NCS Neurological Assessment 3

Question 1

During the Romberg test, a patient is stable with eyes open but sways significantly with eyes closed. This finding most likely implicates which system?

Accepted Answer

Vestibular or proprioceptive pathology

Answer

A positive Romberg (worsening with eye closure) indicates the patient is compensating visually for a proprioceptive or vestibular deficit.

Question 2

A patient demonstrates dysdiadochokinesia on neurological examination. Which cerebellar function does this deficit represent?

Accepted Answer

Rapid alternating movements of the hands

Answer

Dysdiadochokinesia is the inability to perform rapid alternating movements and is a hallmark sign of cerebellar dysfunction.

Question 3

Which gait deviation is most characteristic of a patient with bilateral spastic lower extremity involvement from cerebral palsy?

Accepted Answer

Scissor gait

Answer

Scissor gait results from bilateral adductor spasticity causing the legs to cross midline during swing phase.

Question 4

The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test assesses functional mobility by measuring the time to complete which task sequence?

Accepted Answer

Rise from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn, return, and sit

Answer

The TUG requires rising from a standard chair, walking 3 meters, turning, returning, and sitting, with >12 seconds indicating fall risk.

Question 5

When assessing coordination using the heel-shin test, a patient demonstrates worsening accuracy with increased speed of movement. This pattern is most consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Cerebellar ataxia

Answer

Cerebellar ataxia worsens with increasing speed of intentional movement, distinguishing it from sensory ataxia which worsens more with eye closure.

(NCS) Neurologic Clinical Specialist Practice Test

(NCS) Neurologic Clinical Specialist Practice Test

NCS Neurological Assessment 3