Neurologic System

• The cerebrospinal fluid cushions the central nervous system (CNS), provides nourishment to the CNS, and

  coats the brain
• The cerebrum is divided into right and left hemispheres, which are joined together by the

  corpus callosum
• The portion of the brain that rims the surfaces of the cerebral hemispheres forming the cerebral cortex is the

  gray matter
• The diencephalon of the brain consists of the

  thalamus and hypothalamus
• The hypothalamus is responsible for regulating

  sleep cycles
• Carries sensations from the throat, larynx, heart, lungs, bronchi, gastrointestinal tract, and abdominal viscera

  Vagus
• Innervates neck muscles that promote movement of the shoulders and head rotation

  Spinal accessory
• Carries visual impulses from the eye to the brain

  Optic
• Contracts eye muscles to control eye movement, constricts pupils, and elevates eyelids

  Oculomotor
• Contains sensory fibers for taste on posterior one third of the tongue; responsible for "gag reflex" when stimulated

  Glossopharyngeal
• Contracts one eye muscle to control inferomedial eye movement

  Trochlear
• Innervates tongue muscles that promote the movement of food and talking

  Hypoglossal
• Carries smell impulses from nasal mucous membrane to brain

  Olfactory
• Carries sensory impulses of pain, touch, and temperature from the face to the brain

  Trigeminal
• Controls lateral eye movements

  Abducens
• Contains sensory fibers for hearing and balance

  Vestibulocochlear
• Contains sensory fibers for taste on anterior two thirds of the tongue, and stimulates secretions from the salivary glands and tears from lacrimal glands

  Facial
• Sensations of temperature, pain, and crude and light touch are carried by way of the

  spinothalamic tract
• The cranial nerve that has sensory fibers for taste and fibers that result in the "gag reflex" is the

  glossopharyngeal
• The nurse is assessing an older adult client when the client tells the nurse that she has experienced transient blind spots for the last few days. The nurse should refer the client to a physician for possible

  stroke
• The nurse is planning a presentation to a group of adults on the topic of strokes. Which of the following should the nurse plan to include in the teaching plan?

  Smoking and high cholesterol levels are risk factors for stroke
• The nurse is caring for a client during the immediate postoperative period after abdominal surgery. While performing a "neuro check" the nurse should assess the client's

  sensation in the extremities
• The nurse is preparing to percuss a client's reflexes in his arms. To use the reinforcement technique, the nurse should ask the client to

  clench his jaw
• Which cranial nerve is the nurse testing when the client is asked to identify a scented object?

  Olfactory
• Reduced ability to sense vibrations of a tuning fork may be present with

  peripheral neuropathy
• While assessing the neurologic system of a confused older adult, the nurse observes that the client is unable to recall past events. The nurse suspects that the client may be exhibiting signs of

  cerebral cortex disorder
• The nurse is assessing the neurologic system of an adult client. To test the client's recent memory, the nurse should ask the client


  "What did you have for breakfast?"
• While assessing the pupils of a hospitalized adult client, the nurse observes that the client's pupils are dilated to 6 cm. The nurse suspects that the client is exhibiting signs of

  oculomotor nerve paralysis
• The nurse is assessing the neurologic system of an adult client. To test the client's motor function of the facial nerve, the nurse should

  ask the client to purse the lips
• The nurse is assessing the neurologic system of a client who has spastic muscle tone. The nurse should explain to the client that spastic muscle tone is associated with impairment to the

  corticospinal tract
• The nurse is preparing to perform the Romberg test on an adult male client. The nurse should instruct the client to


  stand erect with arms at the sides and feet together
• The nurse is planning to test position sensation in an adult female client. To perform this procedure, the nurse should ask the client to close her eyes while the nurse moves the client's

  toes up or down
• a test where a nurse bends the client's arm at elbow with palm up then place her thumb over the biceps tendon and strike thumb with the pointed side of reflex hammer

  biceps reflex
• to test the motor function of CN VII, the nurse asks the client to

  puff out cheeks
• McMurray Test


  Flex the knee and hip in a supine position