for sensory signals passing from the brain stem to other brain regions. The main function of the hypothalamus is homeostasis, or maintaining the body's status quo. The corpus callosum is a structure of the mammalian brain that connects the left and right hemispheres. The cerebral cortex is a region of the brain that plays an important role in the integration of sensory perception and motor control and is responsible for many "higher-order" functions, such as language and information processing.

A 46-year-old male client sustained a closed head injury four hours ago. He now presents to the emergency department because he is having difficulty breathing. This is a result of swelling around the: - hypothalamus. - medulla oblongata. - thalamus. - cerebrum.

medulla oblongata p. 331 Rationale: The medulla oblongata contains groups of neurons that form the vital cardiac, respiratory, and vasomotor centers. If the respiratory center is depressed, respiratory rate and depth are decreased. The thalamus receives impulses carrying sensations such as heat, cold, pain, and muscle position sense. The hypothalamus controls pituitary hormones.

Characteristics that allow neurons to communicate with other body cells include: - stimulation of "association areas" to analyze information received. - the ability to be stimulated and to convey electrical impulses. - relaying motor impulses from the cortex to the thalamus. - the ability to regulate body temperature.

the ability to be stimulated and to convey electrical impulses p. 328 Rationale: Neurons communicate at structures called synapses in a process called synaptic transmission. The synapse consists of the two neurons, one of which is sending information to the other. The sending neuron is known as the presynaptic neuron (ie, before the synapse), whereas the receiving neuron is known as the postsynaptic neuron (ie, after the synapse). Although the flow of information around the brain is achieved by electrical activity, communication between neurons is a chemical process.