ATI RN
Test Questions on Autonomic Nervous System MCAT Questions
Question 1 of 5
The interruptions occurring at regular intervals along a myelin-coated axon are:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Nodes of Ranvier are gaps in the myelin sheath where action potentials regenerate, enabling saltatory conduction.
Question 2 of 5
A client who is about to begin chemotherapy for colon cancer expresses concern about the effects of the drugs on the brain. The nurse can reassure this client based on knowledge of what protective feature of the central nervous system (CNS)?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The blood-brain barrier restricts drug entry into the CNS, protecting the brain from many chemotherapy agents. CSF cushions, myelin insulates, neuroglia support.
Question 3 of 5
A family of a client with a subarachnoid hemorrhage asks the nurse for an explanation of this diagnosis. The nurse explains that the client is bleeding into what area of the brain?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding into the subarachnoid space (between arachnoid and pia mater). Other options describe epidural or ventricular bleeds.
Question 4 of 5
The thalamus is located in the:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The thalamus is a major structure in the diencephalon, part of the forebrain, acting as a relay station for sensory and motor signals. It is not in the telencephalon (cerebrum), mesencephalon (midbrain), metencephalon (pons/cerebellum), or myelencephalon (medulla).
Question 5 of 5
Brain waves common to a healthy, sleeping person and a brain-damaged, awake person are called:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Delta waves (slow, high-amplitude) occur in deep sleep in healthy individuals and can appear in awake brain-damaged patients, indicating dysfunction. Alpha (relaxed), beta (alert), and theta (light sleep) have different contexts.