ATI RN
ATI Neurological System Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
You are instructing a patient who has multiple sclerosis about how dantrolene (Dantrium) will help control spasticity. Through which of the following pharmacologic actions is this drug effective in treating this manifestation?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Dantrolene, a peripherally acting muscle relaxant, acts directly on spastic muscles and inhibits muscle contraction by preventing the release of calcium in skeletal muscles. Anticholinergic drugs or muscarinic antagonist block acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction. Baclofen, a centrally acting muscle relaxant, relieves spasticity by interrupting nerve signals from the spinal cord. Most drugs used to treat myasthenia gravis act by preventing the destruction of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction.
Question 2 of 5
What is the role of semaphorins and Eph ligands in development of the nervous system?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Semaphorins and Eph ligands act as guidance cues for growing axons. They generally function as repulsive signals, causing growth cones to turn away from inappropriate regions. This ensures precise navigation of axons to their correct targets, which is essential for establishing functional neural circuits.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is evaluating the status of a client who had a craniotomy 3 days ago. The nurse would suspect the client is developing meningitis as a complication of surgery if the client exhibits:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A positive Brudzinski's sign, where flexion of the neck causes involuntary flexion of the hips and knees, is a classic sign of meningitis. Meningitis is a potential complication after craniotomy due to the breach in the protective meninges, allowing pathogens to enter the central nervous system. Other signs include fever, headache, and nuchal rigidity.
Question 4 of 5
The nervous system is divided into the ___________.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nervous system is broadly divided into the Central Nervous System (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord, and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS), which includes all neural tissue outside the CNS. This division is fundamental to understanding the organization and function of the nervous system.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is reviewing the results of a patient's diagnostic tests which show changes in nerve insulation. What structure should the nurse explain to the patient that electrically insulates neurons?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The myelin sheath is a phospholipid layer that electrically insulates neurons, allowing for faster transmission of nerve impulses. Astrocytes are a type of neuroglial cell, gray matter contains cell bodies, and interneurons facilitate communication within the central nervous system. The myelin sheath's role in nerve function is critical for understanding neurological disorders.