,NU 545 Physio-Pathological Basis of Advanced
Nursing Unit 2 Exam Study Guide University of
South Alabama Exam Prep & 100 Q&A MCQs
2026/2027
1. A graduate nursing student is reviewing the anatomy of the brain. Which portion is primarily
responsible for goal-oriented behavior, short-term memory, and the elaboration of thought?
A. Cerebellum
B. Prefrontal lobe
C. Primary motor area
D. Broca area
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The prefrontal lobe is responsible for goal-oriented behavior, short-term or recall
memory, concentration, and the elaboration of thought. It also exerts inhibitory control over the
limbic (emotional) areas of the CNS. The cerebellum maintains balance and posture, the
primary motor area controls voluntary movement, and Broca's area is important for motor
speech.
2. A patient with a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) has difficulty forming words and speaking
fluently but understands language. Damage to which area is most likely responsible?
A. Wernicke area
,B. Broca area
C. Prefrontal lobe
D. Primary motor area
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Broca's area (Brodmann areas 44, 45) is important for motor speech and language
processing. Damage to this area results in expressive aphasia or dysphasia—the inability to form
words despite intact comprehension. Wernicke's area is responsible for reception and
interpretation of sensory speech; damage there causes receptive aphasia.
3. A patient is unable to understand spoken language or produce meaningful speech, although
speech production is fluent. Which area is most likely damaged?
A. Broca area
B. Wernicke area
C. Prefrontal lobe
D. Primary auditory cortex
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Wernicke's area (Brodmann area 22) is responsible for reception and interpretation
of sensory speech. Damage results in receptive aphasia or dysphasia, characterized by impaired
comprehension and the production of fluent but meaningless speech (word salad). Broca's area
is responsible for motor speech.
, 4. Which brain structure is primarily responsible for maintaining balance and posture?
A. Cerebrum
B. Cerebellum
C. Brainstem
D. Diencephalon
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The cerebellum is responsible for motor control, balance, and posture. It coordinates
voluntary movements and maintains equilibrium. The cerebrum is responsible for higher
cognitive functions, the brainstem regulates vital functions, and the diencephalon includes the
thalamus and hypothalamus.
5. The reticular formation, also known as the reticular activating system (RAS), is essential for
maintaining wakefulness and attention. In which part of the brain is it located?
A. Cerebellum
B. Brainstem
C. Cerebrum
D. Diencephalon
Correct Answer: B
Nursing Unit 2 Exam Study Guide University of
South Alabama Exam Prep & 100 Q&A MCQs
2026/2027
1. A graduate nursing student is reviewing the anatomy of the brain. Which portion is primarily
responsible for goal-oriented behavior, short-term memory, and the elaboration of thought?
A. Cerebellum
B. Prefrontal lobe
C. Primary motor area
D. Broca area
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The prefrontal lobe is responsible for goal-oriented behavior, short-term or recall
memory, concentration, and the elaboration of thought. It also exerts inhibitory control over the
limbic (emotional) areas of the CNS. The cerebellum maintains balance and posture, the
primary motor area controls voluntary movement, and Broca's area is important for motor
speech.
2. A patient with a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) has difficulty forming words and speaking
fluently but understands language. Damage to which area is most likely responsible?
A. Wernicke area
,B. Broca area
C. Prefrontal lobe
D. Primary motor area
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Broca's area (Brodmann areas 44, 45) is important for motor speech and language
processing. Damage to this area results in expressive aphasia or dysphasia—the inability to form
words despite intact comprehension. Wernicke's area is responsible for reception and
interpretation of sensory speech; damage there causes receptive aphasia.
3. A patient is unable to understand spoken language or produce meaningful speech, although
speech production is fluent. Which area is most likely damaged?
A. Broca area
B. Wernicke area
C. Prefrontal lobe
D. Primary auditory cortex
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Wernicke's area (Brodmann area 22) is responsible for reception and interpretation
of sensory speech. Damage results in receptive aphasia or dysphasia, characterized by impaired
comprehension and the production of fluent but meaningless speech (word salad). Broca's area
is responsible for motor speech.
, 4. Which brain structure is primarily responsible for maintaining balance and posture?
A. Cerebrum
B. Cerebellum
C. Brainstem
D. Diencephalon
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The cerebellum is responsible for motor control, balance, and posture. It coordinates
voluntary movements and maintains equilibrium. The cerebrum is responsible for higher
cognitive functions, the brainstem regulates vital functions, and the diencephalon includes the
thalamus and hypothalamus.
5. The reticular formation, also known as the reticular activating system (RAS), is essential for
maintaining wakefulness and attention. In which part of the brain is it located?
A. Cerebellum
B. Brainstem
C. Cerebrum
D. Diencephalon
Correct Answer: B
