Neurological Examination: Comprehensive Quizzes for Medical Students

Question 1

During a neurological examination, which step is essential for assessing the function of the cranial nerves?

Accepted Answer

Testing the patient's corneal reflex

Answer

Evaluating the patient's gait and posture

Answer

Measuring the patient's visual acuity

Answer

Inspecting the patient's muscle strength

Question 2

What is the significance of a positive Kernig's sign?

Accepted Answer

Meningitis

Answer

Multiple sclerosis

Answer

Guillain-Barré syndrome

Answer

Parkinson's disease

Question 3

What is the main purpose of assessing the plantar response?

Accepted Answer

Determining the level of spinal cord injury

Answer

Checking for peripheral nerve damage

Answer

Evaluating sensory function in the lower extremities

Answer

Detecting cerebellar dysfunction

Question 4

What is the clinical significance of a diminished or absent corneal reflex?

Accepted Answer

Trigeminal nerve palsy

Answer

Facial nerve palsy

Answer

Hypothyroidism

Answer

Multiple sclerosis

Question 5

Which cranial nerve is responsible for constricting the pupil?

Accepted Answer

Oculomotor nerve

Answer

Trigeminal nerve

Answer

Trochlear nerve

Answer

Abducens nerve

Question 6

Which reflex is used to assess the integrity of the corticospinal tract?

Accepted Answer

Patellar reflex

Answer

Achilles reflex

Answer

Biceps reflex

Answer

Triceps reflex

Question 7

In an adult, what does a positive Babinski reflex typically indicate?

Accepted Answer

An upper motor neuron lesion

Answer

A normal finding

Answer

A lower motor neuron lesion

Answer

Peripheral neuropathy

Question 8

During a sensory examination, which modality tests the patient's ability to differentiate between sharp and dull stimuli?

Accepted Answer

Pain sensation

Answer

Tactile sensation

Answer

Proprioception

Answer

Temperature sensation

Question 9

For evaluating a suspected intracranial hemorrhage, which imaging modality is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Computed tomography (CT) scan

Answer

X-ray

Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan

Answer

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Question 10

Which gait pattern is characteristic of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Festinating gait

Answer

Ataxic gait

Answer

Spastic gait

Answer

Hemiplegic gait

Question 11

Which part of the spinal cord is responsible for controlling fine motor functions of the hands?

Accepted Answer

Cervical segments

Answer

Thoracic segments

Answer

Lumbar segments

Answer

Sacral segments

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT an integral part of the neurological examination?

Accepted Answer

Electrodiagnostic testing (e.g., electromyography)

Answer

Assessment of mental status

Answer

Evaluation of cranial nerve function

Answer

Testing of motor function

Question 13

Ataxia, as a neurological symptom, is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Impaired coordination and clumsiness

Answer

Muscle weakness and fatigue

Answer

Pain and numbness

Answer

Cognitive decline

Question 14

Which cranial nerve is responsible for innervating the muscles of facial expression?

Accepted Answer

Facial nerve (CN VII)

Answer

Trigeminal nerve (CN V)

Answer

Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

Answer

Vagus nerve (CN X)

Question 15

The Babinski reflex is elicited by:

Accepted Answer

Stroking the plantar surface of the foot upward

Answer

Tapping the patellar tendon

Answer

Flicking the Achilles tendon

Answer

Pinpricking the toes

Question 16

Which maneuver is primarily used to assess for meningeal irritation?

Accepted Answer

Kernig's sign

Answer

Romberg test

Answer

Foville's sign

Answer

Hoover's sign

Question 17

A positive Romberg test indicates:

Accepted Answer

Impaired balance

Answer

Sensory loss in the lower extremities

Answer

Motor weakness

Answer

Cranial nerve dysfunction

Question 18

The sensory innervation of the lateral aspect of the thigh is provided by:

Accepted Answer

Femoral nerve

Answer

Obturator nerve

Answer

Sciatic nerve

Answer

Tibial nerve

Question 19

When conducting a neurological examination, it is crucial to:

Accepted Answer

Proceed systematically and thoroughly

Answer

Only focus on testing for specific symptoms

Answer

Rely solely on the patient's subjective complaints

Answer

Ignore findings not directly related to the chief complaint

Question 20

Which cranial nerve innervates the muscles responsible for facial expressions?

Accepted Answer

Facial nerve

Answer

Trigeminal nerve

Answer

Glossopharyngeal nerve

Answer

Vagus nerve

Question 21

In which population is the Babinski reflex typically elicited?

Accepted Answer

Adults with upper motor neuron lesions

Answer

Newborns and infants

Answer

Adults with lower motor neuron lesions

Answer

Patients with Parkinson's disease

Question 22

The Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is primarily used for screening:

Accepted Answer

Dementia

Answer

Delirium

Answer

Stroke

Answer

Epilepsy

Question 23

Which of the following is not a recognized type of seizure?

Accepted Answer

Stroke

Answer

Focal seizure

Answer

Generalized seizure

Answer

Complex partial seizure

Question 24

A patient presents with uncoordinated movements, slurred speech, and tremor that worsens with intended movement. Which neurological disorder is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Cerebellar degeneration

Answer

Multiple sclerosis

Answer

Parkinson's disease

Answer

Stroke

Question 25

Which sensory modality is tested during the Weber test, which compares sound lateralization?

Accepted Answer

Auditory

Answer

Light touch

Answer

Pain

Answer

Vibration

Question 26

A patient exhibits an extensor plantar response (positive Babinski sign). Which neurological pathway is most likely affected?

Accepted Answer

Corticospinal

Answer

Vestibulospinal

Answer

Rubrospinal

Answer

Tectospinal

Question 27

A patient has difficulty with balance and fine motor coordination. Which cerebellar lobe is most likely affected?

Accepted Answer

Posterior

Answer

Answer

Flocculonodular

Answer

Superior

Question 28

A patient presents with incoordination and rhythmic eye movements (nystagmus). Which part of the brainstem is most likely involved?

Accepted Answer

Pons

Answer

Medulla oblongata

Answer

Midbrain

Answer

Thalamus

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a component of a comprehensive neurological examination?

Accepted Answer

Urinalysis

Answer

Mental status assessment

Answer

Cranial nerve examination

Answer

Motor examination

Question 30

During a cranial nerve examination, the corneal reflex tests the function of which cranial nerve?

Accepted Answer

Trigeminal nerve (V)

Answer

Facial nerve (VII)

Answer

Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)

Answer

Vagus nerve (X)

Question 31

The Babinski reflex is indicative of:

Accepted Answer

Upper motor neuron damage

Answer

Lower motor neuron damage

Answer

Cerebellar dysfunction

Answer

Sensory neuropathy

Question 32

What is the recommended first step in performing a neurological examination?

Accepted Answer

Mental status assessment

Answer

Cranial nerve examination

Answer

Motor examination

Answer

Sensory examination

Question 33

The Romberg test is primarily used to assess:

Accepted Answer

Vestibular function

Answer

Cerebellar function

Answer

Sensory integration

Answer

Motor coordination

Question 34

A patient presents with sudden onset of weakness on one side of their body (hemiparesis) and difficulty speaking (aphasia). What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Stroke

Answer

Seizure

Answer

Multiple sclerosis

Answer

Meningitis

Question 35

During a neurological exam, which of these is NOT typically gathered as part of the patient's history?

Accepted Answer

Social background

Answer

Current symptoms

Answer

Medications taken

Answer

Work history

Question 36

Describe the four main phases of the normal gait cycle and their typical temporal relationships.

Accepted Answer

Heel strike, mid-stance, toe-off, swing (60% stance, 40% swing)

Answer

Swing phase (60%), stance phase (40%)

Answer

Double support phase (25%), single support phase (75%)

Answer

Propulsion phase (30%), recovery phase (70%)

Question 37

A patient reports numbness and tingling in their left hand. To pinpoint the sensory deficit, how would you conduct a sensory examination?

Accepted Answer

Test light touch, pinprick, and temperature sensation in the left hand, comparing findings to the right hand.

Answer

Test only light touch sensation in the left hand.

Answer

Test only pinprick sensation in the left hand.

Answer

Test only temperature sensation in the left hand.

Question 38

Which of the following is outside the scope of a neurological examination?

Accepted Answer

Abdominal palpation

Answer

Sensory examination

Answer

Motor examination

Answer

Cranial nerve examination

Question 39

During the sensory examination, which modality is assessed by applying a vibrating tuning fork to bony landmarks?

Accepted Answer

Vibration

Answer

Touch

Answer

Pain

Answer

Temperature

Question 40

What is the clinical significance of a positive Babinski sign in an adult?

Accepted Answer

Upper motor neuron lesion

Answer

Lower motor neuron lesion

Answer

Normal finding

Answer

Peripheral neuropathy

Question 41

Which cranial nerve innervates the muscles of the soft palate?

Accepted Answer

Vagus nerve (CN X)

Answer

Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

Answer

Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

Answer

Facial nerve (CN VII)

Question 42

What is the term for the test used to assess for muscle weakness by resisting the patient's attempts to move a limb against resistance?

Accepted Answer

Manual muscle testing

Answer

Timed up and go test

Answer

Babinski reflex

Answer

Romberg test

Question 43

Which of the following is a clinical sign of meningeal irritation?

Accepted Answer

Nuchal rigidity

Answer

Ataxia

Answer

Extensor plantar reflex

Answer

Hyperreflexia

Question 44

What is the primary purpose of the Glasgow Coma Scale?

Accepted Answer

To assess level of consciousness

Answer

To diagnose specific neurological conditions

Answer

To monitor response to treatment

Answer

To predict prognosis after head injury

Question 45

Which component is NOT included in the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)?

Accepted Answer

Motor strength

Answer

Eye opening

Answer

Pupillary reaction

Answer

Verbal response

Question 46

What is the primary cause of acute optic neuritis?

Accepted Answer

Multiple sclerosis

Answer

Cerebrovascular accident

Answer

Trauma

Answer

Meningitis

Question 47

Which physical examination finding is characteristic of peripheral neuropathy?

Accepted Answer

Sensory loss

Answer

Motor weakness

Answer

Incontinence

Answer

Hyperreflexia

Question 48

What does a positive Babinski reflex indicate?

Accepted Answer

Upper motor neuron lesion

Answer

Lower motor neuron lesion

Answer

Peripheral nerve lesion

Answer

Central nervous system infection

Question 49

Which examination tool is used to test cerebellar function?

Accepted Answer

Finger-to-nose test

Answer

Percussion hammer

Answer

Stethoscope

Answer

Ophthalmoscope

Question 50

What is the most common location for a herniated disk in the spine?

Accepted Answer

Lumbar spine

Answer

Cervical spine

Answer

Thoracic spine