Neurological Disorders Practice Questions
with Verified Answers
A patient who is 60 years old complains of low back pain for the last 5-6 weeks. She states
that the severity is about 4/10 and that she gets no relief from sitting, standing, or lying. The
NP should consider:
A. sciatica
B. ankylosing spondylitis
C. disk disease
D. systemic illness - Ans -D
A 72 year old patient with history of polymyalgia rheumatica complains of new onset,
unilateral headache and visual changes. Her sedimentation rate is elevated. Her
neurologic exam is otherwise normal. What is the most likely reason for her symptoms?
A. Transient ischemic attack
B. Temporal arteritis
C. Meningitis
D. CVA - Ans -B
A 52 year old patient presents with an acute drooping upper right eyelid. She states that the
right side of her face feels numb. Stroke has been ruled out. Based on the most likely
etiology, how should she be managed?
A. Steroids plus an antiviral agent
B. Immediate referral to the ER
C. Antiviral agent only
D. Steroids only - Ans -A
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, A patient complains of right leg numbness and tingling following a back injury. He has a
diminished right patellar reflex and his symptoms are progressing to both legs. What test
should be performed?
A. Lumbar Xrays
B. Lumbar CT scan
C. Lumbar MRI
D. Lumbar MRI w/ contrast - Ans -C
A 70 year old male patient is diagnosed w/ vertigo. Which choice below indicates that the
vertigo is more likely to be of central etiology?
A. Brief duration
B. Nystagmus present
C. N/V
D. Persistent symptoms - Ans -D
A 62 year old female patient presents to the clinic with very recent onset of intermittent but
severe facial pain over the right cheek. She is diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia. What
assessment finding is typical of this?
A. Pain is much worse with sticking her tongue out
B. Pain is better with light touch over the affected area
C. Pain is relieved with NSAIDs
D. Pain may be triggered with light touch of the right cheek - Ans -D
A typical description of sciatica is:
A. deep and aching
B. worse with lying down
2
C. burning and sharp
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with Verified Answers
A patient who is 60 years old complains of low back pain for the last 5-6 weeks. She states
that the severity is about 4/10 and that she gets no relief from sitting, standing, or lying. The
NP should consider:
A. sciatica
B. ankylosing spondylitis
C. disk disease
D. systemic illness - Ans -D
A 72 year old patient with history of polymyalgia rheumatica complains of new onset,
unilateral headache and visual changes. Her sedimentation rate is elevated. Her
neurologic exam is otherwise normal. What is the most likely reason for her symptoms?
A. Transient ischemic attack
B. Temporal arteritis
C. Meningitis
D. CVA - Ans -B
A 52 year old patient presents with an acute drooping upper right eyelid. She states that the
right side of her face feels numb. Stroke has been ruled out. Based on the most likely
etiology, how should she be managed?
A. Steroids plus an antiviral agent
B. Immediate referral to the ER
C. Antiviral agent only
D. Steroids only - Ans -A
1
Page
, A patient complains of right leg numbness and tingling following a back injury. He has a
diminished right patellar reflex and his symptoms are progressing to both legs. What test
should be performed?
A. Lumbar Xrays
B. Lumbar CT scan
C. Lumbar MRI
D. Lumbar MRI w/ contrast - Ans -C
A 70 year old male patient is diagnosed w/ vertigo. Which choice below indicates that the
vertigo is more likely to be of central etiology?
A. Brief duration
B. Nystagmus present
C. N/V
D. Persistent symptoms - Ans -D
A 62 year old female patient presents to the clinic with very recent onset of intermittent but
severe facial pain over the right cheek. She is diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia. What
assessment finding is typical of this?
A. Pain is much worse with sticking her tongue out
B. Pain is better with light touch over the affected area
C. Pain is relieved with NSAIDs
D. Pain may be triggered with light touch of the right cheek - Ans -D
A typical description of sciatica is:
A. deep and aching
B. worse with lying down
2
C. burning and sharp
Page
