NR 507 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS &
DETAILED CORRECT SOLUTIONS
body's process for adapting to high hormone level - correct answer ✔✔To adapt to high levels
of hormones, some cells have the capacity to decrease the number of receptors for that
hormone through the process of down-regulation.
Cushing's Syndrome - correct answer ✔✔excessive ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone)
production most commonly caused by an adrenal adenoma or a non-pituitary adenoma as is
often seen with lung cancer. Clinical signs and symptoms: weight gain and hyperpigmentation of
skin.
Lab results that point to PRIMARY hypothyroidism - correct answer ✔✔Low levels of thyroid
hormone (T3 and T4) and high levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), most commonly
caused by autoimmune thyroiditis.
Common causes of hypoparathyroidism - correct answer ✔✔parathyroid gland injury or
removal
pathophysiology of thyroid storm - correct answer ✔✔High levels of thyroid hormone in
conjunction with high levels of stress hormones lead to fever, tachycardia, and eventually high-
output heart failure if the condition is not treated.
signs of thyrotoxicosis - correct answer ✔✔Weight loss and enlarged thyroid gland are common
signs of hyperthyroidism in thyrotoxicosis.
diet and the prevention of prostate cancer - correct answer ✔✔some evidence suggests a low
fat diet, low dairy intake and increased fruit and veggie intake prevents prostate cancer
,Impact of Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) on the urinary system - correct answer
✔✔enlarged prostate can block urine flow through the urethra. Can cause urinary retention,
which can lead to UTI, kidney infections.
Dermatomes - correct answer ✔✔an area of skin in which sensory nerves derive from a single
spinal nerve root.
Each spinal nerve and their many processes are distributed to a specific area of the body.
Specific areas of cutaneous (skin) innervation at these spinal cord segments are called
dermatomes. The dermatomes of various spinal nerves are distributed in a fairly regular
pattern, although adjacent regions between dermatomes can be innervated by more than one
spinal nerve.
substance release at the synapse - correct answer ✔✔neurons form points of contact with
other neurons through synapse. Impulses transmitted through electric and chemical
conduction. Vesicles containing neurotransmitters release their contents into the synaptic cleft
and neurotransmitters diffuse across the cleft and bind to specific receptors on postsynaptic
neuron and trigger an action potential.
Common neurotransmitters include norepinephrine, acetylcholine, dopamine, histamine,
serotonin, glycine, endorphins.
Spondylolysis - correct answer ✔✔Structural defect (degeneration, fracture, or developmental
defect) in the pars interarticularis of the vertebral arch (the joining of the vertebral body to the
posterior structures). Most affected at L5 of lumbar spine. Mechanical pressure often causes
anterior displacement of the deficient vertebra (spondylolisthesis). Often hereditary; associated
with increased incidence of other congenital spine defects. Microfractures occur at site,
symptoms include lower back pain and lower limb pain.
Cervical spondylolysis is hypertrophy and disc degeneration with narrowing of cervical spine at
c5-c6 and c6-c7. Signs/symptoms include neck or occipital pain, pain in shoulder, scapula, or
arms. Sensory symptoms of numbness or tingling follow a dermatomal pattern; weakness
follows the pattern of innervation of the affected nerve root. Occipital or suboccipital headache
is another symptom. Can also cause difficulty walking, altered sensation in feet, and sphincter
disturbances (late sign).
,location of the motor and sensory areas of the brain - correct answer ✔✔frontal lobe-goal
oriented behavior, short term memory, elaboration of thought, and inhibition on the limbic
(emotional) areas of CNS
premotor area-programming motor movements
primary motor area in frontal lobe- forms primary voluntary motor area- electrical stimulation
of specific areas of this cortex causes specific muscles to move. Contains corticobulbar tract that
synapses in brainstems and provides voluntary control of neck and head muscles. Corticospinal
tracts descend into spinal cord and control muscles in the body. Cerebral impulses control
function on opposite sides of body-contralateral control.
Broca area- inferior frontal lobe; is for speech and language processing. Expressive aphasia or
dysphasia occurs when area is damaged.
Parietal lobe- major area for somatic sensory input, located along the postcentral gyrus, which is
adjacent to the primary motor area in the precentral gyrus. Communication between the two
areas is through association fibers. Involved in sensory association.
Occipital lobe- behind parietal lobe and above cerebellum. Primary visual cortex, receives input
from retinas
Temporal lobe- primary auditory cortex, also in memory consolidation and smell. Wenicke area-
sensory speech area; responsible for reception and interpretation of speech, can result in
receptive aphasia or dysphasia when damaged.
pathophysiology of cerebral infarction and excitotoxins - correct answer ✔✔occurs when area
of brain loses blood flow due to vascular occlusion. Ex-emboli or thrombi, gradual vessel
occlusion (atheroma), and stenosed vessels. Strokes are often cause of infarction related to
occlusions or hemorrhages, disrupting blood flow to parts of the brain. Cerebral thrombi and
cerebral emboli most often produce occlusions, but atherosclerosis and hypotension are
underlying process.
Can be either ischemic or hemorrhagic in nature. Ischemic causes affected area to become pale
and soft within 6-12 hours after occlusion. Necrosis, swelling and mushy degeneration after 48
to 72 hours. Then area is infiltrated with macrophages and phagocytosis of necrotic tissue,
leaving a cavity behind.
If occlusion of cerebral artery occurs, there is some vascular remodeling to maintain some blood
flow.
, Hemorrhagic infarcts are bleeding into infarcted area through leaking vessels when embolic
fragments resolve, and reperfusion begins to occur. Can be exacerbated by thrombotic therapy.
Excitotoxins- Ischemia damages the brain by triggering a cascade of biochemical events that
lead to neuronal and glial dysfunction and cell death. One major segment of this cascade
involves release of excitatory neurotransmitter amino acid, glutamate, which can over excite
and kill neurons in the vicinity.
agnosia - correct answer ✔✔failure to recognize form and nature of objects. Can be visual,
tactile, or auditory. Example-person may not be able to identify a safety pin by touching it with a
hand but can name it when looking at it. Produced by dysfunction in the primary sensory area
or interpretive areas of cerebral cortex (temporo-occipital area). Most often occurs with
Cerebrovascular accidents but can occur with pathologic processes that injures specific areas:
parietal lobe, temporo-occipital area, inferior occipital cortex in left hemisphere, right parietal
lobe, left parietotemporal region, superior temporal area, right superior temporal area.
accumulation of blood in a subarachnoid hemorrhage - correct answer ✔✔the escape of blood
from a defective or injured vasculature into subarachnoid space (bleeding into the space
between the brain and tissue covering brain). At risk people are intracranial aneurysm,
intracranial arteriovenous malformation, hypertension, family history of SAH, and those with
head injuries. Can reoccur, especially from a ruptured intracranial aneurysm. Also, heavy alcohol
use, tobacco use, anticoagulation use, and contraceptive use can cause SAH. Mortality is about
50%, one third of survivors require dependent care.
Caused by blood into subarachnoid space and blood increases intracranial volume, irritates the
meningeal and other neural tissues, and causes an inflammatory reaction. Also blood coats
nerve roots, clogs arachnoid granulations (impairing CSF reabsorption), and clogs foramina
within ventricular system (impairing CSF circulation). Intracranial pressure increases. Expanding
hematoma acts like a space-occupying lesion, compressing and displacing brain tissue with
increased ICP, decreased cerebral perfusion pressures, decreased cerebral blood flow, blood-
brain barrier breakdown, brain edema, inflammation, and cell death.
s/s severe headache, changes in mental status or level of consciousness, nausea or vomiting,
neuro deficits. Meningeal irritation and inflammation occur and cause neck stiffness (nuchal
rigidity), photophobia, blurred vision, irritability, restlessness, positive Kernig sign and
Brudzinski signs.
DETAILED CORRECT SOLUTIONS
body's process for adapting to high hormone level - correct answer ✔✔To adapt to high levels
of hormones, some cells have the capacity to decrease the number of receptors for that
hormone through the process of down-regulation.
Cushing's Syndrome - correct answer ✔✔excessive ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone)
production most commonly caused by an adrenal adenoma or a non-pituitary adenoma as is
often seen with lung cancer. Clinical signs and symptoms: weight gain and hyperpigmentation of
skin.
Lab results that point to PRIMARY hypothyroidism - correct answer ✔✔Low levels of thyroid
hormone (T3 and T4) and high levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), most commonly
caused by autoimmune thyroiditis.
Common causes of hypoparathyroidism - correct answer ✔✔parathyroid gland injury or
removal
pathophysiology of thyroid storm - correct answer ✔✔High levels of thyroid hormone in
conjunction with high levels of stress hormones lead to fever, tachycardia, and eventually high-
output heart failure if the condition is not treated.
signs of thyrotoxicosis - correct answer ✔✔Weight loss and enlarged thyroid gland are common
signs of hyperthyroidism in thyrotoxicosis.
diet and the prevention of prostate cancer - correct answer ✔✔some evidence suggests a low
fat diet, low dairy intake and increased fruit and veggie intake prevents prostate cancer
,Impact of Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) on the urinary system - correct answer
✔✔enlarged prostate can block urine flow through the urethra. Can cause urinary retention,
which can lead to UTI, kidney infections.
Dermatomes - correct answer ✔✔an area of skin in which sensory nerves derive from a single
spinal nerve root.
Each spinal nerve and their many processes are distributed to a specific area of the body.
Specific areas of cutaneous (skin) innervation at these spinal cord segments are called
dermatomes. The dermatomes of various spinal nerves are distributed in a fairly regular
pattern, although adjacent regions between dermatomes can be innervated by more than one
spinal nerve.
substance release at the synapse - correct answer ✔✔neurons form points of contact with
other neurons through synapse. Impulses transmitted through electric and chemical
conduction. Vesicles containing neurotransmitters release their contents into the synaptic cleft
and neurotransmitters diffuse across the cleft and bind to specific receptors on postsynaptic
neuron and trigger an action potential.
Common neurotransmitters include norepinephrine, acetylcholine, dopamine, histamine,
serotonin, glycine, endorphins.
Spondylolysis - correct answer ✔✔Structural defect (degeneration, fracture, or developmental
defect) in the pars interarticularis of the vertebral arch (the joining of the vertebral body to the
posterior structures). Most affected at L5 of lumbar spine. Mechanical pressure often causes
anterior displacement of the deficient vertebra (spondylolisthesis). Often hereditary; associated
with increased incidence of other congenital spine defects. Microfractures occur at site,
symptoms include lower back pain and lower limb pain.
Cervical spondylolysis is hypertrophy and disc degeneration with narrowing of cervical spine at
c5-c6 and c6-c7. Signs/symptoms include neck or occipital pain, pain in shoulder, scapula, or
arms. Sensory symptoms of numbness or tingling follow a dermatomal pattern; weakness
follows the pattern of innervation of the affected nerve root. Occipital or suboccipital headache
is another symptom. Can also cause difficulty walking, altered sensation in feet, and sphincter
disturbances (late sign).
,location of the motor and sensory areas of the brain - correct answer ✔✔frontal lobe-goal
oriented behavior, short term memory, elaboration of thought, and inhibition on the limbic
(emotional) areas of CNS
premotor area-programming motor movements
primary motor area in frontal lobe- forms primary voluntary motor area- electrical stimulation
of specific areas of this cortex causes specific muscles to move. Contains corticobulbar tract that
synapses in brainstems and provides voluntary control of neck and head muscles. Corticospinal
tracts descend into spinal cord and control muscles in the body. Cerebral impulses control
function on opposite sides of body-contralateral control.
Broca area- inferior frontal lobe; is for speech and language processing. Expressive aphasia or
dysphasia occurs when area is damaged.
Parietal lobe- major area for somatic sensory input, located along the postcentral gyrus, which is
adjacent to the primary motor area in the precentral gyrus. Communication between the two
areas is through association fibers. Involved in sensory association.
Occipital lobe- behind parietal lobe and above cerebellum. Primary visual cortex, receives input
from retinas
Temporal lobe- primary auditory cortex, also in memory consolidation and smell. Wenicke area-
sensory speech area; responsible for reception and interpretation of speech, can result in
receptive aphasia or dysphasia when damaged.
pathophysiology of cerebral infarction and excitotoxins - correct answer ✔✔occurs when area
of brain loses blood flow due to vascular occlusion. Ex-emboli or thrombi, gradual vessel
occlusion (atheroma), and stenosed vessels. Strokes are often cause of infarction related to
occlusions or hemorrhages, disrupting blood flow to parts of the brain. Cerebral thrombi and
cerebral emboli most often produce occlusions, but atherosclerosis and hypotension are
underlying process.
Can be either ischemic or hemorrhagic in nature. Ischemic causes affected area to become pale
and soft within 6-12 hours after occlusion. Necrosis, swelling and mushy degeneration after 48
to 72 hours. Then area is infiltrated with macrophages and phagocytosis of necrotic tissue,
leaving a cavity behind.
If occlusion of cerebral artery occurs, there is some vascular remodeling to maintain some blood
flow.
, Hemorrhagic infarcts are bleeding into infarcted area through leaking vessels when embolic
fragments resolve, and reperfusion begins to occur. Can be exacerbated by thrombotic therapy.
Excitotoxins- Ischemia damages the brain by triggering a cascade of biochemical events that
lead to neuronal and glial dysfunction and cell death. One major segment of this cascade
involves release of excitatory neurotransmitter amino acid, glutamate, which can over excite
and kill neurons in the vicinity.
agnosia - correct answer ✔✔failure to recognize form and nature of objects. Can be visual,
tactile, or auditory. Example-person may not be able to identify a safety pin by touching it with a
hand but can name it when looking at it. Produced by dysfunction in the primary sensory area
or interpretive areas of cerebral cortex (temporo-occipital area). Most often occurs with
Cerebrovascular accidents but can occur with pathologic processes that injures specific areas:
parietal lobe, temporo-occipital area, inferior occipital cortex in left hemisphere, right parietal
lobe, left parietotemporal region, superior temporal area, right superior temporal area.
accumulation of blood in a subarachnoid hemorrhage - correct answer ✔✔the escape of blood
from a defective or injured vasculature into subarachnoid space (bleeding into the space
between the brain and tissue covering brain). At risk people are intracranial aneurysm,
intracranial arteriovenous malformation, hypertension, family history of SAH, and those with
head injuries. Can reoccur, especially from a ruptured intracranial aneurysm. Also, heavy alcohol
use, tobacco use, anticoagulation use, and contraceptive use can cause SAH. Mortality is about
50%, one third of survivors require dependent care.
Caused by blood into subarachnoid space and blood increases intracranial volume, irritates the
meningeal and other neural tissues, and causes an inflammatory reaction. Also blood coats
nerve roots, clogs arachnoid granulations (impairing CSF reabsorption), and clogs foramina
within ventricular system (impairing CSF circulation). Intracranial pressure increases. Expanding
hematoma acts like a space-occupying lesion, compressing and displacing brain tissue with
increased ICP, decreased cerebral perfusion pressures, decreased cerebral blood flow, blood-
brain barrier breakdown, brain edema, inflammation, and cell death.
s/s severe headache, changes in mental status or level of consciousness, nausea or vomiting,
neuro deficits. Meningeal irritation and inflammation occur and cause neck stiffness (nuchal
rigidity), photophobia, blurred vision, irritability, restlessness, positive Kernig sign and
Brudzinski signs.
