NCS Balance and Gait Rehabilitation 5

Question 1

A patient post-stroke exhibits pusher syndrome, actively pushing toward the hemiplegic side. The MOST evidence-based intervention is:

Accepted Answer

Visual feedback training using vertical references such as a plumb line or mirror

Answer

Pusher syndrome reflects a distorted internal perception of body verticality; treatment relies on visual vertical reference cues (plumb line, mirror, room verticals) to recalibrate the patient's perceived upright.

Question 2

On the 10-meter walk test, a gait speed below which threshold is associated with increased risk of mortality and institutionalization in community-dwelling older adults?

Accepted Answer

Below 0.8 m/s

Answer

A 10-meter walk test speed below 0.8 m/s in community-dwelling older adults is associated with increased mortality risk, hospitalization, and loss of community independence.

Question 3

A patient with spinocerebellar ataxia shows poor balance equally with eyes open and closed on all surface types. How does this pattern differ from peripheral vestibular dysfunction?

Accepted Answer

Cerebellar ataxia impairs balance in all sensory conditions; vestibular dysfunction shows specific deterioration when visual and somatosensory cues are disrupted

Answer

Cerebellar ataxia impairs movement coordination regardless of sensory availability, causing deficits across all SOT conditions; peripheral vestibular loss specifically worsens performance in conditions 5 and 6 when only vestibular input is available.

Question 4

A patient with Parkinson's disease demonstrates the pelvis dropping contralaterally during single-limb stance (Trendelenburg sign). This most likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

Hip abductor weakness on the stance-phase limb

Answer

The Trendelenburg sign indicates hip abductor weakness on the weight-bearing limb regardless of the underlying neurological diagnosis; it is a biomechanical sign, not specific to Parkinson's disease pathophysiology.

Question 5

During body-weight supported treadmill training for a patient with an incomplete spinal cord injury at T4, the therapist MUST monitor for:

Accepted Answer

Autonomic dysreflexia triggered by tight harness straps or other noxious stimuli below the lesion

Answer

Injuries at or above T6 carry risk of autonomic dysreflexia; tight BWSTT harness straps, restrictive equipment, or bladder distension below the lesion can trigger a life-threatening hypertensive crisis.

(NCS) Neurologic Clinical Specialist Practice Test

(NCS) Neurologic Clinical Specialist Practice Test

NCS Balance and Gait Rehabilitation 5