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1000+ Basics of Neurology Multiple Choice Question Answer [Solved]

Thursday 9th of March 2023

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1. Topic: Alzheimer's Disease
Subject: Medicine
Which one of the following tests is most useful for the initial workup of suspected Alzheimers disease?

A. Carotid Doppler ultrasonography
B. An erythrocyte sedimentation rate
C. A cardiac stress test
D. A TSH level
Answer : D
2. Topic: Dementia
Subject: Medicine
All of the following dementias can benefit from specific treatments, except:

A. Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)
B. Alzheimers disease
C. Sarcoidosis
D. Creutzfeldt Jakob disease
Answer : D
3. Topic: Brain Death
Subject: Medicine
A 30 year old man has been on life support systems for the past 48 hours following blunt head trauma. Brain death cannot be established in this patient if there is the presence of which of the following?

A. Carotid blood flow
B. Cremasteric reflexes
C. Elevated serum aminoglycoside concentrations
D. Hypothermia
Answer : D
4. Topic: Alzheimer's Disease
Subject: Medicine
Which one of the following is associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimers disease?

A. A positive homozygous genotype for apolipoprotein E4
B. Elevated serum aluminum
C. Elevated serum alpha-tocopherol
D. Decreased serum Beta-carotene
Answer : A
5. Topic: Seizure
Subject: Medicine
A 32-year-old female experiences an episode of unresponsiveness associated with jerking movements of her arms and legs. Which one of the following presentations would make a diagnosis of true seizure more likely?

A. Post-event confusion
B. Eye closure during the event
C. A history of fibromyalgia
D. A history of chronic back pain
Answer : A
6. Topic: Guillain-Barr� syndrome
Subject: Medicine
A 43-year-old man presents 2 weeks after you see him for infectious diarrhea caused by C. jejuni. He has now developed bilateral proximal lower limb weakness and bilateral distal parasthesia and decreased ankle tendon reflex.
What is the most likely diagnosis?

A. Guillain-Barr� syndrome
B. Multiple Sclerosis
C. Myasthenia Gravis
D. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Answer : A
7. Topic: Adverse Drug Effect
Subject: Medicine
A 68-year-old man with a history of urolithiasis, suffered from a seizure attack which involved loss of consciousness with tonic and clonic muscular contractions. His tongue fell back into his throat and he choked. He is treated with valproic acid.
What are the most common side effects caused by this medication?

A. Weight gain
B. Rash
C. Nausea and headache
D. Tardive dyskinesia
Answer : C
8. Topic: Essential Tremor
Subject: Medicine
A 75 year old white male complains of a tremor which has been progressive over the past 2 years. The tremor interferes with writing, pouring liquids, and eating soup. He has no other medical problems. He abstains from alcohol and tobacco products. Physical examination is remarkable for an action tremor of the upper extremities and a head tremor. No rigidity or gait disorder is noted. Of the following agents, which one is most appropriate as initial drug therapy for this problem?

A. Alprazolam (Xanax)
B. Clonazepam (Klonopin)
C. Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
D. Propranolol (Inderal)
Answer : D
9. Topic: Mini Mental Status Exam (or MMSE)
Subject: Medicine
A 63-year-old retired teacher shared with his primary care physician (PCP) during a routine office visit that he has noticed increasing difficulty with his memory. Otherwise he is in good health and requiring no medication.
Which one of the following psychological tests is a valuable screening device to be used by primary care physicians in this type of situation?

A. MMPI
B. WAIS
C. Thematic Apperception Test
D. Mini-Mental State Exam
Answer : D
10. Topic: Diagnostic Investigations
Subject: Medicine
A 50-year-old male is brought to the emergency department because of a syncopal episode. Prior to the episode, he felt bad for 30 minutes, then developed nausea followed by vomiting. During a second bout of vomiting he blacked out and fell to the floor. His wife did not observe any seizure activity, and he was unconscious only for a few seconds. His history is otherwise negative, his past medical history is unremarkable, and he currently takes no medications. A physical examination is normal.
Which one of the following would be the most helpful next step?

A. CT of the head
B. Carotid ultrasonography
C. A CBC and complete metabolic profile
D. An EKG
Answer : D
11. Topic: Delirium Tremens
Subject: Medicine
You see a 49-year-old man in the emergency room with a 20-year-history of alcohol abuse. He is agitated and floridly psychotic, with visual hallucinations and persecutory delusions. On examination his blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate are all increased. He is disoriented, sweaty, and has abdominal cramps.
What is the most likely diagnosis?

A. Subdural hematoma
B. Alcohol intoxication
C. Hepatic encephalopathy
D. Delirium tremens
Answer : D
12. Topic: Horner's Syndrome
Subject: Medicine
A 54-year-old white male presents with drooping of his right eyelid for 3 weeks. On examination, he has ptosis of the right upper lid, miosis of the right pupil, and decreased sweating on the right side of his face. Extraocular muscle movements are intact. In addition to a complete history and physical examination, which one of the following would be most appropriate at this point?

A. A chest radiograph
B. MRI of the brain and orbits
C. 131 Iodine thyroid scanning
D. A fasting blood glucose level
Answer : A
13. Topic: Temporal Arteritis
Subject: Medicine
A female patient complains of a severe headache and jaw pain when she chews. She also complains of shoulder pain and bilateral wrist weakness. Initial lab tests show an ESR of 75 (normal is less than 30).
What is the most appropriate diagnosis?
A. Rheumatoid Arthritis
B. Temporal Arteritis
C. Polymyositis
D. Sarcoidosis
Answer : B
14. Topic: Horner's Syndrome
Subject: Medicine
A 70-year-old man presented with ptosis, myosis and anhydrosis on the left side. Which one of the following is the most likely cause of this condition?

A. Tumour induced exophthalmos
B. Fourth cranial nerve palsy
C. Apical pulmonary carcinoma
D. Enlarged thyroid gland
Answer : C
15. Topic: Mini Mental Status Exam (or MMSE)
Subject: Medicine
While performing the Mini-Mental State Exam the PCP asks her patient to copy the following design. What cognitive function is being assessed by this request?

A. Language
B. Orientation
C. Registration
D. Visual-motor integrity
Answer : D
16. Topic: Peripheral Neuropathy
Subject: Medicine
A 68-year-old male presents to your department complaining of a very horrible sensation in his legs that started out 4 weeks ago as pins and needles tickling him but now has progressed and feels like being stabbed in his feet. He has started to use a walker because he feels that when he walks it feels like stepping on eggshells. The pain has not been responsive to acetaminophen and ibuprofen. The patients past medical history is significant for diabetes type II treated with metformin and glimepiride. The patient has not been very compliant with medications, especially metformin because he feels it causes him an upset stomach. His most recent HbA1C level was 9.8%. He also has hypercholesterolemia treated with lovastatin and hypertension treated with Lisinopril and amlodipine. His vital signs are temperature 37.4°C, BP is 125/70 mmHg, pulse 85/min, and respirations 15/min. The dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulses are +2 bilaterally. No distal muscles weakness or atrophy is observed. Manual esthesiometer with monofilaments is used and reveals decreased sensation from the midfoot distally on both feet. There is no evidence of erythema, edema, or any wounds on either foot. He has tenderness to light touch on both feet. Labs reveal normal Vitamin B12 and thyroid function.
Which of the following would be the most appropriate treatment for this patients pain?

A. Daily metformin compliance
B. Metoclopramide
C. Pregabalin
D. Alpha lipoic acid
Answer : C
17. Topic: Alzheimer's Disease
Subject: Medicine
Which one of the following has NOT been identified as a risk factor for Alzheimer-type dementia (AD)?

A. Trisomy 18
B. Head trauma
C. Advanced age
D. Obesity and hypertension
Answer : A
18. Topic: Alzheimer's Disease
Subject: Medicine
A 62 year old woman has demonstrated increasing loss of recent memory over a 5 year period, now associated with reduced affect and nominal dysphasia. She dresses neatly and social amenities are preserved. There are no localizing motor or sensory findings.
Which one of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A. Cerebral vascular disease
B. Hydrocephalus
C. Huntington's disease
D. Alzheimer's disease
Answer : D
19. Topic: Seizure
Subject: Medicine
Of the following, which is the most frequent cause of seizures in the elderly?

A. Alcohol withdrawal
B. Stroke
C. Head trauma
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer : B
20. Topic: Temporal Arteritis
Subject: Medicine
A 75-year-old female presents with a 2-month history of bilateral headache, diffuse myalgias, and diplopia. On examination she has substantially diminished vision in her left eye, but no other neurologic findings. A moderately tender, cordlike structure is palpable just anterior to her ear and extending up to her lateral scalp. Blood tests show a markedly elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Which one of the following would be most appropriate at this point?

A. Clopidogrel (Plavix)
B. High-dose corticosteroids
C. NSAIDs
D. Dipyridamole/aspirin (Aggrenox)
Answer : B
21. Topic: Bell's Palsy
Subject: Medicine
A 53-year-old male accountant comes to your office with progressive facial weakness on the left side that began yesterday. He also reports pain behind the left ear and decreased lacrimation from the left eye. He has been in good health and had his yearly physical examination 1 week ago, which was normal. His lipid levels, chemistry profile, and CBC were all normal. He has not been involved in any outdoor activities, nor does he engage in any high-risk sexual behavior. On examination, there is flattening of the left nasolabial fold and decreased ability to close the left eye. The mouth appears to be drawn to the right. The remainder of his general examination and neurologic examination are normal.
Which one of the following would be the most appropriate management at this time?

A. Carotid ultrasonography
B. High-resolution CT
C. MRI with gadolinium enhancement
D. Prednisone and valacyclovir (Valtrex)
Answer : D
22. Topic: Seizure
Subject: Medicine
A patient is on carbamazepine for his new onset seizures. He has now had 3 attacks in last 2 weeks. His serum level of carbamazepine is within the therapeutic range.
What is the next step in management?

A. Repeat CT scan and EEG
B. Add another agent (eg. Phenytoin)
C. Re-check carbamazepine level in 2 weeks
D. Check CBC, CMP and TSH/FT4
Answer : B
23. Topic: Delirium Tremens
Subject: Medicine
A patient with delirium tremens manifests all of the following, except:

A. Clouded consciousness
B. Hypothermia
C. Coarse tremor
D. Tachypnea
Answer : B
24. Topic: Fragile X Syndrome
Subject: Medicine
You are asked to see a mentally challenged 45-yearold male from a nearby group home who has groin pain. On examination you notice that he has large ears, a prominent jaw, and large symmetric testicles.
These findings are consistent with:

A. A variant form of Down syndrome
B. Aspergers syndrome
C. Klinefelters syndrome
D. Fragile X syndrome
Answer : D
25. Topic: Adverse Drug Effect
Subject: Medicine
During the morning rounds, a second year resident presents a patien as a 58-year-old female who suffers from rigidity and tremors. She has been diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease involving the depigmentation of substantia nigra and loss of dopaminergic input to basal ganglia. Identify the medication that would worsen rather than improve this patient's condition?

A. Levodopa
B. Bromocriptine
C. Chlorpromazine
D. Pergolide
Answer : C
26. Topic: Postherpetic Neuralgia
Subject: Medicine
A 78-year-old male comes to your office with a 3- day history of pain in the right side of his chest. The pain is described as burning and intense. Two days ago he noted a rash at that site. Examination reveals groups of vesicles on an erythematous base in a T-5 dermatome distribution on the right.
Which one of the following would be the most appropriate treatment to minimize the chance of post-herpetic neuralgia?

A. Famiciclovir (Famvir)
B. Prednisone
C. Capsaicin (Zostrix)
D. Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Answer : A
27. Topic: Temporal Arteritis
Subject: Medicine
A 70-year-old woman returns to the office because of aching and weakness in her arms to the point where she cannot lift her arm to brush her hair. Physical examination shows no muscle tenderness or other evidence of joint disease in both arms. The aching improves when she takes the prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). She also describes tenderness over the right temporal area of her scalp. Physical examination of the scalp shows no lesions.
Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?

A. Increase the dose of the NSAID
B. Order determination of erythrocyte sedimentation rate
C. Order determination of serum rheumatoid factor
D. Order x-ray films of the cervical spine
Answer : B
28. Topic: Seizure
Subject: Medicine
A 52-year-old male with a history of seizure attacks suffered from loss of consciousness and tonic and clonic muscular contractions. His tongue fell back into the throat and he choked. What is the most likely diagnosis of this presentation?

A. Petit mal seizure
B. Grand mal seizure
C. Myoclonic seizure
D. Atonic seizure
Answer : B
29. Topic: Analgesics
Subject: Medicine
A 74-year-old black female has moderately severe pain due to osteoarthritis. However, she is also on medication for a seizure disorder. When choosing medications to manage her chronic pain, which one of the following should be used with caution because of her history of seizures?

A. Salsalate (Disalcid)
B. Celecoxib (Celebrex)
C. Hydrocodone (Lortab)
D. Tramadol (Ultram)
Answer : D
30. Topic: Organophosphate poisoning
Subject: Medicine
What is the mechanism of action in organophosphate poisoning?

A. Cholinesterase inhibition
B. Cholinesterase activation
C. Catecholamine inhibition
D. Catecholamine activation
Answer : A
31. Topic: Trigeminal Neuralgia
Subject: Medicine
A 55-year-old man complains of extremely severe, sharp, shooting pain in his face. He describes the episodes as being like a bolt of electricity that are brought about by touching a specific area, last about 60 seconds, and occur many times during the day. Neurologic examination is completely normal, but it is noted that part of his face is unshaven because he fears to touch that area. Gadoliniumenhanced MRI shows no abnormalities of the trigeminal nerve.
Which of the following is the most appropriate initial treatment?

A. Anticonvulsants
B. Aspirin
C. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
D. Vasoconstrictors
Answer : A
32. Topic: Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Subject: Medicine
A 36-year-old female presents with the sudden onset of severe headache, nausea, and photophobia. Her level of consciousness is progressively diminishing. Which one of the following would be the most appropriate next step?

A. Head CT without contrast
B. Head CT with contrast
C. Head MRI
D. Lumbar puncture
Answer : A
33. Topic: Temporal Lobe Lesion
Subject: Medicine
A 40 year old man presents with sporadically occurring behaviour automatisms and olfactory hallucinations. Which one of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A. Schizophrenia
B. Schizophreniform psychosis
C. Hysterical personality disorder
D. Temporal lobe lesion
Answer : D
34. Topic: Seizure
Subject: Medicine
A 68-year-old man with a history of urolithiasis, suffered from a seizure attack which involved loss of consciousness with tonic and clonic muscular contractions. His tongue fell back into his throat and he choked.
Which of the following medications is contraindicated in this patient's treatment?

A. Levetiracetam
B. Phenytoin
C. Topiramate
D. Carbamazepine
Answer : C
35. Topic: Glasgow Coma Scale
Subject: Medicine
A 27 year old man is brought into the ER after a bicycling accident. A car door suddenly opened in front of him, of which he smashed into and was thrown 15 feet. On examination, he is drowsy and confused. He opens his eyes when his name is called. When he speaks, you understand his words but the sentences do not make sense. He moves all four limbs but does not respond to any commands. He is able to pull both hands away when pinched and squirms when his sternum is rubbed, making no effort to stop you.
What is his Glasgow Coma Scale score?

A. 11
B. 10
C. 9
D. 8
Answer : B
36. Topic: Amnesia
Subject: Medicine
Which of the following medications may cause amnesia as a side effect?

A. Hydroxyzine
B. Fluoxetine
C. Triazolam
D. Clonidine
Answer : C
37. Topic: Foot Drop
Subject: Medicine
During the physical exam of a patients foot, you notice an inability to dorsiflex. What nerve root(s) is most likely affected?

A. T12
B. L1
C. L2
D. L4 - L5
Answer : E
38. Topic: Seizure
Subject: Medicine
A 75-year-old male is brought to your office 1 month after a stroke that involved the left anterior cerebral artery, manifested by leg weakness, initial incontinence, and sloness in mentation. He experienced seizure activity on the second day after his stroke, but this was controlled by phenytoin (Dilantin). He has improved significantly and is now ambulatory. His family states that he now has episodic confusion, sleepiness, and clumsiness, which is preceded by paresthesias and dizziness, although no tonicclonic activity has been noted. He remains very drowsy for several hours after these episodes. He was wearing a cardiac monitor during one episode, but it showed nothing remarkable. His phenytoin level is therapeutic, and a CBC, metabolic profile, and magnesium level are all normal.
Which one of the following would be the most appropriate next step?

A. Discontinue the phenytoin
B. Add phenobarbital to the phenytoin
C. Begin bupropion (Wellbutrin)
D. Begin lamotrigine (Lamictal)
Answer : D
39. Topic: Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Subject: Medicine
An 81-year-old female is brought to your office by her son. He reports a decrease in his mothers memory and prolonged delays in her responses to questions. She also has developed urinary incontinence. MRI shows dilated ventricles, but no other pathology, and a lumbar puncture reveals a normal opening pressure.
Which one of the following would provide additional evidence of normal pressure hydrocephalus?

A. Monocular visual loss
B. Internuclear ophthalmoplegia
C. Headache
D. Apraxia of gait
Answer : D
40. Topic: Status Epilepticus
Subject: Medicine
Which one of the following should be given intravenously in the initial treatment of status epilepticus?

A. Propofol (Diprivan)
B. Phenobarbital
C. Lorazepam (Ativan)
D. Midazolam (Versed)
Answer : C
41. Topic: Cholinergic Toxidrome
Subject: Medicine
A 37 year old male arrives at the Emergency Department unconscious. He is warm and sweaty. His heart rate is 52 bpm, his BP is 90/60. His pupils are constricted, his eyes are teary, and he is drooling. You assume he is suffering from a toxidrome.
What antidote will you give him?

A. Flumazenil
B. Naloxone
C. Glucagon
D. Atropine
Answer : D
42. Topic: Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Subject: Medicine
A previously alert, otherwise healthy 74-year-old black male has a history of slowly developing progressive memory loss and dementia associated with urinary incontinence and gait disturbance resembling ataxia.
This presentation is most consistent with:

A. Normal pressure hydrocephalus
B. Alzheimers disease
C. Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
D. Multiple sclerosis
Answer : A
43. Topic: Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Subject: Medicine
A 25-year-old male presents 5 hours after the onset of the worst headache of my life. His temperature is 37.0°C (98.6°F), blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg, respiratory rate 20/min, and pulse rate 90 beats/min. The patient is lethargic but oriented; there are no focal neurologic findings, but neck stiffness is present. Unenhanced CT of the head is negative. You elect to perform a lumbar puncture. At this time, which one of the following findings in bloody spinal fluid would indicate a diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage?

A. Yellow-orange cerebrospinal fluid supernatant
B. A WBC:RBC ratio of 1/1000
C. A protein (g/L) to RBC (count/L) of 1/1000
D. A glucose level below 2.2 mmol/L
Answer : A
44. Topic: MMSE
Subject: Medicine
The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) tests for:

A. Mood
B. Behavior
C. Intelligence quotient
D. Cognitive function
Answer : D
45. Topic: Postherpetic Neuralgia
Subject: Medicine
When given during acute herpes zoster (varicella) infection, which one of the following drugs has been shown to reduce the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia?

A. Imipramine (Tofranil)
B. Capsaicin (Zostrix)
C. Amitriptyline
D. Acyclovir (Zovirax)
Answer : D
46. Topic: Heatstroke
Subject: Medicine
A 72-year-old male is brought to your office by a friend because of increasing confusion, irritability, and difficulty walking. This began shortly after the patients car broke down and he had to walk a mile to get to a phone and call the friend. The temperature outdoors has been near 39.5°C (100°F).
On examination you note a rectal temperature of 39.5°C (103.1°F). His pulse rate is 110 beats/min and his blood pressure is 100/60 mm Hg.
Which one of this patients findings indicates that he has heatstroke rather than heat exhaustion?

A. Confusion
B. Sweating
C. His temperature
D. His heart rate
Answer : A
47. Topic: Seizure
Subject: Medicine
A 36-year-old male with a history of a seizure disorder is brought to the emergency department with generalized tonic-clonic activity. Emergency medical personnel report this has been ongoing for 20 minutes.
After initial resuscitative measures, the preferred medication in this situation is:

A. Phenytoin (Dilantin)
B. Fosphenytoin (Cerebyx)
C. Naloxone
D. Lorazepam (Ativan)
Answer : D
48. Topic: Horner's Syndrome
Subject: Medicine
A 66-year-old diabetic man presents with constriction of the pupil, drooping of the upper lid, and anhidrosis on the left. Which one of the following nerves is most likely involved?

A. Oculomotor
B. Sympathetic
C. Trochlear
D. Trigeminal
Answer : B
49. Topic: Korsakoff's Psychosis
Subject: Medicine
In a patient with recent onset of alcohol amnestic disorder, the mental status test most likely to be done poorly is memory of:

A. Political figures of 10 years ago
B. Digits (forward)
C. His own name
D. Three items for 5 minutes
Answer : D
50. Topic: Osmotic Demyelination
Subject: Medicine
Osmotic demyelination can result when which one of the following is corrected too rapidly?

A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hypomagnesemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer : D