AMC MCQ Neurology and Mental Health 5

Question 1

A 25-year-old presents with ascending symmetrical limb weakness and absent reflexes two weeks after a diarrhoeal illness. What is the most appropriate immediate concern to monitor?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory function (forced vital capacity)

Answer

Guillain-Barré syndrome can cause respiratory muscle failure, so vital capacity must be monitored closely.

Question 2

A 70-year-old woman has a new headache, scalp tenderness, jaw claudication and a raised ESR. What is the most appropriate immediate management?

Accepted Answer

Start high-dose corticosteroids immediately

Answer

Suspected giant cell arteritis requires immediate corticosteroids to prevent irreversible blindness, without waiting for biopsy.

Question 3

A 16-year-old has recurrent intrusive thoughts of contamination and spends hours washing his hands, recognising the behaviour as excessive. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Answer

Intrusive obsessions and time-consuming compulsions that the person recognises as excessive define OCD.

Question 4

A 48-year-old presents with a unilateral facial droop affecting the forehead, with no limb weakness. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Bell's palsy (lower motor neurone facial palsy)

Answer

Forehead involvement indicates a lower motor neurone facial palsy, most commonly idiopathic Bell's palsy.

Question 5

A patient with a witnessed generalised tonic-clonic seizure has now been convulsing continuously for more than five minutes. What is the most appropriate first-line drug?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous or buccal benzodiazepine

Answer

Status epilepticus is treated first with a benzodiazepine to terminate the seizure.

AMC MCQ Practice Test

AMC MCQ Practice Test

AMC MCQ Neurology and Mental Health 5