Nervous System Assessment: Master the Techniques for Accurate Evaluation

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a sign of lower motor neuron damage?

Accepted Answer

Increased muscle tone

Answer

Decreased muscle strength

Answer

Babinski reflex

Answer

Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes

Question 2

What sensory examination involves testing a patient's ability to differentiate between warm and cold temperatures?

Accepted Answer

Temperature discrimination test

Answer

Pinprick test

Answer

Discriminative touch test

Answer

Two-point discrimination test

Question 3

Which of the following is a common abnormality found during a Romberg test, indicating problems with balance and coordination?

Accepted Answer

Positive sway

Answer

Negative sway

Answer

Romberg sign

Answer

Babinski sign

Question 4

What is the purpose of the finger-to-nose test?

Accepted Answer

To assess cerebellar function and coordination

Answer

To test cranial nerve function

Answer

To evaluate sensory perception

Answer

To determine level of consciousness

Question 5

Which of the following is a sign of increased intracranial pressure?

Accepted Answer

Papilledema

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Hyperthermia

Answer

Hypertension

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

It can indicate meningeal irritation, such as in meningitis and encephalitis

Answer

It is a sign of seizure disorder

Answer

It suggests a stroke

Answer

It is a normal finding

Question 7

What is the primary purpose of a Glasgow Coma Scale?

Accepted Answer

To assess level of consciousness and neurological function

Answer

To evaluate vital signs and overall health

Answer

To determine seizure severity

Answer

To predict mortality

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a component of a comprehensive mental status examination?

Accepted Answer

Intelligence Quotient (IQ) test

Answer

Orientation to time, place, and person

Answer

Attention and concentration

Answer

Memory

Question 9

Which cranial nerve innervates the muscles responsible for pupillary constriction?

Accepted Answer

Oculomotor nerve (CN III)

Answer

Olfactory nerve (CN I)

Answer

Optic nerve (CN II)

Answer

Trochlear nerve (CN IV)

Question 10

During a motor examination, which maneuver is used to assess muscle strength?

Accepted Answer

Manual muscle testing

Answer

Deep tendon reflexes

Answer

Romberg's test

Answer

Babinski reflex

Question 11

The Babinski reflex is normally elicited in:

Accepted Answer

Infants less than 2 years old

Answer

Children older than 2 years old

Answer

Adults

Answer

Patients with upper motor neuron lesions

Question 12

Ataxia primarily affects:

Accepted Answer

Coordination

Answer

Balance

Answer

Sensation

Answer

Motor strength

Question 13

Which assessment technique is used to evaluate a patient's ability to distinguish between different textures?

Accepted Answer

Stereognosis

Answer

Two-point discrimination

Answer

Graphaesthesia

Answer

Barognosis

Question 14

During a nervous system assessment, what is the most crucial factor to consider when evaluating a patient's mental status?

Accepted Answer

The patient's mood and emotional expression

Answer

The patient's recent travel history

Answer

The patient's family history of neurological disorders

Question 15

Which assessments are used to evaluate cranial nerve VIII, responsible for hearing and balance?

Accepted Answer

Weber and Rinne tests

Answer

Corneal reflex and papillary reflex

Answer

Hoffmann and Babinski reflexes

Answer

Pinprick and temperature sensation

Question 16

Which component is NOT typically included in a mental status examination?

Accepted Answer

Measurement of reaction time

Answer

Assessment of level of consciousness

Answer

Evaluation of orientation

Answer

Assessment of mood

Question 17

What is the primary purpose of the Romberg test?

Accepted Answer

To assess balance and coordination

Answer

To test for nystagmus

Answer

To evaluate hearing acuity

Answer

To examine pupillary reflexes

Question 18

What is a key characteristic of hypertonia?

Accepted Answer

Increased muscle tension

Answer

Decreased muscle tone

Answer

Muscle weakness

Answer

Muscle atrophy

Question 19

What is the primary purpose of the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)?

Accepted Answer

To assess cognitive function in patients with suspected dementia

Answer

To evaluate sensory function in patients with neurological disorders

Answer

To test motor skills in patients with spinal cord injuries

Answer

To detect cranial nerve deficits

Question 20

Which assessment technique is used to specifically evaluate cerebellar function?

Accepted Answer

Heel-toe walk

Answer

Finger-to-nose test

Answer

Babinski reflex

Answer

Romberg test

Question 21

What is the fundamental difference between a deep tendon reflex (DTR) and a superficial reflex?

Accepted Answer

DTRs are elicited by tapping a tendon, while superficial reflexes are elicited by stroking the skin.

Answer

DTRs involve contraction of superficial muscles, while superficial reflexes involve contraction of deep muscles.

Answer

DTRs are typically more brisk than superficial reflexes.

Answer

Superficial reflexes are more common than DTRs.

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT a component of the mental status examination?

Accepted Answer

Handedness

Answer

Orientation to time, place, and person

Answer

Attention and concentration

Answer

Mood and affect

Question 23

Which cranial nerve is responsible for pupillary constriction?

Accepted Answer

Oculomotor

Answer

Olfactory

Answer

Optic

Answer

Trochlear

Question 24

During a pinprick test, which sensory modality is primarily being assessed?

Accepted Answer

Pain

Answer

Touch

Answer

Temperature

Answer

Proprioception

Question 25

What is the most common type of stroke?

Accepted Answer

Ischemic stroke

Answer

Hemorrhagic stroke

Answer

Transient ischemic attack

Answer

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Increased muscle tone

Answer

Progressive memory loss

Answer

Difficulty with judgment and reasoning

Answer

Hallucinations

Question 27

What is considered the first-line treatment for seizures?

Accepted Answer

Anticonvulsants

Answer

Benzodiazepines

Answer

Surgery

Answer

Vagus nerve stimulation

Question 28

Which imaging study is most commonly used to evaluate for intracranial hemorrhage?

Accepted Answer

Computed tomography (CT) scan

Answer

Plain X-ray

Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan

Answer

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Question 29

Explain the clinical significance and limitations of the Hoffmann reflex in evaluating upper motor neuron function.

Accepted Answer

The Hoffmann reflex aids in differentiating between upper and lower motor neuron lesions.

Answer

The Hoffmann reflex is a definite sign of upper motor neuron damage.

Answer

The Hoffmann reflex is only found in individuals with functional upper motor neurons.

Answer

The Hoffmann reflex is not influenced by pyramidal tract lesions.

Question 30

Which of the following is NOT a component of the mental status examination?

Accepted Answer

Pupillary reflexes

Answer

Appearance and behavior

Answer

Mood and affect

Answer

Thought process and content

Question 31

What is the best way to assess the corneal reflex?

Accepted Answer

Gently touch the cornea with a sterile cotton wisp.

Answer

Shine a bright light into the eye and observe the blink reflex.

Answer

Ask the patient to follow the examiner's finger with their eyes.

Answer

Test the gag reflex.

Question 32

What is the primary function of the sympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

To prepare the body for "fight or flight" responses.

Answer

To regulate digestion and other bodily functions when the body is at rest.

Answer

To control body temperature and blood pressure.

Answer

To regulate the release of hormones.

Question 33

What is the purpose of the Babinski reflex?

Accepted Answer

To assess for upper motor neuron damage.

Answer

To assess for lower motor neuron damage.

Answer

To assess for peripheral nerve damage.

Answer

To assess for sensory loss.

Question 34

What is the most common type of headache?

Accepted Answer

Tension headache

Answer

Migraine headache

Answer

Cluster headache

Answer

Sinus headache

Question 35

Which of the following is NOT a component of a mental status examination?

Accepted Answer

Endurance

Answer

Appearance and behavior

Answer

Mood and affect

Answer

Speech and language

Question 36

Which technique is used to assess a patient's response to painful stimuli during a sensory examination?

Accepted Answer

Pinprick

Answer

Two-point discrimination

Answer

Grasp reflex

Answer

Romberg test

Question 37

In a mental status examination, which key factors are assessed to determine a patient's cognitive and behavioral state?

Accepted Answer

Orientation, memory, and insight

Answer

Speech, language, and coordination

Answer

Reflexes, balance, and coordination

Question 38

In the initial pharmacological management of Parkinson's disease, which medication is the primary choice?

Accepted Answer

Levodopa

Answer

Carbidopa

Answer

Pramipexole

Answer

Amantadine

Question 39

Hypertonia is a condition characterized by increased muscle tone. Which of the following is a distinctive characteristic of hypertonia?

Accepted Answer

Lead-pipe rigidity

Answer

Present only during active movement

Answer

Decreased muscle tone

Question 40

What is the primary role of the nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Communication and coordination throughout the body

Answer

Breaking down food and absorbing nutrients

Answer

Processing and storing memories

Answer

Providing structural support and movement

Question 41

Which part of a neuron carries electrical impulses away from the cell body to other neurons?

Accepted Answer

Axon

Answer

Dendrite

Answer

Nucleus

Answer

Myelin Sheath

Question 42

Which of the following is not considered part of the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Somatic Nervous System

Answer

Enteric Nervous System

Answer

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Answer

Sympathetic Nervous System

Question 43

Which function is primarily associated with the cerebellum?

Accepted Answer

Coordination and balance

Answer

Higher-order cognitive functions

Answer

Controlling heart rate and digestion

Answer

Processing sensory information

Question 44

Which of the following conditions is a type of dementia?

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease

Answer

Multiple Sclerosis

Answer

Parkinson's disease

Answer

Huntington's disease

Question 45

Which cranial nerve is responsible for facial sensation?

Accepted Answer

Trigeminal nerve (CN V)

Answer

Olfactory nerve (CN I)

Answer

Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

Answer

Abducens nerve (CN VI)

Question 46

What sensory assessment tool is used to test for superficial pain sensation?

Accepted Answer

Pinprick

Answer

Light touch

Answer

Tuning fork

Answer

Cotton ball

Question 47

During a motor examination, what technique is used to assess muscle strength?

Accepted Answer

Manual muscle testing

Answer

Palpation

Answer

Percussion

Answer

Auscultation

Question 48

Which of the following is a common sign of increased intracranial pressure?

Accepted Answer

Papilledema

Answer

Pupillary constriction

Answer

Absence of Babinski reflex

Answer

Normal reflexes

Question 49

Which of the following is a symptom commonly associated with a cerebellar disorder?

Accepted Answer

Nystagmus

Answer

Hemiparesis

Answer

Aphasia

Answer

Anosmia

Question 50

What is the purpose of the Romberg test?

Accepted Answer

To assess balance and coordination

Answer

To evaluate sensory perception

Answer

To test cranial nerve function

Question 51

Which of the following is a comprehensive components of a nervous system assessment?

Accepted Answer

Mental status examination, cranial nerve examination, motor examination, and sensory examination

Answer

Mental status examination only

Answer

Cranial nerve examination only