Neuro Diseases
A nurse is monitoring a client's neuronal function. Which phase of the action potential involves the restoration of the resting electrical charge?
A) Resting membrane potential
B) Depolarization phase
C) Repolarization phase
D) Synaptic transmission
Answer: C — Repolarization is the phase of the action potential that restores the resting electrical charge
What is the name of the reflex seen after severe head injury causing increased pulse pressure and decreased heart rate?
Cushing reflex followed by increased pulse pressure and decreased heart rate.
Absence seizures are also called?
Absence seizures are also called Petit Mal seizures.
Parkinson’s disease primarily affects which area of the brain?
Basal ganglia and substantia nigra.
The brain can maintain blood flow even during arterial occlusion due to what structure?
Circle of Willis – allows autoregulation of blood flow to the brain.
ALS is also called Lou Gehrig's disease. Which motor neurons does it affect?
Damage to lower motor neurons, loss of upper motor neurons in the cerebral cortex, respiratory failure and death.
Which cranial nerve may be damaged in a patient with a CVA who has difficulty swallowing?
Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal nerve) – involved in swallowing.
Localized seizure activity in a small group of neurons in one hemisphere, which seizure is this?
Partial seizures
A patient taking levodopa is not improving. Which medication is usually added?
carbidopa
Loss of color vision is most likely due to damage to which structure?
Central retina – responsible for color vision.
End-stage ALS requires what nursing care ?
Repositioning to avoid pressure ulcers, repeating directions due to impaired cognition, aspiration precautions.
A patient has 80% occlusion of one carotid artery. Which brain structure can help maintain blood flow?
The Circle of Willis distributes blood from other arteries to maintain brain perfusion.
Tonic-clonic seizures are classified as which type of seizure?
Generalized seizure
Hallmark signs: tremor at rest, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability.
hallmark signs of Parkinson’s disease
Bronchial smooth muscle relaxation is caused by which nervous system?
Sympathetic nervous system – relaxes bronchial smooth muscle and constricts vascular smooth muscle.
Myasthenia Gravis is caused by a problem with which neurotransmitter receptor?
An autoimmune disorder that impairs the receptors for acetylcholine (ACh) at the neuromuscular junction.
A client presents with loss of consciousness after trauma. What type of head injury occurs opposite the site of impact?
Contrecoup injury – a closed head injury opposite from the area of direct impact.
Increased seizure frequency in a patient may require monitoring for which cause?
Possible drug use or other triggers may increase seizure frequency
This eye disease causes gradual peripheral vision loss due to increased IOP
open-angle glaucoma
The pathway that communicates touch in two areas of skin is?
Discriminative pathway – communicates the ability to identify the specific location of touch in two areas.
What symptom is a common result of labyrinthitis?
Vertigo
Damage to lower motor neurons results in?
Weakness and paralysis below the level of spinal cord injury
Weakness or paralysis on the same side of the body
Continuous seizures are also called?
status epilepticus
How does loss of dopamine affect voluntary movement?
Loss of dopamine decreases voluntary movement, causing slowed, stiff, and uncoordinated movements.
Loss of involuntary function after spinal injury occurs at which levels?
spinal injury at C1–C2 or T9–T12 depending on the type of function.