Parkinson's disease pathology — MCQs

A 70-year-old man is accompanied by his wife to the primary care clinic for hand tremors. He states that he first noticed the tremor of his left hand 1 year ago. Since then, the tremor has been worsening and now he can hardly relax when trying to read. His wife says that she is also worried about his memory. She had to take over the finances several weeks ago after learning that he had forgotten to pay the bills for the past few months. The patient’s medical history is significant for hypertension. He takes aspirin and amlodipine. His mother had schizophrenia. The patient drinks 1-2 beers a night and is a former cigar smoker. On physical examination, he speaks softly and has reduced facial expressions. He has a resting tremor that is worse on the left, and he resists manipulation of his bilateral upper extremities. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 70-year-old woman is brought to the office after her nurse noticed her being apathetic, easily distracted, and starting to urinate in bed. Her medical history is relevant for hypertension, under control with medication. Physical examination reveals a blood pressure of 138/76 mm Hg, a heart rate of 70/min, and a respiratory rate 14/min and regular. On neurological examination, she has a broad-based shuffling gait, and increased muscle tone in her limbs that is reduced by distracting the patient. There is decreased coordination with exaggerated deep tendon reflexes, decreased attention and concentration, and postural tremor. Which of the following additional features would be expected to find in this patient?

A 71-year-old man presents to his primary care physician because he is increasingly troubled by a tremor in his hands. He says that the tremor is worse when he is resting and gets better when he reaches for objects. His wife reports that he has been slowing in his movements and also has difficulty starting to walk. His steps have been short and unsteady even when he is able to initiate movement. Physical exam reveals rigidity in his muscles when tested for active range of motion. Histology in this patient would most likely reveal which of the following findings?

A 53-year-old man is brought to the physician by his wife because of strange behavior and emotional outbursts for the past 6 months. He was previously healthy and physically active, but he recently started binge-eating candy and stopped exercising. He was fired from his job for inappropriate behavior after he undressed in the office and made lewd remarks to several female coworkers. He claims there is nothing wrong with his behavior. On mental status examination, he is alert and irritable but cooperative. Short-term recall is normal but he has some word-finding difficulties. Babinski reflex is positive bilaterally. This patient's symptoms are most likely due to a degenerative process in which of the following regions of the brain?

A 65-year-old man was picked up by the security personnel for voiding urine and defecating at an inappropriate place in the community. On questioning, he was making offensive remarks and behaving inappropriately. On physical examination, the physician observed signs of cognitive impairment and amnesia. Initial urine drug screen is negative for any drugs of abuse. Which is the most likely pathological finding present in this patient?

An 81-year-old woman presents to your office accompanied by her husband. She has been doing well except for occasional word finding difficulty. Her husband is concerned that her memory is worsening over the past year. Recently, she got lost twice on her way home from her daughter’s house, was unable to remember her neighbor’s name, and could not pay the bills like she usually did. She has a history of hypertension and arthritis. She has no significant family history. Her medications include a daily multivitamin, hydrochlorothiazide, and ibuprofen as needed. Physical exam is unremarkable. Which of the following is associated with an increased risk of this patient’s disease?

A 59-year-old woman comes to the physician because of progressively worsening coordination and involuntary movements in her left hand for the past 6 months. Her husband also reports that she has been withdrawn and apathetic during this period. She is oriented to time, place, and person. Examination shows a bimanual, rhythmic, low-frequency tremor that is more prominent in the left hand. There is normal range of motion in the arms and legs; active movements are very slow. Muscle strength is normal, and there is increased resistance to passive flexion and extension in the limbs. She walks with a shuffling gait and takes small steps. Which of the following is the most likely underlying cause of this patient's symptoms?

A 28-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 1-year history of intermittent buzzing in both her ears. She says she sometimes has episodes of mild dizziness which resolve spontaneously. She has a 15-year history of type 1 diabetes mellitus and episodes of low back pain. She does not smoke or drink alcohol. Current medications include insulin and aspirin. She works as a trombonist for a symphony orchestra. Her vital signs are within normal limits. On otoscopic examination, the tympanic membrane appears normal. Bone conduction is greater than air conduction in both ears. Weber test shows no lateralization. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 56-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with several episodes in which she felt "dizzy." She has had these symptoms on and off for the past year and can recall no clear exacerbating factor or time of day when her symptoms occur. She has a perpetual sensation of fullness in her ear but otherwise has no symptoms currently. Her temperature is 97.6°F (36.4°C), blood pressure is 122/77 mmHg, pulse is 85/min, respirations are 13/min, and oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. Cardiopulmonary exam is unremarkable. The patient's gait is stable. Which of the following is also likely to be found in this patient?

A 72-year-old man is brought to your office by his daughter due to concern over recent behavioral changes. Over the last several months he has had increasing difficulty with remembering recent events. She mentions that he is embarrassed due to a new inability to control urination. His medical history is significant for hypertension and insomnia. His medications include alprazolam and hydrochlorothiazide. On physical exam, he is oriented to time and place and thinks his daughter is exaggerating; however, when asked to recall 3 items, the patient refuses to continue the mental status exam. He has 5/5 strength bilaterally. He walks in short strides by sliding his feet across the floor. Which of the following would you expect to see in this patient?