Multiple Sclerosis Practice Test Questions with Correct Answers

Multiple Sclerosis Practice Test Questions with Correct Answers Multiple Sclerosis - Answer-A chronic, progressive, degenerative disorder of the CNS characterized by demyelination of nerve fibers of the brain and spinal cord. Cause of MS - Answer-unknown; related to infectious (viral), immunologic and genetic factors. MS is characterized by - Answer-chronic inflammation, demyelination, and gliosis (scarring) in the CNS. What is the autoimmune response that occurs in MS? - Answer-The myelin sheaths of the neurons in the brain and spinal cord are attacked. What happens when the myelin starts to become disrupted? - Answer-Myelin is replaced by glial scar tissue, which forms hard, sclerotic plaques in multiple ares of the CNS. What happens to the nerve impulses after the destruction of the myelin? - Answer-They slow down. What happens to the impulses when the destruction of axons occur? - Answer-They become completely blocked, resulting in permanent loss and function. Motor symptoms of MS - Answer--weakness or paralysis of the limbs, trunk, or head. -diplopia (double vision) -scanning speech -spasticity of the muscles Sensory symptoms of MS - Answer--numbness and tingling and other parethesias -patchy blindness (scotomas) -blurred vision -vertigo, tinnitus, and decreased hearing -chronic neuropathic pain -Radicular (nerve root) pain particularly in the low thoracic and abdominal regions Lhermitte's sign - Answer-A transient sensory symptom described as an electric shock radiating down the spine or into the limbs with flexion of the neck. Cerebellar signs of MS - Answer--nystagmus (shaking of the eyeballs) -ataxia (uncoordinated movements) -dysarthria (difficulty speaking due to muscles being affected) -dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) -severe fatigue If the sclerotic plaque is located in areas of the CNS that control elimination, what happens? - Answer-Bowel and bladder function can be affected. -Problems involve constipation rather than fecal incontinence. -Urinary=spastic bladder Cause of a spastic (uninhibited) bladder in MS - Answer-Indication of a lesion above the second sacral nerve, which cuts off suprasegmental inhibiting influences on bladder contractility. Urinary urgency and frequency occur resulting in dribbling or incontinence. Cause of a flaccid (hypotonic) bladder - Answer-Indicates a lesion in the reflex arc controlling bladder function, which means the bladder has a large capacity for urine because there is no sensation or desire to void, no pressure, and no pain. This causes urinary retention generally. What must first be done in order to adequately diagnose and treat urinary problems in MS? - Answer-Urodynamic studies Sexual dysfunction in males - Answer-Psychologic erectile dysfunction may result from spinal cord involvement. Sexual dysfunction in females - Answer--Pain with intercourse -Difficulty with orgasmic response -Decreased vaginal lubrication remission or improvement during the gestation period During the postpartum period women are at greater risk for of the disease - Answer-exacerbation