Chapter 15: Structure and Function of the Neurologic System

Question 1

Which nerves are capable of regeneration?

a. Nerves within the brain and spinal cord
b. Peripheral nerves that are cut or severed
c. Myelinated nerves in the peripheral nervous system
d. Unmyelinated nerves of the peripheral nervous system

Answer 1

ANS: C
Nerve regeneration is limited to only myelinated fibers and generally occurs only in the
peripheral nervous system.
PTS: 1 REF: Pages 450-451

Question 2

Both oligodendroglia and Schwann cells share the ability to:

a. Form a myelin sheath
c. Transport nutrients
b. Remove cellular debris
d. Line the ventricles

Answer 2

ANS: A
The function of oligodendroglia (oligodendrocytes) is to deposit myelin within the central
nervous system (CNS). Oligodendroglia are the CNS counterpart of Schwann cells. The
remaining options are not reflective of the common function of these structures.
PTS: 1 REF: Pages 449-450

Question 3

What name is given to a large network of neurons within the brainstem that is essential for
maintaining wakefulness?
a. Midbrain 
c. Medulla oblongata
b. Reticular activating system 
d. Pons

Answer 3

ANS: B
The reticular activating system is essential for maintaining wakefulness. The remaining
options are not essential to this function.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 454

Question 4

The region responsible for the motor aspects of speech is located in the:

a. Wernicke area in the temporal lobe
c. Wronka area in the parietal lobe
b. Broca area in the frontal lobe
d. Barlow area in the occipital lobe

Answer 4

ANS: B

Question 5

Parkinson and Huntington diseases are associated with defects in which area of the brain?

a. Thalamus
c. Cerebellum
b. Medulla oblongata
d. Basal ganglia

Answer 5

ANS: D
Parkinson and Huntington diseases are conditions associated with defects of the basal
ganglia. No current research supports the role of any of the other options in these diseases.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 457

Question 6

The ability of the eyes to track moving objects through a visual field is primarily a
function of which colliculi?
a. Inferior c. Mid
b. Superior d. Posterior

Answer 6

ANS: B
The superior colliculi are involved with voluntary and involuntary visual motor
movements (e.g., the ability of the eyes to track moving objects in the visual fi

Question 7

What parts of the brain mediate the expression of affect, both emotional and behavioral
states?
a. Hypothalamus and subthalamus
c. Limbic system and prefrontal cortex
b. Parietal and frontal lobes d. Basal ganglia and medulla oblongata

Answer 7

ANS: C
Extensive connections with the limbic system and prefrontal cortex mediate the expression
of affect, both emotional and behavioral states. The remaining options are not involved in
these expressions.

Question 8

Reflex activities concerned with heart rate, blood pressure, respirations, sneezing,
swallowing, and coughing are controlled by which area of the brain?
a. Pons
c. Cerebellum
b. Midbrain
d. Medulla oblongata

Answer 8

ANS: D
The medulla oblongata makes up the myelencephalon and is the lowest portion of the
brainstem. Reflex activities, such as heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, coughing,
sneezing, swallowing, and vomiting, are controlled only in this area

Question 9

From which part of the midbrain do cranial nerves V to VIII emerge?

a. Midbrain
c. Medulla oblongata
b. Pons
d. Lateral colliculi

Answer 9

ANS: B
The nuclei of cranial nerves V through VIII (see Table 15-6 for discussion) are located
only in the pons.
PTS: 1 REF: Pages 459-460

Question 10

From which part of the midbrain do cranial nerves IX to XII emerge?

a. Midbrain
c. Medulla oblongata
b. Pons
d. Lateral colliculi

Answer 10

ANS: C
The nuclei of cranial nerves IX through XII (see Table 15-6 for discussion) are located
only in the medulla oblongata.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 460

Question 11

Which statement is true regarding upper motor neurons?

a. Upper motor neurons directly influence muscles.
b. They modify spinal reflex arcs.
c. Upper motor neurons are located in the gray matter of the spinal cord.
d. They extend their dendritic processes out of the CNS

Answer 11

ANS: B
Upper motor neurons (i.e., corticospinal tract) are the classification of motor pathways
completely contained within the CNS. Their primary roles include directing, influencing,
and modifying reflex arcs, lower-level control centers, and motor and some sensory
neurons. The remaining options do not accurately describe the characteristic functions of
upper motor neurons.

Question 12

. The membrane that separates the brain’s cerebellum from its cerebrum is the:

a. Tentorium cerebelli
c. Arachnoid membrane
b. Falx cerebri
d. Falx cerebell

Answer 12

ANS: A
The tentorium cerebelli is a membrane that separates the cerebellum below from the
cerebral structures above. The remaining options do not perform the function described in
the stem.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 464

Question 13

The function of arachnoid villi is to:

a. Produce cerebrospinal fluid
b. Provide nutrients to the choroid plexuses
c. Transmit impulses within the meninges
d. Absorb cerebrospinal fluid into the cerebral venous sinus

Answer 13

ANS: D
CSF is reabsorbed by means of a pressure gradient between the arachnoid villi and the
cerebral venous

Question 14

Where is the cerebrospinal fluid produced?

a. Arachnoid villi
c. Ependymal cells
b. Choroid plexuses
d. Pia mater

Answer 14

ANS: B
The choroid plexuses are the structures that produce CSF; they arise from the pia mater.
The remaining options do not have a role in CSF production.
PTS: 1 REF: Pages 465-466

Question 15

Which of the meninges closely adheres to the surface of the brain and spinal cord and
follows the sulci and fissures?
a. Dura mater 
c. Pia mater
b. Arachnoid 
d. Inner dura

Answer 15

ANS: C
The delicate pia mater closely adheres to the surface of the brain and spinal cord and even
follows the sulci and fissures. The remaining options are not represented in the description
provided in the stem.

Question 16

Norepinephrine produces what primary response?

a. Increased contractility of the heart
c. Vasoconstriction
b. Release of renin from the kidney
d. Pupillary dilation

Answer 16

ANS: C
The primary response from norepinephrine is the stimulation of the D1-adrenergic
receptors that cause vasoconstriction. The remaining options do not accurately reflect the
primary response of norepinephrine.

Question 17

What is an effect of the sympathetic nervous system?

a. Stimulation of peristalsis c. Reduction in heart rate
b. Increased blood sugar levels
d. Pupillary constriction

Answer 17

ANS: B
In general, sympathetic stimulation promotes responses that are concerned with the
protection of the individual, which include increased blood sugar levels, temperature, and
blood pressure. The responses noted in the remaining options are not a result of
sympathetic stimulation.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 476

Question 18

Which cranial nerves contain parasympathetic nerves? (Select all that apply.)

a. I (olfactory)
d. IX (glossopharyngeal)
b. III (oculomotor)
e. X (vagus)
c. VII (facial)

Answer 18

ANS: B, C, D, E

All but cranial nerve I (olfactory) contain parasympathetic nerves.

Question 19

. The aging process brings about what changes to human cells? (Select all that apply.)

a. Increased neurofibrillary tangles
d. Decreased myelin presence
b. Imbalance of neurotransmitters
e. Altered dendrite structure
c. Increased neuron production

Answer 19

ANS: A, B, D, E
Principal cellular changes associated with aging include a decrease in the number of
neurons, decreased myelin, decreased number of dendritic processes and synaptic
connections, intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, and an imbalance in the amount and
distribution of neurotransmitters. The aging process does not bring about an increase in
neuron production.

Question 20

Which statement is true regarding the blood-brain barrier (BBB)? (Select all that apply.)
a. The BBB is dependent on astrocytes.
b. It uses the meningeal layers of the brain.
c. It restricts the flow of large molecules, such as potassium.
d. Naturally occurring inflammatory mediators affect the BBB.
e. The BBB appears to play a role in slowing down the onset of degenerative brain
disease.

Answer 20

ANS: A, C, D, E

Question 21

. What evidence does the nurse expect to see when a patient experiences trauma to the
hypothalamus? (Select all that apply.)
a. Uneven expression of mood
b. Unstable blood glucose levels
c. Poor regulation of body temperature
d. Visual disturbances such as blurred vision
e. Nausea, vomiting, and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Answer 21

ANS: A, B, C
The hypothalamus forms the base of the diencephalon. Hypothalamic function controls
autonomic nervous system (ANS) function, regulation of body temperature, endocrine
function (e.g., unstable glucose levels), and regulation of emotional expression. Visual and
gastrointestinal symptoms would not likely be related to hypothalamus function.

Question 22

A Schwann cell: (Select all that apply.)

a. Can form the myelin sheath.
b. Is also referred to as a neurolemmocyte.
c. Affects the function of the nodes of Ranvier
d. Is located in the peripheral nervous system.
e. Is responsible of decreasing conduction velocity.

Answer 22

ANS: A, B, C, D
The Schwann cell, or neurolemmocyte, is a glial cell that wraps around and covers axons
in the peripheral nervous system. Schwann cells form and maintain the myelin sheath, and
the nodes of Ranvier form the spaces on either side of the Schwann cell. If the myelin
layer is tightly wrapped many times around the axon, forming nodes of Ranvier, then it
increases conduction velocity and the neuron is referred to as myelinated.