Sleep-related movement disorders — MCQs

A 63-year-old man presents to his primary care physician complaining of excessive daytime sleepiness. He explains that this problem has worsened slowly over the past few years but is now interfering with his ability to play with his grandchildren. He worked previously as an overnight train conductor, but he has been retired for the past 3 years. He sleeps approximately 8-9 hours per night and believes his sleep quality is good; however, his wife notes that he often snores loudly during sleep. He has never experienced muscle weakness or hallucinations. He has also been experiencing headaches in the morning and endorses a depressed mood. His physical exam is most notable for his large body habitus, with a BMI of 34. What is the best description of the underlying mechanism for this patient's excessive daytime sleepiness?

A 45-year-old woman presents with recent onset movement abnormalities. She says that she noticeably blinks, which is out of her control. She also has spasms of her neck muscles and frequent leg cramps. Past medical history is significant for ovarian cancer, currently being treated with an antineoplastic agent that disrupts microtubule function and an alkylating agent, as well as metoclopramide for nausea. Her blood pressure is 110/65 mm Hg, the respiratory rate is 17/min, the heart rate is 78/min, and the temperature is 36.7°C (98.1°F). Physical examination is within normal limits. Which of the following drugs would be the best treatment for this patient?

A 55-year-old woman comes to the physician because of involuntary rhythmic shaking of both hands for several months. More recently, she also noticed involuntary head nodding movements. The shaking seems to improve after having one or two glasses of wine. Her father had similar symptoms starting at the age of 60. Neurologic examination shows a symmetric hand tremor that worsens with voluntary movement of the respective extremity. The most appropriate pharmacotherapy for this patient's symptoms is also recommended for the treatment of which of the following conditions?

A 47-year-old man presents with a history of a frequent unpleasant crawling sensation in both of his legs accompanied by an urge to move his legs for the last 6 months. He continuously moves his legs to provide him with partial relief from the unpleasant feelings in his legs. The symptoms are especially severe during the night or while lying down in bed after returning from work. These symptoms occur 3–5 days per week. He also complains of significant daytime fatigue and sleep disturbances on most days of the week. He is advised to take a polysomnography test, which reveals periodic limb movements (PLMs) during his sleep. Which of the following conditions is most associated with secondary restless legs syndrome?

An 11-year-old boy with a history of attention deficit disorder presents to a general medicine clinic with leg pain. He is accompanied by his mother. He reports dull, throbbing, diffuse pain in his bilateral lower extremities. He reports that the pain feels deep in his muscles. He has awakened several times at night with the pain, and his symptoms tend to be better during the daylight hours. He denies fatigue, fever, or pain in his joints. On physical examination, his vital signs are stable, and he is afebrile. Physical examination reveals full range of motion in the hip and knee joints without pain. He has no joint effusions, erythema, or warmth. What is the next best step in management?

A 4-year-old African-American girl is brought to the physician because of multiple episodes of bilateral leg pain for 4 months. The pain is crampy in nature, lasts up to an hour, and occurs primarily before her bedtime. Occasionally, she has woken up crying because of severe pain. The pain is reduced when her mother massages her legs. She has no pain while attending school or playing. Her mother has rheumatoid arthritis. The patient's temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), pulse is 90/min and blood pressure is 94/60 mm Hg. Physical examination shows no abnormalities. Her hemoglobin concentration is 12.1 g/dL, leukocyte count is 10,900/mm3 and platelet count is 230,000/mm3. Which of the following is the most appropriate next best step in management?

A 77-year-old woman is brought to her primary care provider by her daughter with behavioral changes and an abnormally bad memory for the past few months. The patient’s daughter says she sometimes gets angry and aggressive while at other times she seems lost and stares at her surroundings. Her daughter also reports that she has seen her mother talking to empty chairs. The patient says she sleeps well during the night but still feels sleepy throughout the day. She has no problems getting dressed and maintaining her one bedroom apartment. Past medical history is significant for mild depression and mild osteoporosis. Current medications include escitalopram, alendronic acid, and a multivitamin. The patient is afebrile, and her vital signs are within normal limits. On physical examination, the patient is alert and oriented and sitting comfortably in her chair. A mild left-hand tremor is noted. Muscle strength is 5 out of 5 in the upper and lower extremities bilaterally, but muscle tone is slightly increased. She can perform repetitive alternating movements albeit slowly. She walks with a narrow gait and has mild difficulty turning. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis in this patient?

A 72-year-old woman is brought in to the emergency department after her husband noticed that she appeared to be choking on her dinner. He performed a Heimlich maneuver but was concerned that she may have aspirated something. The patient reports a lack of pain and temperature on the right half of her face, as well as the same lack of sensation on the left side of her body. She also states that she has been feeling "unsteady" on her feet. On physical exam you note a slight ptosis on the right side. She is sent for an emergent head CT. Where is the most likely location of the neurological lesion?

A 33-year-old man presents to a physician with a 3-year history of gradually worsening tics and difficulty walking. He was last seen by the physician 5 years ago for anxiety and has been purchasing anti-anxiety medications from an internet website without a prescription because he cannot afford to pay for the office visits. Now he says his anxiety is somewhat controlled, but the motor difficulties are making it difficult for him to work and socialize. His family history is unknown because his parents died in an automobile accident when he was an infant. He grew up in foster care and was always a bright child. An MRI of the brain is ordered, which shows prominent atrophy of the caudate nucleus. Repeats of which of the following trinucleotides are most likely responsible for this patient’s disorder?

A 33-year-old man presents to his physician with a 3-year history of gradually worsening tics and difficulty walking. He was last seen by the physician 5 years ago for anxiety, and he has been buying anti-anxiety medications from an internet website without a prescription as he cannot afford to pay for doctor’s visits. Now, the patient notes that his anxiety is somewhat controlled, but motor difficulties are making it difficult for him to work and socialize. Family history is unobtainable as his parents died in an accident when he was an infant. He grew up in foster care and was always a bright child. An MRI of the brain is ordered; it shows prominent atrophy of the caudate nucleus. Repeats of which of the following trinucleotides are most likely responsible for this patient’s disorder?