NUR 507 Advanced Pathophysiology Final Exam
(Week 8) 2024/2025Questions And Answers with
Rationale Graded A+
A patient exposed to herpes simplex virus has been exhibiting symptoms that suggest an inflammation
of the brain. This type of infection is referred to as
a. brain abscess.
b. encephalitis.
c. bacteremia.
d. meningitis.
b. encephalitis.
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain and is most commonly caused by viral infection. Brain
abscesses act like space-occupying lesions and are often caused by pus-forming bacteria. Bacteremia is
bacteria in the blood. Meningitis is an infection of the cerebrospinal fluid and can be either bacterial or
viral.
Which are a brainstem reflexes? (Select all that apply.)
a. Oculovestibular reflex
b. Pupil light response
c. Painful stimuli
d. Corneal reflex
e. Broca aphasia
a. Oculovestibular reflex
b. Pupil light response
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d. Corneal reflex
The oculovestibular reflex, pupil light response, and corneal reflex are brainstem reflexes. Painful stimuli
are generated from various parts of the body. Broca aphasia results from a lesion in the third frontal
convolution of the left hemisphere in most persons.
Which of the following is true about ischemic stroke? (Select all that apply.)
a. Often caused by emboli from the basilar arteries
b. Has risk factors that include atherosclerosis
c. Can be a result of a hypercoagulable state
d. Results from hemorrhage into brain tissue
e. Is associated with acute hypertension
b. Has risk factors that include atherosclerosis
c. Can be a result of a hypercoagulable state
Risk factors for ischemic stroke include atherosclerosis and hypercoagulable states. Emboli are most
often cardiac in origin. Hemorrhage into the brain tissue is a result of hemorrhagic stroke; ischemic
strokes are the result of a clot, either thrombus or embolus. In hemorrhagic strokes, most patients have
hypertension.
Which finding regarding symptoms is consistent with dementia?
a. Abrupt onset
b. Worsening at night
c. Progressive deterioration
d. Disturbed consciousness
c. Progressive deterioration
Dementia is a more insidious disease with progressive changes. Progressive deterioration of memory
occurs. Changes in personality, behavioral changes, and cognitive changes also occur. Delirium, not
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dementia, is a global mental dysfunction and includes an abrupt onset, disturbed consciousness, and
symptoms that may be worse at night.
Which is the principal neurotransmitter involved in Parkinson disease?
a. GABA
b. Serotonin
c. Dopamine
d. Aspartate
c. Dopamine
Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that is found to be deficient. The treatment is aimed at increasing this
neurotransmitter by giving levodopa as a precursor. Levodopa can cross the blood-brain barrier,
whereas dopamine cannot. GABA is an inhibitory amino acid. Serotonin has been implicated in
depression. Aspartate is an excitatory amino acid.
Which is a risk factor for cerebral palsy?
a. High birth weight
b. Post-term delivery
c. Prenatal infection
d. Genetic defects
c. Prenatal infection
There are a number of risks for cerebral palsy. One of these includes prenatal infections or diseases of
the mothers. Others include hypoglycemia, kernicterus, prematurity, low birth weight, mechanical
trauma to the head, nerve-damaging poisons, and reduced oxygen supply to the brain. Low birth weight
and prematurity are risk factors for cerebral palsy. There is no current research to support a connection
between genetic defects and cerebral palsy.
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It is true that the neuronal tissue of the brain
a. has low ATP requirements.
b. is highly sensitive to oxygen deprivation.
c. has the capacity for anaerobic metabolism.
d. can accommodate large stores of glycogen.
b. is highly sensitive to oxygen deprivation.
The neurons of the brain are highly sensitive to oxygen deprivation because they have great energy
requirements. The neurons of the brain have great ATP requirements. Neuronal tissue has only limited
capacity for anaerobic metabolism and stores very little glycogen.
Which adverse event occurs as a result of reperfusion injury?
a. Free radical formation
b. Loss of arachidonic acid
c. Loss of inflammatory cells
d. A decrease in oxygen return
a. Free radical formation
The re-established blood flow allows both the entry of inflammatory cells into the area and the
formation of free radicals. The re-established blood flow results in an increase of arachidonic acid
formation and an increase of inflammatory cells. With reperfusion, there is a return of oxygen.
Which statement is true regarding autoregulation in the brain?
a. Blood flow is maintained at mean arterial pressures from 0 to 50 mm Hg.
b. Cerebral vessels respond to pH, carbon dioxide, and oxygen levels.
c. Hypotension leads to severe vascular damage.
d. Hypotension leads to brain edema.