1
NURS 6501 Final Exam Review Guide
(Weeks 7–11) – Advanced
Pathophysiology (2024/2025 Update) |
Walden University
Neurological Disorders
1. What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism underlying multiple sclerosis?
a. Autoimmune destruction of dopamine-producing neurons
b. Demyelination of nerve fibers in the central nervous system
c. Overproduction of cerebrospinal fluid
d. Degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord
Correct Answer: b. Demyelination of nerve fibers in the central nervous system
Rationale: Multiple sclerosis is characterized by an autoimmune attack on the
myelin sheath of nerve fibers in the CNS, leading to impaired nerve conduction and
symptoms such as weakness, vision changes, and sensory deficits.
2. A patient with Parkinson’s disease exhibits tremors and rigidity. Which
neurotransmitter is primarily deficient?
a. Serotonin
b. Dopamine
c. Acetylcholine
d. GABA
Correct Answer: b. Dopamine
Rationale: Parkinson’s disease results from degeneration of dopaminergic neurons
in the substantia nigra, leading to a dopamine deficiency that causes motor
symptoms like tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia.
3. Which finding in a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is most suggestive of multiple
sclerosis?
a. Elevated glucose levels
b. Presence of oligoclonal bands
c. Decreased protein levels
d. Increased red blood cells
Correct Answer: b. Presence of oligoclonal bands
Rationale: Oligoclonal bands in CSF indicate increased immunoglobulin
production, a hallmark of the autoimmune process in multiple sclerosis.
4. What is the primary cause of seizures in epilepsy?
a. Excessive inhibitory neurotransmitter activity
b. Abnormal electrical activity in the brain
c. Reduced cerebral blood flow
, 2
d. Increased intracranial pressure
Correct Answer: b. Abnormal electrical activity in the brain
Rationale: Seizures in epilepsy result from uncontrolled, abnormal electrical
discharges in the brain, disrupting normal neuronal function.
5. A patient presents with unilateral facial paralysis and inability to close the eye on
the affected side. What is the most likely diagnosis?
a. Stroke
b. Bell’s palsy
c. Myasthenia gravis
d. Guillain-Barré syndrome
Correct Answer: b. Bell’s palsy
Rationale: Bell’s palsy is a peripheral facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) paralysis,
typically unilateral, causing facial drooping and difficulty closing the eye.
6. What is the hallmark pathophysiological feature of Alzheimer’s disease?
a. Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles
b. Demyelination of peripheral nerves
c. Loss of cerebellar neurons
d. Overproduction of dopamine
Correct Answer: a. Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles
Rationale: Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by amyloid-beta plaques and tau
protein tangles in the brain, leading to neuronal death and cognitive decline.
7. A patient with a traumatic brain injury develops increased intracranial pressure.
Which symptom is most indicative?
a. Hypertension and bradycardia
b. Hypotension and tachycardia
c. Fever and leukocytosis
d. Hypoglycemia and confusion
Correct Answer: a. Hypertension and bradycardia
Rationale: Increased intracranial pressure often causes Cushing’s triad:
hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations due to brainstem
compression.
8. Which condition is associated with progressive muscle weakness due to
autoantibodies against acetylcholine receptors?
a. Multiple sclerosis
b. Myasthenia gravis
c. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
d. Parkinson’s disease
Correct Answer: b. Myasthenia gravis
Rationale: Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder where antibodies attack
acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction, causing muscle weakness.
9. What is the primary cause of Huntington’s disease?
a. Autoimmune attack on basal ganglia
b. Genetic mutation with CAG trinucleotide repeats
c. Chronic hypoxia to the brain
d. Viral infection of the CNS
Correct Answer: b. Genetic mutation with CAG trinucleotide repeats
NURS 6501 Final Exam Review Guide
(Weeks 7–11) – Advanced
Pathophysiology (2024/2025 Update) |
Walden University
Neurological Disorders
1. What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism underlying multiple sclerosis?
a. Autoimmune destruction of dopamine-producing neurons
b. Demyelination of nerve fibers in the central nervous system
c. Overproduction of cerebrospinal fluid
d. Degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord
Correct Answer: b. Demyelination of nerve fibers in the central nervous system
Rationale: Multiple sclerosis is characterized by an autoimmune attack on the
myelin sheath of nerve fibers in the CNS, leading to impaired nerve conduction and
symptoms such as weakness, vision changes, and sensory deficits.
2. A patient with Parkinson’s disease exhibits tremors and rigidity. Which
neurotransmitter is primarily deficient?
a. Serotonin
b. Dopamine
c. Acetylcholine
d. GABA
Correct Answer: b. Dopamine
Rationale: Parkinson’s disease results from degeneration of dopaminergic neurons
in the substantia nigra, leading to a dopamine deficiency that causes motor
symptoms like tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia.
3. Which finding in a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is most suggestive of multiple
sclerosis?
a. Elevated glucose levels
b. Presence of oligoclonal bands
c. Decreased protein levels
d. Increased red blood cells
Correct Answer: b. Presence of oligoclonal bands
Rationale: Oligoclonal bands in CSF indicate increased immunoglobulin
production, a hallmark of the autoimmune process in multiple sclerosis.
4. What is the primary cause of seizures in epilepsy?
a. Excessive inhibitory neurotransmitter activity
b. Abnormal electrical activity in the brain
c. Reduced cerebral blood flow
, 2
d. Increased intracranial pressure
Correct Answer: b. Abnormal electrical activity in the brain
Rationale: Seizures in epilepsy result from uncontrolled, abnormal electrical
discharges in the brain, disrupting normal neuronal function.
5. A patient presents with unilateral facial paralysis and inability to close the eye on
the affected side. What is the most likely diagnosis?
a. Stroke
b. Bell’s palsy
c. Myasthenia gravis
d. Guillain-Barré syndrome
Correct Answer: b. Bell’s palsy
Rationale: Bell’s palsy is a peripheral facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) paralysis,
typically unilateral, causing facial drooping and difficulty closing the eye.
6. What is the hallmark pathophysiological feature of Alzheimer’s disease?
a. Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles
b. Demyelination of peripheral nerves
c. Loss of cerebellar neurons
d. Overproduction of dopamine
Correct Answer: a. Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles
Rationale: Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by amyloid-beta plaques and tau
protein tangles in the brain, leading to neuronal death and cognitive decline.
7. A patient with a traumatic brain injury develops increased intracranial pressure.
Which symptom is most indicative?
a. Hypertension and bradycardia
b. Hypotension and tachycardia
c. Fever and leukocytosis
d. Hypoglycemia and confusion
Correct Answer: a. Hypertension and bradycardia
Rationale: Increased intracranial pressure often causes Cushing’s triad:
hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations due to brainstem
compression.
8. Which condition is associated with progressive muscle weakness due to
autoantibodies against acetylcholine receptors?
a. Multiple sclerosis
b. Myasthenia gravis
c. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
d. Parkinson’s disease
Correct Answer: b. Myasthenia gravis
Rationale: Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder where antibodies attack
acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction, causing muscle weakness.
9. What is the primary cause of Huntington’s disease?
a. Autoimmune attack on basal ganglia
b. Genetic mutation with CAG trinucleotide repeats
c. Chronic hypoxia to the brain
d. Viral infection of the CNS
Correct Answer: b. Genetic mutation with CAG trinucleotide repeats
