Nervous System Anatomy and Physiology

Question 1

Central Nervous System

Answer 1

brain and spinal cord

Question 2

Peripheral Nervous System

Answer 2

• nerves
• carries messages to and from

Question 3

Autonomic Nervous System

Answer 3

• involuntary
• sympathetic and para sympathetic

Question 4

Somatic Nervous System

Answer 4

• voluntary
• sensory and motor

Question 5

Grey Matter

Answer 5

• receives and stores
• nerve cell bodies, dendrites, neuroglia and unmyelinated axons
• where information is processed

Question 6

White Matter

Answer 6

• myelinated nerve fibers

Question 7

Dendrite

Answer 7

receiver

Question 8

Axon

Answer 8

sender

Question 9

31 Pairs of Spinal Nerves

Answer 9

8 cervical
12 thoracic
5 lumbar
5 sacral
1 coccygeal

Question 10

Assessing the Child with Neurologic Disorder

Answer 10

1. health history (mother’s perinatal hx, developmental milestone/ MMDST, school performance)
2. neurologic exam
3. diagnostic testing

Question 11

Neurologic Examination

Answer 11

1. cerebral function
2. cranial nerves
3. cerebellar function
4. motor function
5. sensory function
6. reflex function

Question 12

NE: Cerebral Function

Answer 12

ASSESS:
1. LOC
2. orientation intelligence
3. performance
4. mood
5. general behavior

Question 13

LOC: Alert

Answer 13

fully conscious and aware of environment

Question 14

LOC: Drowsy/ Lethargic

Answer 14

• awake but fatigued
• may fall asleep if not stimulated

Question 15

LOC: Obtunded

Answer 15

• further reduced alertness along with decreased responsiveness
• decreased interest in environment

Question 16

LOC: Stuporous

Answer 16

generally not responsive except to vigorous stimulation

Question 17

LOC: Comatose

Answer 17

not arousable

Question 18

Cerebral Function Orientation

Answer 18

• person, place, time
• age appropriate questions
• intellectual performance

Question 19

Cerebral Function Immediate Recall

Answer 19

• ability to train concept for a short time
• number series test (ask to repeat number)
  ○ 3yrs old - until 3 digits
  ○ 6yrs old - until 5 digits

Question 20

Cerebral Function Recent Memory

Answer 20

• slightly longer than immediate recall
• show object (familiar to child) and ask about it after 5 mins
• older children: ask what they ate for bfast

Question 21

Cerebral Function Remote Memory

Answer 21

• long term recall
• preschoolers: ask what they ate for bfast

Question 22

Assess Specific Cerebral Function

Answer 22

assess language, sensory interpretation, and motor integration

Question 23

Cerebral Function Stereognosis

Answer 23

• ability to recognize an object by touch
• ask child to close eyes then place familiar object on hand

Question 24

Cerebral Function Graphesthesia

Answer 24

• ability to recognize shape traced on skin
• ask child to close eyes then trace circle/ square at back of hand
• preschooler: shapes
• older children: numbers (8,0,1)

Question 25

Cerebral Function Kinesthesia

Answer 25

- ability to distinguish movement - ask child to close eyes then extend hand in front - raise one finger and ask whether up or down ** hold at side of finger

Question 26

Cerebral Function Motor Integration

Answer 26

ask child to perform complex task such as folding paper then put in tight envelop

Question 27

NE: Cranial Nerve Function

Answer 27

depends on whether each nerve is composed of motor, sensory or mixed nerves and the region where nerve endings are located

Question 28

NE: Cerebellar Function

Answer 28

- test for balance and coordination - ask child to stand on one foot - 4 years old: hold stand for 5 seconds - tandem walk

Question 29

NE: Motor Function

Answer 29

- evaluate muscle size, strength, tone - measure circumference of calves and thighs or upper and lower arms with tape measure - palpate muscle for tone - move extremities for passive ROM (evaluate symmetry, spasticity, flaccidity bilaterally)

Question 30

Flaccid

Answer 30

no muscle tone at all

Question 31

NE: Sensory Function

Answer 31

- should be able to distinguish light touch, pain, vibration, hot and cold - ask child to close eyes and ask to point spot where you touched with object - vibration is tested by touching bony prominence with tuning fork

Question 32

NE: Reflex Function

Answer 32

- deep tendon reflex - newborn reflex