Neuropathy Peripheral Neuropathy Facts 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the medical term for the burning, tingling 'pins and needles' sensation common in neuropathy?
- Paresthesia (Correct answer)
- Ataxia
- Aphasia
- Apnea
Correct answer: Paresthesia
Paresthesia refers to abnormal sensations such as tingling, prickling, or burning.
Question 2: Heavy alcohol use can cause peripheral neuropathy primarily because it:
- Damages nerves and depletes B vitamins (Correct answer)
- Increases nerve myelin production
- Strengthens motor neurons
- Improves blood circulation to nerves
Correct answer: Damages nerves and depletes B vitamins
Chronic alcohol use is directly toxic to nerves and depletes essential B vitamins like thiamine.
Question 3: Which nerve conduction finding suggests demyelinating neuropathy?
- Slowed conduction velocity (Correct answer)
- Increased muscle mass
- Faster reflexes
- Higher body temperature
Correct answer: Slowed conduction velocity
Demyelination strips the insulating myelin, slowing the speed of nerve signal conduction.
Question 4: A patient on chemotherapy develops numbness in the hands and feet. This is most likely:
- Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (Correct answer)
- An allergic skin reaction
- A normal side effect of dehydration
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
Correct answer: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
Many chemotherapy drugs are neurotoxic and commonly cause peripheral neuropathy in the extremities.
Question 5: Which test is most commonly used to evaluate the function of peripheral nerves?
- Nerve conduction study (NCS) (Correct answer)
- Chest X-ray
- Echocardiogram
- Colonoscopy
Correct answer: Nerve conduction study (NCS)
Nerve conduction studies measure how quickly and strongly electrical signals travel through nerves.
Question 6: Mononeuropathy differs from polyneuropathy in that mononeuropathy:
- Affects a single nerve (Correct answer)
- Affects only autonomic nerves
- Affects nerves symmetrically
- Affects the brain only
Correct answer: Affects a single nerve
Mononeuropathy involves damage to one specific nerve, while polyneuropathy affects many nerves.
Question 7: Which lifestyle measure best helps prevent worsening of diabetic peripheral neuropathy?
- Tight blood glucose control (Correct answer)
- Increasing sugar intake
- Avoiding all physical activity
- Skipping foot inspections
Correct answer: Tight blood glucose control
Maintaining good blood sugar control is the most effective way to slow diabetic nerve damage.
Neuropathy Peripheral Neuropathy Facts 3
What is the medical term for the burning, tingling 'pins and needles' sensation common in neuropathy?