Neurologic Disorders Practice Questions (already graded A+)

A 5-month-old boy, a former 28-week-premature infant, is being evaluated in your practice because of a concern about delayed motor development. In formulating the differential diagnosis, you keep in mind that spastic cerebral palsy is characterized by: a. Increased deep tendon reflexes and sustained clonus b. Dystonic posturing c. Abnormal involuntary movements d. Nystagmus correct answers a. Increased deep tendon reflexes and sustained clonus *In spastic CP, a lowered reflex threshold results in increased DTRs and sustained clonus. The other signs are characteristic of dyskinetic and ataxic CP A 4-year-old with a history of myelomeningocele and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt presents to the clinic with a headache, nausea, vomiting, and lethargy. The most probable diagnosis is: a. Viral gastroenteritis b. Shunt malfunction c. Meningitis d. Shunt infection correct answers b. Shunt malfunction *Headache, nausea, vomiting, and lethargy are frequently associated with malfunctioning shunt systems An apparently healthy child, who is enrolled in Head Start, is suspected of having developmental delays based on Denver II results at two separate clinic visits. The most appropriate next step would be to: a. Request developmental evaluation from the Head Start program b. Repeat the Denver II in six months c. Refer the child for a more definitive evaluation d. Discuss ways in which parents can foster the child's development correct answers c. Refer the child for a more definitive evaluation *If a developmental lag is suspected based on repeated performances on the Denver II (which is a screening tool), a more definitive assessment should be obtained Amanda is a 6-month-old infant recovering from a viral illness. At the peak of her illness (2 days ago), she spiked a temperature of 104F and experienced a febrile seizure. Amanda's mother is young and inexperienced, but is very open to teaching. She wants to know if the seizure will "do anything" to Amanda. While teaching this new mother about simple febrile seizures, it would be accurate to say that Amanda: