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Advanced Pathophysiology NU 545 Exam
2 – Verified Q&A | University of South
Alabama
Master NU 545 Exam 2 with this focused Advanced
Pathophysiology study guide for University of South
Alabama. Covers neurologic system anatomy, brain
function, CSF circulation, Parkinson and Huntington
disease, pain pathways (A-delta, C, A-beta fibers, gate
control theory), temperature regulation, heat loss
mechanisms, and autonomic nervous system function.
Includes verified questions with detailed rationales and
page references. Instant PDF download for 2026/2027.
Ideal for exam review and clinical reasoning practice.
1. The prefrontal area of the brain is primarily responsible for which function?
A. Reception and interpretation of speech
B. Goal-oriented behavior and short-term memory
C. Programming motor movements
D. Maintaining balance and posture
B. Goal-oriented behavior and short-term memory
The prefrontal area is responsible for goal-oriented behavior (ability to concentrate),
short-term or recall memory, and the elaboration of thought and inhibition on the
limbic (emotional) areas of the CNS.
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2. Which structure functions as a one-way valve to direct cerebrospinal fluid
(CSF) outflow into the blood?
A. Choroid plexus
B. Arachnoid villi
C. Circle of Willis
D. Subarachnoid space
B. Arachnoid villi
The arachnoid villi function as one-way valves directing CSF outflow into the blood but
preventing blood flow into the subarachnoid space.
3. Where is the primary defect in Parkinson disease located?
A. Severe degeneration of the basal ganglia, particularly the caudate and putamen
B. Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra
C. Demyelination of the corticospinal tracts
D. Ischemic injury to the middle cerebral artery
B. Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra
The main disease feature is degeneration of the basal ganglia involving the
dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway, with dysfunction of dopaminergic neurons in the
substantia nigra.
4. Which mechanism of heat loss involves the transfer of heat through currents
of gases or liquids?
A. Radiation
B. Conduction
C. Convection
D. Evaporation
C. Convection
Convection is the transfer of heat through currents of gases or liquids. It aids heat loss
through conduction by exchanging warmer air at the surface of the body with cooler
air in the surrounding space.
5. Broca area, located in the inferior frontal lobe, is important for which
function?
A. Reception and interpretation of speech
B. Speech and language processing
C. Visual association
D. Emotional responses
B. Speech and language processing
Broca area in the inferior frontal lobe is important for speech and language
processing.
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6. Which type of nerve fiber transmits fast, sharp, and localized pain?
A. Unmyelinated C fibers
B. Myelinated A-delta fibers
C. Large myelinated A-beta fibers
D. Autonomic preganglionic B fibers
B. Myelinated A-delta fibers
Myelinated A-delta receptor transmission is fast and conveys mechanical and thermal
localized pain. C fibers are slower and convey diffuse burning and aching sensations.
7. What is the function of the cerebellum?
A. Regulation of body temperature
B. Motor control and maintaining balance and posture
C. Reception and interpretation of speech
D. Hormone synthesis
B. Motor control and maintaining balance and posture
The cerebellum is involved in motor control and maintaining balance and posture.
8. Where is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) produced?
A. Arachnoid villi
B. Choroid plexuses in the lateral, third, and fourth ventricles
C. Circle of Willis
D. Subarachnoid space
B. Choroid plexuses in the lateral, third, and fourth ventricles
The choroid plexuses in the lateral, third, and fourth ventricles produce the major
portion of CSF. The CSF protects the intracranial and spinal cord structures from jolts
and blows.
9. Which area of the brain is responsible for the reception and interpretation of
speech?
A. Broca area
B. Wernicke area
C. Primary motor area
D. Prefrontal area
B. Wernicke area
Wernicke area is responsible for reception and interpretation of speech.
10. The primary defect in Huntington disease involves severe degeneration of
which structures?
A. Dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra
B. Basal ganglia, particularly the caudate and putamen nuclei
, 4|Page
C. Myelinated fibers in the corticospinal tracts
D. Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system
B. Basal ganglia, particularly the caudate and putamen nuclei
The principal pathologic feature of Huntington disease is severe degeneration of the
basal ganglia, particularly the caudate and putamen nuclei and the frontal cerebral
cortex.
11. Which mechanism of heat loss refers to heat loss through electromagnetic
waves?
A. Conduction
B. Convection
C. Radiation
D. Vasodilation
C. Radiation
Radiation refers to heat loss through electromagnetic waves. These waves emanate
from surfaces with temperatures higher than the surrounding air temperature.
12. Which neurotransmitter is released by all preganglionic neurons of the
autonomic nervous system?
A. Norepinephrine
B. Acetylcholine
C. Dopamine
D. Serotonin
B. Acetylcholine
All preganglionic neurons in both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous
systems release acetylcholine as their neurotransmitter.
13. Autonomic hyperreflexia is most commonly triggered by which of the
following?
A. Painful stimuli above the level of the lesion
B. Distended bladder or bowel
C. Cold environment
D. Emotional stress
B. Distended bladder or bowel
The most common triggers for autonomic hyperreflexia are distended bladder (urinary
retention) or distended bowel (constipation/impaction).
14. Which fiber type is responsible for the "gate control theory" modulation of
pain through activation of inhibitory interneurons?
A. Unmyelinated C fibers
B. Lightly myelinated A-delta fibers
Advanced Pathophysiology NU 545 Exam
2 – Verified Q&A | University of South
Alabama
Master NU 545 Exam 2 with this focused Advanced
Pathophysiology study guide for University of South
Alabama. Covers neurologic system anatomy, brain
function, CSF circulation, Parkinson and Huntington
disease, pain pathways (A-delta, C, A-beta fibers, gate
control theory), temperature regulation, heat loss
mechanisms, and autonomic nervous system function.
Includes verified questions with detailed rationales and
page references. Instant PDF download for 2026/2027.
Ideal for exam review and clinical reasoning practice.
1. The prefrontal area of the brain is primarily responsible for which function?
A. Reception and interpretation of speech
B. Goal-oriented behavior and short-term memory
C. Programming motor movements
D. Maintaining balance and posture
B. Goal-oriented behavior and short-term memory
The prefrontal area is responsible for goal-oriented behavior (ability to concentrate),
short-term or recall memory, and the elaboration of thought and inhibition on the
limbic (emotional) areas of the CNS.
,2|Page
2. Which structure functions as a one-way valve to direct cerebrospinal fluid
(CSF) outflow into the blood?
A. Choroid plexus
B. Arachnoid villi
C. Circle of Willis
D. Subarachnoid space
B. Arachnoid villi
The arachnoid villi function as one-way valves directing CSF outflow into the blood but
preventing blood flow into the subarachnoid space.
3. Where is the primary defect in Parkinson disease located?
A. Severe degeneration of the basal ganglia, particularly the caudate and putamen
B. Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra
C. Demyelination of the corticospinal tracts
D. Ischemic injury to the middle cerebral artery
B. Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra
The main disease feature is degeneration of the basal ganglia involving the
dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway, with dysfunction of dopaminergic neurons in the
substantia nigra.
4. Which mechanism of heat loss involves the transfer of heat through currents
of gases or liquids?
A. Radiation
B. Conduction
C. Convection
D. Evaporation
C. Convection
Convection is the transfer of heat through currents of gases or liquids. It aids heat loss
through conduction by exchanging warmer air at the surface of the body with cooler
air in the surrounding space.
5. Broca area, located in the inferior frontal lobe, is important for which
function?
A. Reception and interpretation of speech
B. Speech and language processing
C. Visual association
D. Emotional responses
B. Speech and language processing
Broca area in the inferior frontal lobe is important for speech and language
processing.
,3|Page
6. Which type of nerve fiber transmits fast, sharp, and localized pain?
A. Unmyelinated C fibers
B. Myelinated A-delta fibers
C. Large myelinated A-beta fibers
D. Autonomic preganglionic B fibers
B. Myelinated A-delta fibers
Myelinated A-delta receptor transmission is fast and conveys mechanical and thermal
localized pain. C fibers are slower and convey diffuse burning and aching sensations.
7. What is the function of the cerebellum?
A. Regulation of body temperature
B. Motor control and maintaining balance and posture
C. Reception and interpretation of speech
D. Hormone synthesis
B. Motor control and maintaining balance and posture
The cerebellum is involved in motor control and maintaining balance and posture.
8. Where is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) produced?
A. Arachnoid villi
B. Choroid plexuses in the lateral, third, and fourth ventricles
C. Circle of Willis
D. Subarachnoid space
B. Choroid plexuses in the lateral, third, and fourth ventricles
The choroid plexuses in the lateral, third, and fourth ventricles produce the major
portion of CSF. The CSF protects the intracranial and spinal cord structures from jolts
and blows.
9. Which area of the brain is responsible for the reception and interpretation of
speech?
A. Broca area
B. Wernicke area
C. Primary motor area
D. Prefrontal area
B. Wernicke area
Wernicke area is responsible for reception and interpretation of speech.
10. The primary defect in Huntington disease involves severe degeneration of
which structures?
A. Dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra
B. Basal ganglia, particularly the caudate and putamen nuclei
, 4|Page
C. Myelinated fibers in the corticospinal tracts
D. Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system
B. Basal ganglia, particularly the caudate and putamen nuclei
The principal pathologic feature of Huntington disease is severe degeneration of the
basal ganglia, particularly the caudate and putamen nuclei and the frontal cerebral
cortex.
11. Which mechanism of heat loss refers to heat loss through electromagnetic
waves?
A. Conduction
B. Convection
C. Radiation
D. Vasodilation
C. Radiation
Radiation refers to heat loss through electromagnetic waves. These waves emanate
from surfaces with temperatures higher than the surrounding air temperature.
12. Which neurotransmitter is released by all preganglionic neurons of the
autonomic nervous system?
A. Norepinephrine
B. Acetylcholine
C. Dopamine
D. Serotonin
B. Acetylcholine
All preganglionic neurons in both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous
systems release acetylcholine as their neurotransmitter.
13. Autonomic hyperreflexia is most commonly triggered by which of the
following?
A. Painful stimuli above the level of the lesion
B. Distended bladder or bowel
C. Cold environment
D. Emotional stress
B. Distended bladder or bowel
The most common triggers for autonomic hyperreflexia are distended bladder (urinary
retention) or distended bowel (constipation/impaction).
14. Which fiber type is responsible for the "gate control theory" modulation of
pain through activation of inhibitory interneurons?
A. Unmyelinated C fibers
B. Lightly myelinated A-delta fibers
