Porth Pathophysiology Chapter 37: Disorders of Brain Function

A patients emergency magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been examined by the physician and tPA has been administered to the patient. What was this patients most likely diagnosis?

Ischemic stroke

A patients recent computed tomography (CT) scan has revealed the presence of hydrocephalus. Which of the following treatment measures is most likely to resolve this health problem?

Placement of a shunt

Coup and contrecoup cerebral contusion caused by blunt head trauma against a fixed object results in:

permanent brain tissue damage

Common manifestations of acute meningococcal meningitis, a highly contagious and lethal form of meningitis, include:

petechiae

The intracranial volume that is most capable of compensating for increasing intracranial pressure is the:

cerebrospinal fluid

The moderate stage of the progressive degenerative Alzheimer-type dementia is manifested by behaviors that include:

confusion

An elderly male patient has been brought to the emergency department after experiencing stroke-like symptoms a few hours ago, and has been subsequently diagnosed with an ischemic stroke. The care team is eager to restore cerebral perfusion despite the likely death of the brain cells directly affected by the stroke. What is the rationale for the care teams emphasis on restoring circulation?

Cells of the penumbra may be saved from hypoxic damage if blood flow is promptly restored

Which of the following individuals has the highest chance of having a medulloblastoma?

A 4-year-old child who has become uncoordinated in recent months

A patient with a history of a seizure disorder has been observed suddenly and repetitively patting his knee. After stopping this repetitive action, the patient appears confused and is oriented to person and place but not time. What type of seizure did this patient most likely experience?

Complex partial seizure

A high school senior sustained a concussion during a football game. Which of the following signs and symptoms would indicate the presence of postconcussion syndrome in the days and weeks following his injury?

Headaches and memory lapses

Which of the following statements by the husband of a patient with Alzheimer disease demonstrates an accurate understanding of his wifes medication regimen?

Im really hoping these medications will slow down her mental losses

Which of the following pathophysiologic processes occurs in cases of bacterial meningitis?

Inflammation allows pathogens to cross into the cerebrospinal fluid

A patient has been diagnosed with a cerebral aneurysm and placed under close observation before treatment commences. Which of the following pathophysiologic conditions has contributed to this patients diagnosis?

Weakness in the muscular wall of an artery

A late indicator of increased intracranial pressure is:

high mean arterial pressure

Extreme cerebral edema may cause the brain to herniate into another compartment. Upward herniation from the infratentorial compartment against the aqueduct of Sylvius causes:

hydrocephalus

The earliest signs of decreased level of consciousness include:

inattention

Metabolic factors that increase cerebral blood flow include:

increased carbon dioxide level

An intracranial epidural hematoma causes focal symptoms that can include:

ipsilateral pupil dilation

Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) are characterized by ischemic cerebral neurologic deficits that:

resolve within one hour of onset

A patient with a long history of cigarette smoking and poorly controlled hypertension has experienced recent psychomotor deficits as a result of hemorrhagic brain damage. The patients psychomotor deficits are likely the result of:

vascular dementia