Brain & Neuro Basics
This part of the brain controls breathing, heart rate, and arousal.
Answer: The brainstem
Neurons begin to die after this amount of time without oxygen.
Answer: About 5 minutes
A sudden “curtain” over part of vision indicates this emergency.
Answer: Retinal detachment
This structure becomes cloudy in cataracts.
Answer: The lens
Severe hyponatremia from SIADH can cause this life-threatening complication.
Answer: Seizures
This hormone lowers blood glucose by enabling glucose to enter cells.
Answer: Insulin
This diagnostic scale evaluates eye opening, motor response, and verbal response.
Answer: Glasgow Coma Scale
Right-sided CVA injuries typically impair this type of processing.
Answer: Spatial/perceptual processing
Severe eye pain with halos around lights indicates this condition.
Answer: Acute angle-closure glaucoma
Increased intraocular pressure is a hallmark of this condition.
Answer: Glaucoma
Kussmaul respirations are a hallmark finding in this emergency.
Answer: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
This feedback type keeps hormone levels stable in the body.
Answer: Negative feedback
This lesion type threatens vital centers and causes rapid LOC decline.
Answer: Infratentorial lesion
Damage to Broca’s area causes this type of language problem.
Answer: Expressive aphasia
Metal fragments in the eye should be managed by doing this first.
Answer: Cover both eyes and do not remove the object
This part of the retina provides the sharpest central vision.
Answer: Fovea centralis
This endocrine disorder results from cortisol excess.
Answer: Cushing’s syndrome
Steroid hormones enter the cell and act directly on this cellular structure.
Answer: The nucleus
This neurotransmitter imbalance is commonly associated with altered mood and depression.
Answer: Serotonin imbalance
Projectile vomiting, bradycardia, and widening pulse pressure indicate this emergency.
Answer: Increased intracranial pressure (Cushing’s triad)
A child with ear pain, fever, and irritability may have this common condition.
Answer: Otitis media
An ophthalmoscope primarily allows visualization of this structure.
Answer: The retina
Patients with Addison’s disease must increase steroid doses during this type of event.
Answer: Stress or illness
Type 1 diabetes occurs due to autoimmune destruction of these cells.
Answer: Pancreatic beta cells
The cerebellum coordinates this function involved with balance and posture.
Answer: Smooth motor movement
This meningitis sign occurs when neck flexion causes hip/knee flexion.
Answer: Brudzinski’s sign
During a Ménière’s attack, the patient should be placed in this type of environment.
Answer: Dark, quiet room
Peripheral vision loss occurs first in this type of glaucoma.
Answer: Open-angle (chronic) glaucoma
Extreme polyuria with diluted urine indicates this hormonal disorder.
Answer: Diabetes insipidus (DI)
This electrolyte imbalance is common in Addison’s disease.
Answer: Hyperkalemia
When intracranial pressure rises severely, this dangerous shift of brain tissue may occur.
Answer: Herniation
This type of stroke results from a clot blocking cerebral circulation.
Answer: Ischemic stroke
The retina cannot feel pain because it lacks these.
Answer: Pain receptors
These eye movements are involuntary and may indicate cerebellar or vestibular disease.
Answer: Nystagmus
Heat intolerance, tremors, and tachycardia suggest this thyroid disorder.
Answer: Hyperthyroidism (Graves’ disease)
Lack of thyroid hormone results in this disorder characterized by weight gain and cold intolerance.
Answer: Hypothyroidism