Pathophysiology module 4 Exam Questions and Answers Latest Update (2025-2026)
List, in order, the brain coverings and spaces with their contents, from the brain tissue outward -
Answers We have the brain, pia mater with small blood vessels, subarachnoid space containing
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with major blood vessels, arachnoid mater, subdural space (normally empty
and potential fill with blood after an injury), dura mater containing dural sinuses with venous blood, and
finally the skull.
Explain the effect of the production of more CSF than can be reabsorbed. - Answers 1.The amount that
is not reabsorbed increases pressure on the brain, spinal cord, and cerebral blood vessels. Refer to
picture: The brain has no extra space to expand and to accommodate excessive CSF.
Predict the effects of brain damage in the prefrontal cortex, the left frontal lobe, the cerebellum, and
the hypothalamus. - Answers 1.Prefrontal cortex: loss in the coordination of complex cognitive
behaviors, personality changes, and affect impulse control and social relationships.
2.Left frontal lobe: loss of voluntary movement or paralysis on the right side of the body, loss of
intellectual function and problem-solving ability, change I personality, and impaired ability to
communicate verbally or through writing.
3.Cerebellum: loss of balance and equilibrium, coordination, and control of fine movements.
4.Hypothalamus: impaired control of autonomic nervous system (ANS), endocrine dysfunction, fluid
imbalance, change in appetite, and loss of stress response. Without the hypothalamus functioning
properly, the body is in critical danger of maintaining homeostasis.
Explain the function of the circle of Willis - Answers The circle of Willis provides an anastomosis between
the basilar artery and internal carotids, and alternative blood supply in case of obstruction.
What is an anastomosis? An anastomosis is a connection or opening between two things that are
normally diverging or branching, such as between blood vessels, leaf veins, or streams.
Where is this structure located on the picture?
Feel of your carotid arteries one at a time that is blood flow from the heart to your brain and that is
because of the circle of Willis.
Explain how a lack of glucose or oxygen will affect brain function - Answers The brain cells will cease to
function and die quickly. The brain cells require a constant blood flow to deliver glucose (sugar) and
oxygen to maintain normal levels. There is little storage capacity for oxygen and glucose, and only
glucose can be used by brain cells.
, What are the different types of fibers and the functions of cranial nerves II, III, IX? Describe the effects of
damage to each - Answers Cranial nerve II is optic nerve- sensory and afferent for vision; damage causes
blindness.
Cranial nerve III is oculomotor nerve- motor and efferent to four extraocular muscles, upper eyelid, and
PNS; efferent fibers to the iris to constrict the pupil; damage causes loss of coordination in extraocular
muscles, droopy eyelid, and failure to respond to light.
Cranial nerve IX is glossopharyngeal nerve- Sensory and motor fibers, afferent for taste, gag reflex,
efferent to parotid gland and some muscles for swallowing; damage may impair gag reflex, salivation,
and swallowing.
Describe a dermatome and its purpose - Answers A dermatome is an area of sensory innervation in the
skin supplied by a specific spinal nerve, used to assess the level and extent of spinal cord damage. So, for
example, a roofer comes into the ED for falling off the rook of a two-story house. The provider will
assess the for spinal cord injury based of the dermatome map that is located on p361.
Explain how the PNS and SNS affect cardiovascular activity and blood pressure - Answers PNS- decreases
the heart rate
SNS- increases the heart rate and contractility, vasoconstriction, and blood pressure.
Some people use the example of a bear chasing you. For me, I think of when I am working at the hospital
and someone is going into cardiac arrest and my sympathetic nervous system kicks into gear. My HR and
BP increases because of the release of neurotransmitters norepinephrine and epinephrine to
vasoconstrict my blood vessels and vasodilate the smooth muscles in my lungs for me to take in more
oxygen. All of this occurs so I can respond quickly and be more aware of the situation.
What 3 activities are assessed to determine level of consciousness using the Glasgow Coma Scale? -
Answers 15 is the max and is the best response. So, all of us should have a score of 15. However, if an
injury occurs such as from a car accident, drowning, or contact sports could lead to a slight decrease to a
drastic decrease in LOC and the person is unresponsive. Eye-opening, motor response, and verbal
response.
Describe the effects on motor function of damage to the lateral surface of the frontal lobe. - Answers
Damage to the lateral surface of the frontal lobe would result in paralysis of the face, hand, and arm;
and perhaps the upper trunk, contralateral to the site of the lesion.
Describe the characteristics of expressive aphasia and state the usual location of the damage. - Answers
It is characterized by an inability to produce appropriate written or spoken language. The lesion is in the
Broca area in the left frontal lobe.
What is the pathophysiology of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) caused by a thrombus? - Answers
Occlusion of an artery supplying the brain by atherosclerotic plaque, an atheroma. Blood flow is
impeded by this occlusion.
List, in order, the brain coverings and spaces with their contents, from the brain tissue outward -
Answers We have the brain, pia mater with small blood vessels, subarachnoid space containing
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with major blood vessels, arachnoid mater, subdural space (normally empty
and potential fill with blood after an injury), dura mater containing dural sinuses with venous blood, and
finally the skull.
Explain the effect of the production of more CSF than can be reabsorbed. - Answers 1.The amount that
is not reabsorbed increases pressure on the brain, spinal cord, and cerebral blood vessels. Refer to
picture: The brain has no extra space to expand and to accommodate excessive CSF.
Predict the effects of brain damage in the prefrontal cortex, the left frontal lobe, the cerebellum, and
the hypothalamus. - Answers 1.Prefrontal cortex: loss in the coordination of complex cognitive
behaviors, personality changes, and affect impulse control and social relationships.
2.Left frontal lobe: loss of voluntary movement or paralysis on the right side of the body, loss of
intellectual function and problem-solving ability, change I personality, and impaired ability to
communicate verbally or through writing.
3.Cerebellum: loss of balance and equilibrium, coordination, and control of fine movements.
4.Hypothalamus: impaired control of autonomic nervous system (ANS), endocrine dysfunction, fluid
imbalance, change in appetite, and loss of stress response. Without the hypothalamus functioning
properly, the body is in critical danger of maintaining homeostasis.
Explain the function of the circle of Willis - Answers The circle of Willis provides an anastomosis between
the basilar artery and internal carotids, and alternative blood supply in case of obstruction.
What is an anastomosis? An anastomosis is a connection or opening between two things that are
normally diverging or branching, such as between blood vessels, leaf veins, or streams.
Where is this structure located on the picture?
Feel of your carotid arteries one at a time that is blood flow from the heart to your brain and that is
because of the circle of Willis.
Explain how a lack of glucose or oxygen will affect brain function - Answers The brain cells will cease to
function and die quickly. The brain cells require a constant blood flow to deliver glucose (sugar) and
oxygen to maintain normal levels. There is little storage capacity for oxygen and glucose, and only
glucose can be used by brain cells.
, What are the different types of fibers and the functions of cranial nerves II, III, IX? Describe the effects of
damage to each - Answers Cranial nerve II is optic nerve- sensory and afferent for vision; damage causes
blindness.
Cranial nerve III is oculomotor nerve- motor and efferent to four extraocular muscles, upper eyelid, and
PNS; efferent fibers to the iris to constrict the pupil; damage causes loss of coordination in extraocular
muscles, droopy eyelid, and failure to respond to light.
Cranial nerve IX is glossopharyngeal nerve- Sensory and motor fibers, afferent for taste, gag reflex,
efferent to parotid gland and some muscles for swallowing; damage may impair gag reflex, salivation,
and swallowing.
Describe a dermatome and its purpose - Answers A dermatome is an area of sensory innervation in the
skin supplied by a specific spinal nerve, used to assess the level and extent of spinal cord damage. So, for
example, a roofer comes into the ED for falling off the rook of a two-story house. The provider will
assess the for spinal cord injury based of the dermatome map that is located on p361.
Explain how the PNS and SNS affect cardiovascular activity and blood pressure - Answers PNS- decreases
the heart rate
SNS- increases the heart rate and contractility, vasoconstriction, and blood pressure.
Some people use the example of a bear chasing you. For me, I think of when I am working at the hospital
and someone is going into cardiac arrest and my sympathetic nervous system kicks into gear. My HR and
BP increases because of the release of neurotransmitters norepinephrine and epinephrine to
vasoconstrict my blood vessels and vasodilate the smooth muscles in my lungs for me to take in more
oxygen. All of this occurs so I can respond quickly and be more aware of the situation.
What 3 activities are assessed to determine level of consciousness using the Glasgow Coma Scale? -
Answers 15 is the max and is the best response. So, all of us should have a score of 15. However, if an
injury occurs such as from a car accident, drowning, or contact sports could lead to a slight decrease to a
drastic decrease in LOC and the person is unresponsive. Eye-opening, motor response, and verbal
response.
Describe the effects on motor function of damage to the lateral surface of the frontal lobe. - Answers
Damage to the lateral surface of the frontal lobe would result in paralysis of the face, hand, and arm;
and perhaps the upper trunk, contralateral to the site of the lesion.
Describe the characteristics of expressive aphasia and state the usual location of the damage. - Answers
It is characterized by an inability to produce appropriate written or spoken language. The lesion is in the
Broca area in the left frontal lobe.
What is the pathophysiology of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) caused by a thrombus? - Answers
Occlusion of an artery supplying the brain by atherosclerotic plaque, an atheroma. Blood flow is
impeded by this occlusion.
