NCS Stroke Rehabilitation 4

Question 1

A patient 6 weeks post-stroke develops shoulder-hand syndrome (complex regional pain syndrome type 1). Which treatment is MOST evidence-based?

Accepted Answer

Oral corticosteroids combined with active-assisted exercise

Answer

Short courses of oral corticosteroids combined with active-assisted and functional exercise programs have the strongest evidence for treating post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome.

Question 2

Spasticity post-stroke is BEST defined as:

Accepted Answer

Velocity-dependent increase in tonic stretch reflexes with exaggerated tendon jerks

Answer

Spasticity is defined as a velocity-dependent increase in tonic stretch reflexes with exaggerated tendon jerks, resulting from upper motor neuron dysfunction (Lance, 1980).

Question 3

A therapist is positioning a patient with severe flaccid hemiplegia to prevent glenohumeral subluxation. The MOST important positioning strategy is:

Accepted Answer

Supporting the humerus to maintain proper fossa alignment

Answer

Glenohumeral subluxation results from loss of rotator cuff support; proper positioning requires supporting the humerus to maintain the humeral head within the glenoid fossa.

Question 4

Post-stroke dysphagia is MOST commonly associated with damage to which neural structures?

Accepted Answer

Bilateral cortical lesions or unilateral brainstem lesion

Answer

Dysphagia is most severe and persistent with bilateral cortical lesions or a unilateral brainstem lesion due to the dual cortical control and critical brainstem swallowing centers.

Question 5

Which fall risk factor is MOST specific to the post-stroke population compared to the general older adult population?

Accepted Answer

Unilateral spatial neglect

Answer

Unilateral spatial neglect is a stroke-specific impairment that significantly increases fall risk by causing unawareness of obstacles and body position on the neglected side.

(NCS) Neurologic Clinical Specialist Practice Test

(NCS) Neurologic Clinical Specialist Practice Test

NCS Stroke Rehabilitation 4