NEURO SYSTEM – COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE (ALL-IN-ONE)

A collection of flashcards summarizing key concepts and terms related to the nervous system, cognition, dementia, and delirium based on the study guide.

Neurons

Specialized cells that transmit signals throughout the nervous system.

Glial cells

Supporting cells that nourish and protect neurons.

Afferent neurons

Nerve fibers that carry sensory information to the brain.

Efferent neurons

Nerve fibers that carry commands from the brain to muscles.

Cognition

The mental process involving memory, language, judgment, and reasoning.

Executive Function

Higher-level cognitive processes such as planning and decision-making.

Dementia

Progressive cognitive decline that alters memory and reasoning, not a normal part of aging.

Alzheimer’s disease

The most common form of dementia, characterized by plaque formation in the brain.

Delirium

Acute, sudden confusion with a fluctuating level of consciousness, usually reversible.

Clinical manifestations of delirium

Key features include sudden onset, inattention, disorientation, and fluctuating symptoms.

Frontal Lobe

Responsible for executive functions, personality, and voluntary movement.

Temporal Lobe

Involved in memory, language comprehension, and hearing.

Occipital Lobe

Responsible for vision processing.

Cranial nerves

Twelve pairs of nerves that control various sensory and motor functions.

FAST

An acronym to identify stroke symptoms: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911.

Risk factors for dementia

Include age, poor diet, lack of exercise, and cardiovascular disease.

Pathophysiology of dementia

Involves brain damage and decreased communication between neurons.

Neuro assessment

An evaluation of mental status, cranial nerves, motor and sensory function, and reflexes.

PERRLA

An assessment acronym for pupils: Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation.

Cognitive domains

Specific areas of cognition such as attention, language, memory, and visuospatial skills.