Neurological function

Question 1

agnosia

Answer 1

loss of ability to recognize objects through a particular sensory system; may be visual, auditory, or tactile

Question 2

ataxia

Answer 2

inability to coordinate muscle movements, resulting in difficulty in walking, talking, and performing self-care activities

Question 3

autonomic nervous system

Answer 3

division of the nervous system that regulates the involuntary body functions

Question 4

axon

Answer 4

portion of the neuron that conducts impulses away from the cell body

Question 5

Babinski reflex (sign)

Answer 5

a reflex action of the toes; in adults is indicative of abnormalities in the motor control pathways leading from the cerebral cortex

Question 6

clonus

Answer 6

abnormal movement marked by alternating contraction and relaxation of a muscle occurring in rapid succession

Question 7

delirium

Answer 7

an acute, confused state that begins with disorientation and if not recognized and treated early can progress to changes in level of consciousness, irreversible brain damage, and sometimes death

Question 8

dendrite

Answer 8

portion of the neuron that conducts impulses toward the cell body

Question 9

flaccidity

Answer 9

displaying lack of muscle tone; limp, floppy

Question 10

parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 10

division of the autonomic nervous system active primarily during nonstressful conditions, controlling mostly visceral functions

Question 11

position (postural) sense

Answer 11

awareness of position of parts of the body without looking at them; also referred to as proprioception

Question 12

reflex

Answer 12

an automatic response to stimuli

Question 13

rigidity

Answer 13

increase in muscle tone at rest characterized by increased resistance to passive stretch

Question 14

Romberg test

Answer 14

test for cerebellar dysfunction that can be done with the patient seated or standing; inability to maintain position for 20 seconds is a positive test

Question 15

spasticity

Answer 15

sustained increase in tension of a muscle when it is passively lengthened or stretched

Question 16

sympathetic nervous system

Answer 16

division of the autonomic nervous system with predominantly excitatory responses; the “fight-or-flight” system

Question 17

vertigo

Answer 17

illusion of movement in which the individual or the surroundings are sensed as moving

Question 18

What is the function of the nervous system

Answer 18

controls all motor, sensory, autonomic, cognitive, and behavioral activities

Question 19

Enkephalin, endorphin

Answer 19

Nerve terminals in the spine, brain stem, thalamus and hypothalamus, pituitary gland
Excitatory; pleasurable sensation, inhibits pain transmission

Question 20

Gamma-aminobutyric acid

Answer 20

Spinal cord, cerebellum, basal ganglia, some cortical areas.

Inhibitory

Question 21

Norepinephrine (major transmitter of the sympathetic nervous system)

Answer 21

Brain stem, hypothalamus, postganglionic neurons of the sympathetic nervous system
Usually excitatory; affects mood and overall activity

Question 22

Dopamine

Answer 22

Substantia nigra and basal ganglia

Usually inhibitory; affects behavior (attention, emotions) and fine movement

Question 23

Serotonin

Answer 23

Brain stem, hypothalamus, dorsal horn of the spinal cord

Inhibitory; helps control mood and sleep, inhibits pain pathways

Question 24

Acetylcholine (major transmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system)

Answer 24

Many areas of the brain; autonomic nervous system

Usually excitatory; parasympathetic effects sometimes inhibitory (stimulation of heart by vagal nerve)

Question 25

Central Nervous system structures

Answer 25

brain & spinal cord

Question 26

Peripheral nervous system structures

Answer 26

cranial & spinal nerves, autonomic and somatic systems

Question 27

Frontal lobe functions

Answer 27

concentration, abstract thought, information storage or memory, and motor function as well as affect, judgment, personality, and inhibitions. Broca area, which is located in the left hemisphere and is critical for motor control of speech.

Question 28

Parietal lobe functions

Answer 28

Predominantly sensory interpretation. Awareness of body position in space, size and shape discrimination, and right–left orientation

Question 29

Temporal lobe functions

Answer 29

Auditory, sound memory & understanding of language and music

Question 30

Occipital lobe functions

Answer 30

visual interpretations and memory

Question 31

Dura mater

Answer 31

outermost layer; covers brain and spinal cord.

Question 32

Arachnoid

Answer 32

Middle membrane, thin. Contains cerebraospinal fluid (CSF)

Question 33

Pia mater

Answer 33

innermost, thin, transparent layer, hugs the brain

Question 34

Parasympathetic Nervous system functions

Answer 34

visceral functions; primary NT acetylcholine.

Question 35

When documenting deep tendon reflexes, what is the scale?

Answer 35

0-4
0 No response
1+ Diminished (hypoactive)
2+ Normal
3+ Increased (may be interpreted as normal)
4+ Hyperactive (hyperreflexia)

Question 36

Types of aphasia

Answer 36

Broca’s (motor speech area)

Weirnike’s (parietal & temporal lobes)

Question 37

Glasgow coma scale

Answer 37

used to determine patients response