Deck 52: Meningitis and Other Infections of the Central Nervous Systems

Question 1

Specialized secretory cells located centrally within the brain in the third and fourth ventricles that produce cerebrospinal fluid are called

A)the choroid plexus.
B)ventricles.
C)meninges.
D)pia mater.

Answer 1

A
There are four large, fluid-filled spaces within the brain referred to as ventricles. Specialized secretory cells called the choroid plexus produce CSF. The choroid plexus is located centrally within the brain in the third and fourth ventricles.

Question 2

Proper storage of CSF sent to the laboratory for bacterial culture includes

A)refrigeration for up to 23 hours.
B)freezing at 70° C.
C)incubation (35° C).
D)freezing at temperatures above 70° C.
E)All of the above are correct.

Answer 2

C
CSF should be hand-delivered immediately to the laboratory. Specimens should never be refrigerated. Certain agents, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, may not be detectable after an hour or longer unless antigen detection methods are used. If not rapidly processed, CSF should be incubated (35° C) or left at room temperature. One exception to this rule involves CSF for viral studies. These specimens may be refrigerated for as long as 23 hours after collection or frozen at -70º C if a longer delay is anticipated until they are inoculated. CSF for viral studies should never be frozen at temperatures above -70º C.

Question 3

The most common source of infection in the central nervous system is

A)hematogenous spread.
B)infections at other sites such as otitis media.
C)organisms gaining access because of anatomic defects in central nervous system structures.
D)bacteria that are able to travel along nerves leading to the brain.

Answer 3

A
Organisms may gain access to the CNS by several primary routes. Hematogenous spread is the most common way that the CNS becomes infected. Direct spread from an infected site, defects in CNS structures, and travel along nerves leading to the brain are other routes.

Question 4

The innermost membrane layer surrounding the brain and spinal column is called

A)dura mater.
B)meninges.
C)arachnoid.
D)pia mater.

Question 5

The middle layer of membranes surrounding the brain and spinal column is called

A)dura mater.
B)meninges.
C)arachnoid.
D)pia mater.

Question 6

Organisms may gain access to the central nervous system (CNS) by which route?

A)Hematogenous spread
B)Spread from infections at other sites, such as otitis media
C)Anatomic defects in central nervous system structures
D)Travel along nerves leading to the brain
E)All of the above are correct.

Question 7

An increase of lymphocytes and other mononuclear cells (pleocytosis) in the CSF and negative bacterial and fungal cultures is referred to as

A)meningoencephalitis.
B)aseptic meningitis.
C)encephalitis.
D)pleocytosis.
E)meningitis.

Question 8

The outermost layer of membranes surrounding the brain and spinal column is called

A)dura mater.
B)meninges.
C)arachnoid.
D)pia mater.

Question 9

A condition characterized by concomitant meningitis that occurs with encephalitis is called

A)meningoencephalitis.
B)aseptic meningitis.
C)encephalitis.
D)pleocytosis.
E)meningitis.

Question 10

Large, fluid-filled spaces within the brain are called

A)the choroid plexus.
B)ventricles.
C)meninges.
D)pia mater.

Question 11

An inflammation of the brain parenchyma usually a result of viral infection is called

A)meningoencephalitis.
B)aseptic meningitis.
C)encephalitis.
D)pleocytosis.
E)meningitis.

Question 12

A collective term used for the three layers of membranes surrounding the brain and spinal column is

A)dura mater.
B)meninges.
C)arachnoid.
D)pia mater.

Question 13

Infection within the subarachnoid space or throughout the pia mater and the arachnoid membrane is referred to as

A)meningoencephalitis.
B)aseptic meningitis.
C)encephalitis.
D)pleocytosis.
E)meningitis.