NPTE-PTA Neuromuscular & Nervous System 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient with Parkinson's disease demonstrates micrographia and bradykinesia. Which brain structure is primarily affected?
- Cerebellum
- Basal ganglia (substantia nigra) (Correct answer)
- Prefrontal cortex
- Hippocampus
Correct answer: Basal ganglia (substantia nigra)
Parkinson's disease involves degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the basal ganglia.
Question 2: Berg Balance Scale scores of 0–20 indicate:
- Independent community ambulator
- Supervision required
- High fall risk requiring wheelchair (Correct answer)
- Minimal fall risk
Correct answer: High fall risk requiring wheelchair
A Berg Balance Scale score of 0–20 indicates high fall risk, and the patient is likely wheelchair dependent.
Question 3: Which cranial nerve is tested by the gag reflex?
- CN IX and X (Correct answer)
- CN V and VII
- CN XI and XII
- CN III and IV
Correct answer: CN IX and X
The gag reflex involves the glossopharyngeal (CN IX) as the afferent limb and vagus (CN X) as the efferent limb.
Question 4: In peripheral nerve regeneration, the approximate rate of axon regrowth is:
- 0.5 mm/day
- 1–3 mm/day (Correct answer)
- 5 mm/day
- 10 mm/day
Correct answer: 1–3 mm/day
Peripheral nerve axons regenerate at approximately 1–3 mm per day after injury.
Question 5: A patient post-CVA has difficulty recognizing objects by touch with eyes closed. This is called:
- Agnosia
- Astereognosis (Correct answer)
- Apraxia
- Anosognosia
Correct answer: Astereognosis
Astereognosis is the inability to identify objects through tactile exploration without visual input.
Question 6: Which reflex is used to assess the S1 spinal level?
- Patellar reflex
- Biceps reflex
- Achilles reflex (Correct answer)
- Brachioradialis reflex
Correct answer: Achilles reflex
The Achilles (ankle jerk) reflex is mediated by the S1 nerve root.
NPTE-PTA Neuromuscular & Nervous System 2
A patient with Parkinson's disease demonstrates micrographia and bradykinesia.
Which brain structure is primarily affected?