Test Bank - Focus on Nursing Pharmacology (8th Edition by Karch)
1. What part of the neuron carries information into the neuron from other neurons?
a. Axon
b. Dendrite
c. Nucleus
d. Soma
Ans: B
Feedback:
Dendrites carry information to the nerve and axons; they also carry information from
a nerve to be transmitted to effector cells, which are found in muscles, glands, or
another nerve. Soma refers to the cell body. The nucleus is the central part of a cell,
which is responsible for the cell’s growth, reproduction, and metabolism.
2. When a neuron is stimulated and causes depolarization of the nerve, what occurs?
a. Calcium rushes into the cell.
b. Sodium rushes into the cell.
c. Potassium rushes into the cell.
d. Sodium and potassium are actively pumped out to the cell.
Ans: B
Feedback:
When depolarization occurs, sodium rushes into the cell. During repolarization,
potassium is pumped out of the cell and the resting membrane potential is
reestablished. Calcium ions decrease the cell membranes’ permeability to sodium and
increase the threshold needed to depolarize the cell.
3. What neurotransmitter inhibits overexcitability and is important in preventing
seizure activity in a patient?
a. Acetylcholine
b. Dopamine
c. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
d. Serotonin
Ans: C
Feedback:
GABA is found in the brain and inhibits nerve activity. It is important in preventing
overexcitability or stimulation such as seizure activity. Acetylcholine communicates
, between nerves and muscles. Dopamine is involved in the coordination of impulses
and responses, both motor and intellectual. Serotonin is found in the limbic system
and is important in arousal and sleep as well as in preventing depression and
promoting motivation.
4. The nurse is caring for a patient who has an injured hindbrain. What would the
nurse expect to find altered when assessing the patient?
a. Arousal and awareness
b. Basic vital functions
c. Coordination and motor activity
d. Learning and motivation
Ans: B
Feedback:
The hindbrain contains centers that control basic vital functions (e.g., blood pressure,
respirations, vomiting). The reticular activating system in the medulla controls arousal
and awareness. Learning and motivation occur in the cerebral cortex. Coordination
and motor activity are controlled through the cerebellum and basal ganglia.
5. A female patient has experienced a stroke affecting the right side of her brain.
What will the nurse expect to assess in this patient?
a. Inability to recall the name of her best friend
b. Inability to state her telephone number
c. Inability to distinguish a spoon from a fork
d. Inability to recall how to apply her makeup
Ans: C
Feedback:
The right side of the brain is the artistic side and is concerned with forms and shapes.
This patient could have difficulty distinguishing the roundness of the spoon with the
straight line of the top of the fork. The left side of the brain is more analytical and is
concerned with names, numbers, and process.
6. The nurse is caring for a patient with meningitis who is not responding to the
prescribed antibiotic and whose condition continues to deteriorate. What rationale
will the nurse give the family to explain why the antibiotic is not as effective as it
was hoped?
a. The meninges do not have a blood supply.
b. The bloodbrain barrier prevents the antibiotics from crossing into the brain.
c. The circle of Willis redirects the antibiotic elsewhere.
d. The pressure in the hindbrain prevents entry into the skull.
Ans: B
Feedback:
1. What part of the neuron carries information into the neuron from other neurons?
a. Axon
b. Dendrite
c. Nucleus
d. Soma
Ans: B
Feedback:
Dendrites carry information to the nerve and axons; they also carry information from
a nerve to be transmitted to effector cells, which are found in muscles, glands, or
another nerve. Soma refers to the cell body. The nucleus is the central part of a cell,
which is responsible for the cell’s growth, reproduction, and metabolism.
2. When a neuron is stimulated and causes depolarization of the nerve, what occurs?
a. Calcium rushes into the cell.
b. Sodium rushes into the cell.
c. Potassium rushes into the cell.
d. Sodium and potassium are actively pumped out to the cell.
Ans: B
Feedback:
When depolarization occurs, sodium rushes into the cell. During repolarization,
potassium is pumped out of the cell and the resting membrane potential is
reestablished. Calcium ions decrease the cell membranes’ permeability to sodium and
increase the threshold needed to depolarize the cell.
3. What neurotransmitter inhibits overexcitability and is important in preventing
seizure activity in a patient?
a. Acetylcholine
b. Dopamine
c. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
d. Serotonin
Ans: C
Feedback:
GABA is found in the brain and inhibits nerve activity. It is important in preventing
overexcitability or stimulation such as seizure activity. Acetylcholine communicates
, between nerves and muscles. Dopamine is involved in the coordination of impulses
and responses, both motor and intellectual. Serotonin is found in the limbic system
and is important in arousal and sleep as well as in preventing depression and
promoting motivation.
4. The nurse is caring for a patient who has an injured hindbrain. What would the
nurse expect to find altered when assessing the patient?
a. Arousal and awareness
b. Basic vital functions
c. Coordination and motor activity
d. Learning and motivation
Ans: B
Feedback:
The hindbrain contains centers that control basic vital functions (e.g., blood pressure,
respirations, vomiting). The reticular activating system in the medulla controls arousal
and awareness. Learning and motivation occur in the cerebral cortex. Coordination
and motor activity are controlled through the cerebellum and basal ganglia.
5. A female patient has experienced a stroke affecting the right side of her brain.
What will the nurse expect to assess in this patient?
a. Inability to recall the name of her best friend
b. Inability to state her telephone number
c. Inability to distinguish a spoon from a fork
d. Inability to recall how to apply her makeup
Ans: C
Feedback:
The right side of the brain is the artistic side and is concerned with forms and shapes.
This patient could have difficulty distinguishing the roundness of the spoon with the
straight line of the top of the fork. The left side of the brain is more analytical and is
concerned with names, numbers, and process.
6. The nurse is caring for a patient with meningitis who is not responding to the
prescribed antibiotic and whose condition continues to deteriorate. What rationale
will the nurse give the family to explain why the antibiotic is not as effective as it
was hoped?
a. The meninges do not have a blood supply.
b. The bloodbrain barrier prevents the antibiotics from crossing into the brain.
c. The circle of Willis redirects the antibiotic elsewhere.
d. The pressure in the hindbrain prevents entry into the skull.
Ans: B
Feedback:
