NUR 317 NEURO 2026/2027 – QUESTIONS, STUDY GUIDE &
PRACTICE REVIEW
what is the primary functional unit of the nervous system - Correct answer ✔✔ neuron (non-
mitotic)
afferent vs. efferent pathways - Correct answer ✔✔ afferent- to the brain
efferent- away from the brain
upper motor vs. lower motor - Correct answer ✔✔ upper motor- completely contained within
CNS, role is influencing and modifying reflex arcs in circuits (spasticity)
lower motor- cell bodies in spinal cord and out of CNS, directly innervate skeletal muscle
synapse (paralysis and paresis)
how does cerebral circulation differ from the rest of the body - Correct answer ✔✔ recieves 15-
20% of CO, arteries have thin walls and veins have even thinner walls, no valves, does not
retrace path of corresponding arteries
differentiate between the layers of meninges - Correct answer ✔✔ pia matter- mesh-like, serves
as supporting structure, part of blood brain barrier, innermost
arachnoid- extremely thing connective tissue and loosely encloses subarachnoid space
dura matter- tough, non-stretchable, periosteum and plates to seperate hemispheres
what is the role of CSF - Correct answer ✔✔ absorbs shock, cushions, and prevents tugging on
meninges, roots, and blood vessels
produced in choroid plexus
third circulation
, what is the role of blood-brain barrier - Correct answer ✔✔ maintain optimal stable chemical
environment for the neuron, be a barrier for protection by keeping organisms out of brain
what does medication need to do to cross blood brain barrier - Correct answer ✔✔ lipid-soluble
what is the primary use of neurologic assessment - Correct answer ✔✔ used to establish
functional baseline
what is the most critical clinical index of nervous system function - Correct answer ✔✔ LOC
what is the MMSE - Correct answer ✔✔ mini mental status exam
cranial nerves - Correct answer ✔✔ I- olfactory (smell)
II- optic (vision)
III- oculomotor (eye movement)
IV- trochlear (turn eye)
V- trigeminal (face sensation, mastication)
VI- abducens (abducts eyes)
VII- facial (facial expression)
VIII- vestibulocochlear (hearing, balance)
IX- glossopharyngeal (taste, gag)
X- vagus (gag)
XI- accessory (shoulder shrug)
XII-hypoglossal (swallowing, speech)
decortication vs. decerberation - Correct answer ✔✔ decort- flexed
decerb- extended
PRACTICE REVIEW
what is the primary functional unit of the nervous system - Correct answer ✔✔ neuron (non-
mitotic)
afferent vs. efferent pathways - Correct answer ✔✔ afferent- to the brain
efferent- away from the brain
upper motor vs. lower motor - Correct answer ✔✔ upper motor- completely contained within
CNS, role is influencing and modifying reflex arcs in circuits (spasticity)
lower motor- cell bodies in spinal cord and out of CNS, directly innervate skeletal muscle
synapse (paralysis and paresis)
how does cerebral circulation differ from the rest of the body - Correct answer ✔✔ recieves 15-
20% of CO, arteries have thin walls and veins have even thinner walls, no valves, does not
retrace path of corresponding arteries
differentiate between the layers of meninges - Correct answer ✔✔ pia matter- mesh-like, serves
as supporting structure, part of blood brain barrier, innermost
arachnoid- extremely thing connective tissue and loosely encloses subarachnoid space
dura matter- tough, non-stretchable, periosteum and plates to seperate hemispheres
what is the role of CSF - Correct answer ✔✔ absorbs shock, cushions, and prevents tugging on
meninges, roots, and blood vessels
produced in choroid plexus
third circulation
, what is the role of blood-brain barrier - Correct answer ✔✔ maintain optimal stable chemical
environment for the neuron, be a barrier for protection by keeping organisms out of brain
what does medication need to do to cross blood brain barrier - Correct answer ✔✔ lipid-soluble
what is the primary use of neurologic assessment - Correct answer ✔✔ used to establish
functional baseline
what is the most critical clinical index of nervous system function - Correct answer ✔✔ LOC
what is the MMSE - Correct answer ✔✔ mini mental status exam
cranial nerves - Correct answer ✔✔ I- olfactory (smell)
II- optic (vision)
III- oculomotor (eye movement)
IV- trochlear (turn eye)
V- trigeminal (face sensation, mastication)
VI- abducens (abducts eyes)
VII- facial (facial expression)
VIII- vestibulocochlear (hearing, balance)
IX- glossopharyngeal (taste, gag)
X- vagus (gag)
XI- accessory (shoulder shrug)
XII-hypoglossal (swallowing, speech)
decortication vs. decerberation - Correct answer ✔✔ decort- flexed
decerb- extended
