NSG 530 Exam 4 – Wilkes Advanced Pathophysiology (2026) UPDATE
1. Which neurotransmitter deficiency is primarily associated with the motor symptoms of
Parkinson’s disease?
A. Serotonin
B. Dopamine
C. Acetylcholine
D. GABA
Answer: B
Rationale: Parkinson’s disease involves the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons
in the substantia nigra, leading to tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia.
2. In Alzheimer’s disease, the accumulation of which protein leads to the formation of
neurofibrillary tangles?
A. Tau protein
B. Amyloid-beta
C. Alpha-synuclein
D. Prion protein
Answer: A
,Rationale: Tau protein stabilizes microtubules; in Alzheimer’s, it becomes
hyperphosphorylated and forms neurofibrillary tangles within neurons.
3. What is the hallmark physiological finding in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
A. Depletion of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction
B. Loss of neurons in the basal ganglia
C. Degeneration of lower motor neurons
D. Demyelination of central nervous system neurons
Answer: D
Rationale: Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation
and destruction of the myelin sheath in the brain and spinal cord.
4. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the degeneration of which specific
structures?
A. Upper and lower motor neurons
B. Sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia
C. Myelin in the peripheral nervous system
D. Dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain
Answer: A
Rationale: ALS involves the progressive loss of both upper motor neurons in the cortex
and lower motor neurons in the brainstem and spinal cord.
, 5. Which condition is characterized by an autoimmune attack on the acetylcholine receptors
at the neuromuscular junction?
A. Guillain-Barré Syndrome
B. Multiple Sclerosis
C. Huntington’s Disease
D. Myasthenia Gravis
Answer: D
Rationale: Myasthenia Gravis involves antibodies blocking or destroying nicotinic
acetylcholine receptors, leading to muscle weakness and fatigue.
6. What is the primary cause of Autonomic Dysreflexia in patients with spinal cord injuries?
A. Uninhibited sympathetic discharge due to noxious stimuli below the level of injury
B. Injury below T12
C. Excessive parasympathetic response to bladder distension
D. Sudden drop in blood pressure when changing positions
Answer: A
Rationale: Autonomic Dysreflexia occurs in injuries at or above T6, where a noxious
stimulus below the injury triggers massive sympathetic activity.
1. Which neurotransmitter deficiency is primarily associated with the motor symptoms of
Parkinson’s disease?
A. Serotonin
B. Dopamine
C. Acetylcholine
D. GABA
Answer: B
Rationale: Parkinson’s disease involves the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons
in the substantia nigra, leading to tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia.
2. In Alzheimer’s disease, the accumulation of which protein leads to the formation of
neurofibrillary tangles?
A. Tau protein
B. Amyloid-beta
C. Alpha-synuclein
D. Prion protein
Answer: A
,Rationale: Tau protein stabilizes microtubules; in Alzheimer’s, it becomes
hyperphosphorylated and forms neurofibrillary tangles within neurons.
3. What is the hallmark physiological finding in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
A. Depletion of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction
B. Loss of neurons in the basal ganglia
C. Degeneration of lower motor neurons
D. Demyelination of central nervous system neurons
Answer: D
Rationale: Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation
and destruction of the myelin sheath in the brain and spinal cord.
4. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the degeneration of which specific
structures?
A. Upper and lower motor neurons
B. Sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia
C. Myelin in the peripheral nervous system
D. Dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain
Answer: A
Rationale: ALS involves the progressive loss of both upper motor neurons in the cortex
and lower motor neurons in the brainstem and spinal cord.
, 5. Which condition is characterized by an autoimmune attack on the acetylcholine receptors
at the neuromuscular junction?
A. Guillain-Barré Syndrome
B. Multiple Sclerosis
C. Huntington’s Disease
D. Myasthenia Gravis
Answer: D
Rationale: Myasthenia Gravis involves antibodies blocking or destroying nicotinic
acetylcholine receptors, leading to muscle weakness and fatigue.
6. What is the primary cause of Autonomic Dysreflexia in patients with spinal cord injuries?
A. Uninhibited sympathetic discharge due to noxious stimuli below the level of injury
B. Injury below T12
C. Excessive parasympathetic response to bladder distension
D. Sudden drop in blood pressure when changing positions
Answer: A
Rationale: Autonomic Dysreflexia occurs in injuries at or above T6, where a noxious
stimulus below the injury triggers massive sympathetic activity.
