SF1: A&P Review and Assessment/Dx Tests Flashcards
The Thalamus and Hypothalamus are part of the _______ area of the brain.
Diencephalon
Thalamus
Where is it?
The thalamus is a paired gray matter structure of the diencephalon located near the center of the brain. It is above the midbrain, allowing for nerve fiber connections to the cerebral cortex in all directions
Thalamus
What is its function?
The primary function of the thalamus is to relay motor and sensory signals to and from the cerebral cortex
Hypothalamus
Where is it?
The hypothalamus is located on the undersurface of the brain. It lies just below the thalamus and above the pituitary gland
Hypothalamus
What is its function?
The hypothalamus is a gland in your brain that controls your hormone system. It releases hormones to another part of your brain called the pituitary gland, which sends hormones out to your different organs.
What are some things that the hypothalamus hormones control?
- Body temperature
- Heart rate
- Hunger
- Mood
- Release of hormones from many glands, especially the pituitary gland
- Sex drive
- Sleep
- Thirst
What are glial cells?
Non-neuronal cells located within the CNS and PNS that provide physical and metabolic support to neurons, including neuronal insulation and communication, and nutrient and waste transport.
What are Astrocytes?
• Astrocytes are the most numerous cell type within the central nervous system (CNS) and perform a variety of tasks, from axon guidance and synaptic support, to the formation and control of the blood brain barrier and blood flow.
People with Parkinson’s Disease lack what neurotransmitter?
• Dopamine
GABA is a type of amino acid that is used in _______ _____ and _____ _____.
• Seizure control, pain management
What are the functions of the Frontal Lobe?
• Short term memory
• Social behaviour
• Personality
• Emotion
• Higher intellect
• Initiation
• Broca’s Area
o Formation of speech
• Aids in respiration
• Gastrointestinal activityWhat are the functions of the Temporal Lobe?
• Long Term Memory
• Interpretive Area
• Primary Auditory Area
• Wernicke’s Area
o Comprehension of speechWhat are the functions of the Parietal Lobe?
- Primary Motor area
- Sensory association area
- Left from right
- Discernment of spatial awareness (Proprioception)
Where are the basal ganglia located and what is their function?
• They are part of the Diencephalon essential for motor control
Information from the external environment go to the ____ which is responsible for maintaining _____.
• Hypothalamus, homeostasis
What is the subjective data we want to acquire regarding important health information?
- Past health hx
- Medications
- Surgery or other tx
What is the subjective data we want to ask about regarding functional health patters?
- Health perception–health management pattern
- Nutritional-metabolic pattern
- Elimination pattern
- Activity-exercise pattern
- Sleep rest pattern
- Cognitive perceptual pattern
- Self perception–self-concept pattern
- Role relationship pattern
- Sexuality reproductive pattern
- Coping–stress tolerance pattern
- Value-belief pattern
What is important to evaluate regarding nutritional-metabolic pattern?
• If pt is in a healing/tissue repair process, intake needs to be higher than normal to facilitate
What systems can we assess for objective data?
- Mental status
- Cranial nerve function
- Sensory function
- Reflexes
Describe a lumbar puncture.
- CSF sample is taken from the spinal canal for analysis
- Used to diagnose meningitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, neurological disorders
- Usually done between L3/L4 or L4/L5
What is the pre-procedure nursing care for a lumbar puncture?
- Have patient empty bladder
* Position the patient on their side in a fetal position or stretched over a table while sitting so back is arched
What is the post-procedure nursing care for a lumbar puncture?
- Instruct patient to lay flat for several hours and increase fluid intake
- Monitor for CSF leak, which can cause a severe HA (epidural blood patch may be necessary)
- Replace fluids (2-3 liters)
- Assess lower limb function
- Assess bladder elimination
What is an MRI?
- a diagnostic test that produces three-dimensional images of body structures using magnetic fields and computer technology.
- The images result from different water concentrations of the various tissues.
- MRI is an important tool in planning surgery, radiation therapy, treatment for stroke, or other interventions for brain disorders.
An MRI may be used for what diagnosing what type of conditions?
- Detecting brain and spinal cord tumors
- Diagnosing nervous system disorders such as multiple sclerosis
- Identifying diseases of the blood vessels including stroke
- Diagnosing pituitary diseases
- Detecting spinal stenosis and herniated discs
How do we prep a patient for an MRI?
- Prepare patient for the fact it will be noisy and they may feel claustrophobic
- Remove all metal objectives
- Inform Radiographer of any metal plates, clips etc … patient has internally
- Date of last menstrual period (Contraindicated for preggers)
What is a PET scan?
- Positron Emission Tomography
- A nuclear diagnostic test that can detect and stage most cancers.
- It can also provide early information about many neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
- A PET scan examines the body’s chemistry and can map the biological function of an organ, detect subtle metabolic changes, and may be used to determine if a tumor is benign or malignant.
- A computer analyzes the data and produces cross-sectional images on film and/or a video monitor.
- The test takes between one and two hours to complete.
What is a Myelogram?
- An imaging procedure that examines the relationship between your vertebrae and discs, through your spinal cord, nerves and nerve roots.
- It determines whether there’s anything actively pressing against your spinal cord, nerves or nerve roots, causing pain in your back or numbness and weakness in your arms and/or legs.
How is a Myelogram performed?
- A radiologist will inject a contrast medium (also called contrast material or dye) into your spinal canal through your lower back.
- Then, the radiologist may take a few X-rays of your spine. The dye will blend together with your spinal fluid, giving the surgeon or neurologist a clear look at the bones and soft tissues that might be causing your symptoms
What are our nursing responsibilities for a Myelogram?
- Check the medications the patient is on and they have stopped any medicines contraindicated prior to the test.
- Check for food allegies
- During the procedure observe for allergy to the dye
- After the x-rays and CT scans have been taken, observe for 2 - 4 hours.
- Encourage fluids
- Ask the patient to report persistent severe headache or pain
- Check wound site for CSF leakage
What kind of drugs need to be stopped before a Myelogram?
• Antidepressants, blood thinners and drugs for diabetes
What is a digital angiography?
• A diagnostic test to clearly visualize blood vessels in a bony or dense soft tissue environment.
True or False
It is permitted to administer a digital angiography if a patient has ICP.
- False
* PT MUST be stable to have an angiography
How is an angiography performed?
- inserting a catheter (a small, thin tube) into an artery in the leg and passing it up to the blood vessels in the brain.
- A contrast dye is injected through the catheter and X-ray images are taken of the blood vessels.
True or False
When getting an angiography done, patients frequently experience headache, warmth, or a burning sensation in the head or neck during the injection portion of the procedure.
True
During or after an angiography, we should be concerned if a patient experiences what s/s?
- Facial weakness
- Numbness in legs
- Slurred speech
- Visual disturbances
What nursing action may help pts w/ low ICP?
• Administration of fluids
What are the gerontologic effects of aging on the nervous system?
- Loss of neurons - widening or enlargement of ventricles
- Cerebral blood flow decrease, and cerebral spinal fluid production declines
- Degenerative changes in myelin can lead to decrease in nerve conduction
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Temperature control affected (can lose heat thru head like babies)
- Memory, senses, decreased hearing and sight, can decrease with age.
- Problems with balance and co-ordination can put older adults at risk for falls
An obstruction of the anterior cerebral arteries will affect functioning of:
- Visual imaging
- Balance and co-ordination
- Judgement insight and reasoning
- Visual and auditory integration for language comprehension
- Judgement insight and reasoning
Assessment of muscle strength in older adults cannot be compared to that of younger adults because:
- Stroke is more common in older adults
- Nutritional status is better in younger adults
- Most young people exercise more than older adults
- Aging leads to a decrease in muscle bulk and strength
- Aging leads to a decrease in muscle bulk and strength
