nervous system quiz

Question 1

Define: persistent vegetative state, minimally conscious state, locked-in syndrome.

Answer 1

Complete unawareness of self or surrounding environment. Sleep-wake cycles are present, brain stem reflexes are intact, but there is bowel and bladder incontinence

Individuals may follow simple commands, manipulate objects, gesture, have intelligible speech, but are consistent with these actions

Complete paralysis of voluntary muscles with the exception of eye movement. Individual is fully conscious with intact cognitive function, but cannot communicate through speech or body movements

Question 2

Describe decorticate and decerebrate postures and location of brain damage they indicate.

Answer 2

Upper extremities are flexed at the elbows and held close to the body and lower extremities that are externally rotated and extended. May occur with severe cerebral hemisphere damage

Increased tone in extensor muscles and trunk muscles, with clenched jaw and extended neck = head in neutral position, all for limbs rigidly extended. Occurs with brain stem lesions

Question 3

Define seizure. Be familiar with causes.

Answer 3

A sudden, explosive, disorderly discharge of cerebral neurons, that produces a temporary change in brain function, usually involving motor, sensory, autonomic or psychic clinical manifestations and a temporary altered level of arousal

Cerebral lesions, biochemical disorders, cerebral trauma or epilepsy (these factors can result from many causes, including fever, brain tumors, infections, genetic predispositions)

Question 4

Differentiate between a seizure and a convulsion.

Answer 4

Convulsions is jerky, muscle contraction – relaxation cycles whereas seizures are sudden, explosive, disorderly discharge of neurons

Question 5

Define agnosia

Answer 5

Failure to recognize the form/nature of objects; usually only affects one sense. Caused by any damage to a specific part of the brain

Question 6

define hemineglect

Answer 6

Inability to attend to and react to stimuli coming from the contralateral (to site of damage) side of space. Won’t visually track, orient or reach to the neglected side. May not use those limbs, or take care of them

Question 7

define dysphasia

Answer 7

Understanding (receptive) and use (expressive) of symbols (written or verbal) is disturbed or lost. Caused by dysfunction in left cerebral hemisphere (stroke, cancer)

Question 8

define aphasia

Answer 8

Inability to communicate

Question 9

define Wernike’s

Answer 9

(receptive) aphasia: result of damage to the centre of the brain responsible for the comprehension of language. Individual speaks in a “word salad” - uses nonsense words in long, meandering sentences

Question 10

define Broca’s

Answer 10

(Expressive) aphasia: result of damage to the centre of the brain responsible for the production of language. Individual has difficulties “findings” the correct word

Question 11

What changes in muscle tone are brought about by injuries to the upper motor neurons vs the lower motor neurons?

Answer 11

Increased tone as the inhibitory effect of the brain on the spinal cord reflexes is removed (rigidity = hypertonia)

Decreased tone (flaccidity = hypotonia)

Question 12

Define hypotonia and hypertonia.

Answer 12

(rigidity = hypertonia)
flaccidity = hypotonia)

Question 13

Define hypermimesis

Answer 13

Inappropriate laughter or crying

Question 14

define dyspraxia/apraxia

Answer 14

Inability to perform tasks that require learned motor skills (problem is with use of muscles, not with comprehension)

Question 15

define dysarthria

Answer 15

Speaking

Question 16

define agraphia

Answer 16

Writing