Nokea
A patient reports sudden weakness on one side of their body. The nurse should:
- A. Perform a neurologic assessment focusing on motor function and sensation.
- B. Measure the patient's oxygen saturation.
- C. Inspect the patient's skin color.
- D. Check the patient's blood glucose levels.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sudden weakness on one side of the body may indicate a neurological issue, such as a stroke. A focused neurologic assessment is essential. Oxygen saturation, skin color, and blood glucose levels are secondary considerations.
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Damage to the hippocampus is most likely to impair:
- A. memory
- B. balance
- C. sleep
- D. breathing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The hippocampus is a brain structure critical for forming and retrieving memories, particularly long-term memories. Damage to the hippocampus, such as from injury or disease, can result in severe memory impairments, including the inability to form new memories (anterograde amnesia) or recall past events (retrograde amnesia). The hippocampus also plays a role in spatial navigation and contextual learning, making it essential for cognitive function.
The lateral spinothalamic tract:
- A. carries fibres which terminate in the thalamus
- B. contains mainly the second-order neurones.
- C. carries fibres that carry information on temperature and pain
- D. all above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The lateral spinothalamic tract carries second-order neurons transmitting pain and temperature information to the thalamus. It is a critical pathway for sensory perception and is involved in relaying these sensations to higher brain centers.
Which is the most common neurotransmitter in the brain?
- A. serotonin
- B. glutamate
- C. dopamine
- D. GABA
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and is involved in nearly all excitatory brain functions. It plays a key role in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. Glutamate binds to receptors on postsynaptic neurons, promoting the transmission of signals. However, excessive glutamate activity can lead to excitotoxicity, causing neuronal damage and contributing to conditions like stroke and neurodegenerative diseases.
Deuterium oxide and inulin are injected into a normal 30-year-old man. The volume of distribution of deuterium oxide is found to be 42 L and that of inulin 14 L.
- A. The man's intracellular fluid volume is about 14 L.
- B. The man's intracellular fluid volume is about 28 L.
- C. The man's plasma volume is about 7 L.
- D. The man's interstitial fluid volume is about 9 L.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Deuterium oxide distributes throughout total body water (TBW), while inulin distributes only in extracellular fluid (ECF). The intracellular fluid (ICF) volume is calculated as TBW - ECF. Here, TBW = 42 L and ECF = 14 L, so ICF = 42 - 14 = 28 L. This calculation is based on the principle that deuterium oxide measures all body water, while inulin is restricted to the extracellular compartment.
Which of the following statements is true of dementia?
- A. It is a progressive neurological disease that affects the motor neurons of the nervous system.
- B. It is the general term for conditions that involve loss of memory and impaired cognition.
- C. It is an autoimmune neuromuscular disease that affects the skeletal muscles.
- D. It is the general term used to describe a cluster of symptoms including bradykinesia with rigidity or tremor.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dementia is an umbrella term for a group of conditions characterized by a decline in cognitive function, including memory loss, impaired reasoning, and changes in behavior. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, but other types include vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia.