Chapter 36 prepu
A typical spinal cord functions as a "highway" for sensory and descending motor neurons, providing conduction of impulses to and from the brain. The spinal cord is surrounded and protected by bony vertebrae, and ends between the:
1st and 2nd lumbar vertebrae
A patient who has suffered a stroke is unable to maintain respiration and is intubated and placed on mechanical ventilator support. What portion of the brain is most likely responsible for the inability to breathe?
Brain stem
The nurse obtains a Snellen eye chart when assessing cranial nerve function. Which cranial nerve is the nurse testing when using the chart?
CN II
The nurse is planning the care of a client with Parkinson disease. The nurse should be aware that treatment will focus on what pathophysiologic phenomenon?
Decrease availability of dopamine
A trauma client in the ICU has been declared brain dead. What diagnostic test is used in making the determination of brain death?
Electroencephalography
A nurse is performing a neurological assessment on a client at home. During the assessment, the nurse notices that the client has a flat affect. Which lobe of the brain is responsible for a person's affect?
Frontal lobe
A patient sustained a head injury during a fall and has changes in personality and affect. What part of the brain does the nurse recognize has been affected in this injury?
Frontal lobe
Cranial nerve IX is also known as which of the following?
Glossopharyngeal
What neurologic assessment should the nurse perform to gauge the client's function of cranial nerve I?
Have the client identify familiar odors with the eyes closed
A client is having a "fight or flight response" after receiving bad news about their prognosis. What affect will this have on the client's sympathetic nervous system?
Increase in the secretion of sweat
The nurse is assessing the client's pupils following a sports injury. Which assessment findings indicate a neurologic concern?
Pinpoint pupils absence of pupillary response unequal pupils
A nurse conducts the Romberg test by asking the client to stand with the feet close together and the eyes closed. As a result of this posture, the client suddenly sways to one side and is about to fall when the nurse intervenes and prevents the client from being injured. In which way should the nurse interpret the client's result?
Positive romberg test, indicating a problem with equilibrium
A patient comes to the emergency department with severe pain in the face that was stimulated by brushing the teeth. What cranial nerve does the nurse understand can cause this type of pain?
V
Working hard to memorize the functions of the cranial nerves is a typical part of nursing school. Not only is it important to correlate the proper nerve number and name, but including the proper function makes this task quite a challenge! Which cranial nerves are enabling you to read this question?
abducens oculomotor trochlear
Which term refers to the inability to coordinate muscle movements, resulting in difficulty walking?
ataxia
Which neurotransmitter inhibits pain transmission?
enkaphalin
