As a nurse who specializes in psychiatric and mental health, you need to understand how the brain and nervous system work before suggesting medications for patients. This means knowing about neurons, which are the basic building blocks of the nervous system, and how they communicate with each other and the brain. To help you with this, you’ll need to review some learning materials and think about topics like neuroanatomy, electrical impulses in the nervous system, and how neurons can change over time.

Table of Contents

To get ready for this assignment:

1. Look over the resources provided for this week to help you understand the material better.
2. Think about what neurons are and how they work within the nervous system.
3. Consider how neurons connect and communicate with each other and how this affects the brain’s functions.
4. Reflect on the idea of neuroplasticity, which is how the brain can adapt and change over time.

For the assignment:

1. Describe the structure of a neuron, including its different parts and how electrical impulses travel through it.
2. Answer some questions about the subcortical structures in the brain, their functions, and the neurotransmitters involved in motor control.
3. Explain the role of glia cells in the central nervous system.
4. Describe how communication happens between neurons at the synapse.
5. Discuss the concept of neuroplasticity and provide examples of how it works.

As a psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner, before you can recommend potential pharmacotherapeutics to address a patient’s condition or disorder, you must understand the basic function and structure of the neuron and central nervous system. For this Assignment, you will review and apply your understanding of neuroanatomy by addressing a set of short answer prompts.

Case Study: Mr. Smith brings his 4-year-old son to your primary care office. He states the boy has been ill for three days

To Prepare:

• Review the Learning Resources for this week in preparation to complete this Assignment.
• Reflect on the basic function and structure of the neuron in relation to the central nervous system.
• Reflect on the inter-connectedness between neurons and the central nervous system, including the pathway and distribution of electrical impulses.
• Reflect on how neurons communicate with each other and review the concept of neuroplasticity.

TO COMPLETE:

Address the following Short Answer prompts for your Assignment. Be sure to include references to the Learning Resources for this week.

1. In 4 or 5 sentences, describe the anatomy of the basic unit of the nervous system, the neuron. Include each part of the neuron and a general overview of electrical impulse conduction, the pathway it travels, and the net result at the termination of the impulse. Be specific and provide examples.
2. Answer the following (listing is acceptable for these questions):
   • What are the major components that make up the subcortical structures?
   • Which component plays a role in learning, memory, and addiction?
   • What are the two key neurotransmitters located in the nigra striatal region of the brain that play a major role in motor control?
3. In 3 or 4 sentences, explain how glia cells function in the central nervous system. Be specific and provide examples.
4. The synapse is an area between two neurons that allows for chemical communication. In 3 or 4 sentences, explain what part of the neurons are communicating with each other and in which direction does this communication occur? Be specific.
5. In 3–5 sentences, explain the concept of “neuroplasticity.” Be specific and provide examples.