Physician Assistant Physician Assistant Neurological System Disorders 2

Question 1

A 70-year-old presents with progressive resting tremor, bradykinesia, and cogwheel rigidity. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease

Answer

Parkinson's disease presents with the classic triad of resting tremor, bradykinesia, and rigidity, typically beginning unilaterally in older adults.

Question 2

Which neurotransmitter is deficient in Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Parkinson's disease results from degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to dopamine deficiency in the nigrostriatal pathway.

Question 3

A patient presents with sudden severe headache, nuchal rigidity, photophobia, and fever. CSF analysis shows cloudy fluid, elevated protein, low glucose, and neutrophilic pleocytosis. What is the most appropriate immediate treatment?

Accepted Answer

IV ceftriaxone and dexamethasone empirically

Answer

Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency; empiric IV ceftriaxone and dexamethasone (to reduce inflammation) should be started immediately without waiting for culture results.

Question 4

Which type of seizure is characterized by sudden loss of muscle tone causing the patient to fall?

Accepted Answer

Atonic seizure

Answer

Atonic (drop) seizures involve sudden loss of postural muscle tone, causing the patient to fall abruptly without warning.

Question 5

A 30-year-old with epilepsy presents in status epilepticus. After two doses of lorazepam, seizures persist. What is the next pharmacological treatment?

Accepted Answer

IV levetiracetam or fosphenytoin

Answer

After benzodiazepine failure in status epilepticus, the next step is IV second-line agents such as levetiracetam, fosphenytoin, or valproate per established treatment algorithms.

Physician Assistant Practice Test

Physician Assistant Practice Test

Physician Assistant Physician Assistant Neurological System Disorders 2