Neurological System QUIZ

Question 1

Myasthenia gravis is
1. not treatable
2. an immune-mediated disease of acetylcholine receptors
3. diagnosed by muscle biopsy
4. caused by hypothyroidism

Answer 1

2. an immune-mediated disease of acetylcholine receptors

Question 2

Megaesophagus may be caused by
1. idiopathic mechanism
2. all choices are possible causes
3. hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s)
4. lead poisoning

Answer 2

2. all choices are possible causes

Question 3

Clinical signs of Laryngeal Paralysis include:
1. all choices are possible signs
2. Cervical pain
3. Upper airway respiratory distress
4. Horner’s Syndrome

Answer 3

3. Upper airway respiratory distress

Question 4

In regard to disc herniation…
1. Serial neurologic exams are extremely important for treatment plans
2. Type I disc disease can only be caused by hereditary disc deterioration
3. Surgical intervention is always necessary
4. Type I and type II disc disease will present with similar clinical signs

Answer 4

1. Serial neurologic exams are extremely important for treatment plans

Question 5

Patients with Megaesophagus often present
1. aspiration pneumonia
2. seizures
3. simple bloat
4. painful swallowing

Answer 5

1. aspiration pneumonia

Question 6

Discospondylitis can be caused by
1. Urinary tract infection
2. all choices are possible causes
3. Brucellosis
4. Dental disease

Answer 6

2. all choices are possible causes

Question 7

Horner’s Syndrome may present with
1. Difficulty swallowing
2. Dilation of the pupils
3. any of the choices may occur
4. Prominent 3rd eyelid on the affected side

Answer 7

4. Prominent 3rd eyelid on the affected side

Question 8

Which of the these would be the LEAST helpful in determining a cause for seizures in an adult animal?
1. MRI or CT exam
2. Skull radiographs
3. CBC/Chemistry panel
4. Ophthalmic exam (eye exam)

Answer 8

2. Skull radiographs

Question 9

An example of a secondary cause for seizures would be
1. head trauma
2. idiopathic epilepsy
3. liver failure
4. brain tumor

Answer 9

3. liver failure

Secondary causes: “Innocent bystander effect”
- Etiology is due to organ or electrolyte dysfunction.
- Neurologic system simply showing signs.

Question 10

A cat falls from a window and presents with anisocoria. The DVM diagnoses head trauma, which supportive measure(s) would you start ASAP?
1. IV fluids
2. all choices are correct
3. Oxygen therapy
4. Elevate the head

Answer 10

2. all choices are correct
   - Anisocoria: Unequal pupil sizes

Question 11

A 14-year-old spaniel presents ataxic, with a horizontal nystagmus and a head tilt. The DVM will:
1. Tell the owners that Vestibular Syndrome usually occurs repeatedly once it starts
2. Recommend hospitalization for 1-2 days of supportive care
3. Recommend euthanasia due to a probable brain tumor
4. Panic! this is a very unusual presentation for an older dog

Answer 11

2. Recommend hospitalization for 1-2 days of supportive care

Question 12

T/F: Vet Techs can easily cause spinal cord/ brainstem injury to an anesthetized animal with Cervical Instability.

Answer 12

True

Question 13

T/F: Metabolic neuropathy is only caused by Diabetes melitus.

Answer 13

False.
It can be caused by diabetes melitus, cushings, & hyperthyriod (etc).

Question 14

T/F: Absence of deep pain for more than 24 hours after a spinal cord injury has a good prognosis with treatment.

Answer 14

False

Question 15

T/F: Cervical instability of C5-7 (Wobblers) is common in Doberman pinchers.

Answer 15

True

Question 16

T/F: Laryngeal paralysis (change of voice) can be caused by rabies.

Answer 16

True

Question 17

T/F: Animals with partial seizures may seizure in just one leg.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

T/F: Brain damage can occur due to seizures that last from 1 to 5 minutes.

Answer 18

False.
It is still a concern, but brain damage occurs at 15-20min marker

Question 18

T/F: Juvenile animals have a fully functional blood-brain barrier when born.

Answer 18

False

Question 19

T/F: All animals that have any type of seizure need to be placed on medication.

Answer 19

False

Question 20

T/F: Abnormal neurologic function due to post-ictal period may last minutes to days.

Answer 20

True

Question 21

List three clinical signs of brain disease or injury (6)

Answer 21

1. Anisocoria (pupils of unequal size)
2. Change in mentation or loss of consciousness
3. Bleeding from eyes or ears or any skull fractures
4. Seizures
5. Kussmaul breathing (rapid/shallow breathing)
6. Nystagmus/blindness or other cranial nerve abnormality

Question 22

List three clinical signs of spinal cord disease or injury (6)
Hint: What happens to the limbs?

Answer 22

1. Neck or spine pain
2. Conscious proprioception (CP) deficit of any limb
3. Paresis or paralysis of any limb
4. Loss of bladder/colon or tail function
5. Loss of paniculus reflex
6. Increase myotatic tone any limb

Question 23

Name three clinical signs of peripheral nervous system disease (5)

Answer 23

1. Weakness in any limb
2. Difficulty swallowing or chewing
3. Muscle tremors
4. Clonus of muscle (rigid limbs)
5. Loss of superficial pain perception

Question 24

An owner calls and he is hysterical! His 9-month-old dog is having a seizure. He knows of no trauma or toxin exposure. The dog has never had a seizure before. What are your instructions to him? (4)

Answer 24

1. Start timing seizure, any seizure greater than 20 minutes is a medical emergency.
2. Do not put anything in mouth, keep animal from self-injury (hitting head/falling downstairs).
3. Do not shout or rub animal.
4. Needs DVM exam within 24 hours if seizure is less than 10 minutes, get in car and go to DVM immediately if > 10 minutes.

Question 25

What Client Education would you provide to owners with a dog designated by the DVM as “at risk for intervertebral disc disease?” (3)

Answer 25

1. Maintain animal at normal BCS
2. Prevent jumping off furniture, spine-twisting games (i.e. no frisbee catch)
3. If IVD occurs in one location, more discs are likely to fail over time

Question 26

A dog has just been recovered from spinal surgery to remove a herniated disc. In addition to TPR checks that the DVM has ordered, what parameters will you be monitoring in your patient? (be specific). (4)
Hint: Pee

Answer 26

1. Monitor superficial/deep pain/ambulation q. 1-2 hours
2. Palpate urinary bladder for over-distension every 4 hours
3. Monitor Pain Score (patient comfort) every 2-4 hours
4. Any other pet wellness parameter (appetite; clean/dry; IV cath/fluids)

Question 27

A syndrome is a collection of ___ ___ due to a category

Answer 27

Clinical signs