NCS Traumatic Brain Injury 2

Question 1

Which pharmacological agent is most commonly used to manage agitation in the acute TBI rehabilitation setting due to its favorable side-effect profile?

Accepted Answer

Propranolol

Answer

Propranolol (a beta-blocker) is preferred for agitation post-TBI because it reduces autonomic surges without the sedation or seizure-threshold-lowering effects of antipsychotics or benzodiazepines.

Question 2

A patient with severe TBI is in the minimally conscious state (MCS). Which clinical feature best distinguishes MCS from vegetative state (VS)?

Accepted Answer

Inconsistent but reproducible purposeful movement

Answer

MCS is defined by inconsistent but reproducible evidence of awareness such as command following, object manipulation, or intelligible verbalization, which are absent in VS.

Question 3

Post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) duration is most useful for predicting which outcome after moderate-to-severe TBI?

Accepted Answer

Long-term functional recovery

Answer

PTA duration is one of the strongest predictors of long-term functional outcome; PTA >4 weeks is associated with significantly poorer recovery.

Question 4

Heterotopic ossification (HO) after TBI most commonly occurs around which joint?

Accepted Answer

Hip

Answer

The hip is the most frequently affected joint for HO following TBI, often presenting with decreased range of motion and warmth around the hip region.

Question 5

Which EEG finding is most associated with non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) in a TBI patient who has unexplained decreased consciousness?

Accepted Answer

Periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLEDs) evolving to ictal pattern

Answer

PLEDs that evolve into rhythmic ictal discharges on EEG are a hallmark finding for NCSE, which can cause unexplained coma or encephalopathy after TBI.

(NCS) Neurologic Clinical Specialist Practice Test

(NCS) Neurologic Clinical Specialist Practice Test

NCS Traumatic Brain Injury 2