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.
You may also like to solve these questions
Axoplasm is the ________ .
- A. blood plasma that nourishes a nerve
- B. fluid external to the axon but inside the myelin sheath
- C. cytoplasm of the dendrite
- D. cytoplasm of the axon
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Axoplasm is the cytoplasm of the axon, the long, slender projection of a neuron that transmits nerve impulses. It contains organelles, cytoskeletal elements, and other components necessary for maintaining the axon's structure and function. Axoplasm plays a crucial role in the transport of molecules and organelles between the cell body and the axon terminals, ensuring the proper functioning of the neuron.
Which is the smallest cranial nerve?
- A. olfactory nerve (I)
- B. occulomotor nerve (III)
- C. trochlear nerve (IV)
- D. abducent nerve (VI)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The trochlear nerve (IV) is the smallest cranial nerve. It innervates the superior oblique muscle, which helps control eye movement.
When performing a neurologic assessment on an elderly patient, the nurse should be aware that:
- A. Age-related changes may affect reflexes, gait, and memory.
- B. Elderly patients should have the same reflexes as younger individuals.
- C. There should be no difference in neurologic function based on age.
- D. Reflexes should be more pronounced in elderly patients.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Age-related changes, such as slower reflexes, altered gait, and memory decline, are common in elderly patients. Neurologic function may differ from younger individuals.
To plan effective care for patients diagnosed with somatic system disorders, the nurse should understand that patients have difficulty giving up the symptoms because the symptoms:
- A. are generally chronic in nature.
- B. have a physiological basis.
- C. can be voluntarily controlled.
- D. provide relief from health anxiety.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale:
1. Patients with somatic symptom disorders often experience health anxiety.
2. Symptoms provide a form of relief or distraction from this anxiety.
3. Understanding this helps nurses plan effective care by addressing underlying anxiety.
4. Option D is correct as it directly addresses the role of symptoms in providing relief.
Summary:
- Option A is incorrect because chronicity does not explain the reluctance to give up symptoms.
- Option B is incorrect as having a physiological basis does not necessarily relate to difficulty giving up symptoms.
- Option C is incorrect because symptoms in somatic system disorders are typically not voluntarily controlled.
A patient is being evaluated for an acute onset of a high fever, severe headache, vomiting, and a change in mental status. Which assessment finding would confirm a definitive diagnosis of meningitis?
- A. Initial Glasgow Coma Scale score <15
- B. Pseudomonas aeruginosa on blood culture
- C. Normal MRI
- D. White blood cells (WBC) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: White blood cells (WBC) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In meningitis, an infection of the meninges, the CSF will show an elevated WBC count indicating an inflammatory response. This finding is crucial for confirming the diagnosis as it directly reflects the presence of infection in the central nervous system.
A: While a Glasgow Coma Scale score <15 may indicate altered mental status, it is not specific to meningitis.
B: Pseudomonas aeruginosa on blood culture suggests a bacterial infection but does not confirm meningitis specifically.
C: A normal MRI may not show definitive signs of meningitis, as the diagnosis is primarily made through CSF analysis.