A 30-year-old woman tells the nurse that she has been very unsteady and has had difficulty in maintaining her balance. Which area of the brain most concerns the nurse?

A) Thalamus
B) Brainstem
C) Cerebellum
D) Extrapyramidal tract

The cerebellar system coordinates movement, maintains equilibrium, and helps maintain posture. So the nurse would be most concerned about this area of the brain. The thalamus is the primary relay station where sensory pathways of the spinal cord, cerebellum, and brainstem form synapses on their way to the cerebral cortex. The brainstem consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla and has various functions, especially concerning autonomic centers. The extrapyramidal tract maintains muscle tone for gross automatic movements, such as walking. The thalamus is the primary relay station where sensory pathways of the spinal cord, cerebellum, and brainstem form synapses on their way to the cerebral cortex. The brainstem consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla and has various functions, especially concerning autonomic centers. The extrapyramidal tract maintains muscle tone for gross automatic movements, such as walking. With this patient's unsteady gait and balance problems, the nurse would be most concerned with the cerebellum.