Neurological complications US Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs
Practice US Medical PG questions for Neurological complications. These multiple choice questions (MCQs) cover important concepts and help you prepare for your exams.
Neurological complications US Medical PG Question 1: A 24-year-old man presents to the emergency department after a motor vehicle collision. He was in the front seat and unrestrained driver in a head on collision. His temperature is 99.2°F (37.3°C), blood pressure is 90/65 mmHg, pulse is 152/min, respirations are 16/min, and oxygen saturation is 100% on room air. Physical exam is notable for a young man who opens his eyes spontaneously and is looking around. He answers questions with inappropriate responses but discernible words. He withdraws from pain but does not have purposeful movement. Which of the following is this patient's Glasgow coma scale?
- A. 9
- B. 15
- C. 7
- D. 11 (Correct Answer)
- E. 13
Neurological complications Explanation: ***11***
- **Eye-opening (E)**: The patient opens his eyes spontaneously, scoring **E4**.
- **Verbal response (V)**: He gives inappropriate responses but discernible words, scoring **V3**.
- **Motor response (M)**: He withdraws from pain but does not have purposeful movement, scoring **M4**.
- Therefore, the total Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score is **E4 + V3 + M4 = 11**.
*9*
- This score would imply a lower verbal or motor response, such as **incomprehensible sounds (V2)** or **abnormal flexion (M3)**, which is not consistent with the patient's presentation.
- For example, E4 + V2 + M3 would equal 9.
*15*
- A GCS of 15 indicates **normal neurological function**, meaning the patient would be fully oriented, obey commands, and open eyes spontaneously, which is not the case here.
- This score is for a patient who is fully conscious and responsive.
*7*
- A GCS of 7 suggests a **severe brain injury**, which would typically present with a much poorer response, such as **no verbal response (V1)** or **abnormal extension (M2)**.
- For example, E4 + V1 + M2 would equal 7.
*13*
- This score would mean a higher level of consciousness, such as **confused conversation (V4)** or **localizing pain (M5)**, which is better than the patient's described responses.
- For example, E4 + V4 + M5 would equal 13.
Neurological complications US Medical PG Question 2: A 34-year-old woman is recovering in the post-operative unit following a laparoscopic procedure for chronic endometriosis. She had initially presented with complaints of painful menstrual cramps that kept her bedridden most of the day. She also mentioned to her gynecologist that she had been diagnosed with endometriosis 4 years ago, and she could not find a medication or alternative therapeutic measure that helped. Her medical history was significant for surgery she had 6 years ago to remove tumors she had above her kidneys, after which she was prescribed hydrocortisone. An hour after the laparoscopic procedure, she calls the nurse because she is having difficulty breathing. The nurse records her vital signs include: blood pressure 85/55 mm Hg, respirations 20/min, and pulse 115/min. The patient suddenly loses consciousness. Intravenous fluids are started immediately. She gains consciousness, but her blood pressure is unchanged. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the hypotension?
- A. Bleeding profusely through the surgical site
- B. Improper supplementation of steroids (Correct Answer)
- C. Infection involving the suture line
- D. High doses of anesthetic drugs
- E. Loss of fluids during the procedure
Neurological complications Explanation: ***Improper supplementation of steroids***
- The patient's history of **bilateral adrenalectomy (tumors above kidneys)** for which she was prescribed **hydrocortisone** indicates **adrenal insufficiency**. Stressful events like surgery require an increased dose of steroids, and improper supplementation can lead to an **adrenal crisis**.
- The symptoms of **hypotension, tachycardia, and loss of consciousness** are characteristic of an **adrenal crisis (acute adrenal insufficiency)**, which occurs when the body lacks sufficient cortisol during stress.
*Bleeding profusely through the surgical site*
- While **hemorrhage** can cause hypotension and tachycardia, the patient regained consciousness with IV fluids but her **blood pressure remained unchanged**, which is less typical for isolated blood loss if volume is restored without addressing the underlying cause.
- There is no direct mention of visible bleeding, the prompt only states the patient lost consciousness and her blood pressure is unchanged.
*Infection involving the suture line*
- **Surgical site infections** typically manifest several days post-op, presenting with **fever, erythema, and purulent drainage**, not acute hypotension and loss of consciousness an hour after surgery.
- The immediate post-operative timeline and systemic symptoms are not consistent with a localized wound infection as the primary cause of this acute decline.
*High doses of anesthetic drugs*
- Anesthetic drugs can cause **vasodilation and hypotension**. However, their effects are usually transient and would likely resolve more completely with IV fluids, especially an hour after a laparoscopic procedure.
- If it was due to anesthetic drugs, the patient's blood pressure would likely normalize with fluid administration once the effects of the anesthetic began to wear off, which is not the case here.
*Loss of fluids during the procedure*
- **Fluid loss** during surgery can cause hypotension, but intravenous fluids were administered, and the patient regained consciousness.
- If fluid loss were the sole cause, resolving consciousness and maintaining low blood pressure typically indicates the fluid loss was not completely compensated, but the primary cause for the persistent hypotension is not just volume.
Neurological complications US Medical PG Question 3: A 59-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by a coworker for right arm weakness and numbness. The symptoms started suddenly 2 hours ago. His coworker also noticed his face appears to droop on the right side and his speech is slurred. He has a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes, and peripheral arterial disease. He works as a partner at a law firm and has been under more stress than usual lately. His father died of a stroke at age 70. The patient has smoked a pack of cigarettes daily for the last 40 years. He drinks two pints (750 mL) of whiskey each week. He takes aspirin, atorvastatin, lisinopril, and metformin daily. He is 167.6 cm (5 ft 6 in) tall and weighs 104.3 kg (230 lb); BMI is 37 kg/m2. His temperature is 37.1°C (98.8°F), pulse is 92/min, respirations are 15/min, and blood pressure is 143/92 mm Hg. He is fully alert and oriented. Neurological examination shows asymmetry of the face with droop of the lips on the right. There is 3/5 strength in right wrist flexion and extension, and right finger abduction. Sensation to light touch and pinprick is reduced throughout the right arm. Which of the following is the strongest predisposing factor for this patient's condition?
- A. Excessive alcohol intake
- B. Obesity
- C. Hypertension (Correct Answer)
- D. Increased stress
- E. Hyperlipidemia
Neurological complications Explanation: ***Hypertension***
- **Hypertension is the single most important modifiable risk factor for stroke**, accounting for approximately 50% of stroke risk in population studies
- This patient's blood pressure of **143/92 mm Hg despite being on lisinopril** indicates poorly controlled hypertension, which significantly increases stroke risk
- Hypertension directly damages blood vessels through chronic endothelial injury and accelerates **atherosclerosis**, leading to both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke
*Excessive alcohol intake*
- Heavy alcohol consumption (>2 drinks/day) increases stroke risk, particularly hemorrhagic stroke
- This patient's intake of two pints weekly (~5 drinks) is moderate-to-heavy but not the strongest risk factor compared to poorly controlled hypertension
- The association between alcohol and stroke is less consistent than that of hypertension
*Obesity*
- **Obesity (BMI 37 kg/m²)** increases stroke risk indirectly by promoting hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia
- It is an important risk factor but acts primarily through these intermediate mechanisms rather than as a direct cause
- Hypertension remains the more potent and direct predisposing factor
*Increased stress*
- Chronic stress may contribute to stroke risk through effects on blood pressure, inflammation, and health behaviors
- However, stress is a **weak and indirect risk factor** with inconsistent epidemiological evidence
- It does not compare to the well-established, quantifiable impact of hypertension
*Hyperlipidemia*
- **Hyperlipidemia** promotes atherosclerosis and is an established risk factor for ischemic stroke
- The patient is on atorvastatin, which likely provides some protection
- While significant, hypertension has consistently been shown to have the **greatest population-attributable risk for stroke** among all modifiable factors
Neurological complications US Medical PG Question 4: Two hours after undergoing elective cholecystectomy with general anesthesia, a 41-year-old woman is evaluated for decreased mental status. BMI is 36.6 kg/m2. Respirations are 18/min and blood pressure is 126/73 mm Hg. Physical examination shows the endotracheal tube in normal position. She does not respond to sternal rub and gag reflex is absent. Arterial blood gas analysis on room air shows normal PO2 and PCO2 levels. Which of the following anesthetic properties is the most likely cause of these findings?
- A. Low blood solubility
- B. High lipid solubility (Correct Answer)
- C. Low brain-blood partition coefficient
- D. High minimal alveolar concentration
- E. Low cytochrome P450 activity
Neurological complications Explanation: ***High lipid solubility***
- Anesthetics with **high lipid solubility** accumulate in **adipose tissue** and are slowly released, prolonging their effect, especially in obese patients.
- The patient's **obesity (BMI 36.6 kg/m2)** contributes to a larger reservoir for lipid-soluble drugs, leading to delayed recovery and decreased mental status.
*Low blood solubility*
- **Low blood solubility** implies a rapid equilibrium between the lungs and the blood, leading to a **faster onset and offset** of anesthetic action.
- This property would result in a quicker recovery from anesthesia, which contradicts the patient's prolonged unconsciousness.
*Low brain-blood partition coefficient*
- A **low brain-blood partition coefficient** means the anesthetic does not accumulate significantly in brain tissue relative to blood.
- Agents with this property equilibrate quickly and leave the brain rapidly upon discontinuation, resulting in **fast recovery**, which is inconsistent with the patient's persistent decreased mental status.
*High minimal alveolar concentration*
- **High minimal alveolar concentration (MAC)** means that a higher concentration of the anesthetic gas is required to produce immobility in 50% of patients.
- A high MAC describes the **potency** of an anesthetic and does not directly explain prolonged recovery or decreased mental status in an obese patient, but rather indicates that a larger dose or concentration was needed to achieve anesthesia.
*Low cytochrome P450 activity*
- **Low cytochrome P450 activity** would lead to slower metabolism of drugs that are primarily cleared by this system, potentially prolonging their effects.
- While relevant for some drugs, the primary issue for inhaled anesthetics is their **physical distribution and elimination**, not typically metabolic clearance via Cytochrome P450 enzymes.
Neurological complications US Medical PG Question 5: A 23-year-old college student was playing basketball when he fell directly onto his left elbow. He had sudden, intense pain and was unable to move his elbow. He was taken immediately to the emergency room by his teammates. He has no prior history of trauma or any chronic medical conditions. His blood pressure is 128/84 mm Hg, the heart rate is 92/min, and the respiratory rate is 14/min. He is in moderate distress and is holding onto his left elbow. On physical examination, pinprick sensation is absent in the left 5th digit and the medial aspect of the left 4th digit. Which of the following is the most likely etiology of this patient’s condition?
- A. Axillary neuropathy
- B. Median neuropathy
- C. Radial neuropathy
- D. Musculocutaneous neuropathy
- E. Ulnar neuropathy (Correct Answer)
Neurological complications Explanation: ***Ulnar neuropathy***
- Direct trauma to the elbow, combined with **pinprick sensation loss** in the **5th digit** and the **medial aspect of the 4th digit**, is highly indicative of **ulnar nerve injury**.
- The ulnar nerve passes through the **cubital tunnel** at the elbow, making it vulnerable to compression or trauma from direct falls.
*Axillary neuropathy*
- An **axillary nerve injury** typically presents with weakness in **shoulder abduction** (deltoid muscle) and sensory loss over the **lateral aspect of the shoulder**.
- This clinical picture does not match the patient's sensory deficits in the fingers.
*Median neuropathy*
- **Median nerve injury** at the elbow would typically cause sensory loss in the **first three fingers and the lateral half of the fourth finger**, along with **weakness in thumb opposition** and **flexion of the index and middle fingers**.
- The sensory loss described in the patient does not align with median nerve distribution.
*Radial neuropathy*
- **Radial nerve injury** at the elbow level would primarily result in **wrist drop** and sensory loss over the **dorsal aspect of the hand**, particularly the **first three and a half digits**.
- These are not the clinical findings presented by the patient.
*Musculocutaneous neuropathy*
- **Musculocutaneous nerve injury** would cause weakness in **elbow flexion** (biceps and brachialis muscles) and sensory loss over the **lateral forearm**.
- The patient's reported sensory loss is in a different distribution and no specific motor deficits of elbow flexion are mentioned.
Neurological complications US Medical PG Question 6: A 57-year-old man was brought into the emergency department unconscious 2 days ago. His friends who were with him at that time say he collapsed on the street. Upon arrival to the ED, he had a generalized tonic seizure. At that time, he was intubated and is being treated with diazepam and phenytoin. A noncontrast head CT revealed hemorrhages within the pons and cerebellum with a mass effect and tonsillar herniation. Today, his blood pressure is 110/65 mm Hg, heart rate is 65/min, respiratory rate is 12/min (intubated, ventilator settings: tidal volume (TV) 600 ml, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) 5 cm H2O, and FiO2 40%), and temperature is 37.0°C (98.6°F). On physical examination, the patient is in a comatose state. Pupils are 4 mm bilaterally and unresponsive to light. Cornea reflexes are absent. Gag reflex and cough reflex are also absent. Which of the following is the next best step in the management of this patient?
- A. Second opinion from a neurologist
- B. Withdraw ventilation support and mark time of death
- C. Electroencephalogram
- D. Repeat examination in several hours
- E. Apnea test (Correct Answer)
Neurological complications Explanation: ***Apnea test***
- The patient exhibits classic signs of **brain death**, including a **coma**, fixed and dilated pupils, and absent brainstem reflexes (corneal, gag, cough). The next step is to perform an apnea test to confirm the absence of spontaneous respiratory drive.
- An apnea test confirms brain death by demonstrating the **absence of respiratory effort** despite a rising pCO2, provided that spinal cord reflexes are not mistaken for respiratory efforts.
*Second opinion from a neurologist*
- While consulting a neurologist is often helpful in complex neurological cases, the current clinical picture presents such clear signs of brain death that **further confirmatory testing** for brain death (like the apnea test) is more immediately indicated before seeking additional opinions on diagnosis.
- A second opinion would typically be sought to confirm the diagnosis or guide management, but establishing brain death requires a specific protocol which is incomplete without the apnea test.
*Withdraw ventilation support and mark time of death*
- It is **premature to withdraw ventilation** before brain death is unequivocally confirmed by all necessary clinical and confirmatory tests, including the apnea test.
- Withdrawing support without full confirmation could lead to ethical and legal issues, as the patient might still have residual brainstem function, however minimal.
*Electroencephalogram*
- An **EEG** can show absent electrical activity, supporting brain death, but it is **not a mandatory part of the core brain death criteria** in many protocols, especially when clinical signs are clear and an apnea test can be performed.
- The primary diagnostic criteria for brain death usually prioritize clinical examination and the apnea test for proving irreversible cessation of all brain functions.
*Repeat examination in several hours*
- Repeating the examination in several hours is typically done if there are **confounding factors** (e.g., severe hypothermia, drug intoxication) that might mimic brain death, or if the initial assessment is incomplete.
- In this case, there are no mentioned confounding factors, and the immediate priority is to complete the brain death protocol with an apnea test, given the current clear clinical picture.
Neurological complications US Medical PG Question 7: A 24-year-old woman at 36 weeks pregnant presents to the emergency department with a headache and abdominal pain. The woman has no known past medical history and has inconsistently followed up with an obstetrician for prenatal care. Her temperature is 98.5°F (36.9°C), blood pressure is 163/101 mmHg, pulse is 90/min, respirations are 16/min, and oxygen saturation is 97% on room air. Prior to performing the physical exam, the patient experiences a seizure, which resolves after 60 seconds. Which of the following is the best management for this patient?
- A. Diazepam, magnesium, and continuous monitoring
- B. Magnesium and continuous monitoring
- C. Nifedipine and cesarean section
- D. Magnesium and cesarean section (Correct Answer)
- E. Magnesium and labetalol
Neurological complications Explanation: **Magnesium and cesarean section**
- The patient's presentation with **headache**, **abdominal pain**, and **hypertension** followed by a **seizure** is classic for **eclampsia**, a severe complication of pre-eclampsia.
- **Magnesium sulfate** is the first-line treatment for seizure control and prevention in eclampsia, while **delivery (cesarean section)** is the definitive treatment since it removes the source of the disease (the placenta).
*Diazepam, magnesium, and continuous monitoring*
- While **magnesium** is correct for seizure management, **diazepam** is typically reserved as a second-line agent if magnesium is ineffective or contraindicated.
- The definitive management of eclampsia is delivery; continuous monitoring alone is insufficient without plans for delivery.
*Magnesium and continuous monitoring*
- **Magnesium** is indeed the critical first step for seizure management in eclampsia.
- However, continuous monitoring without addressing the underlying cause via **delivery** is not sufficient definitive management for eclampsia.
*Nifedipine and cesarean section*
- **Nifedipine** is an antihypertensive and can be used to manage severe hypertension in pregnancy, but it is not the primary treatment for active seizures or seizure prevention in eclampsia.
- While a **cesarean section** is appropriate for delivery, **magnesium** is crucial for immediate seizure control.
*Magnesium and labetalol*
- **Magnesium** is appropriate for seizure management.
- **Labetalol** is an antihypertensive agent used for severe hypertension in pregnancy, but it does not treat the seizure or the underlying eclampsia definitively; delivery is still required.
Neurological complications US Medical PG Question 8: A 55-year-old man presents to his primary care physician for a wellness checkup. The patient has a past medical history of alcohol abuse and is currently attending alcoholics anonymous with little success. He is currently drinking roughly 1L of hard alcohol every day and does not take his disulfiram anymore. Which of the following findings is most likely to also be found in this patient?
- A. Dysdiadochokinesia (Correct Answer)
- B. Microcytic anemia
- C. Constipation
- D. Decreased CNS NMDA activity
- E. Increased transketolase activity
Neurological complications Explanation: ***Dysdiadochokinesia***
- Chronic **alcohol abuse** can lead to cerebellar degeneration, a condition characterized by damage to the **cerebellum**.
- **Dysdiadochokinesia**, the impaired ability to perform rapidly alternating movements, is a classic sign of **cerebellar dysfunction**.
*Microcytic anemia*
- **Chronic alcohol abuse** typically causes **macrocytic anemia** due to folate deficiency, or less commonly, iron deficiency anemia from gastrointestinal bleeding.
- **Microcytic anemia** is usually associated with **iron deficiency** (often due to chronic blood loss) or **thalassemia**, neither of which are suggested here.
*Constipation*
- While various factors can cause constipation, **chronic alcohol abuse** is more commonly associated with **diarrhea** due to alterations in gut motility and malabsorption.
- Constipation is not a direct or prominent feature of **alcoholism**.
*Decreased CNS NMDA activity*
- **Chronic alcohol abuse** leads to an **upregulation of NMDA receptors** in the brain as a compensatory mechanism against alcohol's inhibitory effects on the central nervous system.
- When alcohol consumption ceases, this upregulated NMDA activity contributes to the **excitatory symptoms of alcohol withdrawal**, such as seizures and delirium tremens.
*Increased transketolase activity*
- **Transketolase activity** is usually **decreased** in chronic alcoholics due to **thiamine deficiency**, as thiamine (vitamin B1) is a critical cofactor for this enzyme.
- A **decrease** in transketolase activity is a key diagnostic indicator for thiamine deficiency, which contributes to conditions like **Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome**.
Neurological complications US Medical PG Question 9: A 48-year-old man presents to the ER with a sudden-onset, severe headache. He is vomiting and appears confused. His wife, who accompanied him, says that he has not had any trauma, and that the patient has no relevant family history. He undergoes a non-contrast head CT that shows blood between the arachnoid and pia mater. What is the most likely complication from this condition?
- A. Hemorrhagic shock
- B. Arterial Vasospasm (Correct Answer)
- C. Renal failure
- D. Bacterial Meningitis
- E. Blindness
Neurological complications Explanation: **Arterial Vasospasm**
- **Arterial vasospasm** is a major delayed complication of **subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)**, typically occurring 3-14 days after the initial bleed.
- The presence of blood products in the subarachnoid space can irritate cerebral arteries, leading to their narrowing and subsequent **delayed cerebral ischemia** or infarction.
*Hemorrhagic shock*
- **Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)** typically involves bleeding within the confines of the skull, which is usually not extensive enough to cause systemic **hypovolemia** or **hemorrhagic shock**.
- **Hemorrhagic shock** would require significant external blood loss or internal bleeding into a large body cavity, which is not characteristic of an isolated SAH.
*Renal failure*
- **Renal failure** is not a direct or common complication of **subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)**.
- While systemic complications can sometimes arise in critically ill patients, there is no direct pathophysiological link between SAH and primary kidney injury.
*Bacterial Meningitis*
- The presence of blood in the **subarachnoid space** can cause a **chemical meningitis** due to irritation, mimicking some symptoms of bacterial meningitis.
- However, it does not typically predispose to **bacterial infection** unless there's an iatrogenic cause (e.g., lumbar puncture contamination).
*Blindness*
- While damage to the **optic nerves** or visual pathways can occur with severe neurological events or increased intracranial pressure, **blindness** is not a common or direct complication specifically arising from the bleed itself or its immediate sequelae in SAH.
- Visual disturbances are possible due to elevated **intracranial pressure** or specific anatomical lesion, but not primary blindness.
Neurological complications US Medical PG Question 10: A 45-year-old man is brought to the trauma bay by emergency services after a motorbike accident in which the patient, who was not wearing a helmet, hit a pole of a streetlight with his head. When initially evaluated by the paramedics, the patient was responsive, albeit confused, opened his eyes spontaneously, and was able to follow commands. An hour later, upon admission, the patient only opened his eyes to painful stimuli, made incomprehensible sounds, and assumed a flexed posture. The vital signs are as follows: blood pressure 140/80 mm Hg; heart rate 59/min; respiratory rate 11/min; temperature 37.0℃ (99.1℉), and SaO2, 95% on room air. The examination shows a laceration and bruising on the left side of the head. There is anisocoria with the left pupil 3 mm more dilated than the right. Both pupils react sluggishly to light. There is an increase in tone and hyperreflexia in the right upper and lower extremities. The patient is intubated and mechanically ventilated, head elevated to 30°, and sent for a CT scan. Which of the following management strategies should be used in this patient, considering his most probable diagnosis?
- A. Middle meningeal artery embolization
- B. Ventricular drainage
- C. Surgical evacuation (Correct Answer)
- D. Decompressive craniectomy
- E. Conservative management with hyperosmolar solutions
Neurological complications Explanation: ***Surgical evacuation***
- This patient presents with a classic picture of **epidural hematoma** (EDH) with signs of herniation, indicated by the rapid neurological decline, **anisocoria**, and contralateral motor deficits. **Urgent surgical evacuation** is the definitive treatment for EDH to relieve mass effect.
- The rapid progression from responsive to severely neurologically compromised, coupled with a history of head trauma and a potential lucid interval, points to an expanding intracranial lesion requiring immediate decompression.
*Middle meningeal artery embolization*
- While the **middle meningeal artery** is often the source of bleeding in EDH, embolization is typically reserved for cases where surgery is contraindicated or as an adjunct for persistent bleeding, not as a primary definitive treatment in an unstable patient.
- It does not immediately relieve the mass effect from a large, established hematoma, which is the acute life-threatening issue.
*Ventricular drainage*
- **Ventricular drainage** is primarily used to reduce **intracranial pressure** (ICP) in cases of **hydrocephalus** or intraventricular hemorrhage.
- It is not the primary treatment for an epidural hematoma, which is an extra-axial collection of blood.
*Decompressive craniectomy*
- **Decompressive craniectomy** involves removing a portion of the skull to allow the brain to swell and reduce ICP, often used in cases of diffuse brain injury and intractable ICP elevation refractory to other measures.
- In cases of an epidural hematoma with a treatable mass, **direct evacuation of the hematoma** and closure is preferred over decompressive craniectomy alone, although craniectomy might be needed if there's underlying brain swelling.
*Conservative management with hyperosmolar solutions*
- **Hyperosmolar solutions** (like mannitol or hypertonic saline) can acutely reduce ICP by drawing fluid from the brain, but they are a temporizing measure.
- They are used to manage ICP while preparing for definitive treatment or in diffuse brain injury, not as a primary treatment for a large, surgically accessible mass lesion causing rapid deterioration and herniation.
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