WGU D027 ADVANCED
PATHOPHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE TEST
REVIEW QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
◉ What is ataxia?
Answer: - Also known as cerebellum attacks
- Degenerative disease of the nervous system
- Many symptoms mimic those of being drunk (i.e. slurred speech,
stumbling, falling, and incoordination)
◉ What causes the symptoms of ataxia?
Answer: - The damage caused to the cerebellum, the part of the
brain that is responsible for coordinating movements
- Can also be caused by damage to part of the spinal cord and nerves
◉ What is the treatment for ataxia?
Answer: - No treatment
- In some cases, treating the underlying causes (i.e. stopping
medications that cause ataxia)
- In other cases, it is a result from chicken pox or other viral
infections (likely to resolve on its own)
,- Genetic causes/predisposed disposition is usually chronic
◉ What causes ataxia in the pediatric population?
Answer: - Genetic predisposition
- Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS)
- Prader-Willie Syndrome
◉ What is Fragile X syndrome (FXS)?
Answer: - A genetic condition inherited from parents which results
in various developmental problems
- Rare, but may be dangerous or life-threatening
- Present at birth and is a lifelong condition
- Rarely requires lab testing or imaging
- Often linked to autism (1/3 do have autism)
- X-linked disorder
◉ Since Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is an X-linked disorder, does a
specific gender have a greater risk?
Answer: - Often, females are carriers and males are affected
- However, both males and females can be carriers, and both can be
affected by the condition
- Usually milder in females
,◉ How did Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) get its name?
Answer: - The gene Fragile X (the FMR1 gene) is on the X syndrome
- Mutation of the FMR1 gene
◉ What is the difference between Fragile X-Associated
Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS) and Fragile X Syndrome (FXS)?
Answer: - Both caused by mutations on the FMR1 gene, but they are
caused by different changes in this gene
- FXS is caused by a full mutation
- FXTAS is a premutation
- FXS is present at birth, but display these features in early life
- FXTAS develops in adulthood (usually after age 50) and the
symptoms may appear slowly and develop over the years
- FXTAS individuals are usually healthy with normal cognitive skills
prior to the onset
◉ How is Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS)
diagnosed?
Answer: - Being a FMR1 premutation carrier
- The appearance of neurological features such as ataxia (balance
problems), tremors, and other symptoms
- MRI findings (changes in the brain)
, ◉ What is Prader-Willie Syndrome?
Answer: - Genetic disorder that affects many parts of the body and
their growth
- Causes mental and behavioral problems
- Can be dangerous or life threatening if untreated
- Combination of contraceptives contraindicated in breast feeding
- More common in females
- Confirmed from laboratory findings
◉ What is the cause of Prader-Willi Syndrome?
Answer: - Depletion of chromosome 15 from father
- Missing or non-working genes on chromosome 15 (15q11-q13)
- Most cases are not inherited and occur randomly
- Depletion of genes (genes from the region are missing)
- Uniparental disomy - both chromosomes are inherited from the
mother
- Imprinting mutation - genes on the paternal chromosome is
inactive
◉ What does Prader-Willi Syndrome do to the body?
Answer: - Caused the hypothalamus to malfunction (the area of the
brain that affects hunger, thirst, sex and growth hormones)
PATHOPHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE TEST
REVIEW QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
◉ What is ataxia?
Answer: - Also known as cerebellum attacks
- Degenerative disease of the nervous system
- Many symptoms mimic those of being drunk (i.e. slurred speech,
stumbling, falling, and incoordination)
◉ What causes the symptoms of ataxia?
Answer: - The damage caused to the cerebellum, the part of the
brain that is responsible for coordinating movements
- Can also be caused by damage to part of the spinal cord and nerves
◉ What is the treatment for ataxia?
Answer: - No treatment
- In some cases, treating the underlying causes (i.e. stopping
medications that cause ataxia)
- In other cases, it is a result from chicken pox or other viral
infections (likely to resolve on its own)
,- Genetic causes/predisposed disposition is usually chronic
◉ What causes ataxia in the pediatric population?
Answer: - Genetic predisposition
- Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS)
- Prader-Willie Syndrome
◉ What is Fragile X syndrome (FXS)?
Answer: - A genetic condition inherited from parents which results
in various developmental problems
- Rare, but may be dangerous or life-threatening
- Present at birth and is a lifelong condition
- Rarely requires lab testing or imaging
- Often linked to autism (1/3 do have autism)
- X-linked disorder
◉ Since Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is an X-linked disorder, does a
specific gender have a greater risk?
Answer: - Often, females are carriers and males are affected
- However, both males and females can be carriers, and both can be
affected by the condition
- Usually milder in females
,◉ How did Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) get its name?
Answer: - The gene Fragile X (the FMR1 gene) is on the X syndrome
- Mutation of the FMR1 gene
◉ What is the difference between Fragile X-Associated
Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS) and Fragile X Syndrome (FXS)?
Answer: - Both caused by mutations on the FMR1 gene, but they are
caused by different changes in this gene
- FXS is caused by a full mutation
- FXTAS is a premutation
- FXS is present at birth, but display these features in early life
- FXTAS develops in adulthood (usually after age 50) and the
symptoms may appear slowly and develop over the years
- FXTAS individuals are usually healthy with normal cognitive skills
prior to the onset
◉ How is Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS)
diagnosed?
Answer: - Being a FMR1 premutation carrier
- The appearance of neurological features such as ataxia (balance
problems), tremors, and other symptoms
- MRI findings (changes in the brain)
, ◉ What is Prader-Willie Syndrome?
Answer: - Genetic disorder that affects many parts of the body and
their growth
- Causes mental and behavioral problems
- Can be dangerous or life threatening if untreated
- Combination of contraceptives contraindicated in breast feeding
- More common in females
- Confirmed from laboratory findings
◉ What is the cause of Prader-Willi Syndrome?
Answer: - Depletion of chromosome 15 from father
- Missing or non-working genes on chromosome 15 (15q11-q13)
- Most cases are not inherited and occur randomly
- Depletion of genes (genes from the region are missing)
- Uniparental disomy - both chromosomes are inherited from the
mother
- Imprinting mutation - genes on the paternal chromosome is
inactive
◉ What does Prader-Willi Syndrome do to the body?
Answer: - Caused the hypothalamus to malfunction (the area of the
brain that affects hunger, thirst, sex and growth hormones)
