Nervous System

Question 1

What does the Nervous System do?

Answer 1

Co-ordinates all activities inside and outside the body

Question 2

What is the Nervous System made up of?

Answer 2

• Entire body covered with fibres called nerves

- Over 100 Billion nerve cells in body called neurons

Question 3

What are the 3 divisions of the Nervous System?

Answer 3

1. Central Nervous System
2. Peripheral Nervous System
3. Autonomic Nervous System

Question 4

Describe the Central nervous system:

Answer 4

• Brain, spinal cord, spinal nerves & cranial nerves
• controls consciousness, mental activities, voluntary functions of the five senses,
• and voluntary muscle actions including all body movements and facial expressions

Question 5

Describe the Peripheral nervous system (outer):

Answer 5

• connects outer part of body to CNS
• It has both sensory and motor nerves
• It carries impulses, or messages to and from the central nervous system

Question 6

Describe the Autonomic Nervous System:

Answer 6

• controls involuntary muscles

- Regulates smooth muscles, glands, blood vessels, the hearts and breathing

Question 7

The organs affected by the autonomic system receive nerve cells or fibres from its two divisions which are:

Answer 7

The organs affected by the autonomic system receive nerve cells or fibres from its two divisions: sympathetic and parasympathetic.

Question 8

What is the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 8

-stimulates of speeds up activity and prepares the body for stressful situations

Question 9

What is the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 9

-operates under normal, no stressful conditions and help restore and slow down activity, thus keeping the body in balance.

Question 10

What is the largest and most complex nerve tissue in the body? (The brain and spinal cord)

Answer 10

The Brain

Question 11

Where is the Brain located? (Brain and spinal cord)

Answer 11

Contained in the cranium

Question 12

What does the Brain and spinal cord control?

Answer 12

Controls sensation, muscles, glands, thinking & feeling

Question 13

How does the Brain and spinal cord send messages?

Answer 13

Sends telegraphic images through 12 pairs of cranial nerves.

Question 14

Where is the Spinal Cord located? (CNS- brain and spinal cord)

Answer 14

Originates in the brain and travels down the trunk- protected by spinal cord column.

Question 15

How many nerves are involved in the spinal cord? (CNS)

Answer 15

31 pairs of nerves exit the cord and supply the body.

Question 16

What is the primary structural unit of the nervous system? (Nerve cell structure and function)

Answer 16

A neuron or nerve cell

Question 17

What is a neuron or nerve cell composed of? (Nerve cell structure and function)

Answer 17

It is composed of: Cell body, nucleus, dendrites & an axon

Question 18

What is the function of the dendrites? (Nerve cell structure and function)

Answer 18

Dendrites receive information from other neurons

Question 19

What is the function of the Axons? (Nerve cell structure and function)

Answer 19

Axons send messages away from the cell body to other neurons, glands, muscles and organs

Question 20

What is the function of the Nerves? (Nerve cell structure and function)

Answer 20

• Nerves are whitish cords, made up of bundles of nerve fibres held together by connective tissue through which impulses are transmitted
• Nerves have their origin in the brain and spinal cord and their branches to all parts of the body

Question 21

How many types of Nerves are there?

Answer 21

Two

Sensory (afferent) and Motor (efferent)

Question 22

Describe Sensory Nerves:

Answer 22

• Afferent nerves
• carries impulses or messages from the sense organs to the brain, where sensations such as touch , cold, heat, sight, taste, smell, paint and pressure are experienced
• sensory nerve endings called receptors are located close to the surface of the skin
• as impulses pass form the sensory nerves to the brain and back through the motor nerves to the muscles; a complete circuit is established, resulting in movements of the muscles

Question 23

Describe Motor Nerves:

Answer 23

• Efferent
• carries impulses from the brain to the muscles of glands
• these transmitted impulses produce movements

Question 24

What is a reflex?

Answer 24

• An automatic nerve reaction to a stimulus
• involves the movement of impulses from sensory receptor along the afferent neuron to a muscle, causing a reaction
• for example: the quick removal of the hand from a hot object)
• Reflexes do not have to be learned, they are automatic.

Question 25

Pathologies of the nervous system can be broadly categorized into three groups:

Answer 25

1. Pathologies affecting the brain 2. Pathologies affecting the Central Nervous System (CNS) 3. Pathologies Affecting the peripheral nerves

Question 26

What can Pathologies affecting the brain cause?

Answer 26

These conditions may affect the clients ability to understand information, or may affect their emotional control.

Question 27

What is Alzheimer’s disease? (Pathologies of the brain)

Answer 27

- caused by atrophy of areas of the brain - characterized by gradual and insidious progression of symptoms such as confusion, memory failure, restlessness, and speech disturbances - usually occurs in the elderly but can occasionally start in person of middle age - A client with Alzheimer’s may require a family member to help them understand the service being provided, and to give consent of their behalf.

Question 28

Describe Seizure disorders (pathologies of the brain)

Answer 28

- seizures or convulsions (epilepsy) result from abnormal or irregular discharges of electrical activity in the brain. - during these episodes, the individual may experience sensory disturbances, seizures, abnormal behaviour and loss of consciousness - causes of most seizure disorders are unknown but they have been linked to brain injury either before or after birth and chemical imbalances. - seizures are sometimes brought on by flashing or flickering lights, or other stimulus that is irritating to the clients brain

Question 29

Seizure may present in different ways. Describe ABSENCE seizures:

Answer 29

-present as brief periods of unconsciousness and the client may not be aware that anything has happened. There is no convulsion

Question 30

Seizure may present in different ways. Describe PARTIAL or FOCAL seizures:

Answer 30

- do not involve any loss of consciousness | - client may exhibit unusual behaviour, such as walking around in a circle or saying things that don’t make sense

Question 31

Seizure may present in different ways. Describe Tonic-clonic seizures:

Answer 31

- often preceded by a warning sign that the client is aware of - in the seizure itself the client loses consciousness, drops to the floor, and there is jerking of the muscles caused by repeated contractions and relaxations of the major muscle groups

Question 32

What is the first rule if someone is having a seizure?

Answer 32

-Protect from injury - do not attempt to restrain the person in any way - make sure they cannot fall (it is best if they can be on the floor) - cushion any hard or sharp surfaces so they cannot injure themselves - After the seizure, do not continue any treatment but place the client in a quiet, warm place until they are able to leave. Arrange for safe transportation.

Question 33

Describe Depression (disorders of mood)

Answer 33

- a common disorder which affects approximately 20% of the population and is more common in women than in men. - It may be unipolar (depression only) or bipolar (alternating depression and mania)

Question 34

What is situational depression vs clinical depression?

Answer 34

Situational depression- when someone feels depression after an unfortunate incident that’s has taken place in their lives Clinical depression- linked to decreased levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine It can be controlled with medications to regulate there’s brain chemicals

Question 35

Which type of depression is linked to lack of daylight in winter months?

Answer 35

SAD- seasonal affective disorder

Question 36

Describe Schizophrenia (pathologies of the brain)

Answer 36

- psychotic disorder of thought and language - manifestations include disorganized speech, delusions, visual and auditory hallucinations - onset usually early adulthood - cause is abnormality in brain structure and neurotransmitters - symptoms can be controlled by medications that regulate neurotransmitters

Question 37

Describe Anxiety Disorders (pathologies of the brain)

Answer 37

-include panic disorders and obsessive compulsive disorders

Question 38

Describe panic disorders (anxiety disorders) (pathologies of the brain)

Answer 38

-panic disorder is characterized by a feeling of intense fear with racing heart, increased breathing rate, and sweating

Question 39

Describe obsessive compulsive disorders (anxiety disorders) pathologies of the brain)

Answer 39

- obsessive compulsive disorder is characterized by repetitive thoughts and repeated acts that are time consuming or distressing to the person - (they may have to wash their hands repeatedly before they can leave the house, or perform tasks a particular number of times or in a particular order. - OCD is also seen in people with other neurological disorders such as autism - These disorders are frequently seen in several members of a family

Question 40

What are eating disorders?

Answer 40

Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulletin and binge eating -they involve serious disturbances in eating as well as excessive concern over body weight and shape

Question 41

What is Anorexia nervosa?

Answer 41

-involves an intense fear of gaining weight -most common in young women -it often begins when a young women is overweight or believes she is overweight -An interest in weight reduction becomes an obsession with severely restricted food intake and frequently with excessive physical exercise -Psychological issues are involved in which a person tries to exert control in their life by controlling food intake and weight -Many systems are affected by the malnutrition that results —menstruation stops —breasts disappear —bones become weak —the person is constipated —heart size decreases —fine har (lanugo) may develop on skin —death can occur due to starvation or damage to heart or other organs

Question 42

What is binge eating?

Answer 42

Characterized by eating rapidly, until uncomfortably full - eating large amounts when not hungry - eating alone because of embarrassment

Question 43

What is Bulimia nervosa?

Answer 43

- also more common in women than men - usually begins in teenage years - consists of binge eating followed by self induced vomiting or abuse of laxatives - problems that result are dental disorders and damage to the throat and stomach - electrolyte imbalance may result with lose of necessary minerals - the individuals weight may fluctuate - some people with anorexia nervosa may also have bulimia

Question 44

What is Multiple Sclerosis? (Pathologies of the CNS) (brain and spinal cord)

Answer 44

- starts in early adulthood - more common in northern climates - twice as common in women than men and tends to occur in families - the myelin covering the nerves in the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve is affected, causing symptoms which vary depending on the location of the demyelination - symptoms include: visual changes, numbness and spasticity of muscles, changes in gait or inability to walk, fatigue, speech disturbances - symptoms may occurs and then relapse - some people have lengthy periods of remission and symptoms progress very slowly/ others progress rapidly

Question 45

What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis? (ALS) (a.k.a Lou Gehrig Disease) (pathologies of the CNS) (brain and spinal cord)

Answer 45

- a devastating neurological disorder that affects motor function - symptoms: weakness, spasticity or stiffness, and impaired fine motor control - some experience difficulty swallowing, speaking or breathing - tends to affect older adults - survival rate 3-5 years

Question 46

Describe Spinal Cord Injuries (pathologies of the CNS) (brain and spinal cord)

Answer 46

- symptoms depend on level of injury and the amount of damage - complete SCI implies that there is no movement or sensation below the level of injury. However severance of the cord is rare. - an incomplete spinal cord injury may result in paralysis of the legs OR may cause damage to the motor nerves while retaining some sensation

Question 47

What is Cerebral Palsy (pathologies of the CNS) (brain and spinal cord)

Answer 47

- a group of motor disorders resulting in muscular in coordination and loss of muscle control. - not a disease/ caused by damage to the brains motor areas during fetal life, birth, or infancy - not progressive but irreversible - intelligence may or may not be affected, speech may be impaired

Question 48

What are causes of Cerebral Palsy during fetal life?

Answer 48

``` -causes during fetal life include: —rubella infection —toxaemia —malnutrition during pregnancy —damage during birth resulting from decreased oxygen ```

Question 49

What are causes of Cerebral Palsy during childhood?

Answer 49

Causes during childhood are: —trauma —seizures

Question 50

What is Parkinson’s Disease? (Pathologies of the CNS) (brain and spinal cord)

Answer 50

- progressive, degenerative, neurological disorder - marked by the destruction of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain - onset typically over 50 years old but some as early as 40 - Muscles may alternatively contract and relax, causing tremors OR may be rigid - They may have difficulty initiating movement - some will have difficulty walking