[Ex4] - C14 - AP Flashcards
14-1. When a patient asks what the somatic nervous system controls, how should the nurse respond?
It controls:
a. the heart.
b. the spinal cord.
c. skeletal muscle.
d. smooth muscle organs.
ANS: C
The somatic nervous system consists of pathways that regulate voluntary motor control, the
skeletal muscle system. The somatic nervous system does not control the heart; the autonomic
nervous system controls the heart, the spinal cord, and the smooth muscle organs.
14-2. A nurse is preparing to teach about nerves. Which information should the nurse include? The
axon leaves the cell body at the:
a. axon hillock.
b. Nissl body.
c. node of Ranvier.
d. myelin sheath.
ANS: A
The axon hillock is the cone-shaped process where the axon leaves the cell body. The Nissl
body is involved in protein synthesis. Axons branch at the node of Ranvier. The myelin sheath
covers the entire membrane.
14-3. When a student asks in which region of the neuron do nerve impulses travel the fastest, how
should the nurse respond? The:
a. large axon.
b. axon hillock.
c. cell body.
d. dendrites.
ANS: A
Large axons transmit impulses at a faster rate than cell bodies. The axon hillock has a low
threshold level. The dendrites carry impulses toward the cell body but not as quickly as large
axons.
14-4. A neurologist is teaching the staff about motor neurons. Which structural classification
identifies motor neurons?
a. Unipolar
b. Pseudounipolar
c. Bipolar
d. Multipolar
ANS: D
A motor neuron is typically multipolar. Unipolar neurons are found in the retina.
Pseudounipolar neurons have one process; the dendritic portion of each of these neurons
extends away from the CNS, and the axon portion projects into the CNS. Bipolar neurons are
found in the eye.
14-5. An experiment looking at an isolated neuron revealed a sensory nerve with one process
containing a dendritic portion extending away from the CNS and an axon extending toward
the CNS. Which of the following classifications would this neuron fall into?
a. Bipolar
b. Multipolar
c. Pseudounipolar
d. Interpolar
ANS: C
Pseudounipolar neurons have one process; the dendritic portion of each of these neurons
extends away from the CNS, and the axon portion projects into the CNS. Bipolar neurons
have two distinct processes arising from the cell body. Multipolar neurons are the most
common and have multiple processes capable of extensive branching. A motor neuron is
typically multipolar. Interpolar is not a type of neuron.
14-6. A cell was isolated from the CNS. A researcher revealed that its main function was to clear
cellular debris. What type of cell is the researcher studying?
a. Astrocyte
b. Ependymal cell
c. Microglia
d. Schwann cell
ANS: C
Microglia remove debris (phagocytosis) in the CNS. Astrocytes and ependymal cells are
neuroglial cells and do not have phagocytic properties. Schwann cells help form the myelin
sheath in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
14-7. Which neurons have the capacity for regeneration?
a. Unmyelinated neurons in the brain
b. Myelinated neurons in the spinal cord
c. Myelinated peripheral neurons
d. Postganglionic motor neurons
ANS: C
Regeneration is limited to myelinated fibers and generally occurs only in the PNS.
Regeneration does not occur in unmyelinated neurons, myelinated neurons in the spinal cord,
or postganglionic motor neurons.
14-8. When a presynaptic neuron is stimulated in a patient’s body by an electrical current,
neurotransmitters are released from the:
a. synapse.
b. synaptic bouton.
c. synaptic cleft.
d. receptor.
ANS: B
When an impulse originates in a presynaptic neuron, the impulse reaches the vesicles, where
chemicals (neurotransmitters) are stored in the synaptic bouton. Neurons are not physically
continuous with one another. The region between adjacent neurons is called a synapse. The
synaptic cleft is the space between the neurons. Neurotransmitters attach to the receptor.
14-9. Neurotransmitters interact with the postsynaptic membrane by binding to which structure?
a. Receptor
b. Nissl body
c. Glial cell
d. Neurofibril
ANS: A
Neurotransmitters bind to a receptor. The Nissl body is involved in protein synthesis.
Neurotransmitters do not bind to glial cells. Neurofibrils provide support for the neuron.
14-10. If a neuron’s membrane potential is held close to the threshold potential by excitatory
postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs), the neuron is said to be:
a. hyperpolarized.
b. facilitated.
c. integrated.
d. inhibited.
ANS: B
Facilitation refers to the effect of EPSP on the plasma membrane potential. The postsynaptic
neuron’s plasma membrane may be inhibited, which is called hyperpolarized. When the
neuron’s membrane potential is held close to the threshold potential, the neuron is facilitated,
not integrated or inhibited.
14-11. A patient brought to the emergency room (ER) with severe burns is requesting something for
the excruciating pain and is medicated with morphine, which blocks which of the following
neurotransmitters, thus reducing the pain?
a. Enkephalin
b. Dopamine
c. Acetylcholine
d. Substance P
ANS: D
Substance P is a neurotransmitter in pain transmission pathways. Blocking the release of
substance P by morphine reduces pain. The opiates morphine and heroin bind to endorphin
and enkephalin receptors on presynaptic neurons. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in
activity. Acetylcholine plays a role in nerve conduction presynaptically.
14-12. A 19-year-old college student reports to his primary care provider that he cannot stay awake
in class regardless of how much sleep he gets. Under-stimulation of which area of the brain is
likely the site of the problem?
a. Corpora quadrigemina
b. Reticular activating system
c. Cerebellum
d. Hypothalamus
ANS: B
The reticular activating system is responsible for wakefulness, not the corpora quadrigemina,
the cerebellum, or the hypothalamus.
14-13. After rehabilitation for severe brain damage following a motor vehicle accident, a patient
reports that her thought processes and ability to concentrate are impaired. Which area does the
nurse suspect is damaged?
a. Thalamus
b. Limbic
c. Prefrontal
d. Occipital
ANS: C
The prefrontal area is responsible for goal-oriented behavior (e.g., ability to concentrate),
short-term or recall memory, the elaboration of thought, and inhibition of the limbic areas of
the CNS. Goal-oriented behavior is not the function of the thalamus, limbic system, or
occipital area.
14-14. A neurologist is teaching about the region responsible for motor aspects of speech. Which
area is the neurologist discussing?
a. Wernicke area
b. Broca area
c. Brodmann area 4
d. Brodmann area 6
ANS: B
The Broca area is responsible for the motor aspects of speech. Motor aspects of speech are not
the function of the Wernicke area or Brodmann areas 4 and 6.
14-15. A patient is looking at a picture of the brain and points to the convolutions on the surface of
the cerebrum. The nurse should tell the patient these are called:
a. sulci.
b. fissures.
c. reticular formations.
d. gyri.
ANS: D
The surface of the cerebrum (cerebral cortex) is covered with convolutions called gyri, which
greatly increase the cortical surface area and the number of neurons. Neither sulci, fissures,
nor reticular formations cover the cerebrum in a fashion that increases its surface.
14-16. Where is the primary visual cortex of the brain located?
a. Frontal lobe
b. Temporal lobe
c. Occipital lobe
d. Parietal lobe
ANS: C
The visual cortex is located in the occipital lobe.
14-17. A nurse is preparing to teach about functions to maintain homeostasis and instinctive
behavioral patterns. Which area of the brain is the nurse discussing?
a. Thalamus
b. Medulla
c. Cerebellum
d. Hypothalamus
ANS: D
The hypothalamus functions to maintain a constant internal environment and instinctive
behavioral patterns. The thalamus serves as a relay center for information from the basal
ganglia and cerebellum to the appropriate motor area. The medulla controls reflex activities,
such as heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, coughing, sneezing, swallowing, and vomiting.
The cerebellum is responsible for reflexive, involuntary fine-tuning of motor control, for
maintaining balance and posture through extensive neural connections.
14-18. When a nurse is teaching about the transverse fiber tract that connects the two cerebral
hemispheres, what term should the nurse use?
a. Peduncle
b. Corpus callosum
c. Basal ganglia
d. Pons
ANS: B
The corpus callosum connects the two cerebral hemispheres and is essential in coordinating
activities between hemispheres. The peduncle is made up of efferent fibers of the
corticospinal, corticobulbar, and corticopontocerebellar tracts. The basal ganglia is a portion
of the pyramidal system. The pons (bridge) is easily recognized by its bulging appearance
below the midbrain and above the medulla.
14-19. A student nurse asks the nurse what controls reflex activities concerned with heart rate and
blood pressure. What is the nurse’s best response? These reflex activities are controlled by
the:
a. medulla oblongata.
b. pons.
c. midbrain.
d. cerebrum.
ANS: A
The medulla oblongata, not the pons, controls reflex activities, such as heart rate, respiration,
blood pressure, coughing, sneezing, swallowing, and vomiting. The midbrain is primarily a
relay center for motor and sensory tracts, as well as a center for auditory and visual reflexes.
The cerebrum plays a role in the transfer of information.
14-20. Blockage of which of the following would cause hydrocephalus?
a. Cerebral aqueduct
b. Inferior colliculi
c. Red nucleus
d. Tegmentum
ANS: A
Blockage of the cerebral aqueduct leads to hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is not a result of
dysfunction of the inferior colliculi, red nucleus, or tegmentum.
14-21. A patient presents with altered respiratory patterns following head trauma. Based on the
symptoms, which of the following areas does the nurse suspect is injured?
a. Cerebrum
b. Cerebellum
c. Midbrain
d. Reticular formation
ANS: D
The reticular formation is a large network of diffuse nuclei that control vital reflexes, such as
those controlling cardiovascular function and respiration. Respiratory function is not
controlled by the cerebrum, cerebellum, or midbrain.
14-22. A nurse recalls that characteristics of upper motor neurons include:
a. directly innervating muscles.
b. influencing and modifying spinal reflex arcs.
c. cell bodies located in the gray matter of the spinal cord.
d. dendritic processes extending out of the CNS.
ANS: B
Upper motor neurons are completely contained within the CNS. Their primary roles are
controlling fine motor movement and influencing/modifying spinal reflex arcs and circuits.
They do not innervate muscles. Lower motor neurons interact with gray matter. Dendrites are
part of neurons.
14-23. A nurse is teaching about the area of the spinal cord that contains cell bodies involved in the
autonomic nervous system. Which of the following areas is the nurse discussing?
a. Anterior horn
b. Ventral horn
c. Lateral horn
d. Dorsal horn
ANS: C
The lateral horn contains cell bodies within the autonomic nervous system. Both the anterior
and ventral horns contain the nerve cell bodies for efferent pathways that leave the spinal cord
by way of spinal nerves. The dorsal horn contains sensory neurons.
14-24. A neurologist is teaching about sensory pathways. Which information should the neurologist
include? Sensory pathways in the spinal cord to the thalamus are included in the:
a. corticospinal tract.
b. pyramids.
c. spinothalamic tract.
d. anterior column.
ANS: C
The spinothalamic tract carries nerve impulses from the spinal cord to the thalamus in the
diencephalon; the corticospinal tract carries motor impulses. The pyramids assist with motor
movements. The anterior column carries nerve impulses.
