NR 507 Week 8 Edapt – CNS Brain Disorders, Convulsions, Headaches
& Cranial Nerves 2026 |Chamberlain
1. Which phase of a generalized tonic-clonic seizure is characterized by
alternating muscle contraction and relaxation?
A. Tonic phase
B. Aura phase
C. Postictal phase
D. Clonic phase
Answer: D
Rationale: The clonic phase is defined by the rhythmic, alternating contraction and
relaxation of muscles following the initial stiffening of the tonic phase.
2. A patient describes a sense of ‘pins and needles’ on their face prior to a
seizure. This subjective sensation is known as:
A. Automatism
B. Aura
C. Status epilepticus
D. Clonus
Answer: B
Rationale: An aura is a focal seizure that occurs before a larger seizure and is experienced
as a subjective sensory or psychological phenomenon.
,3. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the motor innervation of the muscles of
mastication (chewing)?
A. Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
B. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
C. Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
D. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
B. Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
Answer: D
Rationale: The Trigeminal nerve (CN V) provides motor innervation to the muscles of
mastication and sensory innervation to the face.
4. What is the clinical hallmark of a cluster headache?
A. Bilateral, band-like pressure around the head
B. Generalised throbbing pain lasting several days
C. Gradual onset with nausea and photophobia
D. Unilateral, severe periorbital pain with autonomic symptoms
Answer: D
Rationale: Cluster headaches are characterized by excruciating, unilateral pain
concentrated around the eye, often accompanied by tearing, nasal congestion, or ptosis.
5. In Multiple Sclerosis, the immune system primarily attacks which structure in
the central nervous system?
A. The axonal cell body
B. The neurotransmitter receptors
C. The synaptic cleft
D. The myelin sheath
Answer: D
, Rationale: Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune demyelinating disease where the myelin
sheath surrounding CNS axons is destroyed.
6. A patient presents with a ‘thunderclap’ headache, described as the worst
headache of their life. This is most suggestive of:
A. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
B. Migraine with aura
C. Tension-type headache
D. Temporal arteritis
Answer: A
Rationale: A sudden, extremely severe ‘thunderclap’ headache is a classic presentation of a
subarachnoid hemorrhage, often due to a ruptured aneurysm.
7. Bell’s Palsy involves the paralysis of muscles innervated by which cranial
nerve?
A. Cranial Nerve VII
B. Cranial Nerve VI
C. Cranial Nerve V
D. Cranial Nerve III
Answer: A
Rationale: Bell’s Palsy is an acute, unilateral paralysis of the facial nerve (CN VII).
8. Which of the following is a component of Cushing’s Triad, indicating increased
intracranial pressure?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Increased respiratory rate
D. Bradycardia
Answer: D
& Cranial Nerves 2026 |Chamberlain
1. Which phase of a generalized tonic-clonic seizure is characterized by
alternating muscle contraction and relaxation?
A. Tonic phase
B. Aura phase
C. Postictal phase
D. Clonic phase
Answer: D
Rationale: The clonic phase is defined by the rhythmic, alternating contraction and
relaxation of muscles following the initial stiffening of the tonic phase.
2. A patient describes a sense of ‘pins and needles’ on their face prior to a
seizure. This subjective sensation is known as:
A. Automatism
B. Aura
C. Status epilepticus
D. Clonus
Answer: B
Rationale: An aura is a focal seizure that occurs before a larger seizure and is experienced
as a subjective sensory or psychological phenomenon.
,3. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the motor innervation of the muscles of
mastication (chewing)?
A. Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
B. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
C. Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
D. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
B. Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
Answer: D
Rationale: The Trigeminal nerve (CN V) provides motor innervation to the muscles of
mastication and sensory innervation to the face.
4. What is the clinical hallmark of a cluster headache?
A. Bilateral, band-like pressure around the head
B. Generalised throbbing pain lasting several days
C. Gradual onset with nausea and photophobia
D. Unilateral, severe periorbital pain with autonomic symptoms
Answer: D
Rationale: Cluster headaches are characterized by excruciating, unilateral pain
concentrated around the eye, often accompanied by tearing, nasal congestion, or ptosis.
5. In Multiple Sclerosis, the immune system primarily attacks which structure in
the central nervous system?
A. The axonal cell body
B. The neurotransmitter receptors
C. The synaptic cleft
D. The myelin sheath
Answer: D
, Rationale: Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune demyelinating disease where the myelin
sheath surrounding CNS axons is destroyed.
6. A patient presents with a ‘thunderclap’ headache, described as the worst
headache of their life. This is most suggestive of:
A. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
B. Migraine with aura
C. Tension-type headache
D. Temporal arteritis
Answer: A
Rationale: A sudden, extremely severe ‘thunderclap’ headache is a classic presentation of a
subarachnoid hemorrhage, often due to a ruptured aneurysm.
7. Bell’s Palsy involves the paralysis of muscles innervated by which cranial
nerve?
A. Cranial Nerve VII
B. Cranial Nerve VI
C. Cranial Nerve V
D. Cranial Nerve III
Answer: A
Rationale: Bell’s Palsy is an acute, unilateral paralysis of the facial nerve (CN VII).
8. Which of the following is a component of Cushing’s Triad, indicating increased
intracranial pressure?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Increased respiratory rate
D. Bradycardia
Answer: D
