American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Neurological Examination and Conditions

Question 1

What cranial nerves are tested during a standard neurological examination?

Accepted Answer

All 12 cranial nerves (I-XII), testing smell, vision, eye movement, facial sensation/motor, hearing, taste, palate, voice, neck muscles, and tongue

Answer

The neurological exam systematically tests all 12 cranial nerves: I (olfactory), II (optic), III/IV/VI (oculomotor), V (trigeminal), VII (facial), VIII (vestibulocochlear), IX/X (glossopharyngeal/vagus), XI (accessory), XII (hypoglossal).

Question 2

What is the difference between upper motor neuron (UMN) and lower motor neuron (LMN) lesions?

Accepted Answer

UMN causes spasticity, hyperreflexia, and Babinski sign; LMN causes flaccidity, areflexia, fasciculations, and muscle atrophy

Answer

UMN lesions (brain, spinal cord) cause spastic paralysis, increased reflexes, positive Babinski sign, and clonus. LMN lesions (anterior horn cells, peripheral nerves) cause flaccid paralysis, decreased reflexes, fasciculations, and muscle wasting.

Question 3

What is the Glasgow Coma Scale and what does it measure?

Accepted Answer

A 3-15 point scale measuring consciousness through eye opening, verbal response, and motor response

Answer

The GCS rates consciousness on a 3-15 scale: Eye opening (1-4), Verbal response (1-5), Motor response (1-6). Score 15 = fully conscious, 3 = deep coma. Used for traumatic brain injury and altered consciousness assessment.

Question 4

What are the common types of headache and their distinguishing features?

Accepted Answer

Tension (bilateral, pressing), migraine (unilateral, pulsating, with aura), cluster (severe unilateral orbital pain with autonomic symptoms)

Answer

Tension headaches present as bilateral, pressing pain. Migraines are typically unilateral, pulsating, with nausea and photophobia, sometimes preceded by aura. Cluster headaches cause severe unilateral orbital pain with lacrimation and nasal congestion.

Question 5

What are the cardinal features of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability (TRAP)

Answer

Parkinson's disease is characterized by the TRAP mnemonic: Tremor (at rest, pill-rolling), Rigidity (cogwheel type), Akinesia/Bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and Postural instability, resulting from dopaminergic neuron loss in the substantia nigra.

American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Practice Test

American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Practice Test

American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Neurological Examination and Conditions