1 | Page
Patho week 3 Questions and Answers Latest
Update
What are the function of cerebral spinal fluid? Ans: -It maintains
homeostasis by regulating metabolites around the brain.
-It exchanges gases with the blood to maintain oxygenation of the brain.
-It collects waste products secreted by brain cells.
-It protects the brain from injury.
The correct order of the layers of the skull and brain, from outside to inside,
is: Ans: 1:Skin
2:Skull
3:Dura Mater
4:Arachnoid mater
5:Subarachnoid space
6:Pia mater
7:Brain
What are some examples of common causes of increased intracranial
pressure? Ans: car accidents, sports injuries, bike/skateboard injuries, falls,
blood thinner meds
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, 2 | Page
cerebral ischemia Ans: lack of oxygen to the brain
If intracranial pressure is increased the following occur.. Ans: - BP rises
- heart rate slows
- respirations decrease
- pulse pressure widens (difference between systolic and diastolic BP)
- Can lead to brain herniation and death
high brain pressure symptoms Ans: Pain: Occurs with stretching of the dura
and large blood vessels.
Vomiting: Pressure is on the emetic center in the medulla.
high brain pressure signs Ans: Level of consciousness changes: Pressure is
on the cerebral cortex.
Increased blood pressure: Vasoconstriction caused by cerebral ischemia.
Slow pulse: Compensating for increased blood pressure.
Papilledema: Swelling of the optic disc.
Pupils fixed/dilated: Pressure in Cranial Nerve III causes these changes.
Common diagnostic tests to identify increased intracranial pressure Ans: -
CT
-MRI
-ventriculostomy monitor
-Lumbar puncture
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, 3 | Page
acute management of increased cranial pressure Ans: - pressure increased
die to inflammatory response, acute hemorrhage, acute infection
- Meds and surgery are used to decrease pressure
- meds: diuretics, anti-inflammatories, and anti-hypertensives
- surgeries: cerebral spinal fluid drainage or hematoma evacuation. Burr
hole.
- other: keeping the head of the bed elevated, decreasing external stimuli in
the room (noise and light), and administering oxygen.
chronic management of increased cranial pressure Ans: ventriculoperitoneal
shunt. This is a device that drains excess cerebral spinal fluid into the
peritoneal cavity in the abdomen.
considerations to improve safety in the elderly: Ans: - decluttering
household areas
- wearing a medial alert bracelet when prescribed blood thinners
- using assistive decides
- wearing a helmet
the outcomes of older people with an acute injury are poor compared to a
younger population
intracranial pressure can be sensitive to environmental changes: Ans: -
higher altitudes
- humidity nad temperature changes
Computer Tomography (CT) Ans: Radiographic slices of each layer of the
brain are analyzed.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 4 | Page
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Ans: Magnetic slices of each layer of the
brain are analyzed.
ventriculostomy monitor Ans: A hole is drilled in the skull, and a tube is
embedded within one of the lateral ventricles of the brain.
lumbar puncture Ans: A needle is inserted at the base of the spine; this is
usually done at the bedside to collect a cerebral spinal fluid sample.
seizures are caused by.. Ans: the increased activation or decreased
inhibition of neurons in an area of the brain, causing random electrical
signals across multiple neuronal pathways
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) Ans: is produced in the brain and found
in some foods. It has an inhibitory response to brain neurons and has anti-
seizure effects. It blocks the transmission of neurotransmitters.
seizure activity may be caused by.. Ans: A change in permeability of the
neuronal membrane: this can affect sodium and calcium channels within the
neurons.
Neurotransmitter imbalances: a defect in the inhibitory neuron.
Reduced ability of neurons to exercise inhibitory control: by excitatory
neurotransmitters over-powering inhibitory neurons (GABA).
epilepsy Ans: and unprovoked seizure disorder, may be diagnosed by
having at least two unprovoked seizures occurring more than 24 hours
apart
or one unprovoked seizure with a high likelihood of another in the next 10
years
Causes of acute symptomatic seizures Ans: -Immediately after a traumatic
brain injury
-Infection within the neurological system (e.g., meningitis)
© 2025 All rights reserved
Patho week 3 Questions and Answers Latest
Update
What are the function of cerebral spinal fluid? Ans: -It maintains
homeostasis by regulating metabolites around the brain.
-It exchanges gases with the blood to maintain oxygenation of the brain.
-It collects waste products secreted by brain cells.
-It protects the brain from injury.
The correct order of the layers of the skull and brain, from outside to inside,
is: Ans: 1:Skin
2:Skull
3:Dura Mater
4:Arachnoid mater
5:Subarachnoid space
6:Pia mater
7:Brain
What are some examples of common causes of increased intracranial
pressure? Ans: car accidents, sports injuries, bike/skateboard injuries, falls,
blood thinner meds
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
cerebral ischemia Ans: lack of oxygen to the brain
If intracranial pressure is increased the following occur.. Ans: - BP rises
- heart rate slows
- respirations decrease
- pulse pressure widens (difference between systolic and diastolic BP)
- Can lead to brain herniation and death
high brain pressure symptoms Ans: Pain: Occurs with stretching of the dura
and large blood vessels.
Vomiting: Pressure is on the emetic center in the medulla.
high brain pressure signs Ans: Level of consciousness changes: Pressure is
on the cerebral cortex.
Increased blood pressure: Vasoconstriction caused by cerebral ischemia.
Slow pulse: Compensating for increased blood pressure.
Papilledema: Swelling of the optic disc.
Pupils fixed/dilated: Pressure in Cranial Nerve III causes these changes.
Common diagnostic tests to identify increased intracranial pressure Ans: -
CT
-MRI
-ventriculostomy monitor
-Lumbar puncture
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
acute management of increased cranial pressure Ans: - pressure increased
die to inflammatory response, acute hemorrhage, acute infection
- Meds and surgery are used to decrease pressure
- meds: diuretics, anti-inflammatories, and anti-hypertensives
- surgeries: cerebral spinal fluid drainage or hematoma evacuation. Burr
hole.
- other: keeping the head of the bed elevated, decreasing external stimuli in
the room (noise and light), and administering oxygen.
chronic management of increased cranial pressure Ans: ventriculoperitoneal
shunt. This is a device that drains excess cerebral spinal fluid into the
peritoneal cavity in the abdomen.
considerations to improve safety in the elderly: Ans: - decluttering
household areas
- wearing a medial alert bracelet when prescribed blood thinners
- using assistive decides
- wearing a helmet
the outcomes of older people with an acute injury are poor compared to a
younger population
intracranial pressure can be sensitive to environmental changes: Ans: -
higher altitudes
- humidity nad temperature changes
Computer Tomography (CT) Ans: Radiographic slices of each layer of the
brain are analyzed.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 4 | Page
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Ans: Magnetic slices of each layer of the
brain are analyzed.
ventriculostomy monitor Ans: A hole is drilled in the skull, and a tube is
embedded within one of the lateral ventricles of the brain.
lumbar puncture Ans: A needle is inserted at the base of the spine; this is
usually done at the bedside to collect a cerebral spinal fluid sample.
seizures are caused by.. Ans: the increased activation or decreased
inhibition of neurons in an area of the brain, causing random electrical
signals across multiple neuronal pathways
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) Ans: is produced in the brain and found
in some foods. It has an inhibitory response to brain neurons and has anti-
seizure effects. It blocks the transmission of neurotransmitters.
seizure activity may be caused by.. Ans: A change in permeability of the
neuronal membrane: this can affect sodium and calcium channels within the
neurons.
Neurotransmitter imbalances: a defect in the inhibitory neuron.
Reduced ability of neurons to exercise inhibitory control: by excitatory
neurotransmitters over-powering inhibitory neurons (GABA).
epilepsy Ans: and unprovoked seizure disorder, may be diagnosed by
having at least two unprovoked seizures occurring more than 24 hours
apart
or one unprovoked seizure with a high likelihood of another in the next 10
years
Causes of acute symptomatic seizures Ans: -Immediately after a traumatic
brain injury
-Infection within the neurological system (e.g., meningitis)
© 2025 All rights reserved
