MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% PASS
What is the definition of multiple sclerosis? - ANS Chronic autoimmune disease characterized
by develop- ment of plaque in the white matter of the central nervous system. This plaque
damages the myelin sheath and interferes with impulse transmission between CNS & body
List the signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis. - ANS Muscle weakness alternating with
spasticity, fatigue (most disabling), depression, numbness, coordination difficulties, loss of
balance, pain, dysmetria, bowel and bladder dysfunction, cognitive and sexual changes
Multiple sclerosis is characterized by an inflammatory response that results in what? -
ANS Diffuse random or patchy areas of plaque in the white matter of the CNS.
List the major types of multiple sclerosis. - ANS Relapsing-remitting, Primary Progressive,
Secondary Progressive and
Progressive Relapsing
Describe Relapsing Remitting type of multiple sclerosis. - ANS Majority of cases.
Defined periods of exacerbation and remission, may be mild or moderate and resolve in a few
weeks to months after which the patient returns to baseline.
Describe Primary progressive type of multiple sclerosis. - ANS Worst type.
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, Relentless progression with no remissions, steady deterioration with no acute attacks.
Describe Secondary progressive type of multiple sclerosis. - ANS Begins with relapses and
remissions but later becomes steadily progressive. Functioning continues to decline with no
clear times of remission.
Describe Progressing relapsing type of multiple sclerosis. - ANS Least common.
Frequent relaspes with some partial recovery but not a return to baseline.
MS: Neurologic Findings (3) - ANS Weakness, Spasticity, ataxia.
What happens when the random or patchy areas of plaque appear in the white matter of the
CNS? - ANS When this happens the myelin sheath is damaged and its thickness is reduced or
demyelinated.
When the white fiber (axons) that connect the neurons in the brain and spinal cord are
impaired, What areas are impaired? - ANS The areas affected include optic nerves, pyramidal
tracts, posterior columns, brainstem nuclei, and the periventricular region of the brain.
What is the etiology of multiple sclerosis? - ANS Unknown, possibly viral, immunologic,
genetic or environmental.
The McDonald criteria may be used to diagnose multiple sclerosis. Criteria include... (4) -
ANS Two events or "attacks" separated in time and space, MRI evidence consistent with MS,
cerebral spinal fluid findings, and analysis of evoked potentials as a means of identifying a
second attack.
What would a CT scan show? - ANS May show an increased density in the white matter and
multiple sclerosis plaques.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% PASS
What is the definition of multiple sclerosis? - ANS Chronic autoimmune disease characterized
by develop- ment of plaque in the white matter of the central nervous system. This plaque
damages the myelin sheath and interferes with impulse transmission between CNS & body
List the signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis. - ANS Muscle weakness alternating with
spasticity, fatigue (most disabling), depression, numbness, coordination difficulties, loss of
balance, pain, dysmetria, bowel and bladder dysfunction, cognitive and sexual changes
Multiple sclerosis is characterized by an inflammatory response that results in what? -
ANS Diffuse random or patchy areas of plaque in the white matter of the CNS.
List the major types of multiple sclerosis. - ANS Relapsing-remitting, Primary Progressive,
Secondary Progressive and
Progressive Relapsing
Describe Relapsing Remitting type of multiple sclerosis. - ANS Majority of cases.
Defined periods of exacerbation and remission, may be mild or moderate and resolve in a few
weeks to months after which the patient returns to baseline.
Describe Primary progressive type of multiple sclerosis. - ANS Worst type.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Relentless progression with no remissions, steady deterioration with no acute attacks.
Describe Secondary progressive type of multiple sclerosis. - ANS Begins with relapses and
remissions but later becomes steadily progressive. Functioning continues to decline with no
clear times of remission.
Describe Progressing relapsing type of multiple sclerosis. - ANS Least common.
Frequent relaspes with some partial recovery but not a return to baseline.
MS: Neurologic Findings (3) - ANS Weakness, Spasticity, ataxia.
What happens when the random or patchy areas of plaque appear in the white matter of the
CNS? - ANS When this happens the myelin sheath is damaged and its thickness is reduced or
demyelinated.
When the white fiber (axons) that connect the neurons in the brain and spinal cord are
impaired, What areas are impaired? - ANS The areas affected include optic nerves, pyramidal
tracts, posterior columns, brainstem nuclei, and the periventricular region of the brain.
What is the etiology of multiple sclerosis? - ANS Unknown, possibly viral, immunologic,
genetic or environmental.
The McDonald criteria may be used to diagnose multiple sclerosis. Criteria include... (4) -
ANS Two events or "attacks" separated in time and space, MRI evidence consistent with MS,
cerebral spinal fluid findings, and analysis of evoked potentials as a means of identifying a
second attack.
What would a CT scan show? - ANS May show an increased density in the white matter and
multiple sclerosis plaques.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
