Chapter 25: Assessing Neurologic System

Question 1

The cerebrospinal fluid cushions the central nervous system (CNS), provides nourishment to the CNS, and

a. transmits impulses.
b. coats the brain.
c. regulates heart rate.
d. removes wastes.

Answer 1

d. removes wastes

Question 2

The cerebrum is divided into right and left hemispheres, which are joined together by the

a. corpus callosum.
b. diencephalon.
c. medulla oblongata.
d. pons.

Answer 2

a. corpus callosum

Question 3

The portion of the brain that rims the surfaces of the cerebral hemispheres forming the cerebral cortex is the

a. gray matter.
b. cerebellum.
c. diencephalon.
d. brain stem.

Answer 3

a. gray matter

Question 4

The diencephalon of the brain consists of the

a. pons and brain stem.
b. medulla oblongata and cerebrum.
c. cerebellum and midbrain.
d. thalamus and hypothalamus.

Answer 4

d. thalamus and hypothalamus

Question 5

The hypothalamus is responsible for regulating

a. sleep cycles.
b. nerve impulses.
c. memory.
d. eye reflexes.

Answer 5

a. sleep cycles

Question 6

Innervates neck muscles that promote movement of the shoulders and head rotation

Answer 6

Spinal accessory

Question 7

Contains sensory fibers for taste on posterior one-third of the tongue; responsible for “gag reflex” when stimulated

Answer 7

Glossopharyngeal

Question 8

Carries smell impulses from nasal mucous

membrane to brain

Answer 8

Olfactory

Question 9

Contains sensory fibers for taste on anterior two- thirds of the tongue, and stimulates secretions from the salivary glands and tears from lacrimal glands

Answer 9

Facial

Question 10

Innervates tongue muscles that promote the movement of food and talking

Answer 10

Hypoglossal

Question 11

Contains sensory fibers for hearing and balance

Answer 11

Acoustic

Question 12

Carries visual impulses from the eye to the brain

Answer 12

Optic

Question 13

Carries sensations from the throat, larynx, heart, lungs, bronchi, gastrointestinal tract, and abdominal viscera

Answer 13

Vagus

Question 14

Controls lateral eye movements

Answer 14

Abducens

Question 15

Contracts eye muscles to control eye movement, constricts pupils, and elevates eyelids

Answer 15

Oculomotor

Question 16

Carries sensory impulses of pain, touch, and temperature from the face to the brain

Answer 16

Trigeminal

Question 17

Contracts one eye muscle to control inferomedial eye movement

Answer 17

Trochlear

Question 18

Sensations of temperature, pain, and crude and light touch are carried by way of the

a. extrapyramidal tract.
b. corticospinal tract.
c. spinothalamic tract.
d. posterior tract.

Answer 18

c. spinothalamic tract

Question 19

The cranial nerve that has sensory fibers for taste and fibers that result in the “gag reflex” is the

a. vagus.
b. hypoglossal.
c. trigeminal.
d. glossopharyngeal.

Answer 19

d. glossopharyngeal

Question 20

The nurse is assessing an older adult client when the client tells the nurse that she has experienced transient blind spots for the last few days. The nurse should refer the client to a physician for possible

a. vagus nerve damage.
b. stroke.
c. spinal cord compression.
d. Parkinson disease.

Answer 20

b. stroke

Question 21

The nurse is planning a presentation to a group of adults on the topic of cardiovascular accidents. Which of the following should the nurse plan to include in the teaching plan?

a. Strokes are the number one cause of death in the United States.
b. Smoking and high cholesterol levels are risk factors for stroke.
c. Clients who smoke while taking oral contraceptives are not at higher risk.
d. Postmenopausal women taking estrogen are at greater risk for stroke.

Answer 21

b. Smoking and high cholesterol levels are risk factors for stroke.

Question 22

The nurse is caring for a client during the immediate postoperative period after abdominal surgery. While performing a “neuro check” the nurse should assess the client’s

a. sensation in the extremities.
b. deep tendon reflexes.
c. ability to speak.
d. recent memory.

Answer 22

a. sensation in the extremities

Question 23

The nurse is preparing to percuss a client’s reflexes in his arms. To use the reinforcement technique, the nurse should ask the client to

a. clench his jaw.
b. stretch the opposite arm.
c. hold his neck toward the floor.
d. straighten his legs forward.

Answer 23

a. clench his jaw

Question 24

Which cranial nerve is the nurse testing when the client is asked to identify a scented object?

a. oculomotor
b. facial
c. optic
d. olfactory

Answer 24

d. olfactory

Question 25

Reduced ability to sense vibrations of a tuning fork may be present with

a. peripheral neuropathy.
b. nystagmus.
c. graphesthesia.
d. stereognosis.

Answer 25

a. peripheral neuropathy

Question 26

While assessing the neurologic system of a confused older adult, the nurse observes that the
client is unable to recall past events. The nurse suspects that the client may be exhibiting signs of

a. depression.
b. anxiety.
c. attention deficit disorder.
d. cerebral cortex disorder.

Answer 26

d. cerebral cortex disorder

Question 27

The nurse is assessing the neurologic system of an adult client. To test the client’s use of memory to learn new information, the nurse should ask the client

a. “What did you have for breakfast?”
b. “How old were you when you began working?”
c. “Can you repeat rose, hose, nose, clothes?”
d. “Can you repeat brown, chair, textbook, tomato?”

Answer 27

a. “What did you have for breakfast?”

Question 28

While assessing the pupils of a hospitalized adult client, the nurse observes that the client’s pupils are dilated to 6 cm. The nurse suspects that the client is exhibiting signs of

a. oculomotor nerve paralysis.
b. damage to the pons.
c. alcohol abuse.
d. cocaine abuse.

Answer 28

a. oculomotor nerve paralysis

Question 29

The nurse is assessing the neurologic system of an adult client. To test the client’s motor function of the facial nerve, the nurse should

a. ask the client to purse the lips.
b. ask the client to open the mouth and say “ah.”
c. note the presence of a gag reflex.
d. observe the client swallow a sip of water.

Answer 29

a. ask the client to purse the lips.

Question 30

The nurse is assessing the neurologic system of a client who has spastic muscle tone. The nurse should explain to the client that spastic muscle tone is associated with impairment to the

a. extrapyramidal tract.
b. spinothalamic tract.
c. posterior columns.
d. corticospinal tract

Answer 30

d. corticospinal tract

Question 31

The nurse is preparing to perform the Romberg test on an adult male client. The nurse should instruct the client to

a. squat down as far as he is able to do so.
b. keep his eyes open while he bends at the knees.
c. stand erect with arms at the sides and feet together.
d. touch the tip of his nose with his finger.

Answer 31

c. stand erect with arms at the sides and feet together

Question 32

The nurse is planning to test position sensation in an adult female client. To perform this procedure, the nurse should ask the client to close her eyes while the nurse moves the client’s

a. arm away from the body.
b. toes up or down.
c. hand forward and then backward.
d. leg away from the body.

Answer 32

b. toes up or down