Exam 4 - Sensory Functioning ACTUAL UPDATED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
What is sensory reception? The process of receiving data from the environment through the senses.
What are the 6 senses involved in sensory reception? Visual (vision), auditory (hearing), olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste), tactile
(touch), proprioception (body movement/position).
What is sensory perception? The conscious process of organizing and interpreting sensory data.
What is required for sensory perception to occur? A stimulus, receptor, intact nervous pathway, and a functioning brain.
Why is perception considered subjective? Because it varies from patient to patient.
What happens if there is a break in the sensory pathway? Sensory deficit or altered perception occurs.
What must always be assessed regarding sensory Both reception (can they sense?) and perception (do they understand it).
function?
What is the Reticular Activating System (RAS)? A system in the brainstem that mediates arousal and monitors sensory stimuli.
, Where is the RAS located? In the brainstem.
What is a conscious state? Normal alertness where a person can be easily aroused.
What are examples of conscious states? Normal consciousness, delirium, dementia, confusion, locked-in state.
What is sleep (as a state of consciousness)? A state where the patient can be aroused by normal stimuli.
What is stupor? A state requiring extreme or repeated stimuli for arousal.
What is a coma? A state where the patient cannot be aroused.
What determines levels within a coma? Reflex responses.
What is a vegetative state? Sleep-wake cycles with non-purposeful movement.
What is an early sign of patient deterioration? Changes in level of consciousness (LOC).
What is delirium? An acute, reversible, fluctuating change in cognition.
What is dementia? A chronic and progressive decline in cognitive function.
What is sensory deprivation? Decreased sensory input that can lead to hallucinations.
What causes sensory deprivation? Environmental changes, impaired sensory reception, inability to process stimuli.
What type of environment contributes to sensory Decreased or monotonous stimuli environments.
deprivation?
What patients are high-risk for sensory deprivation? Institutionalized, bed rest, isolation, impaired vision/hearing, brain damage, drug
use.
ANSWERS
What is sensory reception? The process of receiving data from the environment through the senses.
What are the 6 senses involved in sensory reception? Visual (vision), auditory (hearing), olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste), tactile
(touch), proprioception (body movement/position).
What is sensory perception? The conscious process of organizing and interpreting sensory data.
What is required for sensory perception to occur? A stimulus, receptor, intact nervous pathway, and a functioning brain.
Why is perception considered subjective? Because it varies from patient to patient.
What happens if there is a break in the sensory pathway? Sensory deficit or altered perception occurs.
What must always be assessed regarding sensory Both reception (can they sense?) and perception (do they understand it).
function?
What is the Reticular Activating System (RAS)? A system in the brainstem that mediates arousal and monitors sensory stimuli.
, Where is the RAS located? In the brainstem.
What is a conscious state? Normal alertness where a person can be easily aroused.
What are examples of conscious states? Normal consciousness, delirium, dementia, confusion, locked-in state.
What is sleep (as a state of consciousness)? A state where the patient can be aroused by normal stimuli.
What is stupor? A state requiring extreme or repeated stimuli for arousal.
What is a coma? A state where the patient cannot be aroused.
What determines levels within a coma? Reflex responses.
What is a vegetative state? Sleep-wake cycles with non-purposeful movement.
What is an early sign of patient deterioration? Changes in level of consciousness (LOC).
What is delirium? An acute, reversible, fluctuating change in cognition.
What is dementia? A chronic and progressive decline in cognitive function.
What is sensory deprivation? Decreased sensory input that can lead to hallucinations.
What causes sensory deprivation? Environmental changes, impaired sensory reception, inability to process stimuli.
What type of environment contributes to sensory Decreased or monotonous stimuli environments.
deprivation?
What patients are high-risk for sensory deprivation? Institutionalized, bed rest, isolation, impaired vision/hearing, brain damage, drug
use.
