Multiple Sclerosis Study Guide Questions and Answers

Multiple Sclerosis Study Guide Questions and Answers Multiple Sclerosis - Answer-An autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks the myelin sheath surrounding the nerves of the CNS Relapsing-Remitting MS - Answer-The most common type of MS. Characterized by a series of attacks followed by a partial or complete disappearance of symptoms. Symptoms of MS - Answer-Impaired motor skills, fatigue, dizziness, blurry vision, tingling, numbness, shuffling gait Why is MS hard to diagnose? - Answer-Plaques may not appear until the disease has progressed for some time, symptoms come and go and are often not specific to MS, patients usually wait till a lot later to go see the doctor Visual Field - Answer-The total area seen by the eye Visual Acuity - Answer-Measuring the smallest area read on a standard eye chart when standing at a predetermined distance CT scan - Answer-X-ray pictures that produce cross-sectional images of the body MRI scan - Answer-Images produced by magnetism and radio waves. More detailed than a CT Lumbar Puncture - Answer-Insertion of a needle into the spinal column to withdraw CSF fluid for testing. Proteins are elevated in the CSF in MS Evoked Potential - Answer-An evoked potentials test records the time it takes for a sensory stimulus to reach the brain. An EEG is done to show the brain waves, the stimuli will take a lot longer to travel in nerves where plaque has formed Steroids - Answer-Anti-inflammatory drugs are used to shorten the duration of acute attacks Beta Interferons - Answer-Drugs used to suppress the body's immune response to decrease the attack against myelin by slowing down the antibody production Components of the CNS - Answer-Brain, spinal cord Components of the PNS - Answer-Nerves and peripheral nervous tissue Function of a neuron - Answer-Conduct action potentials Division of nervous system affected by MS - Answer-Central Nervous System Parts of a neuron - Answer-Axon, cell body, dendrites Function of a myelin sheath - Answer-Increases the speed of an action potential PNS cells that produce myelin sheatths - Answer-Schwann Cells CNS cells that produce myelin sheaths - Answer-Oligodendrocytes Demyelination is caused by - Answer-The attack by the body's immune system with subsequent inflammation Which tests would be most helpful in diagnosing MS? - Answer-Evoked potential, Lumbar puncture, MRI Opthalmologist - Answer-Doctor that performs visual exam to assess problems with vision Neurologist - Answer-Doctor specializing in the neurological system that diagnoses and treats patients with MS Home Health Nurse - Answer-Provides skilled nursing care for patients in the home Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Answer-Assesses protein levels in the CSF Radiologist - Answer-Interprets MRI scan Radiology Technician - Answer-Performs imaging studies including CT and MRI scans Sensory function - Answer-Brings information into the body and to the brain Integrative function - Answer-The brain comes up with a response based on previous experience and information Motor function - Answer-The brain sends out of response to move a muscle, make a gland secrete hormones, etc Neuron - Answer-Electrically excitable cells in the nervous system that process and transmit information. Conducts action potential. Primary-Progressive MS - Answer-Steady worsening of neurologic functioning, without any distinct relapses or remission Why are the plaques not always seen in a patient with MS? - Answer-The disease may not have progressed enough for the plaques to have formed or if they have formed they may have healed some Astrocytes - Answer-Helps maintain the appropriate chemical environment Oligodendrocytes - Answer-Form a supporting network and produce myelin sheaths in the CNS Microglia - Answer-Protects the CNS cells from disease (phagocytes) Ependymal cells - Answer-Form CSF and aid in its circulation Schwann cells - Answer-Produce myelin sheaths in the PNS Satellite cells - Answer-Support the neurons in the PNS Function of the dendrites - Answer-Receives input from other neurons Function of the axon - Answer-Transmit electrical information to cells such as muscles, glands, and other neurons Brain - Answer-The largest part of the nervous system; housed within the cranium Cranial Nerves - Answer-Twelve pairs of nerves attached to the base of the brain Spinal Nerves - Answer-Thirty one pairs of nerves attached to the spinal cord Spinal Cord - Answer-Structure that extends inferiorly from foramen magnum within the vertebral canal Ganglia - Answer-Clusters of neuron cell bodies located outside the brain and spinal cord Enteric Plexuses - Answer-Network of neurons within walls of GI organs