Nervous

Question 1

Traumatic Brain Injury

Answer 1

Diagnosis: Assessment of brain function(Glasgow Coma Scale), information about probable cause, and brain imaging
Treatment: Depends on severity of injury, mild injuries can be resolved overtime with rest, surgery to remove foreign objects or broken bones, drugs(induce coma to reduce activity and inflammation), physical occupational, speech and language therapy

Question 2

Spinal Cord Injury

Answer 2

Diagnosis: History, assessment of motor and sensory functions, after swelling subsides(motor and sensory functions are tested again), CT, x-ray, MRI
Treatment: Immobilization of head and neck, surgery(removal of fluid or bone fragments, fuse broken discs)

Question 3

Epilepsy

Answer 3

Diagnosis: EEG, MRI and CT
Treatment: Antiseizure medications, no cure but can be controlled

Question 4

Strokes

Answer 4

Diagnosis: CT, MRI, cerebral angiography
Treatment: Ischemic strokes(clot-busting drugs that are injected intravenously or directly near the brain), Hemorrhagic strokes(medicine that controls blood pressure, control intracranial pressure, counteract blood-thinning medications), surgery, intense rehabilitation of physical, speech, cognitive, and emotional complications of stroke

Question 5

Trigeminal Neuralgia(Tic Douloureux)

Answer 5

Diagnosis: Physical exam and history
Treatment: Antiseizure medication, antidepressants, and analgesics

Question 6

Bell’s Palsy

Answer 6

Diagnosis: Physical exam of the face, history(to rule out stroke, Lyme Disease, tumors), MRI, CT
Treatment: Anti-inflammatory medications, antiviral medications

Question 7

Bacterial Meningitis

Answer 7

Diagnosis: Physical exam, history, analysis of CSF(spinal tap)(In bacterial meningitis CSF has low glucose and elevated leukocytes and protein), CT, MRI
Treatment: IV antibiotics, corticosteroids(control swelling)

Question 8

Viral Meningitis

Answer 8

Treatment: Rest, analgesics, and anti-inflammatories

Question 9

Encephalitis

Answer 9

Diagnosis: Lumbar puncture for CSF analysis, blood analysis, CT or MRI
Treatments: No specific treatment, symptoms can be treated with rest, analgesics, and anti-inflammatories

Question 10

Rabies

Answer 10

Treatment: Begin as soon as exposure near the wound, immunoglobulin injections, vaccine

Question 11

Shingles(Herpes Zoster)

Answer 11

Treatment: Antiviral agents, ice lotions, anti-inflammatories

Question 12

Tetanus

Answer 12

Diagnosis: Patient history
Treatment: Cleaning and disinfecting wound, immunoglobulin injections to neutralize the toxin, immunization

Question 13

Botulism

Answer 13

Diagnosis: Physical exam, patient history
Treatment: Infant(immunoglobulin), foodbourne(medications that promote vomiting and bowel movements), injected antitoxin, respiratory assistance may be needed

Question 14

Reye Syndrome(RS)

Answer 14

Diagnosis: Patient history, liver biopsy(provides definitive diagnosis), blood test(reveals elevated fatty acids)
Treatment: Nonspecific, aims to lower intercranial pressure

Question 15

Alzheimer’s Disease

Answer 15

Diagnosis: Examination and history, neurological exam, blood tests, CT and MRI, autopsy

Question 16

Multiple Sclerosis(MS)

Answer 16

Diagnosis: History and neurological exam, MRI
Treatment: Physical and occupational therapy, antispasmodics(for muscle spasms), corticosteroids(control inflammation), antiseizure medications(tingling and numbness), immune system modulators

Question 17

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS)

Answer 17

Diagnosis: History of signs and symptoms, electromyogram, nerve conduction study, MRI
Treatment: Medications for symptoms, medication can slow the progression likely by lowering level of neurotransmitter glutamate, physical occupations and speech therapy

Question 18

Parkinson’s Disease

Answer 18

Diagnosis: Physical exam, neurologic exam, history
Treatment: Levodopa(L-dopa) can reduce motor problems, Carbidopa can prolong levels of L-dopa, deep brain stimulation(for severe and advanced PD), counselling and medication for depression

Question 19

Essential Tremors

Answer 19

Diagnosis: History, physical exam, blood tests, imaging tests
Treatment: Beta blockers, antiseizure medications, tranquilizers, physical and occupational therapy, deep brain stimulation

Question 20

Huntington’s Disease

Answer 20

Diagnosis: History, patient interview, neurological exam, psychiatric exam, imaging(MRI) may appear normal, EEG can reveal changes, genetic testing can reveal and confirm the presence of defective genes
Treatment: Aimed at restoring muscle flexibility and movement, treating depression and related psychiatric conditions

Question 21

Spina Bifida

Answer 21

Diagnosis: Measuring maternal levels of alpha feto protein, ultrasound and amniocentesis used to visualize the defect
Treatment: Surgery for meningocele, meningomyelocele, and myelocele, prenatal surgery, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and counselling help children adapt and develop classroom, mobility and bathroom skills

Question 22

Hydrocephalus

Answer 22

Diagnosis: Physical exam, imaging with MRI or CT
Treatment: Implant shunt to help move and drain CSF to the jugular vein or peritoneal cavity(likely used for life)

Question 23

Cerebral Palsy

Answer 23

Diagnosis: Depends on physical and neurological exams, CT, MRI, or brain ultrasound
Treatment: Anticonvulsant drugs, casts and braces, muscle relaxants, traction or surgery, physical and occupational and speech therapy

Question 24

Brain Tumors

Answer 24

Diagnosis: Neurological exams, imaging via CT and MRI
Treatment: Chemotherapy or immunotherapy, surgery, radiation, rehabilitation, physical, occupational and speech surgery