Chapter 23: Neurologic System
Ball: Seidel’s Guide to Physical Examination, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The autonomic nervous system coordinates which of the following?
a. High-level cognitive function
b. Balance and affect
c. Internal organs of the body
d. Balance and equilibrium
ANS: C
The autonomic nervous system coordinates the internal environment of the body by the
sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The other options are associated with the
cerebral cortex; its function consists of determining intelligence, personality, and motor function.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
2. The major function of the sympathetic nervous system is to:
a. orchestrate the stress response.
b. coordinate fine motor movement.
c. determine proprioception.
d. perceive stereognosis.
ANS: A
Stimulation of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system prepares the body for
emergencies for fight or flight (stress response). The cerebellum plays a key role in the
coordination of fine motor movements. Recognition of body parts and awareness of body
position (proprioception) are dependent on the parietal lobe. Stereognosis is the ability to
perceive the weight and form of solid objects by touch and is not under sympathetic control.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
3. The parasympathetic nervous system maintains the day-to-day function of:
a. digestion.
b. response to stress.
c. lymphatic supply to the brain.
d. lymphatic drainage of the brain.
ANS: A
The parasympathetic division functions in a complementary and counterbalancing manner to
conserve body resources and maintain day-to-day body functions, such as digestion and
elimination.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
4. Cerebrospinal fluid serves as a:
a. nerve impulse transmitter.
b. red blood cell conveyer.
, c. shock absorber.
d. mediator of voluntary skeletal movement.
ANS: C
Cerebrospinal fluid circulates between an interconnecting system of ventricles in the brain and
around the brain and spinal cord, serving as a shock absorber.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
5. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy will likely produce:
a. hyperactive ankle reflexes.
b. diminished pain sensation.
c. exaggerated vibratory sense.
d. hypersensitive temperature perception.
ANS: B
Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder of the peripheral nervous system that results in motor and
sensory loss in the distribution of one or more nerves, usually in the hands and feet. Patients may
have sensations of numbness, tingling, burning, and cramping. In moderate to severe diabetic
neuropathy, there is wasting of the foot muscles, absent ankle and knee reflexes, decreased or no
vibratory sensation below the knees, and/or loss of pain or sharp touch sensation to the midcalf
level.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyzing (Analysis)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
6. The thalamus is the major integration center for the perception of:
a. speech.
b. olfaction.
c. pain.
d. thoughts.
ANS: C
The thalamus is the major integrating center for the perception of various sensations such as pain
and temperature, serving as the relay center between the basal ganglia and cerebellum. The
reception of speech and interpretation of speech are located in the Wernicke area. The olfactory
sense is processed in the parietal lobe. The cerebrum holds memories, allows you to plan, and
enables you to imagine and think.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
7. The awareness of body position is known as:
a. proprioception.
b. graphesthesia.
c. stereognosis.
d. two-point discrimination.
ANS: A
Recognition of body parts and awareness of body position are known as proprioception. This is
dependent on the parietal lobe. The other options are assessment techniques that test for sensory
impairment.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
Ball: Seidel’s Guide to Physical Examination, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The autonomic nervous system coordinates which of the following?
a. High-level cognitive function
b. Balance and affect
c. Internal organs of the body
d. Balance and equilibrium
ANS: C
The autonomic nervous system coordinates the internal environment of the body by the
sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The other options are associated with the
cerebral cortex; its function consists of determining intelligence, personality, and motor function.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
2. The major function of the sympathetic nervous system is to:
a. orchestrate the stress response.
b. coordinate fine motor movement.
c. determine proprioception.
d. perceive stereognosis.
ANS: A
Stimulation of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system prepares the body for
emergencies for fight or flight (stress response). The cerebellum plays a key role in the
coordination of fine motor movements. Recognition of body parts and awareness of body
position (proprioception) are dependent on the parietal lobe. Stereognosis is the ability to
perceive the weight and form of solid objects by touch and is not under sympathetic control.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
3. The parasympathetic nervous system maintains the day-to-day function of:
a. digestion.
b. response to stress.
c. lymphatic supply to the brain.
d. lymphatic drainage of the brain.
ANS: A
The parasympathetic division functions in a complementary and counterbalancing manner to
conserve body resources and maintain day-to-day body functions, such as digestion and
elimination.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
4. Cerebrospinal fluid serves as a:
a. nerve impulse transmitter.
b. red blood cell conveyer.
, c. shock absorber.
d. mediator of voluntary skeletal movement.
ANS: C
Cerebrospinal fluid circulates between an interconnecting system of ventricles in the brain and
around the brain and spinal cord, serving as a shock absorber.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
5. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy will likely produce:
a. hyperactive ankle reflexes.
b. diminished pain sensation.
c. exaggerated vibratory sense.
d. hypersensitive temperature perception.
ANS: B
Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder of the peripheral nervous system that results in motor and
sensory loss in the distribution of one or more nerves, usually in the hands and feet. Patients may
have sensations of numbness, tingling, burning, and cramping. In moderate to severe diabetic
neuropathy, there is wasting of the foot muscles, absent ankle and knee reflexes, decreased or no
vibratory sensation below the knees, and/or loss of pain or sharp touch sensation to the midcalf
level.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyzing (Analysis)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
6. The thalamus is the major integration center for the perception of:
a. speech.
b. olfaction.
c. pain.
d. thoughts.
ANS: C
The thalamus is the major integrating center for the perception of various sensations such as pain
and temperature, serving as the relay center between the basal ganglia and cerebellum. The
reception of speech and interpretation of speech are located in the Wernicke area. The olfactory
sense is processed in the parietal lobe. The cerebrum holds memories, allows you to plan, and
enables you to imagine and think.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
7. The awareness of body position is known as:
a. proprioception.
b. graphesthesia.
c. stereognosis.
d. two-point discrimination.
ANS: A
Recognition of body parts and awareness of body position are known as proprioception. This is
dependent on the parietal lobe. The other options are assessment techniques that test for sensory
impairment.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
