The Neurological Exam
50 questions available
Questions
The neurological exam is a clinical assessment tool separated into how many major sections?
View answer and explanationWhat is the diagnostic definition of a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?
View answer and explanationWhat is the primary function of Wernicke's area in the cerebral cortex?
View answer and explanationApproximately how many distinct regions of the cerebral cortex did Korbinian Brodmann describe based on his study of cytoarchitecture?
View answer and explanationIn the case of patient HM, who had his medial temporal lobes removed, what type of memory was he unable to form?
View answer and explanationWhich cranial nerve is tested by presenting common smells like coffee or mint to one nostril at a time?
View answer and explanationWhat is the function of the trapezius muscle, which is innervated by the accessory nerve?
View answer and explanationWhat is the primary purpose of the Romberg test in a neurological exam?
View answer and explanationWhich of the following signs suggests a lesion of the upper motor neuron (UMN)?
View answer and explanationWhich region of the cerebellum is referred to as the spinocerebellum and what is its primary input?
View answer and explanationWhat is the definition of an ischemic stroke?
View answer and explanationWhat does the term 'localization of function' refer to in neuroanatomy?
View answer and explanationWhat is the three-word recall test designed to assess?
View answer and explanationAphasia resulting from damage to Broca's area is known as what type of aphasia?
View answer and explanationWhat is the term for the subtest where a patient is asked to identify a common object, like a coin, with their eyes closed, based only on touch?
View answer and explanationWhat does a vision score of 20/60 on a Snellen chart indicate?
View answer and explanationIn the Rinne test using a tuning fork, what does it indicate if the sound is conducted better through the temporal bone than through the air next to the ear canal?
View answer and explanationWhich three cranial nerves are responsible for controlling the six extraocular muscles for gaze control?
View answer and explanationWhat is the term for the medial rotation of the eye along its axis, which is controlled by the trochlear nerve?
View answer and explanationWhen testing the hypoglossal nerve, a deficit on one side will cause the tongue to point in which direction upon protrusion?
View answer and explanationThe dorsal column pathway in the spinal cord primarily conveys which two types of sensory information?
View answer and explanationWhat does a lack of muscle tone, known as hypotonicity or flaccidity, potentially indicate about the motor system?
View answer and explanationIn a spinal cord hemisection, why would a patient lose pain and temperature sensation on the opposite side of the injury?
View answer and explanationWhich cerebellar peduncle is the major physical connection of the cerebellum to the brain stem and is composed of fibers projecting from the pons?
View answer and explanationA movement disorder of the cerebellum, presenting as a loss of coordination in voluntary movements, is referred to as what?
View answer and explanationWhat is the name of the subtest in which a patient is asked to touch their finger to the examiner's finger and then to their own nose repeatedly?
View answer and explanationIn the majority of the population, language functions are localized to which cerebral hemisphere?
View answer and explanationWhat is the function of the paramedian pontine reticular formation (PPRF)?
View answer and explanationWhich structure connects the two cerebral hemispheres, allowing for communication between them?
View answer and explanationWhat is the primary cause of ataxia associated with Wilson's disease?
View answer and explanationWhat type of memory is defined as the memory of how to perform a specific task, such as riding a bike?
View answer and explanationWhich cranial nerve exam test involves using a tuning fork placed on the mastoid process to distinguish between conductive and sensorineural hearing?
View answer and explanationWhat is the term for the failure of one eye to abduct while the other adducts during a horizontal gaze movement?
View answer and explanationThe jaw-jerk reflex is a stretch reflex of the masseter muscle and is a component of which cranial nerve's sensory system?
View answer and explanationWhat is a dermatome?
View answer and explanationIn the context of the motor exam, what is pronator drift?
View answer and explanationThe patient subtest that involves reciting nonsense consonants like 'lah-kah-pah' assesses rapid, alternating movements related to what function?
View answer and explanationWhat is the primary difference between the Romberg test and the station subtest of the gait exam?
View answer and explanationWhat does tandem gait, a subtest of the coordination exam, require a patient to do?
View answer and explanationThe primary motor cortex is located in which gyrus of the frontal lobe?
View answer and explanationA patient with damage to the spinothalamic tract would most likely have deficits in which sensation?
View answer and explanationWhich of the following is NOT a cause of cerebellar ataxia mentioned in the text?
View answer and explanationIn the Field Sobriety Test (FST), touching the fingertip to the nose with eyes closed is designed to force the driver to rely on what type of information?
View answer and explanationWhat type of memory allows a patient to recall their last birthday party?
View answer and explanationThe mental status exam assesses the function of which major brain region?
View answer and explanationWhat is flaccid paralysis, a sign of a lower motor neuron (LMN) lesion?
View answer and explanationWhich of the cerebellar subtests involves the patient stopping an increased contraction when resistance is suddenly removed?
View answer and explanationDamage to the middle and inferior temporal lobe is associated with what specific language deficit?
View answer and explanationIn a patient with a pituitary tumor pressing on the optic chiasm, what type of visual field deficit is expected?
View answer and explanationWhich of the following is an example of a superficial reflex tested in the neurological exam?
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