NUR 5461 COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
2026 FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◍ Tardive Dyskinesia.
Answer: Caused by long-term use of traditional antipsychotic drugs, results
in uncontrollable facial tics and involuntary movements of lips, jaw, and
tongue.
◍ Down Syndrome.
Answer: Trisomy 21, common leukemia, Alzheimer's dementia by 5th
decade
◍ Sertraline (Zoloft).
Answer: SSRI effective for treating geriatric depression
◍ A 23-year-old reports bilateral pain with a sensation of a tight band around
the head. Which type of headache fits this description?a. Migraine with
aurab. Migraine without aurac. Tension headached. Cluster headache.
Answer: c. Tension headache.RationaleA tension-type headache is the
most common variety of headache and is characterized by:1. Bilateral
location: It affects both sides of the head simultaneously.2. Band-like
sensation: It is frequently described as a "tight band," "pressure," or
"vice-like" grip around the forehead or the back of the head.3. Mild to
moderate intensity: Unlike migraines, these usually do not involve nausea,
vomiting, or extreme sensitivity to light and sound.Why other options are
incorrect: a. & b. Migraines: These are typically unilateral (one-sided) and
involve a throbbing or pulsating sensation rather than a "tight band." They
are also often accompanied by nausea and light sensitivity. d. Cluster
headache: These are severe, unilateral headaches that occur around or
behind one eye. They are often accompanied by "autonomic" symptoms like
, a watery eye or a runny nose on the affected side and occur in "clusters" of
attacks over weeks or months
◍ Where are the primary-order pain transmitting neurons located within the
spinal cord?a. Lateral root ganglia b. Dorsal root ganglia c. Anterior root
gangliad. Medial root ganglia.
Answer: ANS: b. Dorsal root ganglia The cell bodies of the primary-order
neurons, or pain-transmitting neurons, reside only in the dorsal root ganglia
just lateral to the spine along the sensory pathways that penetrate the
posterior part of the cord.
◍ DPP4 Inhibitor.
Answer: Sitagliptin, known as 'gliptins'
◍ Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR).
Answer: Blood test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle at the
bottom of a tube. Elevated levels indicate inflammation or infection.
◍ 4. Precipitating causes of seizure include all of the following except:a.
meningitis.b. stroke.c. hyperglycemia.d. hyperthermia.e. All of the above
are correct..
Answer: c. hyperglycemia.ExplanationHyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
is typically not considered a common precipitating cause or trigger for
seizures. In metabolic terms, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a much
more frequent and well-recognized cause of acute symptomatic seizures.
While extreme metabolic states like diabetic ketoacidosis (often involving
very high glucose) can sometimes lead to altered mental status, the primary
glucose-related seizure trigger is low levels. other options are incorrect a.
meningitis: Meningitis is a known cause of seizures, as the inflammation of
the brain's protective membranes and the brain itself (meningoencephalitis)
can trigger abnormal electrical activity. b. stroke: Stroke is one of the
leading causes of seizures, especially in older adults, due to brain tissue
damage and scarring. d. hyperthermia: High body temperature
(fever/hyperthermia) is a common trigger for seizures, particularly febrile
seizures in children, and can also lower the seizure threshold in adults with
, epilepsy. e. All of the above are correct: Since hyperglycemia is an
exception, this catch-all statement is false
◍ A person experiences a unilateral, partial seizure and maintains
consciousness. Which term is appropriate to describe this type of seizure?a.
Generalizedb. Focalc. Febriled. Status epilepticus.
Answer: b. Focal.ExplanationFocal seizures (previously called partial
seizures) originate in one specific area or hemisphere of the brain. When a
person remains fully aware and conscious during the event, it is specifically
categorized as a Focal Aware Seizure (formerly known as a "simple partial
seizure").Why other options are incorrect a. Generalized: These seizures
involve both hemispheres of the brain from the onset and are almost always
associated with a loss of consciousness (e.g., tonic-clonic or absence
seizures). c. Febrile: This describes a seizure triggered by a high fever,
typically occurring in infants and young children. While they are usually
generalized, "febrile" describes the cause rather than the location or
awareness level of the seizure. d. Status epilepticus: This is a medical
emergency defined by the duration of the seizure (lasting more than 5
minutes) or having multiple seizures without regaining consciousness in
between. It is not a specific type of seizure based on brain location.
◍ What is the term that denotes the duration of time or the intensity of pain
that a person will endure before outwardly responding?a. Tolerance b.
Perception c. Thresholdd. Dominance.
Answer: ANS: a. Tolerance Pain tolerance is the duration of time or the
intensity of pain that an individual will endure before initiating overt pain
responses. The other options are not related to the duration or intensity of
pain endured before the pain is recognized.
◍ Paroxitine (Paxil).
Answer: SSRI with sedative & anticholinergic effects. Interacts with
Donepezil
◍ Rivastigmine.
Answer: Cholinesterase inhibitor used for hallucinations and dementia in
, Parkinson's disease patients, also indicated for Alzheimer's disease.
◍ Which is an insulating substance for the neuron?
A. Schwann sheath
B. Myelin
C. Neurilemma
D. Node of Ranvier.
Answer: MyelinMyelin is an insulating substance. The neurilemma is the
same as a Schwann sheath; it is the delicate tissue that surrounds each axon.
The nodes of Ranvier are interruptions at regular intervals that occur in the
myelin.
◍ 45. Clinical manifestations of Parkinson disease are caused by a deficit in
which of the brain's neurotransmitters? a. Gamma-aminobutyric acid b.
Dopaminec. Norepinephrine d. Acetylcholine.
Answer: b. Dopamine.ExplanationParkinson disease is primarily caused
by the progressive destruction of nigrostriatal neurons, leading to a severe
depletion of dopamine. This deficit creates an imbalance between inhibitory
(dopaminergic) and excitatory (cholinergic) signals, resulting in the
characteristic motor symptoms like tremors and bradykinesia.Why other
options are incorrect a. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA): While GABA
is an inhibitory neurotransmitter involved in the basal ganglia circuitry, its
deficit is more specifically linked to Huntington disease, not the primary
onset of Parkinson's. c. Norepinephrine: Though some loss of
norepinephrine-producing terminals occurs in Parkinson's (contributing to
non-motor symptoms like fatigue), the classic clinical manifestations are
defined by the dopamine deficit. d. Acetylcholine: In Parkinson disease,
there is actually a relative excess of acetylcholine activity because there isn't
enough dopamine to oppose it. Deficits in acetylcholine are more closely
associated with Alzheimer disease.
◍ Which term describes successive, rapid impulses received from a single
neuron on the same synapse?
A. Temporal summation
2026 FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◍ Tardive Dyskinesia.
Answer: Caused by long-term use of traditional antipsychotic drugs, results
in uncontrollable facial tics and involuntary movements of lips, jaw, and
tongue.
◍ Down Syndrome.
Answer: Trisomy 21, common leukemia, Alzheimer's dementia by 5th
decade
◍ Sertraline (Zoloft).
Answer: SSRI effective for treating geriatric depression
◍ A 23-year-old reports bilateral pain with a sensation of a tight band around
the head. Which type of headache fits this description?a. Migraine with
aurab. Migraine without aurac. Tension headached. Cluster headache.
Answer: c. Tension headache.RationaleA tension-type headache is the
most common variety of headache and is characterized by:1. Bilateral
location: It affects both sides of the head simultaneously.2. Band-like
sensation: It is frequently described as a "tight band," "pressure," or
"vice-like" grip around the forehead or the back of the head.3. Mild to
moderate intensity: Unlike migraines, these usually do not involve nausea,
vomiting, or extreme sensitivity to light and sound.Why other options are
incorrect: a. & b. Migraines: These are typically unilateral (one-sided) and
involve a throbbing or pulsating sensation rather than a "tight band." They
are also often accompanied by nausea and light sensitivity. d. Cluster
headache: These are severe, unilateral headaches that occur around or
behind one eye. They are often accompanied by "autonomic" symptoms like
, a watery eye or a runny nose on the affected side and occur in "clusters" of
attacks over weeks or months
◍ Where are the primary-order pain transmitting neurons located within the
spinal cord?a. Lateral root ganglia b. Dorsal root ganglia c. Anterior root
gangliad. Medial root ganglia.
Answer: ANS: b. Dorsal root ganglia The cell bodies of the primary-order
neurons, or pain-transmitting neurons, reside only in the dorsal root ganglia
just lateral to the spine along the sensory pathways that penetrate the
posterior part of the cord.
◍ DPP4 Inhibitor.
Answer: Sitagliptin, known as 'gliptins'
◍ Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR).
Answer: Blood test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle at the
bottom of a tube. Elevated levels indicate inflammation or infection.
◍ 4. Precipitating causes of seizure include all of the following except:a.
meningitis.b. stroke.c. hyperglycemia.d. hyperthermia.e. All of the above
are correct..
Answer: c. hyperglycemia.ExplanationHyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
is typically not considered a common precipitating cause or trigger for
seizures. In metabolic terms, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a much
more frequent and well-recognized cause of acute symptomatic seizures.
While extreme metabolic states like diabetic ketoacidosis (often involving
very high glucose) can sometimes lead to altered mental status, the primary
glucose-related seizure trigger is low levels. other options are incorrect a.
meningitis: Meningitis is a known cause of seizures, as the inflammation of
the brain's protective membranes and the brain itself (meningoencephalitis)
can trigger abnormal electrical activity. b. stroke: Stroke is one of the
leading causes of seizures, especially in older adults, due to brain tissue
damage and scarring. d. hyperthermia: High body temperature
(fever/hyperthermia) is a common trigger for seizures, particularly febrile
seizures in children, and can also lower the seizure threshold in adults with
, epilepsy. e. All of the above are correct: Since hyperglycemia is an
exception, this catch-all statement is false
◍ A person experiences a unilateral, partial seizure and maintains
consciousness. Which term is appropriate to describe this type of seizure?a.
Generalizedb. Focalc. Febriled. Status epilepticus.
Answer: b. Focal.ExplanationFocal seizures (previously called partial
seizures) originate in one specific area or hemisphere of the brain. When a
person remains fully aware and conscious during the event, it is specifically
categorized as a Focal Aware Seizure (formerly known as a "simple partial
seizure").Why other options are incorrect a. Generalized: These seizures
involve both hemispheres of the brain from the onset and are almost always
associated with a loss of consciousness (e.g., tonic-clonic or absence
seizures). c. Febrile: This describes a seizure triggered by a high fever,
typically occurring in infants and young children. While they are usually
generalized, "febrile" describes the cause rather than the location or
awareness level of the seizure. d. Status epilepticus: This is a medical
emergency defined by the duration of the seizure (lasting more than 5
minutes) or having multiple seizures without regaining consciousness in
between. It is not a specific type of seizure based on brain location.
◍ What is the term that denotes the duration of time or the intensity of pain
that a person will endure before outwardly responding?a. Tolerance b.
Perception c. Thresholdd. Dominance.
Answer: ANS: a. Tolerance Pain tolerance is the duration of time or the
intensity of pain that an individual will endure before initiating overt pain
responses. The other options are not related to the duration or intensity of
pain endured before the pain is recognized.
◍ Paroxitine (Paxil).
Answer: SSRI with sedative & anticholinergic effects. Interacts with
Donepezil
◍ Rivastigmine.
Answer: Cholinesterase inhibitor used for hallucinations and dementia in
, Parkinson's disease patients, also indicated for Alzheimer's disease.
◍ Which is an insulating substance for the neuron?
A. Schwann sheath
B. Myelin
C. Neurilemma
D. Node of Ranvier.
Answer: MyelinMyelin is an insulating substance. The neurilemma is the
same as a Schwann sheath; it is the delicate tissue that surrounds each axon.
The nodes of Ranvier are interruptions at regular intervals that occur in the
myelin.
◍ 45. Clinical manifestations of Parkinson disease are caused by a deficit in
which of the brain's neurotransmitters? a. Gamma-aminobutyric acid b.
Dopaminec. Norepinephrine d. Acetylcholine.
Answer: b. Dopamine.ExplanationParkinson disease is primarily caused
by the progressive destruction of nigrostriatal neurons, leading to a severe
depletion of dopamine. This deficit creates an imbalance between inhibitory
(dopaminergic) and excitatory (cholinergic) signals, resulting in the
characteristic motor symptoms like tremors and bradykinesia.Why other
options are incorrect a. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA): While GABA
is an inhibitory neurotransmitter involved in the basal ganglia circuitry, its
deficit is more specifically linked to Huntington disease, not the primary
onset of Parkinson's. c. Norepinephrine: Though some loss of
norepinephrine-producing terminals occurs in Parkinson's (contributing to
non-motor symptoms like fatigue), the classic clinical manifestations are
defined by the dopamine deficit. d. Acetylcholine: In Parkinson disease,
there is actually a relative excess of acetylcholine activity because there isn't
enough dopamine to oppose it. Deficits in acetylcholine are more closely
associated with Alzheimer disease.
◍ Which term describes successive, rapid impulses received from a single
neuron on the same synapse?
A. Temporal summation
