Brain Structure
This is the largest part of the brain responsible for thinking, movement, and sensation.
What is the cerebrum?
This disorder occurs when a patient hits their head and becomes difficult to wake.
What is a traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
Swelling in the brain increases pressure on neurons, disrupting communication. This can cause confusion or loss of consciousness.
Answer: What is increased intracranial pressure?
A drug that reduces swelling in the brain or prevents seizures is an example of this.
Answer: What is medication?
NCLEX-style: A patient is difficult to wake after a head injury. What is the nurse’s first action?
Answer: Assess airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs) and monitor neurological status.
This system, inside the cerebrum, controls emotions, memory, and behavior.
What is the limbic system?
A slow, progressive brain disorder that affects memory and thinking.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Damage to this system can cause emotional changes and memory loss.
Answer: What is the limbic system?
Surgical removal of a blood clot or tumor in the brain falls under this category.
Answer: What is surgery?
NCLEX-style: Which system should the nurse assess if the patient shows emotional instability and memory loss?
Answer: The limbic system.
Located in the brainstem, this structure keeps us awake and alert.
What is the reticular activating system (RAS)?
A neurological problem caused by blocked or bleeding blood vessels.
What is a stroke?
Why does damage to the brainstem affect consciousness?
Answer: It contains the reticular activating system, which regulates wakefulness.
Nurses often monitor this to detect early changes after a head injury.
Answer: What is neurological status (level of consciousness, motor responses, etc.)?
NCLEX-style: What is a priority intervention to prevent complications from increased intracranial pressure?
Answer: Keep head elevated, monitor vitals, reduce stimulation, and monitor neurological status.
Name one primary function of the cerebrum.
Thinking, memory, movement, sensation, or voluntary actions.
Name one disorder caused by degeneration of neurons that affects movement.
What is Parkinsons Disease
What is the effect of a cerebrum injury on voluntary movement?
Answer: Weakness, paralysis, or difficulty coordinating movement.
Name two rehabilitation strategies for patients recovering from brain injury.
Answer: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or cognitive rehab.
NCLEX-style: A patient has swelling in the cerebrum after trauma. Which symptom is expected?
Answer: Confusion, headache, weakness, or decreased level of consciousness.
Damage to this part of the brain can lead to decreased consciousness or coma.
What is the brainstem / reticular activating system?
A condition caused by inflammation of the brain or its lining.
What is encephalitis or meningitis?
Name one reason why symptoms worsen after a head injury.
Swelling, bleeding, loss of oxygen, or increased intracranial pressure.
Name three nursing interventions for a patient with a decreased level of consciousness.
Answer: Monitor neurological status, fall precautions, airway management, emotional support, safety measures.
A patient with a head injury has a sudden drop in consciousness and irregular breathing. What is the priority nursing action?
Answer: Immediately call for emergency help, ensure airway and oxygenation, and prepare for rapid intervention.