Question 1

Which portion of the brain controls vital body functions?
A) Diencephalon
B) Brainstem
C) Cerebrum
D) Cerebellum

Accepted Answer

The brainstem controls the vital functions of the body, such as blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration.

Question 2

Which portion of the nervous system regulates involuntary functions of the body?
A) Central nervous system (CNS)
B) Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
C) Somatic nervous system (SNS)
D) Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

Accepted Answer

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) comprises the autonomic nervous system and the somatic nervous system (SNS). The ANS regulates the involuntary functions of the body, and the SNS regulates voluntary skeletal motor muscle activity

Question 3

Which neurons transmit signals from the periphery to the CNS?
A) Motor
B) Sensory
C) Associational
D) Interneuron

Accepted Answer

Sensory (afferent) neurons transmit signals from the periphery to the CNS. Motor (efferent) neurons transmit signals from the CNS to organs or skeletal muscles.

Question 4

Which is not a change in the brain associated with aging?
A) The ventricles decrease in size.
B) The brain shrinks.
C) The gyri narrow.
D) The sulci widen.

Accepted Answer

The brain shrinks and creates structural changes with age, particularly to the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes. The ventricles enlarge, the gyri of the cerebral cortex narrow, and the surrounding sulci widen.

Question 5

Which process occurs first in the development of Alzheimer's disease?
A) N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are overstimulated.
B) Chemical changes in tau proteins cause structural collapse.
C) Beta amyloid plaques form and impair transmission of signals along neural pathways.
D) There is a decline in the production of acetylcholine.

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease is attributed to several changes within the brain that cause progressive cognitive impairments. First, there is a decline in the production of acetylcholine, which reduces neurotransmitters and disrupts cognitive processes.

Question 6

Which is an acute, reversible condition of fluctuating cognitive function?
A) Lewy body dementia
B) Vascular dementia
C) Delirium
D) Parkinson's disease

Accepted Answer

Dementia is an acute, reversible change in cognitive function that results in confusion and inability to focus.

Question 7

During which stage of Alzheimer's disease would you expect an individual with the illness to become aphasic and incontinent?
A) Early
B) Middle
C) Late
D) Severe

Accepted Answer

During the middle (moderate) stage, individuals with Alzheimer's disease experience a progression of cognitive decline, increased difficulty with executive decision making, and increased difficulty driving and performing ADLs, and they may become aphasic and incontinent and have difficulty sleeping.

Question 8

In which cognition test is the patient asked to repeat three unrelated words, follow directions to draw a clock, then repeat the three unrelated words?
A) Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
B) Delirium Elderly At Risk (DEAR) scale
C) Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)
D) Mini-Cog examination

Accepted Answer

The Mini-Cog examination is used during the pre-admission assessment to predict delirium. The test takes about 5 minutes, and the patient is asked to repeat three unrelated words, follow directions to draw a clock, then repeat the three unrelated words.

Question 9

The nurse practitioner is providing education to the caregivers of an individual with dementia. Which recommendation would assist with reality orientation?
A) Using calendars and clocks
B) Creating large signs to label each room
C) Looking at photo albums and reminiscing
D) Maintaining consistency in daily activities

Accepted Answer

All of the recommendations are appropriate ways to enhance the care and well-being of an individual with dementia. Photo albums and reminiscing assist with reality orientation, using calendars and clocks assists with orientation to time, and creating large signs can help a patient locate rooms.

Question 10

The Beers list of drugs is used to do which of the following?
A) Identify which drugs to prescribe to individuals with alcohol dependence
B) Identify drugs that should be avoided in the care of older adults who are hospitalized
C) Identify drugs that interact with antipsychotics
D) Identity drugs that slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease

Accepted Answer

The Beers list of drugs can be used to help identify drugs that are potentially harmful to older adults due to normal changes in aging and disease processes that are common in older adults.

Question 11

Which neurotransmitter can be both excitatory and inhibitory?
A) Acetylcholine
B) Dopamine
C) Glutamate
D) Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA)

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine and norepinephrine can be both excitatory and inhibitory, depending on their targets. Dopamine and glutamate are always excitatory, and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) is inhibitory.

Question 12

Which decline in cognition is a normal change associated with aging?
A) Verbal language
B) Remote recall
C) Divided attention
D) Crystalized intelligence

Accepted Answer

Verbal language, remote recall, and crystalized intelligence are generally stable with aging. Divided attention, newer knowledge, word retrieval or name recall, and ability to recall recent or new memories may decline as a normal part of aging.

Question 13

Which medication may be used to decrease anxiety and seizure activity?
A) Lorazepam
B) Haloperidol
C) Memantine
D) Donepezil

Accepted Answer

Lorazepam inhibits the neurotransmitter GABA and may be used to decrease anxiety and seizure activity. This medication is for short-term use and may cause withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly.

Question 14

Which medication may cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome?
A) Rivastigmine
B) Galantamine
C) Memantine
D) Lorazepam

Accepted Answer

Galantamine is a cholinesterase inhibitor that is used to manage symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease. The medication may cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which is rare but is considered a medical emergency.

Question 15

When referring to Case Study 6: Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), ADHD symptoms are a result of abnormal brain activity primarily in which area of the brain?
A) Cerebral cortex
B) Prefrontal cortex
C) Sensory cortex
D) Motor cortex

Accepted Answer

The executive functions of the prefrontal cortex control behaviors such as attention, organization, emotions, inhibitions, and short-term working memory. Abnormal brain activity in this area causes the symptoms primarily associated with ADHD.

Quiz 24: Altered Cognitive Function

Which portion of the brain controls vital body functions?

Which portion of the nervous system regulates involuntary functions of the body?

Which neurons transmit signals from the periphery to the CNS?

Which is not a change in the brain associated with aging?

Which process occurs first in the development of Alzheimer's disease?

Which is an acute, reversible condition of fluctuating cognitive function?

During which stage of Alzheimer's disease would you expect an individual with the illness to become aphasic and incontinent?

In which cognition test is the patient asked to repeat three unrelated words, follow directions to draw a clock, then repeat the three unrelated words?

The nurse practitioner is providing education to the caregivers of an individual with dementia. Which recommendation would assist with reality orientation?

The Beers list of drugs is used to do which of the following?

Which neurotransmitter can be both excitatory and inhibitory?

Which decline in cognition is a normal change associated with aging?

Which medication may be used to decrease anxiety and seizure activity?

Which medication may cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome?

When referring to Case Study 6: Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) , ADHD symptoms are a result of abnormal brain activity primarily in which area of the brain?