Question 1

Juliana has just suffered an interruption of blood flow to her brain. Her doctor has told her that she has just experienced a(n) ____ and that they should now do what they can to prevent the onset of a stroke.

Accepted Answer

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain, which can cause symptoms similar to a stroke but usually last only a few minutes to a few hours. It is a warning sign that a stroke may be imminent, so it is important to take action to prevent a full-blown stroke from occurring. Presbycusis is age-related hearing loss, amyloid is a protein that can accumulate in brain tissue and is associated with Alzheimer's disease, and circadian rhythm refers to the body's natural 24-hour sleep-wake cycle. None of these are related to the situation described in the question.

Question 2

After a series of strokes, Jerry is unable to recognize family members and has a very difficult time understanding his native language. The most probable diagnosis is

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described suggest that Jerry has experienced damage to his brain as a result of reduced blood flow, which is characteristic of vascular dementia. This condition can result from a series of small strokes, which can cause significant cognitive impairment. Huntington's disease is a genetic disorder that affects the nervous system, but its symptoms are typically different from those described here. Neuritic plaques are associated with Alzheimer's disease, which is a form of dementia, but this diagnosis is less likely given the nature of Jerry's symptoms. Presbycusis is a type of hearing loss that can occur with age, but it is not related to the cognitive problems described here.

Question 3

If your goal was to get the best image of a brain structure, you should use a

Accepted Answer

The answer of If your goal was to get the...

Question 4

Fifty-year-old Keith is informed by his doctor that his brain is showing signs of the initial development of neuritic plaques and a few neurofibrillary tangles. This is

Accepted Answer

Neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are common findings in the aging brain and do not definitively indicate Alzheimer's disease unless accompanied by clinical symptoms. These changes can be considered part of the normal aging process in many individuals.

Question 5

Concerning brain imaging, MRI is to fMRI as

Accepted Answer

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is used to create images of the brain's structure, while fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) is used to measure brain activity and function. Therefore, the relationship between MRI and fMRI is similar to the relationship between structure and function.

Question 6

Carmen has a very difficult time breathing. Even after walking short distances, she is gasping for air. Carmen is exhibiting symptoms of

Accepted Answer

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that causes difficulty breathing, coughing, and wheezing. Shortness of breath during activity is a common symptom of COPD.

Question 7

When viewed through a microscope, a _____ would most resemble a spiral-shaped mass.

Accepted Answer

Neurofibrillary tangles are twisted fibers that form inside nerve cells as a result of abnormal processing of a protein called tau. When viewed under a microscope, they appear as a spiral-shaped mass. Telomeres are protective caps on the ends of chromosomes, free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can damage cells, and neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit signals between nerve cells.

Question 8

While doing an autopsy of a brain, Dr. Howard shakes her head in disgust, saying, "This is just awful." When an assistant asks her what she sees, she says, "Two words ... deformed axons." What was the source of Dr. Howard's disgust?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Howard's disgust is likely due to the presence of deformed axons, which is a characteristic of neurofibrillary tangles, a hallmark feature of Alzheimer's disease.

Question 9

What is not used as a diagnostic test for vascular dementia?

Accepted Answer

Measurement of neurotransmitter levels is not used as a diagnostic test for vascular dementia. Computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and neuropsychological tests are commonly used diagnostic tests for vascular dementia.

Question 10

The defining characteristic of a cerebral vascular accident is

Accepted Answer

A cerebral vascular accident, commonly known as a stroke, is caused by an interruption of blood flow to the brain. This can lead to a variety of symptoms ranging from temporary weakness or numbness to permanent disabilities such as the loss of speech or motor function. Death can occur as a result of a stroke, but it is not the defining characteristic of the condition. Neuritic tangling is a characteristic of Alzheimer's disease, and the cessation of respiratory output is a sign of respiratory failure or cardiac arrest.

Question 11

If a neuron becomes extremely tangled,

Accepted Answer

If a neuron becomes extremely tangled, information can no longer flow through the neuron leading to disrupted neural functioning.

Question 12

When you see a book titled How Neurons Communicate with Each Other, you could be sure it would discuss

Accepted Answer

The title specifically mentions neurons, which are nerve cells that communicate with each other through structures called dendrites. Therefore, choice A is the best answer. Choice B (working memory) and choice C (internal aids) do not relate to neuron communication, and choice D (cerebral vascular accidents) is unrelated to the topic of the book.

Question 13

What does not typically happen to the cardiovascular system as we age?

Accepted Answer

As we age, the heart muscles typically become weaker and less able to pump as much blood per minute.

Question 14

The key factor in determining the impact of vascular dementia is

Accepted Answer

The key factor in determining the impact of vascular dementia is which areas of the brain are damaged. Vascular dementia is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, which results in damage to brain cells. The specific areas of the brain that are affected will determine the specific symptoms experienced by the individual, such as problems with memory, thinking, or movement. Age, heart health, and sex may also contribute to the development of vascular dementia, but the location and extent of brain damage are the primary factors influencing the impact of the disease.

Question 15

As a typical 80-year-old, Joan's ____ would have decreased significantly since she was 20.

Accepted Answer

The answer of As a typical 80-year-old, Joan's ____ would...

Question 16

What is a more common term used to describe a cerebral vascular accident?

Accepted Answer

The more common term used to describe a cerebral vascular accident is a stroke. Parkinson's disease is a disorder that affects movement, presbyopia is a visual condition associated with aging, and presbycusis is a hearing condition associated with aging.

Question 17

Which does not belong?

Accepted Answer

Emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma are all respiratory conditions, while dysphoria is a psychological condition characterized by feelings of dissatisfaction, restlessness, and unhappiness.

Question 18

A cerebral hemorrhage occurs when a blood vessel in the brain

Accepted Answer

A cerebral hemorrhage occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding into the brain tissue. This can lead to a variety of symptoms and can be life-threatening.

Question 19

While looking at slides of brain tissue in a physiology class, you see groups of damaged neurons that have collected around a core of protein. What are you looking at?

Accepted Answer

Neuritic plaques are clusters of damaged neurons that collect around a core of protein called beta-amyloid. They are a hallmark of Alzheimer's Disease. Neurotransmitters are chemicals used by neurons to communicate with each other. Neurofibrillary tangles are twisted fibers of a protein called tau that build up inside neurons, also seen in Alzheimer's Disease. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a class of antidepressant drugs.

Question 20

Despite the fact that Feodor's hands shake and he has a difficult time walking, positioning, and moving his body to get in and out of chairs, he remains mentally sharp. Feodor appears to have

Accepted Answer

Feodor's symptoms of shaky hands and difficulty with movement are characteristic of Parkinson's disease, a neurological disorder that affects the motor system. However, his mental sharpness remains intact, which is not usually the case with Alzheimer's disease, another neurological disorder that primarily affects cognitive functions. Huntington's disease is also a neurological disorder that affects movement, but it has different symptoms and effects on mental cognition. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a respiratory disorder and is not related to Feodor's described symptoms.

Quiz 14: The Personal Context of Later Life: Physical, Cognitive, and Mental Health Issues