Neurologic Disorders Objectives with
Rationales
Objective 1
Name the two structural divisions of the nervous system and give the functions of each.
Rationale:
The nervous system is divided into the Central Nervous System (CNS), which processes and
interprets sensory data and issues instructions, and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS),
which transmits information between the CNS and the rest of the body.
Objective 2
List the parts of the neuron, and describe the function of each part.
Rationale:
Neuron parts: Cell body (maintains cell function), dendrites (receive impulses), axon (sends
impulses), myelin sheath (insulates axon and speeds conduction).
Objective 3
Explain the anatomic location and functions of the cerebrum, the brainstem, the cerebellum,
the spinal cord, the peripheral nerves, and cerebrospinal fluid.
Rationale:
Cerebrum (thinking, movement), brainstem (basic life functions), cerebellum
(coordination), spinal cord (signal relay), peripheral nerves (sensory and motor functions),
cerebrospinal fluid (cushions and nourishes the brain).
Objective 4
Discuss the parts of the peripheral nervous system and how the system works with the
central nervous system.
Rationale:
The PNS includes cranial and spinal nerves and communicates sensory data to the CNS and
relays motor commands back to the body.
Objective 5
List the 12 cranial nerves and the areas they serve.
Rationale:
Cranial nerves serve sensory and motor functions in the head, neck, and some organs (e.g.,
optic nerve for vision, vagus nerve for thoracic/abdominal organs).
Objective 6
List physiologic changes that occur with aging in the nervous system.
Rationale:
Changes include brain shrinkage, slower nerve conduction, decreased neurotransmitter
activity, and reduced reflexes.
Objective 7
Explain the importance of prevention in problems of the nervous system, and give several
examples of prevention.
Rationale:
Prevention (e.g., exercise, BP control, avoiding smoking/drugs) reduces risk of stroke,
cognitive decline, and neurotrauma.
Objective 8
Identify the significant subjective and objective data related to the nervous system that
should be obtained from a patient during assessment.
Rationale:
Subjective: headaches, dizziness, memory loss; Objective: LOC, speech clarity, motor
strength, reflexes.
Objective 9
Differentiate between normal and common abnormal findings of a physical assessment of
the nervous system.
Rationale:
Normal: Alert, oriented, equal reflexes; Abnormal: altered LOC, uneven pupils, slurred
speech, weakness.
Objective 10
Discuss the Glasgow Coma Scale.
Rationale:
GCS assesses consciousness via eye, verbal, and motor response with a score from 3 (deep
coma) to 15 (fully alert).
Objective 11
List common laboratory and diagnostic examinations for evaluation of neurologic disorders.
Rationale:
Includes CT, MRI, EEG, lumbar puncture, PET scan, and CSF analysis to diagnose conditions
like stroke, tumors, or meningitis.
Objective 12
List five signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure and relate why they occur
to physiology.
Rationale:
Headache, vomiting, LOC changes, pupil changes, and hypertension result from increased
volume/pressure within the skull.
Objective 13
Identify nursing interventions that decrease intracranial pressure.
Rationale:
Elevate HOB, neutral neck, oxygen, fluid restriction, avoid hip flexion to reduce ICP.
Objective 14
Discuss various neurologic disturbances in motor function and sensory-perceptual function.
Rationale:
Motor: weakness, paralysis; Sensory: numbness, tingling; caused by nerve damage or CNS
issues.
Objective 15
Discuss the clinical manifestations of three types of headache.
Rationale:
Vascular: throbbing pain; Tension: pressure-like pain; Traction-inflammatory: intense,
persistent pain due to inflammation.
Objective 16
Describe nursing interventions and teaching needs for the patient with headaches.
Rationale:
Encourage hydration, rest, stress reduction, avoid triggers; teach medication adherence and
warning signs.
Objective 17
Describe nursing and medical measures to manage pain in the patient with neurological
conditions.
Rationale:
Includes analgesics, physical therapy, positioning, heat/cold application, and emotional
support.
Objective 18
List four classifications of seizures, their characteristics, clinical signs, aura, and postictal
period.
Rationale:
Tonic-clonic: convulsions, LOC; Absence: brief stare; Psychomotor: repetitive actions;
Jacksonian: localized motor activity. All may have auras and postictal confusion.
Objective 19
Give examples of six degenerative neurologic diseases and explain the etiology,
pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, assessment, diagnostic tests, medical
management, nursing interventions, and prognosis for each.
Rationale:
Examples: MS, Parkinson’s, ALS, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, Myasthenia Gravis. All involve
progressive neuron damage; treatment focuses on symptom relief and maintaining function.
Objective 20
Discuss the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations of stroke and the assessment,
diagnostic tests, medical management, nursing interventions, and prognosis for a stroke
patient.
Rationale:
Stroke: ischemic or hemorrhagic; causes sudden weakness, speech problems; CT scan
diagnosis; treated with tPA, surgery; requires rehab.
Objective 21
Differentiate between trigeminal neuralgia and Bell palsy.
Rationale:
Trigeminal neuralgia: facial pain due to CN V; Bell palsy: facial paralysis due to CN VII
inflammation.
Objective 22
Discuss the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, assessment, diagnostic tests,
medical management, nursing interventions, and prognosis for Guillain-Barré syndrome,
meningitis, encephalitis, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Rationale:
GBS: autoimmune, ascending paralysis; Meningitis: inflammation of meninges; Encephalitis:
brain inflammation; AIDS: may cause neuro symptoms. All need rapid diagnosis and
supportive care.
Objective 23
Explain the mechanism of injury to the brain that occurs with a stroke and traumatic brain
injury.
Rationale:
Stroke: loss of blood/oxygen; TBI: trauma causes bruising, bleeding, or swelling of brain
tissue.
Objective 24
Discuss the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, assessment, diagnostic tests,
medical management, nursing interventions, and prognosis for intracranial tumors, brain
trauma, and spinal trauma.
Rationale:
Tumors: abnormal growths; Brain trauma: concussions, hemorrhage; Spinal trauma: loss of
motor/sensory below injury. Treatment: surgery, meds, rehab.
