Neurology RACP MCQs Flashcards
RACP 2022a Q1
1. Which AED needs to be weaned slowly to avoid withdrawal complications?
a. Barbiturate
b. Benzodiazepine
c. Gapapentinoid
d. Sodium valproate
Answer: B
RACP 2022a 16.
75F with unilateral headache, photophobia, N+V with reddened left eye. What is the most appropriate initial investigation?
a. CT Brain
b. CT cerebral angiogram
c. Intraocular pressure measurement
d. Lumbar puncture
ANSWER: C
acute red painful eye ? glaucoma
IOP easy bedside test to rule out glaucoma
RACP 2022 Q29
What would be the expected sign associated with an acute stroke affecting the left frontal eye field
a. Forced deviation to left
b. Skew deviation
c. Right inferior homonymous quadrantanopia
d. Left internuclear ophthalmoplegia
ANS: B
Frontal eye field = area of the brain (anterior to motor cortex)
eyes look toward the side of the lesion
RACP 2022a 39.
A patient presents with undifferentiated seizure syndrome. There are a number of features associated with psychogenic seizure disorder Which is the most sensitive
a. Ictal forced eye closure
b. Ictal pelvic thrusting
c. Icteral stuttering
d. Teddy bear in patient’s bed
Answer: A
Prolactin can be useful in differentiating a pseudoseizure from a true seizure.
https://journals.lww.com/ebp/abstract/2014/11000/how_do_you_differentiate_pseudoseizures_from_real.1.aspx
RACP 2022 Q54.
What improves survival for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?
a. Care in multidisciplinary clinic
b. NIV
c. Rapid access to riluzole
Answer: C
The question is asking about survival
MDT ~ 6 months increase in survival compared to riluzole ~ 9 months (improved life expectancy)
RACP 2022 Q 55.
What increases risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome in carbamazepine use?
a. HLAB5801
b. HLAB1502
c. CYP3A4 polymorphism
d. CYP2D6 polymorphism
Answer: B
RACP 2022 Q56
Which cancer has the most neurological paraneoplastic symptoms?
a. Ovarian
b. Breast
c. Thymoma
d. Small cell lung cancer
Answer: D
Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is a neuromuscular junction disorder which may present as a paraneoplastic phenomenon or a primary autoimmune disorder. More than half of the cases are associated with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The primary clinical manifestation is muscle weakness.
RACP 2022 Q57
Elderly patient has stroke with NIHSS of 7 on admission, and is being discharged after 3 month admission undergoing rehab. He can walk with walker and toilet independently. Past medical history of an episode of depression. What is the biggest risk factor for post-stroke depression?
a. Past history of depression
b. Discharge destination
c. Length of hospital stay
d. NIHSS
Answer: A
Personal/ FHx of mental illness
Female
Age < 70
Neuroticism
Severity of stroke
Residual deficits
Protective
Social support
RACP 2022 Q58
58.What is the best method to test to detect Huntington’s disease?
a. PCR with fragment length assessment
b. Microarray
c. Sanger sequencing
Answer: A
PCR analysis to detect an expanded triplet repeat mutation in the Huntington gene.
RACP 2022 Q65
A 78 yo male is having hallucinations of children walking past his window outside. What is the most likely condition?
a. Fronto-Temporal Dementia
b. Alzheimer’s Disease
c. Lewy Body Dementia
d. Delirium
Ans: C
Types of FTD
behavioural variant
fluent (speech devoid of meaning)
non-fluent (semantic dementia)
motor subtypes ( Parkinson plus)
RACP 2022 70.
What deficiency causes restless leg syndrome?
a. Iron
b. Magnesium
c. Zinc
d. Copper
Ans: A
RACP 2022 Q73
BPPV nystagmus question - what would you expect to find on Dix Hallpike in BPPV?
a. Horizontal persistent
b. ?
c. Torsional persistent
d. Torsional crescendo decrescendo
Answer: D
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2023.1040701/full
RACP 2022 Q76
80 year old man, presents with R sided face, leg and arm weakness. He has mild dysarthria but no receptive or expressive dysphasia. There is no hemianopia or visual neglect. What is the aetiology of his symptoms
a. Cardioembolism from AF
b. ?
c. R carotid artery dissection
d. R carotid artery occlusion
Answer: ? A
RACP 2022 Q80.
76F post left hip replacement, history of type 2 diabetes, hypertension. In rehab post operatively found to have a left foot drop. On examination she had normal power in upper limbs bilaterally, normal hip and knee flexion and extension. On the left she had 5/5 plantarflexion, 2/5 dorsiflexion, inversion
and eversion 3/5. Reflexes were present except for left ankle jerk and she had decreased sensation over the sprain of her left foot. EMG 10 days post operatively demonstrated denervation on tibialis anterior and tibialis posterior, with normal gluteal and paraspinal muscles. Damage to which structure is the
cause of her foot drop?
a. common peroneal
b. L5/S1 radiculopathy
c. lumbosacral plexopathy
d. sciatica
ANSWER: D
RACP 2022B Q8.
What is the visual deficit of a left temporal radiation lesion?
A. left superior hemianopia
B. left inferior hemianopia
C. right inferior hemianopia
D. right superior hemianopia
Ans: D
RACP 2022B Q 33.
What entrains the circadian rhythm of the suprachiasmatic nucleus?
A. Melatonin
B. Cortisol
C. Light dark cycle
D. Food intake
Ans: C
RACP 2022b Q37.
What is antibody associated with Lambert Eaton myasthenic
syndrome?
A. Anti-MuSK
B. Anti-ACh receptors
C. P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channels
Answer C
Autoantibodies directed against presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels (anti-VGCC antibodies) → ↓ Ca2+ influx → ↓ presynaptic vesicle fusion → impaired acetylcholine release in the NMJ
RACP 2022 Q39
With natural ageing, you lose working memory, episodic memory and one other cognitive domain. What is the other cognitive domain?
A. Semantic memory
B. Procedural memory
C. Executive function
D. Attention
Answer: A
RACP 2022b 47. Abnormalities of which receptor is implicated in alcohol withdrawal seizures?
A. NMDA
B. GABA
C. Noradrenaline
Answer: B
RACP 2022 55.
What sign occurs on Dix-Hallpike testing in a patient with BPPV affecting left
posterior semicircular canal?
A. Left persistent nystagmus
B. crescendo-decrescendo left nystagmus
C. crescendo-decrescendo torsional vertigo nystagmus
Answer: C
RACP 2022 58.
What type of genetic analysis is used to make a diagnosis of huntingtons?
A) Comparative genomic hybridization
B) Exone sequencing
C) PCR + fragment sizing
D) Sanger sequencing
Answer: C
RACP 2021 Q1.
A 72 year old man presents with unilateral ptosis and meiosis. What is the best initial investigation?
A. MRI B
B. CTB
C. CXR
D. CT Carotid Angiography
Ans D
RACP 2021 Q6.
A 70 year old male with a history of Parkinson’s disease presents with nausea and vomiting. Which of the following medications would most likely cause an exacerbation of the patient’s Parkinson’s disease?
A. Cyclizine
B. Metoclopramide
C. Domperidone
D. Ondanestron
Ans: B
RACP 2021 Q13
Q13. High flow oxygen is useful in the treatment of which of the following headache syndromes?
A. Cluster headache
B. Hypnic headache
C. Migraine
D. Trigeminal neuralgia
Answer: A
RACP 2021 Q22. A 48 year old male presents with 3 day history of fever, lower back pain, urinary incontinence and difficulty walking. He occasionally injects recreational drugs and has history of depression. On examination his temperature is 37.9C, lower midline lumbar tenderness, paravertebral muscle spasms and an otherwise normal neurological
examination.
What is most likely diagnosis?
A. Guillain-Barré syndrome
B. Ankylosing spondylitis
C. Pyelonephritis
D. Spinal abscess
Answer: D
RACP 2021 Q35
Q35. A 24yo male presents with dystonia after being administered haloperidol. What medication should be given
to reverse the dystonia?
A. Diazepam
B. Benztropine
C. Propranolol
D. Phenytoin
Ans: B
RACP 2021 Q41
A 76 year old lady admitted for elective left hip revision with a background of hypertension, T2DM and OA of the spine. On admission to rehab clear she is noted to have a left foot drop. Her upper limbs examine normally. She has normal hip and knee flexion and extension bilaterally. Her left foot dorsiflexion power is 5/5, plantarflexion 2/5, inversion and eversion 3/5. She has a reduced left ankle jerk reflex
with subjective sensory loss at base of foot. EMG testing 10 days after the operation showed denervation of
tibialis anterior and tibialis posterior.
Where is the site of her injury?
A. Common perineal nerve
B. L5 radiculopathy
C. Lumbosacral plexus injury
D. Sciatic nerve injury
Ans: D
RACP 2021 Q45
Q45. A 40 year old woman presents with a long history of somatic symptoms including headache, chest pain, lethargy, abdominal pain and paraesthesias. She is very worried about what her symptoms might mean and is
only briefly reassured after consultation. Repeated investigation has not shown any cause for her symptoms. She continues to present, and describes herself as “sickly” and “never well”.
What is the most likely psychiatric cause of her symptoms?
A. Delusional disorder (somatic type)
B. Factitious disorder
C. Hypochondriasis (illness anxiety disorder)
D. Somatisation disorder (somatic symptom disorder)
Ans: D
RACP 2021 Q59
Q59. A 24 year old male presents with intrusive neurological symptoms and frequent nodding of his head. His symptoms subsequently changed to right arm swinging and sensation of frequent need of swallowing. His mother
also reports symptoms suggestive of OCD.
Which of the following is the likely diagnosis?
A. Huntington disease
B. Wilson disease
C. Tourette syndrome
D. Neuroacanthocytosis
Ans: C
RACP 2021 Q101
Q101. What is the antibody target in Lambert Eaton syndrome?
A. Pre-synaptic voltage gated calcium channel (VGCC)
B. Acetylcholine receptors in the NMJ
C. Muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSk)
D. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (Lrp4)
Ans: A
remaining options are for MG
ACH most common
MuSK 2nd most common (85% of these are F)
LRP4 ( 20% of double negative MG)
RACP 2021 Q112.
What two cranial nerves are responsible for the corneal reflex?
A. II and III
B. V AND VI
C. V AND VII
D. VI AND VII
Ans: C
RACP 2021 Q113. Spinocerebeller ataxia is a trinucleoside repeat disorder. Which investigation is most likely to show the
pathogenic mutation?
A. CGH
B. FISH
C. PCR
D. Sanger sequencing
Ans: C
RACP 2021 Q119.
Winging of the scapula can be caused by a lesion of which nerve?
A. Axillary nerve.
B. Long thoracic nerve.
C. Interosseous nerve.
D. Scapular nerve.
Ans: B
RACP 2021 Q135. An 84 year old woman with Alzheimer’s disease presents to ED with 1 day of significant restlessness and agitation such that she cannot sit still for even a minute. She is not on any regular medications usually but was
started on haloperidol regularly after an episode of verbal aggression 2 days prior. Her physical examination and investigations are normal. What is the likely diagnosis?
A. Acute psychosis
B. Akathisia
C. Restless legs syndrome
D. Urinary tract infection
Ans: B
https://pmhealthnp.com/how-i-treat-tardive-dyskinesia/
RACP 2021 Q137. A 23 year old female presents with exercise induced muscle cramps. She was found to have CK of 23,000.
She develops muscle cramp after exercise but her symptoms improve after few minutes of rest. She can then exercise for a prolonged period of time at a low intensity. What’s the most likely diagnosis?
A. Becker muscular dystrophy
B. CPT2 deficiency
C. Kennedy disease
D. McArdle disease
Ans: D
BMD - X-linked recessive, life expectancy ~ 40 years, (single ladies picture)
CPT2 deficiency - a long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorder
Kennedy disease - Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy (SBMA)
McArdles - Glycogen storage disease
FFA deficiency no cross country
Glucose deficiency no sprint
RACP 2021 Q139
Where is the predominant site of cerebrospinal fluid production?
A. Arachnoid
B. Choroid plexus
C. Arachnoid granulations
D. Sylvian aqueduct
Ans: B
RACP 2021 Q149.
What sensory system reaches its cortex via a purely extrathalamic pathway?
A. Olfactory
B. Visual
C. Auditory
D. Sematosensory
Ans: A
RACP 2021Q157.
Which clinical feature developing early in the course of disease is suggestive of frontotemporal dementia
rather than Alzheimer’s dementia?
A. Disinhibition and impulsivity
B. Memory loss
C. Frequent falls
D. Parkinsonism and visual hallucinations
Ans: A
RACP 2021 Q158
Which neurotransmitter activates NMDA receptors?
A. Acetylcholine
B. GABA
C. Glutamate
D. Glycine
Ans: C
RACP 2021 Q159. Progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy is caused by which of the following viruses?
A. JC virus
B. Adenovirus
C. EBV
D. HSV
Ans: A
RACP 2020 Q2.
Patient with left homonymous hemianopia, ignores the left side of her plate and bumps into
things on her left side. Where is the lesion?
A) Parietal
B) Temporal
C) Occipital
D) Optic radiation
Ans: A
RACP 2020 Q 6
In acute seizures, certain medications are used including diazepam, lorazepam, phenytoin and
phenobarbital. Which of the following cannot be used to control seizures due to lidocaine
(lignocaine) toxicity?
A) Diazepam
B) Oxazepam
C) Phenobarbital
D) Phenytoin
ANS: Dunno -_/-
Oxazepam - benzo
Phenobarbital - chloride channels
Phenytoin - sodium channels
RACP 2020 Q19
19. A 30 yo male has woken up at 3am with sudden drilling pain behind the eye. The pain is so severe it causes him to bang his head against the wall. This has occurred on several occasions and episodes resolve within 30 seconds. The headache is sometimes accompanied by visual change and ptosis. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Cluster headaches
B) Hypnic headaches
C) Paroxysmal hemicrania
D) Trigeminal neuralgia
Ans: A
RACP 2020 25. What is the dose of thiamine for Wernicke’s encephalopathy?
A) 100mg oral three times a day
B) 300mg oral three times a day
C) 300mg IV daily
D) 300mg IV three times a day
Ans: D
RACP 2020 Q45
A gentleman has myotonic dystrophy and is symptomatic of heart failure and generalised
weakness/myopathy. His father has mildly reduced grip strength. What is the underlying genetic abnormality which explains this?
A) Maternal imprinting
B) Triplet repeat
C) paternal somatic mutation
D) Mitotic non-disjunction
Ans: B
https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2019-aug-july/noninflammatory-myopathies
RACP 2020 Q47
A table was given with gabapentin euqivalence dosing to pregabalin; gabapentin 300 -
pregabalin 75, gabapentin 600 - pregabalin 150, gabapentin 900 - pregabalin 225, gabapentin
1800 - pregabalin 300, gabapentin 3600 - pregabalin 275 (ie jump in gabpentin dose to double at
900mg, but linear increase for pregabalin). What is the reason for this?
A) Gabapentin has a saturable absorption vs pregabalin does not
B) The is a difference in the volume of distribution (it specified which way)
C) Higher clearance for gabapentin compared to pregabalin
D) ? Difference in protein binding (could have been something else - not remembered well)
RACP 2020 Q5.
Seizure after medication noncompliance, how long of a driving restriction. Previously well
controlled for 5 years
A) 6 months
B) 12 months
C) As soon as he restarts his meds and is compliant
D) 4 weeks
ANS: D - 4 weeks
RACP 2020 Q 38.
A patient presents with persistent vertigo. What feature on examination would be most
concerning for a stroke?
A) Absence of skew deviation
B) Positive head impulse test
C) RIght-sided nystagmus with rightward gaze
D) Difficulty walking/ataxia
RACP 2020 Q47.
What are the parasympathetic cranial nerves?
A 3579
B 35710
C 35910
D 37910
RACP 2019 Question 20
Weakness of which muscle can differentiate between cortical stroke and Bell’s palsy?
A. Frontalis
B. Mentalis
C. Tarsus
D. Orbicularis
RACP 2020 Question 35
A patient with replapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis has been treated with natalizumab for 4 years. She develops new neurological symptoms and MRI shows white matter changes. Progressive
multifocal leukoencephalopathy is suspected. What is the most specific CSF test?
A. Neuron specific enolase
B. JC virus
C. Oligoclonal bands
D. 14-3-3 protein
B - detection of JC virus in the CSF
A - encephalitis
C - MS (if absent in serum), CNS infections
D - CJD
RACP 2019 Q53
Question 53
A 38 year old man presents with slowly progressive lower limb spasticity. He has a family history of primary adrenal insufficiency. His MRI Spine is normal. Which of the following is the most likely diagnostic finding?
A. Anti-neuronal anti-bodies
B. CSF Oligoclonal bands
C. Carnitine profile
D. Very long chain fatty acids
RACP 2019 Question 68
A patient presents with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. What is the rationale for treatment
with nimodipine?
A. Prevent cerebral vasospasm
B. Reduce cerebral blood flow
C. Reduce cerebral oedema
D. Prevent aneurysm recurrence
RACP 2019 Question 69
What is the mechanism of action of ocrelizumab in the treatment of multiple sclerosis?
A. Alpha4beta1 integrin antagonist
B. Inhibits CD20
C. Sphigosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator
D. Lysing CD52 monoclonal antibody
Ans B Anti CD -20 ab
A - Natalizumab
B - also ofatumumab
C- fingolimod
D - Alemtuzumab
RACP 2019 Question 20
In Neurocognitive testing, which domain is most likely to be present in early Dementia with Lewy
body?
A. Verbal fluency
B. Recall
C. Naming
D. Clock drawing
RACP 2019 Question 52
What gene mutation is most common in Duchenne muscular dystrophy?
A. Missense mutation
B. Multi exon deletion
C. Multi exon duplication
D. Single gene insertion
RACP 2019 Question 55
A 19 year old female is admitted with meningococcal meningitis. What contact precautions are
required in the first 24 hours of her admission?
A. Negative pressure
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Contact
RACP 2019 Question 56
What is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter?
A. Glycine
B. Acetylcholine
C. GABA
D. Glutamate
RACP 2018 5. A 75-year-old man presents to his local doctor with abrupt onset of painless visual blurring
affecting the left eye only, and lasting 20 minutes. On reflection, he recalls a similar episode 1 week earlier while driving, but he was able to complete his journey because vision in the right eye was unaffected. Currently, the neurological examination is normal. Which artery stenosis would be expected to cause this presentation?
A. Basilar.
B. Left carotid.
C. Left vertebral.
D. Right carotid.
E. Right vertebral.
RACP 2018 Q8.
Pizotifen is a medication used in migraine prophylaxis. Apart from drowsiness, what is the most
common adverse effect of pizotifen?
A. Hepatitis.
B. Rash.
C. Rebound headache.
D. Seizures.
E. Weight gain.
RACP 2018 Q 12
A 52-year-old man with known diabetes mellitus and hypertension presents with sudden onset of painless monocular visual loss 24 hours ago. Examination findings are as follows: left optic disc swelling seen on fundoscopy, visual acuity 6/6 on the right, 6/24 on the left; colour desaturation on the left; left relative afferent pupillary defect.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Carotid artery stenosis.
B. Central retinal artery occlusion.
C. Ischaemic optic neuropathy.
D. Occipital stroke.
E. Optic neuritis.
RACP 2018 Q27
A patient with metastatic adenocarcinoma of unknown primary involving liver and bone
presents with back pain, urinary incontinence and altered sensation in the legs. Clinical
examination showed reduced sensation to pin prick and light touch in both legs and perineal
region. The lower limb reflexes were reduced with down-going plantar reflex.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Cauda equina syndrome.
B. Cerebral metastasis.
C. Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis.
D. Paraneoplastic peripheral neuropathy.
E. Spinal cord compression.
RACP 2018 Q30
A 44-year-old man presents with treatment-refractory epilepsy characterised by complex partial
seizures. He was admitted on Friday night following a cluster of at least four of his typical
seizures, which are characterised by left-sided clonic movements and a clouding of
consciousness. He appeared to be perfectly well over the weekend.
Now on Monday, you are called to see him, because he is convinced that his daughter has
been replaced by a robot.
What is the most likely cause of his delusion?
A. Interictal psychosis.
B. Non-convulsive status epilepticus.
C. Postictal confusion.
D. Postictal psychosis.
E. Schizophrenia.
RACP 2018 42. A 55-year-old woman presents to the hospital emergency department with severe right
periorbital headache. On examination, there is complete ptosis on the right, the right eye is
unable to move from an abducted and depressed position, and the right pupil is enlarged and
minimally responsive to light. What underlying vascular cause should be suspected?
A. Middle cerebral artery occlusion.
B. Pontine cavernoma.
C. Posterior communicating artery aneurysm.
D. Transverse sinus thrombosis.
E. Vertebral artery dissection.
RACP 2018 Q46
46. A 45-year-old woman presents with an acute onset of left hemiparesis. Her past medical history
includes sensorineural hearing loss diagnosed at age 23, and insulin dependent diabetes
diagnosed at age 30. Her brother has diabetes, and her mother has diabetes and hearing loss.
What is the most likely underlying diagnosis in this family?
A. Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy
(CADASIL).
B. Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia.
C. Maturity onset diabetes in the young (MODY).
D. Mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS).
E. Wolfram syndrome.
RACP 2018 Q49
49. What is the first-line drug therapy in idiopathic intracranial hypertension?
A. Acetazolamide.
B. Frusemide.
C. Indomethacin.
D. Prednisone.
E. Topiramate.
RACP 2018 Q54
54. A 50-year-old woman reports 6 months of burning pain in both feet, aggravated by contact with
socks or bedsheets. Pain and temperature sensation is reduced below the knees, while
proprioception, vibration and light touch sensation are preserved. Lower limb nerve conduction
studies are normal.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Cauda equina syndrome.
B. Functional neurological disorder.
C. Lumbosacral plexopathy.
D. Small-fibre neuropathy.
E. Transverse myelitis.
RACP 2018 Q70
What type of dementia is particularly sensitive to the adverse effects of antipsychotic
medications?
A. Alzheimer disease.
B. Dementia with Lewy bodies.
C. Frontotemporal dementia.
D. Parkinson disease with dementia.
E. Vascular dementia.
RACP 2018 Q74
74. A 45-year-old man presents with 2 weeks of right foot drop. Examination reveals numbness of
the lateral aspect of the leg and weakness of ankle inversion, ankle dorsiflexion and toe
extension, with normal knee and ankle reflexes.
Which clinical sign suggests a diagnosis of lumbar radiculopathy rather than peroneal
neuropathy?
A. Ankle inversion weakness.
B. Lateral leg numbness.
C. Normal ankle reflex.
D. Normal knee reflex.
E. Toe extension weakness.
RACP 2018 Q74
74. A 45-year-old man presents with 2 weeks of right foot drop. Examination reveals numbness of
the lateral aspect of the leg and weakness of ankle inversion, ankle dorsiflexion and toe
extension, with normal knee and ankle reflexes.
Which clinical sign suggests a diagnosis of lumbar radiculopathy rather than peroneal
neuropathy?
A. Ankle inversion weakness.
B. Lateral leg numbness.
C. Normal ankle reflex.
D. Normal knee reflex.
E. Toe extension weakness.
RACP 2018 Which neurological autoantibody target is associated with this condition?
93. Myasthenia gravis
A. Acetylcholine receptor (AChR).
B. Amphiphysin.
C. Aquaporin 4 (AQP4).
D. Ganglioside M1 (GM1).
E. Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD).
F. Leucine-rich, glioma inactivated 1 (LGI1).
G. Myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG).
H. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR).
Answer A
Most common abs in MG: acetylcholine receptor antibodies (AChR-Ab)
Less common: muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibodies (MuSK-Ab), lipoprotein receptor-related protein antibodies (LRP4-Ab), or no detectable antibodies (seronegative myasthenia gravis).
RACP 2018
Which neurological autoantibody target is associated with this condition?
94. Neuromyelitis optica
A. Acetylcholine receptor (AChR).
B. Amphiphysin.
C. Aquaporin 4 (AQP4).
D. Ganglioside M1 (GM1).
E. Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD).
F. Leucine-rich, glioma inactivated 1 (LGI1).
G. Myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG).
H. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR).
RACP 2017
A 74-year-old man present for review after developing blurring of vision in his left eye for 20 minutes, which has now resolved. He had a similar episode whilst driving two weeks ago, but reports
being able to continue driving as his right eye was unaffected. His neurological examination is unremarkable.
He likely has a stenosis of which artery?
a) Basilar Artery
b) Right Internal Carotid Artery
c) Left Internal Carotid Artery
d) Left Vertebral Artery
e) Right Vertebral Artery
RACP 2017 Q13
A 70-year-old male presents with increasing hallucinations on a background of Idiopathic Parkinson’s
Disease. His mobility is at baseline and he is otherwise functioning well. He is on Metoprolol 50 mg BD and Levodopa/Carbidopa.
What is the next best step to manage his hallucinations?
a) Decrease metoprolol dose
b) Decrease Levodopa/Carbidopa dose
c) Start Entacapone
d) Start Clozapine
e) Start Quetiapine
RACP 2017 Q17
An 82-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department after collapsing at a bus stop. She was witnessed to have 4-5 jerking movements of her arms and legs. She was unconscious for a total
of 10 seconds. She now feels fine. What is the most likely underlying diagnosis?
a) Arrhythmia
b) TIA
c) Vasovagal syncope
d) Seizure
e) ACS
RACP 2017 Question 18
A 72-year-old female has a two-week history of episodes of shooting pain affecting her cheek and
jaw. The episodes last 30 seconds and she had dozens per day. They are brought on by chewing or
talking. She has a normal neurological examination. What is the most likely diagnosis?
a) Giant Cell Arteritis
b) Hemifacial Spasms
c) Migraine
d) Transient Ischaemic Attack
e) Trigeminal Neuralgia
RACP 2017 Question 25
Apart from Primidone, which of the following medications would be appropriate for management of
an essential tremor?
a) Clonidine
b) Propranolol
c) Diltiazem
d) Amantadine
e) Pramipexole
RACP 2017 Question 34
What is the aim of non-invasive ventilation in Motor Neuron Disease with bulbar involvement?
a) Improve quality of life
b) Prolonged functional lifespan
c) Reduction in rate of aspiration
d) Reduction in rate of pneumonia
e) Decreases progression of respiratory muscle dysfunction
RACP 2017 Question 57
A 68-year-old man presents with his wife to Neurology Clinic. His wife has noted 12 months of gait disturbance and urinary incontinence. She describes some that he has been forgetful and mentally slower than usual in the past few months. The patient’s gait is broad based and unsteady. CT images of the brain are demonstrated below.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
a) Colloid cyst in the third ventricle
b) Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
c) Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease
d) Dementia with Lewy Bodies
e) Normal pressure hydrocephalus
RACP 2017 Q64
Question 64
A 45-year-old male wakes up after sleep and is noted to have a severe right wrist drop with weak
finger extension and finger abduction. He has a slightly weak triceps reflex but all other reflexes are
normal and there are no sensory changes of note on examination. He cannot remember which side he slept on.
Where is most likely site of the lesion?
a) Ulnar Nerve
b) Radial Nerve
c) Posterior Cord of the Brachial Plexus
d) Corticospinal Tract
e) C7 nerve root
RACP 2017 Q71
Question 71
A man with a background of metastatic adenocarcinoma of unknown primary presents with
decreased sensation in his lower limbs, urinary incontinence, reduced reflexes and a down-goingplantar response bilaterally.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
a) Cauda Equina Syndrome
b) Spinal Cord Compression
c) Paraneoplastic Peripheral Neuropathy
d) Cerebral metastasis
e) Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis
RACP 2017 Q74
Question 74
A 50-year-old woman presents with a right peri-orbital headache. On examination, there was
reduced light reflex in the right eye and the right eye was in an inferolateral abducted position.
What is the most likely cause of her symptoms?
a) Vertebral Artery Dissection
b) Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm
c) Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion
d) Transverse Venous Sinus Thrombosis
e) Pontine Cavernoma
RACP 2017 Q85
Question 85
A 78-year-old man from aged care hostel is sent to hospital by the manager as he has been noted to
have intermittent confusion and memory deficit. He has been described to have distressing visual
hallucinations involving ninjas. Examination reveals a dishevelled man with urine and food stained
clothing. Deficits on MMSE are in orientation, recall and registration.
What is most likely diagnosis?
a) Dementia with Lewy Bodies
b) Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease
c) Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
d) Drug Induced Parkinsonism
e) Frontotemporal Dementia
RACP 2017 Q8
Question 8
Marked rigidity, immobility and confusion after the administration of neuroleptic medications such
as Risperidone is most suggestive of which type of Dementia?
a) Alzheimer’s Dementia
b) Dementia with Lewy Bodies
c) Frontotemporal Dementia
d) Korsakoff Syndrome
e) Vascular Dementia
RACP 2017 Q15
In clinical trials of dementia patients, Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors have demonstrated most
benefit in which patient group?
a) Dementia with Lewy Bodies
b) Alzheimer’s Dementia
c) Frontotemporal Dementia
d) Parkinson’s Disease Dementia
e) Vascular Dementia
RACP 2017 Q18
Question 18
Amyloid precursor protein mutations have been associated with some subsets of Alzheimer’s
Dementia. On which chromosome is the amyloid precursor protein gene located?
a) 3
b) 12
c) 17
d) 18
e) 21
RACP 2017 Q25
Question 25
Chemotherapy induced nausea is a common clinical problem. What receptor does the
neurotransmitter Substance P act on?
a) GABA-A
b) Neurokinin-1
c) Dopamine
d) 5HT 3
e) Histamine
RACP 2017 Q32
Question 32
Which of the following is/are the major protein(s) that are abnormally deposited in Alzheimer’s
Dementia?
a) Tau protein
b) β-amyloid and Tau protein
c) α-synuclein
d) α-synuclein and Tau protein
e) 14-3-3 protein
RACP 2017 Q35
Question 35
A young man with Epilepsy experiences olfactoryhallucinations and a rising sensation in his
epigastrium. Where is the most likely source of the seizure activity?
a) Frontal lobe
b) Temporal lobe
c) Parietallobe
d) Occipital lobe
e) Thalamus
RACP 2017 Q65
Deposition of abnormal proteins is implicated in many neurodegenerative disorders.
Which protein are Neurofibrillary Tangles composed of?
Options
a) α-synuclein
b) Tau protein
c) β-amyloid
e) Hyaline
f) Ubiquitin
g) Huntingtin protein
h) 14-3-3 protein
RACP 2017 Q66
Deposition of abnormal proteins is implicated in many neurodegenerative disorders. Which protein is predominant in Dementia with Lewy Bodies?
Options
a) α-synuclein
b) Tau protein
c) β-amyloid
e) Hyaline
f) Ubiquitin
g) Huntingtin protein
h) 14-3-3 protein
RACP 2016 PAPER A
Question 4
A 24yo Brazilian female presents to ED following a seizure that occurred during sleep. On arrival she feels completely well/back to her usual self and she has no abnormal neurological findings on examination. She appears to be of normal intellect. A CT of her brain (shown below) shows a single calcified lesion. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Metastatic melanoma
B.Neurocysticercosis
C. Oligodendroma
D. Tuberous sclerosis
E. Herpes simplex
RACP 2016 Q14
Question 14
A 25 male presents with cafe au lait spots and axillary freckles. He has a family history of neurofibromatosis
type 1. He has a supraclavicular mass which has increased in size over 2 months from barely noticeable to
5x3x3cm. It is painful and non-mobile. There is no associated weight loss or fevers. What is the likely
diagnosis?
A. Lipoma
b. Malignant neurofibroma
C. Metastatic thyroid cancer
D. Neurofibroma
E. Lymphoma
RACP 2016 a Question 18
Which cranial nerves would you expect to be affected by the
macroadenoma as shown in the MRI image of the pituitary
gland?
A. I & II
B. II
C. I, II, & III
D. II, III, & IV
E. II, IV, V1
RACP 2016a Question 29
The clinical features of Rapid Eye movement behaviour syndrome often precede the development of which
neurological disorder?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Multiple Sclerosis
C. Huntington’s Disease
D. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
E. Parkinson’s Disease
RACP 2016a Question 34
74yo male presents with fall preceded by 60 mins of positional vertigo and nausea. History of same
intermittently for 10 years. Describes feeling of "fullness" in right ear. Examination revealed horizontal
nystagmus which was suppressed on visual fixation, decreased hearing in right ear.
Most likely diagnosis?
A. BPPV
B. Ménière's disease
C. Vertebrobasilar TIA
D. Acoustic neuroma
E. Vestibular neuritis
RACP 2016a Question 40
A 25 year old man who is previously health presents with bilateral leg weakness and tingling, which has now
also progressed to involve his arms. He suffered from a respiratory tract infection two weeks ago. On examination the lower limbs the deep tendon reflexes are absent
What treatment will result in faster recovery in his condition?
A. Cyclophosphamide
B. Steroids
C. Neostigmine
D. Immunoglobulin
E. Rituximab
RACP 2016a Question 47
A 70 year old lady presents after waking with right sided facial weakness, with associated dribbling from her
mouth and difficulty closing her right eye. She reports having received cosmetic botox injections 1 month prior.
On examination she has facial weakness involving muscles of her right face including the forehead. There were no visual field deficits and she had normal upper and lower limb neurological examinations.
What is the likely cause of her illness?
A) Lateral Medullary Syndrome
B) Left MCA territory infarct
C) Bell’s palsy
D) Iatrogenic weakness post injection
E) Rubarb
RACP 2016a Question 54
A 60 year male is found to weakness biceps femoris, anterior tibilalis and flexor carpus radialis. This is most consistent with?
A) Inclusion body myositis
B) Statin myopathy
C) Polymyositis
D) Dermatomyositis
E) Necrotising autoimmune myositis
Answer A IBM
Inclusion body mysotitis (IBM) has asymmetric muscle involvement,
Distal muscles as well as proximal muscles involved
Flexors of the hand and quadriceps are often first involved
Cricopharyngeal muscles affected in 50% - dysphagia and aspiration risk
RACP 2016a Question 57
A 32 year old female presents with a gradual history of progressive shoulder and neck discomfort. On
examination she has loss of pain and temperature on her upper arms and torso bilaterally. Light touch and vibration are normal. Neurology is normal below this level. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Congenital spinal artery stenosis
B) MS
C) GBM
D) Spinal meningioma
E) Syringomyelia
RACP 2016 Question 69
A 74 year old woman with previously well controlled Parkinson’s disease on Levodopa, Carbidopa, and
Selegiline develops strong paranoid visual and auditory hallucinations, and becomes increasingly psychotic.
What is the most appropriate course of action?
A) Stop Levodopa + Carbidopa
B) Stop Selegiline
C) Start Quetiapine
D) Start Clozapine
E) Start Deep Brain Stimulation
RACP 2016b Question 19
Which of the following clinical features would make you suspect Dementia with Lewy Body rather than
Alzheimer’s?
A. Short term memory loss
B. Visual hallucinations
C. Incontinence
D. Aggression
E. Constipation
RACP 2016b Question 19
Which of the following clinical features would make you suspect Dementia with Lewy Body rather than
Alzheimer’s?
A. Short term memory loss
B. Visual hallucinations
C. Incontinence
D. Aggression
E. Constipation
RACP 2016b Question 23
54 year old man presents with bilateral proximal muscle weakness. His CK is elevated at 3400 U/L (< 250 U/L).
Muscle biopsy demonstrates muscle necrosis without inflammation.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Dermatomyositis
B. Mitochondrial myopathy
C. Necrotising autoimmune myopathy
D. Polymyositis
E. Viral myositis
Answer C Necrotising myopathy
Biopsy shows myonecrosis without inflammation
Rapidly progressing proximal muscle weakness
Myalgia
Limited extra-muscular features and systemic involvement
Significantly elevated CK
RACP 2016b Question 48
Which two proteins paired together are responsible for the pathological process of Alzheimer’s disease?
A) Alpha synuclein and Lewy Body fibrils
B) Beta amyloid and tau protein
C) Fibrillin and CRP
D) Alpha synuclein and CRP
E) Huntingtin protein and lewy body fibrils
RACP 2016b Question 23
54 year old man presents with bilateral proximal muscle weakness. His CK is elevated at 3400 U/L (< 250 U/L).
Muscle biopsy demonstrates muscle necrosis without inflammation.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Dermatomyositis
B. Mitochondrial myopathy
C. Necrotising autoimmune myopathy
D. Polymyositis
E. Viral myositis
Answer C
Biopsy shows myonecrosis without inflammation
RACP 2016b Question 54
Cervical spine injury is a common cause of diaphragmatic palsy. What spinal routes innervate the diaphragm?
A) C2-4
B) C1-3
C) C3-5
D) C4-6
E) C5-7
RACP 2016b Question 69.
Which of these anti-epileptics has the longest half life?
A) Phenytoin
B) Gabapentin
C) Oxycarbazepine
D) Carbamazepine
E) Lamotrigine
F) Topiramate
G) Valproate
RACP 2016b Question 70.
Which one of the following medications induces its own metabolism?
A) Phenytoin
B) Gabapentin
C) Oxycarbazepine
D) Carbamazepine
E) Lamotrigine
F) Topiramate
G) Valproate
RACP 2015 Q 16
Question 16
A 42 year old female has been referred to a neurologist with a 6 month history of abnormal lower limb movements. She describes jerky movements bilaterally involving her lower limbs
which occurs at rest and whilst watching television. Her husband reports that she kicks him in her sleep. Neurological examination is normal.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
B. Huntington’s disease
C. Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
D. Restless leg syndrome
E. Tourette’s syndrome
RACP 2015 Q34
Question 34
A 24 year old woman is brought to the emergency department after a collapse. She is able
to describe a period of 10 seconds of lightheadedness and dimmed vision prior to losing
consciousness. She was witnessed to have several symmetrical convulsions and urinary incontinence during the episode. There was no evidence of tongue-biting. She fully regained consciousness and was back to her normal self after a further minute.
What is the most likely cause of her collapse?
A. Cataplexy
B. Conversion disorder
C. Epileptic seizure
D. Syncope
E. Transient ischaemic attack
RACP 2016 Q51
Question 51
A 46 year old lady presents to the clinic, complaining of hand numbness. She is known to
have seropositive rheumatoid arthritis and is treated with methotrexate, leflunomide and
prednisone. On examination, she is found to have sensory loss over the palmar aspect of
the thumb, index, middle and radial surface of the ring finger. She also has weakness of
wrist flexion.
The most likely cause of her symptoms is:
A. Carpal tunnel syndrome
B. C6 radiculopathy
C. Pronator syndrome
D. Drug related neuropathy
E. Vasculitis
RACP 2015
Question 95:
Elderly gentleman with disinhibition, etc.
A. Lewy Body Dementia
B. Parkinson’s Disease
C. Alzheimer’s Disease
D. Frontotemporal Dementia
E. Progressive supranuclear palsy
F. Multiple system atrophy
G. Mild cognitive impairment
RACP 2015 Q96
Sixty year old female with gradual deterioration in behavior. Episodes noticed by family of
looking blank. Visual hallucinations. Slowing of walking and 2 falls in past 6 months.
A. Lewy Body Dementia
B. Parkinson’s Disease
C. Alzheimer’s Disease
D. Frontotemporal Dementia
E. Progressive supranuclear palsy
F. Multiple system atrophy
G. Mild cognitive impairment
RACP 2015 Q37
Question 37
In patients with increased ICP, non-invasive ventilation can be used to decrease ICP
temporarily. What is the mechanism behind NIV for increased ICP?
A. It causes cerebral vasoconstriction
B. It increases meningeal compliance
C. It decreases cerebral oedema
D. It increases CSF resorption
E. It decreases CSF secretion
RACP 2015 Q51
Question 51
Which of these antiepileptics can cause psychological disturbances?
A. Carbamazepine
B. Pregabalin
C. Topiramate
D. Phenytoin
E. Levetiracetam
RACP 2015 A man in his 20s is brought hospital after becoming unrousable at the pub. His friends say
he had only had 2 drinks. He had recently been well, but was struck on the head by a cricket
ball during their game that afternoon. He was knocked to the ground but was not
unconscious, and continued to bat afterwards.
What is the most likely pathology?
A. Acute extradural haematoma
B. Chronic extradural haematoma
C. Acute subdural haematoma
D. Chronic subdural haematoma
E. Subarachnoid haemorrhage
RACP 2015
A 59 year old woman presents to the emergency department with a sudden onset headache,
which she describes as feeling like she has been struck on the head with a brick. She
presented 2 weeks earlier with a similar headache. She also states that the headache is
worse on bending over to pick up her bag. Non-contrast CT brain on this and the previous
presentation was normal.
What is the most useful diagnostic test for her?
A. CT cerebral angiogram
B. Digital subtraction angiogram of the cerebral vessels
C. MRI cerebral angiogram
D. Lumbar puncture
E. CT venogram
RACP 2015 Question
An 82 year old lady with Parkinson’s disease and mild cognitive impairment is in hospital for
a urinary tract infection. Her husband died 2 years ago, and for most of that time she reports
she has had pleasant visual hallucinations of him standing at the end of her bed at night,
which she finds reassuring. In the last 2 days, she reports being very distressed at hearing
people talking at night about wanting to kill her.
What is the most likely cause of this?
A. Delirium
B. Dopamine agonists
C. Psychotic depression
D. Antibiotics
E. Worsening Parkinson’s Disease
RACP 2015
A man presents complaining of restless legs.
Which nutrient deficiency is he most likely to have?
A. Folate
B. B12
C. Iron
D. Vitamin C
RACP 2014
Question 1:
A 30 year old female with MS presents to hospital with pneumonia. Her temperature on
admission is noted to be 39C. The next day, the vision in her left eye that has previously been
affected by her MS is worse.
What is the reason for the change in her vision?
1. Progression of MS
2. High temperature
3. Infection of the optic nerve
4. Ischaemic optic neuropathy
5. Post-infectious flare of optic neuritis
RACP 2014 Q 20.
Patients with atrial fibrillation are at increased risk of stroke. Of the following, which feature
carries the highest risk?
a) Hypertension
b) Congestive Cardiac Failure
c) Previous stroke
d) Age > 75
e) Left atrial enlargement
RACP 2014 Question 25
Which of these is a feature of subcortical dementia rather than cortical dementia?
a. agnosia
b. alexia
c. aphasia
d. apraxia
e. apathy
RACP 2014 Q32
Question 32
What is the afferent nerve of the cough reflex?
A - glossopharyngeal
B - Hypoglossal
C - Vagus nerve
D - Phrenic nerve
E - Recurrent laryngeal nerve
RACP 2014 Q32
Question 32
What is the afferent nerve of the cough reflex?
A - glossopharyngeal
B - Hypoglossal
C - Vagus nerve
D - Phrenic nerve
E - Recurrent laryngeal nerve
RACP 2014 Q54
Patient with 3 day h/o lower limb weakness, distal power 3/5, proximal 4/5, no reflexes,
subjective loss of sensation in both feet.
Which nerve fibres are affected in this pathology?
A. C fibre
B. Large myelinated
C. Large unmyelinated
D. Small myelinated
E. Small unmyelinated
RACP 2014b Question 2:
A 65yo man from a homeless shelter is brought into ED with ataxia, confusion, and an
opthalmoplegia with difficulty in lateral gaze. This has partially corrected with hospital
management (no details on what management was instituted). Which of the following is likely to
be present post resolution of the acute symptoms?
a) Amnesia
b) Speech disturbance
c) Chronic dementia
d) Visuospatial disturbance
e) Calculation problems
RACP 2014b Question 15
A 75 year old woman is transferred from her nursing home with confusion over the past three
days. She has moderate dementia.
What is the best way to differentiate dementia and delirium?
A. Attention and calculation
B. Language
C. Short-term memory
D. Visuospacial difficulties
E. Orientation
RACP 2014b Question 35
A 28 year old man presents with left ear pain and left sided facial weakness (see
below). What is the appropriate treatment?
A. Aciclovir
B. Aspirin
C. Acupuncture
D. Gabapentin
E. Prednisone
RACP 2014 Q43
A 65 year old pilot presents for a routine medical examination in order to renew his
pilots license. A 70% Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis was found on the right side. He
complains of no symptoms and has no history of TIA or stroke. What is the most
appropriate management?
A - aspirin and clopidogrel
B - Aspirin alone
C - Anticoagulate
D - Endarterectomy
E - Stent
RACP 2014
Lady BMI 32 or 36, presents with headaches (worse in the morning). Also notices visual
dimming when standing from squatting position. She is 5 weeks post partum.
Diagnosis?
1. Venous thrombosis
2. Migraine
3. CVA
RACP 2014 A 26 year old male is drinking after a cricket game with his friends when he notices he is
unable to stand. On examination he has right face, arm and leg weakness, diplopia and
a left sided parietal bruise. His friends volunteer his was hit by a cricket ball during the
game earlier that morning but was fine afterwards.
What is the most likely finding on CT brain?
A. Subdural haematoma
B. Epidural haematoma
C. Vertebral artery dissection
D. Carotid artery dissection
E. Intracerebral haemorrhage
RACP 2014 Q80.
A 79yo woman presents with dizziness for 3 weeks, exacerbated bydriving in a car.Her
symptoms started after a hospital admission3 weeks agofor anelectivetotal hip replacement,
complicated by multiple episodes of Urosepsis.On examination shehad positive vestibulo-
ocular reflexes bilaterally. She is mildly Rhomberg's positive. Deep tendon reflexes were
normal. What is the most likely cause of her symptoms?
A) Meniere's disease
B) Vestibular neuronitis
C) BPPV
D) Gentamicin-related vestibulopathy
E) Posterior circulation infarct
RACP 2013 Question 3
Which of the following electrolyte abnormality is more likely to precipitate encephalopathy in the setting of
hyper ammonaemia?
A. Hypokalaemia
B. Hyponatraemia
C. Hypomagnaesaemia
D. Hypophosphataemia
RACP 2013 Question 5
The most common cause of epilepsy in elderly patients (aged 75 & above) is:
A. Tumour
B. Previous strokes
C. Genetic
D. Previous head trauma
RACP 2013 Question 21
54yo female with past history of breast cancer gradually developed a movement disorder characterized by
impaired movement of her right arm. When she tried to move her arm she is clumsy and there are
exaggerated flinging movements. The same tendency is seen in the right lower leg but much to a lower
extent. The rest of her neurological examination is within normal limits. This syndrome is associated with a
lesion in which of the following sites of the brain?
a) Caudate nucleus
b) Pre motor cortex
c) Subthalamic nucleus
d) Lateral cerebellum
e) Temporal lobe
RACP 2013b Question 8
A 65 year old male presents to clinic reporting an 18 month history of memory impairment. He has caused
some consternation recently by forgetting to attend his daughter’s wedding. He continues to golf, garden
and is able to manage his finances independently. On examination his MMSE is 27/30, with all points lost for short-term recall. MRI brain shows periventricular white matter changes. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Alzheimer’s dementia
B. Frontotemporal dementia
C. Mild cognitive impairment
D. Normal ageing
E. Vascular dementia
RACP 2013b Question 10
A 65yo man from a homeless shelter is brought into ED with ataxia, confusion, and an opthalmoplegia with
difficulty in lateral gaze. This has partially corrected with hospital management (no details on what management was instituted). Which of the following is likely to be present post resolution of the acute
symptoms?
a) Amnestic MCI
b) Speech disturbance
c) Chronic dementia
d) Visuospatial disturbance
e) Calculation problems
RACP 2013b Question 14
54F with known breast cancer develops progressive motor disorder with impairment of right arm function.
She is clumsy with all movements and exaggerated ‘flinging’ actions are noted on examination. There is a
similar pattern in the right leg with to a much lesser extent. There are no other abnormalities on
neurological examination. Where is the most likely site of the lesion?
A. Caudate nucleus
B. Lateral cerebellum
C. Pre-motor cortex
D. Sub-thalamic nucleus
E. Temporal lobe
RACP 2013b Question 28
An 18yo male gives a history of early morning ‘jerking’ movements of his arm. After a night of heavy drinking and sleep deprivation, he has a generalised tonic-clonic seizure at 5am. An EEG reveals generalised
spike and wave discharges. What is the most appropriate choice of anti-epileptic?
A. Carbamazepine
B. Ethosuximide
C. Sodium valproate
D. Gabapentin
E. Phenytoin
RACP 2013b Question 38
A 25 year old secretary presents with excessive daytime sleepiness, vivid dreams at the onset of sleep and
the sensation of her legs "giving way" with laughter or emotional response.
She does not take any medications and has no other medical history. She reports that she has to consume caffeine-containing beverages to maintain alertness at work.
Which of the following investigations would be most likely to provide a diagnosis:
A) MRI of brainstem
B) Maintenance of wakefulness test
C) Mean sleep latency test
D) Overnight polysomnography
E) Sleep deprived EEG
RACP 2013b Question 40
Mrs Higginbottom is on natalizumab for multiple sclerosis. She reports feeling “a wee bit off, love.” She
thus has an MRI brain which looks like this:
What is the best test to diagnose her brain infection?
a. Cryptococcal antigen.
b. Toxoplasma culture
c. John Cunningham virus PCR
d. Herpes simplex 1 virus PCR
e. Mycoplasma culture
Answer C: JC virus PCR to diagnose PML
RACP 2013b Question 42
A 20M presents with a series of ‘funny turns’ for the last 2 months. They begin with an odd taste in his mouth, followed by nausea, headache and fatigue. He occasionally uses marijuana and drinks 3-5 standard
drinks per week. What is the most likely cause of these episodes?
A. Cannabis toxicity
B. Hippocampal sclerosis
C. Migraine
D. Panic disorder
E. Somatisation
RACP 2013b Question 43
An 80F presents with worsening hallucations. She has severe Parkinson’s disease and is bed bound in high
level care due to poor mobility. Her medications are levodopa / benserazide 100/25 QID and oxycodone SR
5mg bd. She is not constipated and there is no evidence of infection or underlying metabolic disturbance.
What is the best strategy to reduce her hallucinations?
A. Reduce levodopa / benserazide dose
B. Reduce oxycodone SR dose
C. Commence haloperidol
D. Commence quetiapine
E. Commence lorazepam
RACP 2013b Question 60
A 45yo male patient has a glioblastoma multiforme removed neurosurgically. Which of the following is the next step in his post-operative care?
A) Chemotherapy
B) Radiotherapy
C) Chemo-radiotherapy
D) No further therapy needed
E) Biological agents
RACP 2013b Question 62
What is the most common neuropsychiatric manifestation of SLE?
A) Depression
B) Seizures
C) Mania
D) Impaired cognition
E) Headache
RACP 2013b Question 63
A 78yo highly educated lady from home is with her daughter and brought in with a 4 day history of
hallucinations and restlessness. MMSE is 27/30. What is the likely diagnosis?
A) Delirium
B) Dementia
C) Mild cognitive impairment
D) Depression
E) Stroke
RACP 2013b Question 93
An 18year old female presents with a tonic-clonic seizure follow by ?akathesia, hypertension and agitation
on a background of a recent flu-like illness within the week prior. She is otherwise healthy with nil known
medical history. An MRI (shown) is significant for increased enhancement of the temporal lobes bilaterally.
CSF reveals a lymphocytes count of 8, normal protein. HSV PCR is negative.
After excluding an infectious cause, which of the following is most likely diagnosis:
A) Amphetamine use
B) Ischaemic stroke
C) Limbic encephalitis
D) Primary epilepsy
E) Hippocampal sclerosis
RACP 2013b Question 94
A 53 year old man collapses onto his desk at work. He is rushed to hospital and upon waking has a severe
headache and is very drowsy. He has a cranial nerve palsy. A non-contrast CT scan of his head reveals
hyperdensity within the ventricles. What is the most significant complication of this condition?
A. Swelling due to vasospasm
B. Increased CSF volume due to vasodilatation
C. Increased bleeding from circulating anticoagulants
D. Vessel inflammation leading to infarcts
E. Blood clots obstructing CSF flow
RACP 2013b Question 95
A 42 year old female presents with difficulty walking. On examination she is found to have a left sided foot drop and on further history she has experienced abdominal pain after eating. Investigations reveal dsDNA of 7, RF negative, ANCA negative raised CRP. What is most likely to yield a diagnosis?
A. Sural nerve biopsy
B. ESR
C. Nerve conduction studies
D. MRI
E. CT angiography of the abdomen
RACP 2013a Question 19
Involvement of VZV in which nerve would result in a presentation that mimics meningitis?
a) Trigeminal nerve (mandibular branch)
b) Trigeminal nerve (ophthalmic branch)
c) Facial nerve
d) Glossopharyngeal nerve
e) Occipital nerve
Answer B Trigeminal V1
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation involving the trigeminal nerve, specifically the ophthalmic branch (V1), can cause herpes zoster ophthalmicus. This condition can present with symptoms mimicking meningitis, including:
- Severe headache
- Fever
- Photophobia
- Eye pain
- Cranial nerve involvement (e.g., third, fourth, or sixth nerve palsy)
RACP 2013a Question 42
Where is the centre for control of appetite and satiety?
A) Amygdala
B) Hypothalamus
C) Frontal lobe
D) Pons
E) Anterior pituitary
Answer B - hypothalamus
