Quiz 1: Nervous System

Question 1

What is the function of the Nervous System?

Answer 1

• Signaling throughout the body
• Responsible for motor and sensory function as well as special senses

Question 2

What does the CNS consist of?

Answer 2

• Brain
• Brainstem
• Spinal Cord

Question 3

What does PNS consist of?

Answer 3

• Cranial nerves
• Spinal Nerves
• Autonomic Nervous System

Question 4

How do you monitor for a change in status?

Answer 4

• You need a baseline of the neuro status because you can’t monitor for change unless you have a baseline
• You can’t assume that neuro status is the same as when they last saw their provider.

Question 5

Nervous System Chart Review

Answer 5

1) Imaging: MRI, CT, Ultrasound, Nerve conduction studies
2) Lab Values: Na, Vitamin B12

Question 6

Nervous System Specific Subjective Questions (5 D’s A, 3 N’s)

Answer 6

Dizziness
Drop Attacks
Diplopia: Double vision
Dysarthria: Speech disorder
Dysphagia: Difficulty swallowing
Ataxia: Slow Gait
Nausea
Numbness
Nystagmus: Involuntary rhythmic movement of eyes

Question 7

Nervous System Red Flags

Answer 7

1) Sensory Changes:
- Loss of sensation
- numbness/tingling
- saddle anesthesia

2) Motor Changes
- weakness
- gait difficulty
- difficulty with grip

3) Reflex changes
- Hyporeflexia (LMN lesion)
- Hyperreflexia (UMN issue)
- Abnormal reflexes (UMN signs)

4) Other
- Sudden or new headaches
- Changes in speech, vision, hearing, smell
- Memory issues, confusion
- Seizures
- Tremors
- Coordination changes

Question 8

Nervous System Emergency Situations

Answer 8

• Loss of consciousness
• Extreme confusion
• Seizure
• Stroke symptoms
• “Worst headache of my life)
• Dizziness

Question 9

Nervous System Emergency Conditions

Answer 9

1) Stroke:
- Unilateral weakness, numbness, tingling
- Blurred vision unilaterally
- Loss of speech
- Sudden headache
- Dizziness

2) Cauda Equina
- Compression of L1-S2 nerve roots
- LE weakness
- LE and saddle area numbness
- Bowel/Bladder changes

3) Seizures

Question 10

Nervous System Urgent Conditions

Answer 10

1) Myelopathy
- Compression of spinal cord (Cervical or thoracic)
- B UE numbness/tingling
- Difficulty with motor tasks

2) Cranial Nerve Dysfunction

3) Seizure

4) Disc herniation causing neuro compromise

5) Suspicion of undiagnosed neurologic disorder