NURS 331 Final Exam Questions And 100%
Correct Answers
What does the brain do? ANSWER Make decisions, interact with senses, control internal
organs ANS, transmit electrical & chemical signals between brain, tissues, and organs
What are the two different types of nervous systems in the body? ANSWER Central
nervous system and peripheral nervous system
What does the central nervous system include? ANSWER spinal cord, brain stem, brain
What does the peripheral nervous system consists of? ANSWER cranial nerves, spinal
nerves, somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system
What is the structure of a neuron? ANSWER Dendrites - receives electrical impulses
Cell body - contains ribosomes for the production of neurotransmitters
Axon (hillock) - Myelinated and transmits electrical impulses away from cell body.
Myelin - increases the velocity of transmission quicker transmission
Synapses - area between neurons where neurotransmitters exist
What is the function of the neuron? -ANSWER Detects environmental changes, transmits
information and stimulates body responses
What does a neuron need to function? -ANSWER/GLUCOSE/: needs constant supply to
function properly, w/o pt could seize/die
-Oxygen/blood
,What are the different type of neuroglia and what is each of their functions? -ANSWER
Astrocytes: regulate blood vessels (vasoconstrict/dilate), process information, memory,
synaptic function
Oligodendrocytes: myelin sheath in CNS
Microglia: phagocytosis cleaners
Schwann cells: myelin sheath
Nonmyelinating Schwann cells: metabolic support
Ependymal: lining ventricles where CSF is produced
If a nerve is severedwhat happens? - ANSWER nerve cells do not divide, highly likely
that there is permanent loss of function
regeneration is dependent on location of damage, inflammatory responses, and
scarring that blocks transmission
Crush injuries fare better than severed if the crush is alleviated there is a possibility that
the patient can regain functioning
How do neurons communicate with each other? - ANSWER the sending neuron releases
neurotransmitters across a synapse to the receiving neuron
neurotransmitters bind to receptor sites in adjacent neurons to communicate
Action potential must be achieved before message is sent
Which of the following is a structure that would be found in the forebrain? - ANSWER
cerebral cortex & limbic system of thalamus, hypothalamus
Which of the following would be located in the midbrain? - ANSWER red nucleus
contains sensory info, cerebral aqueduct houses CNS fluids
Which of the following would you expect to find in the hindbrain? - ANSWER cerebellum
maintains balance, pons maintains sleep/arousal, medulla oblongata maintains
breathing
, What is the name of the Reticular activating system (RAS)? - ANSWER located deep in
the hindbrain
CNS activity, function is necessary for consciousness/ awareness
How much blood goes to the brain? - ANSWER 20% of total cardiac output
900 mL blood per min
What is the blood brain barrier (BBB)? - ANSWER the semipermeable membrane the
helps maintain a stable environment in the CNS
selectively inhibits
Lipid-soluable medications can cross the BBB, important to understand when selecting
different medications
What is the circle of Willis? -ANSWER a circle of arteries that supplies blood to the brain
and surrounding structures
Describe the three stages of neuronal conduction. -ANSWER Resting: membrane
polarized yet no electrical activity; Na outside the axon, K inside the axon
Depolarization: Na+ channels open allowing rapid inflow of ions generating an impulse,
stimulus is applied and action potential is reached
Repolarization: membrane permeable to K+ = efflux and return to resting
Describe the process by which neurons communicate and transmit signals. -ANSWER
Presynaptic neuron produces and stores messenger chemicals (neurotransmitters)
Neurotransmitters package into synaptic vesicles and migrate to synaptic cleft
Synaptic cleft releases neurotransmitters
Postsynaptic neurons contain receptors that receive and bind neurotransmitter
Neurotransmitter is responsible for neural function and once bound are cleared
(reuptake or enzymes help degradate neurotransmitter
Correct Answers
What does the brain do? ANSWER Make decisions, interact with senses, control internal
organs ANS, transmit electrical & chemical signals between brain, tissues, and organs
What are the two different types of nervous systems in the body? ANSWER Central
nervous system and peripheral nervous system
What does the central nervous system include? ANSWER spinal cord, brain stem, brain
What does the peripheral nervous system consists of? ANSWER cranial nerves, spinal
nerves, somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system
What is the structure of a neuron? ANSWER Dendrites - receives electrical impulses
Cell body - contains ribosomes for the production of neurotransmitters
Axon (hillock) - Myelinated and transmits electrical impulses away from cell body.
Myelin - increases the velocity of transmission quicker transmission
Synapses - area between neurons where neurotransmitters exist
What is the function of the neuron? -ANSWER Detects environmental changes, transmits
information and stimulates body responses
What does a neuron need to function? -ANSWER/GLUCOSE/: needs constant supply to
function properly, w/o pt could seize/die
-Oxygen/blood
,What are the different type of neuroglia and what is each of their functions? -ANSWER
Astrocytes: regulate blood vessels (vasoconstrict/dilate), process information, memory,
synaptic function
Oligodendrocytes: myelin sheath in CNS
Microglia: phagocytosis cleaners
Schwann cells: myelin sheath
Nonmyelinating Schwann cells: metabolic support
Ependymal: lining ventricles where CSF is produced
If a nerve is severedwhat happens? - ANSWER nerve cells do not divide, highly likely
that there is permanent loss of function
regeneration is dependent on location of damage, inflammatory responses, and
scarring that blocks transmission
Crush injuries fare better than severed if the crush is alleviated there is a possibility that
the patient can regain functioning
How do neurons communicate with each other? - ANSWER the sending neuron releases
neurotransmitters across a synapse to the receiving neuron
neurotransmitters bind to receptor sites in adjacent neurons to communicate
Action potential must be achieved before message is sent
Which of the following is a structure that would be found in the forebrain? - ANSWER
cerebral cortex & limbic system of thalamus, hypothalamus
Which of the following would be located in the midbrain? - ANSWER red nucleus
contains sensory info, cerebral aqueduct houses CNS fluids
Which of the following would you expect to find in the hindbrain? - ANSWER cerebellum
maintains balance, pons maintains sleep/arousal, medulla oblongata maintains
breathing
, What is the name of the Reticular activating system (RAS)? - ANSWER located deep in
the hindbrain
CNS activity, function is necessary for consciousness/ awareness
How much blood goes to the brain? - ANSWER 20% of total cardiac output
900 mL blood per min
What is the blood brain barrier (BBB)? - ANSWER the semipermeable membrane the
helps maintain a stable environment in the CNS
selectively inhibits
Lipid-soluable medications can cross the BBB, important to understand when selecting
different medications
What is the circle of Willis? -ANSWER a circle of arteries that supplies blood to the brain
and surrounding structures
Describe the three stages of neuronal conduction. -ANSWER Resting: membrane
polarized yet no electrical activity; Na outside the axon, K inside the axon
Depolarization: Na+ channels open allowing rapid inflow of ions generating an impulse,
stimulus is applied and action potential is reached
Repolarization: membrane permeable to K+ = efflux and return to resting
Describe the process by which neurons communicate and transmit signals. -ANSWER
Presynaptic neuron produces and stores messenger chemicals (neurotransmitters)
Neurotransmitters package into synaptic vesicles and migrate to synaptic cleft
Synaptic cleft releases neurotransmitters
Postsynaptic neurons contain receptors that receive and bind neurotransmitter
Neurotransmitter is responsible for neural function and once bound are cleared
(reuptake or enzymes help degradate neurotransmitter
