Deck 70: Meningitis, Encephalitis, and Other Infections of the Central Nervous System

Question 1

A condition characterized by concomitant meningitis that occurs with encephalitis is called:

A) meningoencephalitis.
B) aseptic meningitis.
C) encephalitis.
D) pleocytosis.

Answer 1

A
Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain parenchyma and is usually a result of viral infection.Concomitant meningitis that occurs with encephalitis is known as meningoencephalitis.

Question 2

The outermost layer of membranes surrounding the brain and spinal column is the:

A) dura mater.
B) meninges.
C) arachnoid.
D) pia mater.

Answer 2

A
Because of the vital and essential role of the CNS in the body's regulatory processes, the brain and spinal cord have two protective coverings: an outer covering consisting of bone and an inner covering of membranes called the meninges.The meninges is a collective term for three distinct layers surrounding the brain and spinal column-the dura mater (outermost membrane layer), the arachnoid, and the pia mater (innermost membrane layer).

Question 3

The most common source(s)of infection in the central nervous system (CNS)is(are):

A) hematogenous spread.
B) infections at other sites such as otitis media.
C) organisms gaining access because of anatomic defects in CNS structures.
D) bacteria that are able to travel along nerves leading to the brain.

Answer 3

A
Organisms may gain access to the CNS by several primary routes.Hematogenous spread is the most common way that the CNS becomes infected.Direct spread from an infected site, defects in the CNS structures, and travel along the nerves leading to the brain are other routes.

Question 4

Proper storage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)sent to the laboratory for bacterial culture includes:

A) refrigeration for up to 23 hours.
B) freezing at 70° C.
C) incubation at 35° C.
D) freezing at temperatures above 70° C.

Question 5

Specialized secretory cells centrally located in the brain in the third and fourth ventricles that produce CSF are called the:

A) choroid plexus.
B) ventricles.
C) meninges.
D) pia mater.

Question 6

The middle layer of membranes surrounding the brain and spinal column is the:

A) dura mater.
B) meninges.
C) arachnoid.
D) pia mater.

Question 7

The innermost membrane layer surrounding the brain and spinal column is the:

A) dura mater.
B) meninges.
C) arachnoid.
D) pia mater.

Question 8

A collective term used for the three layers of membranes surrounding the brain and spinal column is the:

A) dura mater.
B) meninges.
C) arachnoid.
D) pia mater.

Question 9

An increase of lymphocytes and other mononuclear cells (pleocytosis)in the CSF and negative bacterial and fungal cultures is referred to as:

A) meningoencephalitis.
B) aseptic meningitis.
C) encephalitis.
D) pleocytosis.

Question 10

Infection within the subarachnoid space or throughout the pia mater and the arachnoid membrane is referred to as:

A) meningoencephalitis.
B) aseptic meningitis.
C) encephalitis.
D) meningitis.

Question 11

The large, fluid-filled spaces within the brain are called the:

A) choroid plexus.
B) ventricles.
C) meninges.
D) pia mater.

Question 12

An inflammation of the brain parenchyma that is usually a result of viral infection is:

A) meningoencephalitis.
B) aseptic meningitis.
C) encephalitis.
D) meningitis.