ABEM ABEM Pharmacology & Medical Management 2

Question 1

Excessive use of isoniazid (INH) for tuberculosis can cause peripheral neuropathy due to depletion of which vitamin?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)

Answer

INH competitively inhibits pyridoxine phosphokinase, depleting active vitamin B6 and causing an axonal sensorimotor neuropathy.

Question 2

A patient on amiodarone develops a demyelinating neuropathy. Which finding would you expect on nerve conduction studies?

Accepted Answer

Slowed conduction velocity with prolonged distal latencies

Answer

Amiodarone-induced neuropathy is demyelinating, so NCS shows slowed conduction velocities and prolonged distal latencies rather than reduced amplitudes.

Question 3

Which immunosuppressant is commonly used as a steroid-sparing agent in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)?

Accepted Answer

All of the above may be used

Answer

Azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, and cyclosporine are all used as steroid-sparing agents in CIDP, with none clearly superior in randomized trials.

Question 4

Botulinum toxin injected for spasticity reduces muscle tone by:

Accepted Answer

Cleaving SNARE proteins, preventing ACh vesicle release

Answer

Botulinum toxin cleaves SNARE proteins (such as SNAP-25 or synaptobrevin) required for synaptic vesicle fusion, blocking presynaptic acetylcholine release.

Question 5

A diabetic patient presenting with a painful, asymmetric motor neuropathy affecting the thigh is most likely experiencing:

Accepted Answer

Diabetic amyotrophy (lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathy)

Answer

Diabetic amyotrophy (also called lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathy) presents with acute painful, asymmetric proximal lower limb weakness and is immune-mediated.

(ABEM) American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine Practice Test

(ABEM) American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine Practice Test

ABEM ABEM Pharmacology & Medical Management 2