Bcacp Neurology Test Questions With 100%
Verified Answers 2026
What AEDs are considered first line for generalized seizures? (2) - ANSWER-
Lamotrigine
Topiramate
Pregnant population considerations - ANSWER- monotherapy recommended.
folate supplementation
Minimize valproate (high birth defects) if possible
Breastfeeding is ok
Solid organ transplantation population considerations - ANSWER- avoid CYP3A4
enzyme inducers with cyclosporine
check for DDI
2 MIGRAINE 11 PAGES - ANSWER-
types of migraines - ANSWER- cluster
tension
migraine w/o aura
migraine with aura
cluster headaches - ANSWER- site of pain: Unilateral, fronto-temporal, periorbital
character of pain: searing, excruciating
may be accompanied by nasal sx
,more common in men
tension HA - ANSWER- site of pain: bilateral, frontal, occipital
character: aching, tight, squeezing
migraine - ANSWER- site of pain: Usually unilateral at start; may become bilateral
character: Pulsatile, throbbing
accompanied by: photophobia, phonophobia, hyperosmia, N/V
at least 5 attacks lasting 4-72 hrs
first line acute tx of cluster HA - ANSWER- triptan - intranasal or injectable forms
oxygen
Preventive treatment of cluster HA - ANSWER- short term: corticosteroid burst 1x/year.
ergotamines
long term: verapamil (gold standard). lithium, gabapentin, topiramate, valproic acid
non-pharm tx of migraines - ANSWER- avoid triggers
acute tx of tension type HA - ANSWER- analgesics
NSAIDs
combination anagesics w/ and w/o caffeine
preventive tx of tension-type HA - ANSWER- TCAs
SSRIs if depression
pharmacological acute treatment of migraines classes (4) - ANSWER-
analgesics/NSAIDs
triptans
,ergotamines
anti-emetics
What are the aromatic AEDs? (7) When should they be avoided? - ANSWER-
Phenytoin
Carbamazepine
Oxcarbazepine
Eslicarbazepine
Phenobarbital
Lamotrigine
Perampanel
Cross reactivity of rash is highest among aromatics. If patient has any type of rxn to one
aromatic avoid all other aromatics
Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome - ANSWER- Rare, severe,
delayed, multiorgan, type IV reaction Can be life-threatening
2-8 weeks after initiation
Triad: fever, rash, organ involvement
What AEDs are considered first line for focal seizures? (9) - ANSWER- carbamazepine
gabapentin
lamotrigine
oxcarbazepine
phenobarbital
topiramate
valproate
lacosamide
eslicarbazepine
What do you need to qualify as migraine w/ aura - ANSWER- at least 1 fully reversible
aura sx. Usually visual sx. may include sensory sx, motor sx. Doesn't last longer than
, 60 min. Migraine HA follows aura within 60 min.
Pharmacological tx of migraine abortive mild to moderate - ANSWER- NSAIDS, ASA,
APAP - for mild to moderate NTE 3x/week
Antiemetics
Avoid opioids and butalbital except as last resort
moderate to severe attacks Pharmacological tx of migraine abortive - ANSWER-
Triptans, ergotamines, and combination therapy for moderate to severe attacks
antiemetics
Ergotamines/dihydroergotamines problems - ANSWER- Less specific to targeted
receptor(s), thus causing more adverse effects
Name the triptans - ANSWER-
almotriptan naratriptan eletriptan
zolmitriptan sumatriptan rizatriptan
frovatriptan
What triptans are renally excreted? - ANSWER- Almotriptan, Naratriptan
Drug interactions (CYP3A4) - ANSWER- Eletriptan, Zolmitriptan
Contraindication with MAOI - ANSWER- Sumatriptan, Rizatriptan, Zolmitriptan
Propranolol DDI - ANSWER- Rizatriptan (5 mg dose/15 mg max total)
Quickest onset - ANSWER- SQ: Sumatriptan
Nasal spray: Sumatriptan and Zolmitriptan
Verified Answers 2026
What AEDs are considered first line for generalized seizures? (2) - ANSWER-
Lamotrigine
Topiramate
Pregnant population considerations - ANSWER- monotherapy recommended.
folate supplementation
Minimize valproate (high birth defects) if possible
Breastfeeding is ok
Solid organ transplantation population considerations - ANSWER- avoid CYP3A4
enzyme inducers with cyclosporine
check for DDI
2 MIGRAINE 11 PAGES - ANSWER-
types of migraines - ANSWER- cluster
tension
migraine w/o aura
migraine with aura
cluster headaches - ANSWER- site of pain: Unilateral, fronto-temporal, periorbital
character of pain: searing, excruciating
may be accompanied by nasal sx
,more common in men
tension HA - ANSWER- site of pain: bilateral, frontal, occipital
character: aching, tight, squeezing
migraine - ANSWER- site of pain: Usually unilateral at start; may become bilateral
character: Pulsatile, throbbing
accompanied by: photophobia, phonophobia, hyperosmia, N/V
at least 5 attacks lasting 4-72 hrs
first line acute tx of cluster HA - ANSWER- triptan - intranasal or injectable forms
oxygen
Preventive treatment of cluster HA - ANSWER- short term: corticosteroid burst 1x/year.
ergotamines
long term: verapamil (gold standard). lithium, gabapentin, topiramate, valproic acid
non-pharm tx of migraines - ANSWER- avoid triggers
acute tx of tension type HA - ANSWER- analgesics
NSAIDs
combination anagesics w/ and w/o caffeine
preventive tx of tension-type HA - ANSWER- TCAs
SSRIs if depression
pharmacological acute treatment of migraines classes (4) - ANSWER-
analgesics/NSAIDs
triptans
,ergotamines
anti-emetics
What are the aromatic AEDs? (7) When should they be avoided? - ANSWER-
Phenytoin
Carbamazepine
Oxcarbazepine
Eslicarbazepine
Phenobarbital
Lamotrigine
Perampanel
Cross reactivity of rash is highest among aromatics. If patient has any type of rxn to one
aromatic avoid all other aromatics
Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome - ANSWER- Rare, severe,
delayed, multiorgan, type IV reaction Can be life-threatening
2-8 weeks after initiation
Triad: fever, rash, organ involvement
What AEDs are considered first line for focal seizures? (9) - ANSWER- carbamazepine
gabapentin
lamotrigine
oxcarbazepine
phenobarbital
topiramate
valproate
lacosamide
eslicarbazepine
What do you need to qualify as migraine w/ aura - ANSWER- at least 1 fully reversible
aura sx. Usually visual sx. may include sensory sx, motor sx. Doesn't last longer than
, 60 min. Migraine HA follows aura within 60 min.
Pharmacological tx of migraine abortive mild to moderate - ANSWER- NSAIDS, ASA,
APAP - for mild to moderate NTE 3x/week
Antiemetics
Avoid opioids and butalbital except as last resort
moderate to severe attacks Pharmacological tx of migraine abortive - ANSWER-
Triptans, ergotamines, and combination therapy for moderate to severe attacks
antiemetics
Ergotamines/dihydroergotamines problems - ANSWER- Less specific to targeted
receptor(s), thus causing more adverse effects
Name the triptans - ANSWER-
almotriptan naratriptan eletriptan
zolmitriptan sumatriptan rizatriptan
frovatriptan
What triptans are renally excreted? - ANSWER- Almotriptan, Naratriptan
Drug interactions (CYP3A4) - ANSWER- Eletriptan, Zolmitriptan
Contraindication with MAOI - ANSWER- Sumatriptan, Rizatriptan, Zolmitriptan
Propranolol DDI - ANSWER- Rizatriptan (5 mg dose/15 mg max total)
Quickest onset - ANSWER- SQ: Sumatriptan
Nasal spray: Sumatriptan and Zolmitriptan
