Question 1

The layer of covering that protects the nervous system is called the:
A) skull.
B) spinal column.
C) meninges.
D) cerebrospinal fluid.

Accepted Answer

The meninges are a layer of protective tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord, providing a barrier between the nervous tissue and the bones of the skull and spinal column. This layer consists of the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

Question 2

An infection of the brain is called:
A) multiple sclerosis.
B) encephalitis.
C) rhinitis.
D) meningitis.

Accepted Answer

Encephalitis is an infection of the brain which often causes inflammation in the brain. Multiple sclerosis is a condition where the immune system attacks the protective covering of nerve fibers, causing communication problems between the brain and body. Rhinitis is an inflammation of the nose that can cause symptoms such as congestion and runny nose but does not involve the brain. Meningitis is an infection of the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord but may also involve the brain itself.

Question 3

The sympathetic nervous response causes which of the following to occur?
A) Breathe slower and deeper, blood vessels to dilate, heart to beat stronger and faster, skin to sweat, pupils to constrict, and skin to become pale
B) Breathe faster and deeper, blood vessels to constrict, heart to beat stronger and faster, skin to sweat, pupils to dilate, and skin to become pale
C) Breathe faster and deeper, blood vessels to constrict, heart to beat stronger and faster, skin to sweat, pupils to constrict, and skin to become warm
D) Breathe faster and deeper, blood vessels to dilate, heart to beat stronger and slower, skin to sweat, pupils to dilate, and skin to become pale

Accepted Answer

The sympathetic nervous response causes the body to prepare for "fight or flight" by increasing heart rate and blood pressure, constricting blood vessels, dilating pupils, and increasing respiration. The body also sweats to dissipate heat generated by the increased metabolic activity. The skin may become pale due to constriction of blood vessels in the skin.

Question 4

Injuries to the brain and spinal cord,sepsis,and severe allergic reactions can cause what similar cardiovascular problem?
A) Increased SVR
B) Loss of tone
C) Hypertension
D) Permeability

Accepted Answer

Injuries to the brain and spinal cord, sepsis, and severe allergic reactions can cause loss of tone in blood vessels, which may lead to hypotension and poor perfusion of vital organs. This can ultimately result in cardiovascular collapse. Increased systemic vascular resistance (SVR), hypertension, and permeability are not typical cardiovascular problems associated with these conditions.

Question 5

What do chemoreceptors found in the body and vascular system measure?
A) Low oxygen and high carbon dioxide
B) High oxygen and low carbon dioxide
C) Low oxygen and low carbon dioxide
D) High oxygen and high carbon dioxide

Accepted Answer

Chemoreceptors found in the body and vascular system measure the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. They are sensitive to low oxygen levels and high carbon dioxide levels, and send signals to the brain to regulate breathing and cardiac function. Therefore, choice A (low oxygen and high carbon dioxide) is the correct answer.

Question 6

You are caring for a 25-year-old male patient that has been shot once in the head.The patient is in extremis (near the point of death)with a noticeable breathing pattern that alternates between no breathing and fast breathing.Your understanding of pathophysiology leads you to believe the breathing pattern may be due to damage to the section of his brain responsible for respiratory control,also known as the:
A) medulla oblongata.
B) frontal lobe.
C) cerebellum.
D) thalamus.

Accepted Answer

The medulla oblongata is responsible for respiratory control, therefore damage to this area can result in irregular breathing patterns or cessation of breathing.

Question 7

When the body's water moves from the bloodstream into the interstitial space,it is called:
A) edema.
B) hydrostatic.
C) dehydration.
D) hypovolemia.

Accepted Answer

Edema is defined as the accumulation of excess fluid in the interstitial space, which can be caused by a variety of factors, including increased capillary permeability and lymphatic obstruction. When water moves from the bloodstream into the interstitial space, it can cause swelling and discomfort in affected tissues. Hydrostatic pressure refers to the pressure exerted by a fluid on the walls of the container that holds it and is not directly related to the movement of water between compartments. Dehydration occurs when the body loses more water than it takes in, and hypovolemia refers to a decrease in the volume of circulating blood in the body, which can result from a variety of factors including blood loss and fluid shifts.

Question 8

Daniel has been performing landscaping on a hot,humid summer day when he suddenly becomes dizzy and feels like he might faint.This disruption of fluid balance is most likely caused by:
A) hypotension.
B) hyperthermia.
C) tachycardia.
D) dehydration.

Accepted Answer

Dehydration can occur with extended periods of physical activity and exposure to heat and humidity, leading to a disruption in fluid balance and symptoms such as dizziness and fainting. Hypotension, tachycardia, and hyperthermia may also be related to dehydration, but dehydration is the most likely cause based on the scenario provided.

Question 9

You respond to a patient who is choking.The victim is suffering from the most common of airway obstructions.This would indicate that the problem is in the ________ airway.
A) upper
B) bronchial
C) lower
D) alveoli

Accepted Answer

The most common airway obstruction is caused by a foreign object getting stuck in the upper airway, such as the trachea or the pharynx. This can result in choking and difficulty breathing.

Question 10

Your patient is an 86-year-old male with congestive heart failure.He called for help tonight because he cannot breathe and feels like he is "drowning in his own lungs." The patient has had several heart attacks in the past and he tells you his "heart is shot." The patient's cardiac output is likely diminished because:
A) less blood fills his heart with each contraction (preload is diminished).
B) the heart's force of contraction is reduced (contractility is diminished).
C) the pressure in the system against which the heart must pump is increased (afterload is increased).
D) All of the above are true.

Accepted Answer

Congestive heart failure is often characterized by both systolic and diastolic dysfunction, which result in reduced cardiac output. Systolic dysfunction leads to diminished preload, as the heart is not able to fill with as much blood during diastole. Diastolic dysfunction causes reduced contractility, so the heart's ability to pump blood out with force is decreased. Finally, hypertension and other factors can cause an increased afterload, or pressure in the vasculature that the heart must pump against. All of these factors can contribute to reduced cardiac output in congestive heart failure.

Question 11

A 59-year-old male has suffered a severe laceration from a circular saw while cutting wood in his garage.Upon your arrival,you find the patient sitting on the floor in a pool of blood.He is extremely pale.Based on your knowledge of pathophysiology,you would expect his body to try to compensate for the blood loss in all of the following ways,except:
A) sweaty skin.
B) increased pulse.
C) constricted pupils.
D) increased respirations.

Accepted Answer

Constricted pupils are not a compensation mechanism in response to blood loss. Instead, the body would dilate pupils to take in more light and increase its ability to see in low-light conditions. Sweaty skin, increased pulse, and increased respirations are all compensatory mechanisms that the body uses to try to maintain blood flow and oxygen delivery to vital organs in response to blood loss.

Question 12

A 19-year-old male is reported to have taken too many narcotic pain pills that were prescribed for his recent knee surgery.He is extremely sleepy with very shallow breathing.His color is pale and his SpO₂ reading is 84%.His body is probably attempting to compensate for his poor level of ventilatory effort by stimulating the respiratory system to increase rate and tidal volume.Normally,respiratory drive is triggered by changing levels of:
A) carbon dioxide.
B) oxygen.
C) pH.
D) glucose.

Accepted Answer

Respiratory drive is primarily triggered by the changing levels of carbon dioxide in the body. When carbon dioxide levels rise, it stimulates the respiratory system to increase rate and tidal volume to eliminate the excess carbon dioxide and maintain normal blood pH levels. Oxygen levels can also influence respiratory drive, but it is not the primary driver. pH and glucose do not directly affect respiratory drive.

Question 13

Shock occurs as a result of which of the following?
A) Inadequate perfusion
B) C/Q match
C) V/Q match
D) Adequate perfusion

Accepted Answer

Shock occurs when there is inadequate perfusion to the tissues, which leads to cellular dysfunction and ultimately organ failure. Choice B and C both refer to the matching of blood flow and ventilation in the lungs and are not directly related to shock. Adequate perfusion may prevent shock, but it is not the cause of shock.

Question 14

What is the name of the heart dysfunction caused by an electrical source that causes the heart to beat too fast?
A) Tachycardia
B) Trauma
C) Heart attack
D) Bradycardia

Accepted Answer

Tachycardia is a condition where the heart beats too fast due to an electrical disturbance. It can cause symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

Question 15

In the normal drive to breathe,chemoreceptors are stimulated by:
A) diffusion.
B) low carbon dioxide.
C) high oxygen.
D) high carbon dioxide.

Accepted Answer

Chemosensors are more sensitive to the concentration of CO2 in the body than the concentration of oxygen. Hence high carbon dioxide levels in the body stimulate chemoreceptors to increase the breathing rate to get rid of excess carbon dioxide via exhalation.

Question 16

The human body is made up of ________ % water.
A) 60
B) 7.5
C) 17.5
D) 75

Accepted Answer

The human body is approximately 60% water, varying with age, gender, and hydration levels.

Question 17

You are called to a kindergarten class where a boy has fallen while climbing on playground equipment.The teacher saw him fall and hit his stomach on a step.He is sobbing and holding his abdomen.As you assess him,you find his skin cool and clammy,his pulse is 132,respiratory is 28.Why is the boy acting this way?
A) He is really upset and wants his mother.
B) He is embarrassed and is afraid that the other students will make fun of him.
C) He possibly has wet his pants and does not want anyone to know.
D) He possibly has internal injuries and is in shock.

Accepted Answer

The cool and clammy skin, high pulse rate, and increased respiratory rate are signs of shock. These symptoms suggest that the boy may have internal injuries, and immediate medical attention should be sought.

Question 18

A 12-year-old female patient is having an asthma attack after participating in some strenuous activity during recess at school.She's taken several doses of her own bronchodilator with little relief.Your partner immediately administers oxygen.Providing supplemental oxygen will increase the amount of oxygen molecules carried by the ________ in her blood,helping oxygenate critical organs like the brain.
A) plasma
B) hemoglobin
C) white blood cells
D) albumin

Accepted Answer

Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to various parts of the body. Providing supplemental oxygen will increase the amount of oxygen molecules carried by hemoglobin in the blood, ultimately helping oxygenate critical organs like the brain. Plasma, white blood cells, and albumin do not play a significant role in oxygen transportation in the blood.

Question 19

Water that is found in the space between cells and blood vessels is called:
A) intravascular.
B) hydrostatic.
C) intracellular.
D) interstitial.

Accepted Answer

Interstitial refers to the space between cells and blood vessels, where interstitial fluid is located. Intravascular refers to the blood vessels themselves, intracellular refers to inside the cell, and hydrostatic refers to the pressure exerted by a fluid at rest.

Question 20

Which of the following is an indicator that a patient's nervous system has been impaired?
A) Changes in pupil dilation
B) Hearing disturbances
C) General weakness
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Changes in pupil dilation can indicate impairment in the autonomic nervous system, hearing disturbances can be a sign of impairment in the auditory nervous system, and general weakness can be a symptom of impairment in the motor or sensory nervous system. Therefore, all of the above options indicate that the patient's nervous system has been impaired.

Quiz 7: Ventilation, perfusion, and Shock: Understanding Pathophysiology

The layer of covering that protects the nervous system is called the:

An infection of the brain is called:

The sympathetic nervous response causes which of the following to occur?

Injuries to the brain and spinal cord,sepsis,and severe allergic reactions can cause what similar cardiovascular problem?

What do chemoreceptors found in the body and vascular system measure?

When the body's water moves from the bloodstream into the interstitial space,it is called:

Daniel has been performing landscaping on a hot,humid summer day when he suddenly becomes dizzy and feels like he might faint.This disruption of fluid balance is most likely caused by:

You respond to a patient who is choking.The victim is suffering from the most common of airway obstructions.This would indicate that the problem is in the ________ airway.

Shock occurs as a result of which of the following?

What is the name of the heart dysfunction caused by an electrical source that causes the heart to beat too fast?

In the normal drive to breathe,chemoreceptors are stimulated by:

The human body is made up of ________ % water.

Water that is found in the space between cells and blood vessels is called:

Which of the following is an indicator that a patient's nervous system has been impaired?