NUR 211
FINAL EXAM 3
STUDY GUIDE
Health Care Concepts
Forsyth Technical Community College
This Document Description:
❖ This study guide for NUR 211 at Forsyth Technical
Community College focuses on Final Exam content from
the Health Care Concepts course.
❖ It includes essential topics.
❖ The material is clearly organized to help students understand complex
systems and prepare effectively for exam questions.
, NUR 211 – Exam 4 Study Guide
1. Concept of Intracranial Regulation
The major divisions of the nervous system are the central nervous system (CNS – brain and spinal cord),
and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). These systems work together to control cognition, mobility, and
sensory perception.
Anatomy and Physiology Review:
Nervous System Cells: Structure and Function
The basic unit of the nervous system is the neuron which transmits impulses, or “messages.”
o Motor neurons: cause purposeful physical movement
Efferent neurons: motor neurons that carry signals away from the CNS and to the
cells in the PNS
o Sensory neurons: have the ability to perceive stimulation through one’s sensory organs or
sensory perception
Afferent neurons: sensory neuron that sends impulses toward the CNS, and away
from the PNS
o Other neurons process information, and some retain information
o When neurons receive information, the effect may be excitation (increasing action) or
inhibition (decreasing action)
o Each neuron has a soma (cell body), dendrites (branching processes that send impulses
along the efferent or afferent pathways), and a single axon
o Axons are covered by a myelin sheath which is a white, lipid covering.
Myelinated axons appear whiteish and therefore are also known as white matter.
These axons have gaps in them known as Nodes of Ranvier which play a major
role in impulse conduction. When the brain is impaired, the impulses cannot
travel from the brain to the rest of the body. For example, patients with MS.
Nonmyelinated axons have a grayish cast and are called gray matter.
o The enlarged distal end of each axon has a synaptic or terminal knob, and within these
synaptic knobs are the mechanism for manufacturing, storing, and releasing a transmitter
substance. Each neuron produces a specific neurotransmitter chemical (for example,
serotonin) that can either inhibit or enhance the impulses but cannot do both.
o Impulses are transmitted to their destination through synapses (space between neurons).
There are two types of synapses:
Neuron to neuron
Neuron to muscle (or gland)
o Neuroglia cells provide protection, structure, and nutrition for the neurons. These cells
are part of the blood-brain barrier and help regulate cerebrospinal fluid
Central nervous system (CNS)
o Brain: directs the regulation and function of the nervous system and all other systems of
the body
Meninges: protective covering of the brain and the spinal cord. The outside layer
is the dura mater.
Potential space, referred to as the epidural space is located between the skull and
the outer layer of the dura mater. This area also extends down the spinal cord and
is used for the delivery of epidural analgesia and anesthesia.
Dura mater also lies between the cerebral hemispheres and the cerebellum and is
called the tentorium which helps decrease or prevents the transmission of force
, from one hemisphere to another and protects the lower brainstem when head
trauma occurs
The brain consists of three main parts:
Forebrain
o Lies above the brainstem and cerebellum and is the most
advances un function complexity. Further divided into three
sections:
Diencephalon: lies below the cerebrum, and includes the
thalamus (relay station), hypothalamus (helps in
controlling autonomic functions such as temperature),
and epithalamus (helps regulate emotions to smooth
voluntary motor function)
Cerebrum: largest part of the brain and controls
intelligence, creativity, and memory. The “gray matter”
of the cerebrum is the central cortex – receives
information from the thalamus and all other lower parts
of the brain. Consists of two halves and are joined by the
corpus callosum:
Right hemisphere
Left hemisphere: usually dominant hemisphere
in most people, even in people who are left
handed.
Even deeper in the cerebrum are the right and left
ventricles, and at the base of them is the basal ganglia
which is responsible for motor function
Cerebral cortex: part of the cerebrum and involved in
almost all of the higher functions of the brain. Processes
and communicates all information coming from the
PNS. Also translates feelings and thoughts. Further
divided into four lobes and these are their main
functions:
Frontal lobe: primary motor area, Broca’s
speech area on the dominant side, voluntary eye
movement, access to current sensory data,
access to past information or experience,
affective response to a situation, behavior
regulation, judgement, ability to develop long-
term goals, reasoning, concentration, and
abstraction
Parietal lobe: understanding sensory input such
as texture, size, shape, and spatial relationships.
Three-dimensional (spatial) perception. Needed
for singing, playing musical instruments, and
processing. Perception of body parts and body
position awareness. Taste impulses for
interpretation.
Temporal lobe: auditory center for sound
interpretation, complicated memory patters, and
Wernicke’s area for speech
Occipital lobe: primary visual center
, Cerebellum: receives immediate and continuous information about the
condition of the muscles, joints, and tendons. Enables a person to be able
to control voluntary movement, maintain equilibrium, and predict
distance gauges in relation to other objects. Cerebellar control is
ipsilateral (situated on the same side, so right side controls the right side
of the body), unlike other motor cortex functions.
Brainstem: throughout the brainstem are special ells that constitute the
reticular activating system (RAS) which helps control awareness and
alertness.
o Medulla: cardiac-slowing center, respiratory center, cranial nerve
IX (glossopharyngeal), X (vagus), XI (accessory), and XII
(hypoglossal), and parts of cranial nerves VII (facial) and VIII
(vestibulocochlear)
o Pons: cardiac acceleration and vasoconstriction centers,
pneumotaxic center that helps control respiratory patter and rate,
FINAL EXAM 3
STUDY GUIDE
Health Care Concepts
Forsyth Technical Community College
This Document Description:
❖ This study guide for NUR 211 at Forsyth Technical
Community College focuses on Final Exam content from
the Health Care Concepts course.
❖ It includes essential topics.
❖ The material is clearly organized to help students understand complex
systems and prepare effectively for exam questions.
, NUR 211 – Exam 4 Study Guide
1. Concept of Intracranial Regulation
The major divisions of the nervous system are the central nervous system (CNS – brain and spinal cord),
and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). These systems work together to control cognition, mobility, and
sensory perception.
Anatomy and Physiology Review:
Nervous System Cells: Structure and Function
The basic unit of the nervous system is the neuron which transmits impulses, or “messages.”
o Motor neurons: cause purposeful physical movement
Efferent neurons: motor neurons that carry signals away from the CNS and to the
cells in the PNS
o Sensory neurons: have the ability to perceive stimulation through one’s sensory organs or
sensory perception
Afferent neurons: sensory neuron that sends impulses toward the CNS, and away
from the PNS
o Other neurons process information, and some retain information
o When neurons receive information, the effect may be excitation (increasing action) or
inhibition (decreasing action)
o Each neuron has a soma (cell body), dendrites (branching processes that send impulses
along the efferent or afferent pathways), and a single axon
o Axons are covered by a myelin sheath which is a white, lipid covering.
Myelinated axons appear whiteish and therefore are also known as white matter.
These axons have gaps in them known as Nodes of Ranvier which play a major
role in impulse conduction. When the brain is impaired, the impulses cannot
travel from the brain to the rest of the body. For example, patients with MS.
Nonmyelinated axons have a grayish cast and are called gray matter.
o The enlarged distal end of each axon has a synaptic or terminal knob, and within these
synaptic knobs are the mechanism for manufacturing, storing, and releasing a transmitter
substance. Each neuron produces a specific neurotransmitter chemical (for example,
serotonin) that can either inhibit or enhance the impulses but cannot do both.
o Impulses are transmitted to their destination through synapses (space between neurons).
There are two types of synapses:
Neuron to neuron
Neuron to muscle (or gland)
o Neuroglia cells provide protection, structure, and nutrition for the neurons. These cells
are part of the blood-brain barrier and help regulate cerebrospinal fluid
Central nervous system (CNS)
o Brain: directs the regulation and function of the nervous system and all other systems of
the body
Meninges: protective covering of the brain and the spinal cord. The outside layer
is the dura mater.
Potential space, referred to as the epidural space is located between the skull and
the outer layer of the dura mater. This area also extends down the spinal cord and
is used for the delivery of epidural analgesia and anesthesia.
Dura mater also lies between the cerebral hemispheres and the cerebellum and is
called the tentorium which helps decrease or prevents the transmission of force
, from one hemisphere to another and protects the lower brainstem when head
trauma occurs
The brain consists of three main parts:
Forebrain
o Lies above the brainstem and cerebellum and is the most
advances un function complexity. Further divided into three
sections:
Diencephalon: lies below the cerebrum, and includes the
thalamus (relay station), hypothalamus (helps in
controlling autonomic functions such as temperature),
and epithalamus (helps regulate emotions to smooth
voluntary motor function)
Cerebrum: largest part of the brain and controls
intelligence, creativity, and memory. The “gray matter”
of the cerebrum is the central cortex – receives
information from the thalamus and all other lower parts
of the brain. Consists of two halves and are joined by the
corpus callosum:
Right hemisphere
Left hemisphere: usually dominant hemisphere
in most people, even in people who are left
handed.
Even deeper in the cerebrum are the right and left
ventricles, and at the base of them is the basal ganglia
which is responsible for motor function
Cerebral cortex: part of the cerebrum and involved in
almost all of the higher functions of the brain. Processes
and communicates all information coming from the
PNS. Also translates feelings and thoughts. Further
divided into four lobes and these are their main
functions:
Frontal lobe: primary motor area, Broca’s
speech area on the dominant side, voluntary eye
movement, access to current sensory data,
access to past information or experience,
affective response to a situation, behavior
regulation, judgement, ability to develop long-
term goals, reasoning, concentration, and
abstraction
Parietal lobe: understanding sensory input such
as texture, size, shape, and spatial relationships.
Three-dimensional (spatial) perception. Needed
for singing, playing musical instruments, and
processing. Perception of body parts and body
position awareness. Taste impulses for
interpretation.
Temporal lobe: auditory center for sound
interpretation, complicated memory patters, and
Wernicke’s area for speech
Occipital lobe: primary visual center
, Cerebellum: receives immediate and continuous information about the
condition of the muscles, joints, and tendons. Enables a person to be able
to control voluntary movement, maintain equilibrium, and predict
distance gauges in relation to other objects. Cerebellar control is
ipsilateral (situated on the same side, so right side controls the right side
of the body), unlike other motor cortex functions.
Brainstem: throughout the brainstem are special ells that constitute the
reticular activating system (RAS) which helps control awareness and
alertness.
o Medulla: cardiac-slowing center, respiratory center, cranial nerve
IX (glossopharyngeal), X (vagus), XI (accessory), and XII
(hypoglossal), and parts of cranial nerves VII (facial) and VIII
(vestibulocochlear)
o Pons: cardiac acceleration and vasoconstriction centers,
pneumotaxic center that helps control respiratory patter and rate,
