10/15/24, 10:17 TB Chapter 15- Disorders of Motor
AM Function
1. During a late night study session, a pathophysiology student reaches out to turn the
page of her textbook. Which of the following components of her nervous system
contains the highest level of control of her arm and hand action?
A) Cerebellum
B) Thalamus
C) Basal ganglia
D) Frontal lobe
Ans: D
Feedback:
While intentional movement involves input from various components of the
nervous system including the cerebellum, thalamus, and basal ganglia, primary
control and coordination are controlled by the motor cortex in the frontal lobe.
2. A patient is asked to stand with feet together, eyes open, and hands by the sides.
Then the patient is asked to close his eyes while the nurse observes for a full minute.
What assessment is the nurse performing?
A) Segmental reflex
B) Posture
C) Proprioception
D) Crossed-extensor
reflex Ans: C
Feedback:
Information from the sensory afferents is relayed to the cerebellum and cerebral
cortex and is experienced as proprioception or the sense of body movement and
position independent of vision. The knee-jerk reflex is a form of stretch reflex. The
crossed-extensor reflex serves to integrate motor movements, so they function in
a coordinated manner.
3. A clinician is conducting an assessment of a male client suspected of having a disorder
of motor function. Which of the following assessment findings would suggest a
possible upper motor neuron (UMN) lesion?
A) The client has decreased deep tendon reflexes.
B) The client displays increased muscle tone.
C) The client's muscles appear atrophied.
D) The client displays weakness in the distal portions of his
limbs. Ans: B
Feedback:
UMNs typically produce increased muscle tone, while hyporeflexia, muscle
atrophy, and weakness in the distal portion of limbs are more commonly indicative
of LMN lesions.
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, 10/15/24, 10:17 TB Chapter 15- Disorders of Motor
AM Function
4. The parents of a 3-year-old boy have brought him to a pediatrician for assessment of
the boy's late ambulation and frequent falls. Subsequent muscle biopsy has confirmed a
diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Which of the following teaching points
should the physician include when explaining the child's diagnosis to his parents?
A) “Your son's muscular dystrophy is a result of faulty connections between
muscles and the nerves that normally control them.”
B) “He'll require intensive physical therapy as he grows up, and there's a
good chance that he will outgrow this problem as he develops.”
C) “Your son will be prone to heart problems and decreased lung function because
of this.”
D) “His muscles will weaken and will visibly decrease in size relative to his
body size throughout his childhood.”
Ans: C
Feedback:
Muscular dystrophy is associated with cardiac and respiratory complications. It does
not involve the nervous system, and the problem will not dissipate with time. While
muscles become weakened, pseudohypertrophy means that their size does not decrease.
5. The unique clinical presentation of a 3-month-old infant in the emergency
department leads the care team to suspect botulism. Which of the following
assessment questions posed to the parents is likely to be most useful in the
differential diagnosis?
A) “Have you ever given your child any honey or honey-containing products?”
B) “Is there any family history of neuromuscular diseases?”
C) “Has your baby ever been directly exposed to any chemical cleaning products?”
D) “Is there any mold in your home that you know
of?” Ans: A
Feedback:
Botulism in infants is frequently attributable to honey. Family history is not a relevant
consideration given the bacterial etiology, and mold and chemical cleaning products
are not known to predispose to botulism toxicity.
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AM Function
1. During a late night study session, a pathophysiology student reaches out to turn the
page of her textbook. Which of the following components of her nervous system
contains the highest level of control of her arm and hand action?
A) Cerebellum
B) Thalamus
C) Basal ganglia
D) Frontal lobe
Ans: D
Feedback:
While intentional movement involves input from various components of the
nervous system including the cerebellum, thalamus, and basal ganglia, primary
control and coordination are controlled by the motor cortex in the frontal lobe.
2. A patient is asked to stand with feet together, eyes open, and hands by the sides.
Then the patient is asked to close his eyes while the nurse observes for a full minute.
What assessment is the nurse performing?
A) Segmental reflex
B) Posture
C) Proprioception
D) Crossed-extensor
reflex Ans: C
Feedback:
Information from the sensory afferents is relayed to the cerebellum and cerebral
cortex and is experienced as proprioception or the sense of body movement and
position independent of vision. The knee-jerk reflex is a form of stretch reflex. The
crossed-extensor reflex serves to integrate motor movements, so they function in
a coordinated manner.
3. A clinician is conducting an assessment of a male client suspected of having a disorder
of motor function. Which of the following assessment findings would suggest a
possible upper motor neuron (UMN) lesion?
A) The client has decreased deep tendon reflexes.
B) The client displays increased muscle tone.
C) The client's muscles appear atrophied.
D) The client displays weakness in the distal portions of his
limbs. Ans: B
Feedback:
UMNs typically produce increased muscle tone, while hyporeflexia, muscle
atrophy, and weakness in the distal portion of limbs are more commonly indicative
of LMN lesions.
Page 1
about:bl 1
, 10/15/24, 10:17 TB Chapter 15- Disorders of Motor
AM Function
4. The parents of a 3-year-old boy have brought him to a pediatrician for assessment of
the boy's late ambulation and frequent falls. Subsequent muscle biopsy has confirmed a
diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Which of the following teaching points
should the physician include when explaining the child's diagnosis to his parents?
A) “Your son's muscular dystrophy is a result of faulty connections between
muscles and the nerves that normally control them.”
B) “He'll require intensive physical therapy as he grows up, and there's a
good chance that he will outgrow this problem as he develops.”
C) “Your son will be prone to heart problems and decreased lung function because
of this.”
D) “His muscles will weaken and will visibly decrease in size relative to his
body size throughout his childhood.”
Ans: C
Feedback:
Muscular dystrophy is associated with cardiac and respiratory complications. It does
not involve the nervous system, and the problem will not dissipate with time. While
muscles become weakened, pseudohypertrophy means that their size does not decrease.
5. The unique clinical presentation of a 3-month-old infant in the emergency
department leads the care team to suspect botulism. Which of the following
assessment questions posed to the parents is likely to be most useful in the
differential diagnosis?
A) “Have you ever given your child any honey or honey-containing products?”
B) “Is there any family history of neuromuscular diseases?”
C) “Has your baby ever been directly exposed to any chemical cleaning products?”
D) “Is there any mold in your home that you know
of?” Ans: A
Feedback:
Botulism in infants is frequently attributable to honey. Family history is not a relevant
consideration given the bacterial etiology, and mold and chemical cleaning products
are not known to predispose to botulism toxicity.
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