Concept explainers
Elaine Sawyer, 35, was on her way to the local elementary school with her three children when a bus near her minivan had an accident. the accident on Route 91 occurred. As Mrs. Sawyer swerved to avoid the bus, the right rear corner of her minivan struck the side of the bus, causing the minivan to tip over and slide on its side. Her children were shaken but unhurt. Mrs. Sawyer, however, suffered a severe head injury that caused post-traumatic seizures.
The drugs initially prescribed for her treatment were insufficient to control these seizures. Her doctor additionally prescribed Valium (diazepam), but suggested that she use it only for a month because Valium induces tolerance (loses its effectiveness). After a month of Valium treatment, Mrs. Sawyer no longer had seizures and gradually reduced and eliminated her use of Valium. After being seizure-free for another year, restrictions on her driver’s license were lifted.
Seizures reflect uncontrolled electrical activity of groups of neurons in the brain. Valium is described as a drug that can “quiet the nerves,” which means that it inhibits the ability of neurons to generate electrical signals. What are these electrical signals called, and what is happening at the level of the cell when they are generated?
Want to see the full answer?
Check out a sample textbook solutionChapter 11 Solutions
Anatomy & Physiology
- Woody was accidentally struck in the head with a baseball bat. He fellto the ground, unconscious. Later, when he regained consciousness,he could not remember any of the events that happened 10 minutesbefore the accident. Explain. What complications might develop at alater time?arrow_forward(a) Define concussion and contusion. (b) Why does severe brain stem injury result in unconsciousness?arrow_forwardSpinal Cord It had been a busy week for Amanda. She had taken three exams, and as if that wasn't stressful enough, her sister was ill and Amanda had to spend much of her time helping out at home. By the end of the week, Amanda decided to go to the beach for a walk and some genuine relaxation. The day was warm and Amanda took off her shoes so she could walk barefoot and feel the sand between her toes. Halfway down the beach, she stepped on something extremely sharp and withdrew her foot in pain. As Amanda hopped around the sand on one foot, rubbing the other to ease the pain, she decided to put her shoes back on. As Amanda stepped on something sharp, she withdrew her foot due to reflexes. Any pain experienced would have been just AFTER she moved her foot off of the sharp object. Why is there a delay in perceiving the pain sensation?arrow_forward
- Spinal Cord It had been a busy week for Amanda. She had taken three exams, and as if that wasn't stressful enough, her sister was ill and Amanda had to spend much of her time helping out at home. By the end of the week, Amanda decided to go to the beach for a walk and some genuine relaxation. The day was warm and Amanda took off her shoes so she could walk barefoot and feel the sand between her toes. Halfway down the beach, she stepped on something extremely sharp and withdrew her foot in pain. As Amanda hopped around the sand on one foot, rubbing the other to ease the pain, she decided to put her shoes back on. Regarding the reflex that moved her injured foot, classify it according to the complexity of the circuit.arrow_forwardYou are observing a neurological exam. The patient is having difficulty tandem walking. Tandem walking evaluates_____. A) pituitary function B) frontal cortex function C) cerebellar function D) thalamus functionarrow_forwardTed is a war veteran who was hit in the back with small pieces of shrapnel. His skin is numb in the center of his buttocks and along the entire posterior side of a lower limb, but there is no motor problem. Indicate which of the following choices is the most likely site of his nerve injury, and explain your choice: (a) a few dorsal roots of the cauda equina, (b) spinal cord transection at C6, (c) spinal cord transection at L5, (d) femoral nerve transected in the lumbar region.arrow_forward
- 2(2)Answer these questions well detailed in paragraphs and explained please. A) What are the different ways to mesure brain activity? B) What is the purpose of measuring brain activity?arrow_forwardDenise had a prescription for Xanax to treat her anxiety and help her sleep.What is the mechanism of action of Xanax and other benzodiazepines?How would the benzodiazepines be beneficial in treating Denise’s seizure?arrow_forwardA patient presents with paralysis of the right side of the body. A) You know that this patient has suffered brain damage. Explain how you know the damage is to the brain, not the spinal cord. B) What region of the brain is most likely affected? Explain your answer.arrow_forward
- 50. A 23-year-old man is brought to the emergency department 1 hour after being injured in a hunting accident. Physical examination shows an arrow penetrating the skull. X-rays show that the arrow is in the middle cranial fossa. Which of the following parts of the brain is most likely injured by the arrow? A) Cerebellum B) Frontal lobe C) Medulla D) Occipital lobe E) Temporal lobearrow_forwardDamage to the cerebellum is more likely to cause what kind of disorder? a) ataxia b) concussion c) aphasiaarrow_forwardA 45-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 3-month history of difficulty walking. Physical examination shows an erratic, reeling, imbalanced, and broad based gait. Attempted compensatory movements exaggerate her state of imbalance. A lesion or primary dysfunction in which of the following structures Is the most likely cause of the abnormal gait in this patient? A) Anterior columns of spinal cord B) Anterior horn cells C) Basal ganglion D) Parietal lobes E) Posterior columns of spinal cord F) Vermisarrow_forward
- Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap ...BiologyISBN:9781285866932Author:Lauralee SherwoodPublisher:Cengage LearningSurgical Tech For Surgical Tech Pos CareHealth & NutritionISBN:9781337648868Author:AssociationPublisher:Cengage