Endocrine System
Which gland is known as the “master gland,” and why?
The pituitary gland is called the “master gland” because it releases hormones that regulate other endocrine glands (like the thyroid, adrenal glands, and gonads).
What are the main structures of the central nervous system?
The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord. The brain includes the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem, while the spinal cord serves as the main pathway for information traveling between the brain and body.
Which cranial nerve controls the muscles of facial expression?
Facial (VII)
Draw a diagram of the Nervous system on the board, in it's entirety
...
____________ is the sense that allows a person to perceive the position and movement of their body parts without looking.
Proprioception
What is the primary difference between endocrine and exocrine glands?
Endocrine glands secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream, while exocrine glands release their products through ducts to a surface or cavity (like sweat or digestive enzymes).
What is the blood-brain barrier and its function?
The blood-brain barrier is a selective barrier formed by tightly packed endothelial cells that protects the brain by preventing harmful substances in the blood from entering neural tissue while allowing essential nutrients to pass through.
Which cranial nerve is responsible for the sense of smell?
Olfactory nerve (I)
What structures make up the peripheral nervous system?
The PNS consists of all nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord, including cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and peripheral nerves.
Which sense receptor is responsible for detecting light touch on the skin?
Meissner’s corpuscles
How does the endocrine system interact with the nervous system to maintain homeostasis?
The hypothalamus links the nervous and endocrine systems by receiving neural signals and releasing hormones that control the pituitary gland, helping regulate body balance.
What is the function of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?
CSF cushions and protects the brain and spinal cord, helps maintain stable chemical conditions, and removes waste products.
Name the cranial nerve that innervates the muscles of mastication (chewing).
Trigeminal nerve (V)
What is the functional division of the PNS?
The PNS is divided into the sensory (afferent) division, which carries information to the CNS, and the motor (efferent) division, which carries signals from the CNS to muscles and glands.
What are Rods and Cones? What do they do?
Rods:
Highly sensitive to low light, but do not detect color.
Specialized for night vision and detecting shapes and movement in dim light.
Provide black-and-white vision.
More numerous than cones and concentrated in the peripheral retina.
Cones:
Responsible for color vision and high visual acuity (sharpness).
Work best in bright light.
Detect different wavelengths of light corresponding to red, green, or blue.
Concentrated in the central part of the retina.
What is the role of the adrenal glands in the stress response?
The adrenal glands release hormones like epinephrine (adrenaline) and cortisol, which increase heart rate, blood pressure, and energy availability during stress (fight-or-flight response).
What are the major lobes of the brain and their primary functions?
The frontal lobe controls movement, decision-making, and speech; the parietal lobe processes sensory information; the temporal lobe is involved in hearing and memory; and the occipital lobe is responsible for vision.
Which cranial nerves carry taste sensations from the tongue?
Facial (VII), Glossopharyngeal (IX), and Vagus (X)
If the myelin sheath of peripheral nerves is damaged, how does this affect nerve conduction?
Nerve conduction slows down or becomes disrupted because myelin is essential for fast signal transmission (saltatory conduction).
Which part of the eye focuses light onto the retina?
The Lens
How does the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT axis) regulate metabolism?
The hypothalamus releases TRH (thyrotropin-releasing hormone), which stimulates the anterior pituitary to release TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). TSH then stimulates the thyroid gland to produce T3 and T4.
These thyroid hormones increase metabolic rate and provide negative feedback to the hypothalamus and pituitary to reduce TRH and TSH secretion.
What is the function of the brainstem?
The brainstem (midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata) controls vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and reflexes like swallowing and coughing.
A patient cannot shrug their shoulders or turn their head properly. Which cranial nerve might be damaged?
Accessory nerve (XI)
What is a nerve, and what is it composed of?
A nerve is a bundle of axons (nerve fibers) in the PNS surrounded by connective tissue layers.
Which structure converts sound waves into electrical signals?
The Cochlea
Describe the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and its role in blood pressure regulation.
When blood pressure is low, the kidneys release renin. Renin converts angiotensinogen into angiotensin I, which is then converted into angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes vasoconstriction and stimulates the release of aldosterone from the adrenal cortex. Aldosterone increases sodium and water reabsorption, raising blood volume and blood pressure.
What is the difference between gray matter and white matter?
Gray matter contains neuron cell bodies and is involved in processing information, while white matter consists of myelinated axons that transmit signals between different parts of the CNS.
Which cranial nerve is responsible for abducting the eye, which one adducts the eye?
The Abducens nerve (cranial nerve VI) abducts the eye by controlling the lateral rectus muscle, while the Oculomotor nerve (cranial nerve III) adducts the eye by controlling the medial rectus muscle.
What is a reflex arc and how does it involve the PNS?
A reflex arc is a rapid response pathway that includes a sensory neuron, integration center (spinal cord), and motor neuron. The PNS carries signals to and from the spinal cord during the reflex.
Which structures contribute to proprioception?
A) Muscle spindles
B) Golgi tendon organs
C) Joint capsule receptors
A, B, and C
A postoperative patient complains of numbness and tingling in their fingertips after a total thyroidectomy. What do you, as the nurse, suspect and what orders do you anticipate from the PCP?
You suspect hypocalcemia due to accidental damage or removal of the parathyroid glands during the thyroidectomy, leading to decreased parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels.
You would notify the provider and anticipate orders for serum calcium levels and calcium replacement, such as oral calcium (e.g., calcium carbonate like Tums) or IV calcium (e.g., calcium gluconate) if symptoms are severe.
The patient should be monitored closely for worsening signs of hypocalcemia, including muscle cramps, tetany, positive Chvostek’s and Trousseau’s signs, and potential airway compromise due to laryngospasm. Continuous cardiac monitoring may also be indicated in severe cases.
A patient presents with sudden right-sided weakness and slurred speech. What do you suspect and what orders do you anticipate from the PCP?
You suspect a cerebrovascular accident (stroke), likely affecting the left hemisphere. You would notify the provider immediately and anticipate orders for a CT scan of the head, blood glucose, and possible thrombolytic therapy if within the treatment window. Continuous neurological assessments and vital sign monitoring are essential.
The RN responds to a rapid response from a patient in room 207. Patient is on the toilet, diaphoretic, hypotensive, lightheaded, and bradycardic. What does the RN suspect happened? Which cranial nerve may have contributed to this?
The patient may have stimulated the parasympathetic nervous system via the Vagus Nerve (X) by bearing down while using the restroom.
Explain (in detail) what happens with Sympathetic Nervous system stimulation.
The sympathetic nervous system (SNS), part of the autonomic nervous system, prepares the body for “fight or flight” responses during stress or emergencies. Activation begins when the hypothalamus detects a threat and signals preganglionic neurons in the thoracolumbar spinal cord to release acetylcholine onto postganglionic neurons in sympathetic ganglia. Most postganglionic neurons then release norepinephrine, which binds to adrenergic receptors on target organs, producing effects such as increased heart rate and contractility, bronchodilation, pupil dilation, vasoconstriction, reduced digestive activity, and glucose release from the liver. Some postganglionic neurons release acetylcholine, as in sweat glands. Simultaneously, sympathetic stimulation of the adrenal medulla releases epinephrine and norepinephrine into the bloodstream, amplifying the response. Overall, SNS activation enhances oxygen and nutrient delivery to muscles, mobilizes energy, and suppresses nonessential functions to optimize rapid, coordinated action.
Patient: Ms. A, 45-year-old female
Chief Complaint: Recurrent episodes of spinning vertigo lasting 1–2 hours, with tinnitus, left ear fullness, and muffled hearing.
History: Episodes occur intermittently over 6 months, worsened by stress and fatigue. No recent infections or trauma.
Examination:
Audiometry: Low-frequency hearing loss in the left ear
Balance: Mild unsteadiness during vertigo episodes
Nystagmus: Horizontal during vertigo
What disease does the nurse suspect?
This is a Classic clinical presentation of Ménière’s disease (episodic vertigo, tinnitus, aural fullness, fluctuating hearing loss).
Management:
Lifestyle: Low-salt diet, hydration, stress reduction
Medications: Diuretics, anti-vertigo drugs
Follow-up: ENT referral, audiometric monitoring, vestibular rehab if needed