NU 300 EXAM 8: PROBLEMS WITH NERVOUS SYSTEM AND SKIN |
COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
central nervous system - ANS ✔✔brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system - ANS ✔✔12 pairs of cranial nerves
31 spinal nerves
Lobes of the brain - ANS ✔✔*table 41-1: each lobe function*
frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal
circulation in brain - ANS ✔✔Circle of Willis: arteries come together to supply blood to the brain
Blood Brain Barrier:
protective mechanism for CNS
tight junction in CNS "holding hands and not letting certain things in that would be damaging to the
nervous system"
in certain conditions the BBB becomes compromised and become susceptible to infection
spinal cord - ANS ✔✔grey matter is neurons
Ends at L1 or L2
lumbar puncture or spinal tap is below that to prevent paralysis
white matter
myelinated columns and tracts
peripheral nervous system - ANS ✔✔*table 41-3: cranial nerves*
autonomic nervous system - ANS ✔✔Sympathetic
speeds up "fight or flight"
Parasympathetic
slow body functions
Neuro changes with Aging - ANS ✔✔*chart 41-1*
*chart 41-2*
MOTOR
Slower movement: take your time, be patient
SENSORY
Decreased pupil size: need lights on to guide pathway for walking
Decreased touch sensation: good shoes, shift weight q 15 minutes while sitting in chair
*Prevent falls*
COGNITIVE
, Intellect DOES NOT decline
Processing time is slower
Long term memory better than short term: repetition and teaching aids (clock)
Go to bed early and wake up early: adjust bathing schedules
*Change in mental status is KEY sign for infection*
complete neuro assessment - ANS ✔✔LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS
*change in LOC is FIRST indication neuro status has changed*
lethargic: tired, easily aroused
stuporous: difficult to arouse
comatose: cannot wake them up
MEMORY AND ATTENTION
Long-term, recall, immediate
JUDGEMENT
"A rolling stone gathers no moss means?"
"what would you do if there was a fire in the garbage can?"
ASSESSMENT OF CRANIAL NERVES
SENSORY FUNCTION
Pain and light touch
Sharp and dull sensation
Temperature
Stereognosis: put object in hand and tell pt to identify it
Graphesthesia: drawing something on pt and letting them identify it
MOTOR
strength
CEREBELLAR FUNCTION
gait
romberg test for balance
REFLEX ACTIVITY
Babinski's sign
RAPID NEURO ASSESSMENT
LOC
Orientation to place, time, person
Movement
Pupil size and reaction to light
glascow coma scale - ANS ✔✔EYE OPENING
4 - spontaneous
3 - open to speech
2 - open to pain
1 - no response
VERBAL
5 - alert and oriented
4 - disoriented conversation
3 - inappropriate words
COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
central nervous system - ANS ✔✔brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system - ANS ✔✔12 pairs of cranial nerves
31 spinal nerves
Lobes of the brain - ANS ✔✔*table 41-1: each lobe function*
frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal
circulation in brain - ANS ✔✔Circle of Willis: arteries come together to supply blood to the brain
Blood Brain Barrier:
protective mechanism for CNS
tight junction in CNS "holding hands and not letting certain things in that would be damaging to the
nervous system"
in certain conditions the BBB becomes compromised and become susceptible to infection
spinal cord - ANS ✔✔grey matter is neurons
Ends at L1 or L2
lumbar puncture or spinal tap is below that to prevent paralysis
white matter
myelinated columns and tracts
peripheral nervous system - ANS ✔✔*table 41-3: cranial nerves*
autonomic nervous system - ANS ✔✔Sympathetic
speeds up "fight or flight"
Parasympathetic
slow body functions
Neuro changes with Aging - ANS ✔✔*chart 41-1*
*chart 41-2*
MOTOR
Slower movement: take your time, be patient
SENSORY
Decreased pupil size: need lights on to guide pathway for walking
Decreased touch sensation: good shoes, shift weight q 15 minutes while sitting in chair
*Prevent falls*
COGNITIVE
, Intellect DOES NOT decline
Processing time is slower
Long term memory better than short term: repetition and teaching aids (clock)
Go to bed early and wake up early: adjust bathing schedules
*Change in mental status is KEY sign for infection*
complete neuro assessment - ANS ✔✔LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS
*change in LOC is FIRST indication neuro status has changed*
lethargic: tired, easily aroused
stuporous: difficult to arouse
comatose: cannot wake them up
MEMORY AND ATTENTION
Long-term, recall, immediate
JUDGEMENT
"A rolling stone gathers no moss means?"
"what would you do if there was a fire in the garbage can?"
ASSESSMENT OF CRANIAL NERVES
SENSORY FUNCTION
Pain and light touch
Sharp and dull sensation
Temperature
Stereognosis: put object in hand and tell pt to identify it
Graphesthesia: drawing something on pt and letting them identify it
MOTOR
strength
CEREBELLAR FUNCTION
gait
romberg test for balance
REFLEX ACTIVITY
Babinski's sign
RAPID NEURO ASSESSMENT
LOC
Orientation to place, time, person
Movement
Pupil size and reaction to light
glascow coma scale - ANS ✔✔EYE OPENING
4 - spontaneous
3 - open to speech
2 - open to pain
1 - no response
VERBAL
5 - alert and oriented
4 - disoriented conversation
3 - inappropriate words
