PNP- Unit 2 - Neurological Disorders

Question 1

What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?

Answer 1

MS is a chronic, progressive neurological disorder characterized by demyelination of nerve fibers in the central nervous system (CNS), leading to impaired nerve signal transmission.

Question 2

What causes Multiple Sclerosis?

Answer 2

MS is believed to be an autoimmune disease triggered by genetic and environmental factors. The immune system attacks the myelin sheath, leading to inflammation and damage.

Question 3

What happens in the brain and spinal cord in MS?

Answer 3

The immune system attacks myelin, causing inflammation, plaque formation, and scar tissue in the CNS, which disrupts nerve signal conduction.

Question 4

What are common symptoms of MS?

Answer 4

Symptoms include fatigue, muscle weakness, spasticity, ataxia, dysarthria, dysphagia, nystagmus, vision disturbances, and cognitive impairment.

Question 5

What are the major types of MS?

Answer 5

Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS): Acute episodes with recovery periods.

Secondary-Progressive MS (SPMS): Initially relapsing-remitting but later becomes progressively worse.

Question 6

What is Parkinson’s Disease (PD)?

Answer 6

PD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by dopamine-producing neuron loss in the substantia nigra, leading to motor dysfunction.

Question 7

What is the underlying cause of Parkinson’s symptoms?

Answer 7

The loss of dopamine-producing neurons results in an imbalance between excitatory (acetylcholine) and inhibitory (dopamine) neurotransmitters, causing tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia.

Question 8

What are the hallmark symptoms of PD?

Answer 8

Tremors at rest, muscle rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), postural instability, hypophonia (soft voice), dysarthria, and masked face.

Question 9

What is Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)?

Answer 9

AD is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes due to neuronal degeneration.

Question 10

What are the key pathological changes in AD?

Answer 10

Formation of beta-amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and brain atrophy with widened sulci and narrowed gyri, leading to impaired neural function.

Question 11

What are the stages and symptoms of AD?

Answer 11

Early Stage: Impaired learning, short-term memory loss.

Intermediate Stage: Difficulty with ADLs, psychiatric symptoms (paranoia, hallucinations), wandering.

Late Stage: Incontinence, complete loss of speech, mobility, and self-care.

Question 12

What is vascular dementia?

Answer 12

A type of dementia caused by multiple small brain infarctions, often due to hypertension or cerebrovascular disease, leading to progressive memory loss and cognitive decline.

happens when the brain doesn’t get enough blood. Your brain needs blood like a plant needs water. If the water (blood) doesn’t reach some parts, those parts stop working right.

Question 14

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Answer 14

AD is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes due to neuronal degeneration.

Question 15

What are the key pathological changes in AD?

Answer 15

Formation of beta-amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and brain atrophy with widened sulci and narrowed gyri, leading to impaired neural function.

Question 16

What are the stages and symptoms of AD?

Answer 16

Early Stage: Impaired learning, short-term memory loss.

Intermediate Stage: Difficulty with ADLs, psychiatric symptoms (paranoia, hallucinations), wandering.

Late Stage: Incontinence, complete loss of speech, mobility, and self-care.

Question 17

What are some risk factors for Alzheimer’s Disease?

Answer 17

Advanced age

Family history

Smoking (45% increased risk)

Hypertension and diabetes

Head trauma

Vascular Dementia

Question 18

What is vascular dementia?

Answer 18

A type of dementia caused by multiple small brain infarctions, often due to hypertension or cerebrovascular disease, leading to progressive memory loss and cognitive decline.

Question 19

What are common symptoms of vascular dementia?

Answer 19

Gradual memory loss

Apathy

Difficulty managing daily tasks

Progression in stages

Other neurological impairments such as stroke-related deficits

Question 20

What are some common diagnostic tools for neurological disorders?

Answer 20

MRI and CT scans (MS, AD, vascular dementia)

PET scans (Alzheimer’s Disease diagnosis)

Lumbar puncture (MS diagnosis)

Dopamine transporter (DaT) scan (PD diagnosis)

Question 21

What are some general treatment strategies for chronic neurological disorders?

Answer 21

MS: Immunomodulatory drugs, corticosteroids, physical therapy

PD: Dopamine replacement (Levodopa), deep brain stimulation, physical therapy

AD: Cholinesterase inhibitors, memory aids, caregiver support

Vascular Dementia: Blood pressure control, lifestyle modifications

Question 22

What lifestyle changes can help manage these disorders?

Answer 22

Regular exercise

Healthy diet (Mediterranean diet for AD prevention)

Cognitive stimulation

Smoking cessation

Blood pressure and diabetes control

Question 24

What is Cardiac Output (CO)?

Answer 24

Cardiac output is the amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute. It is calculated as CO = Heart Rate (HR) × Stroke Volume (SV).

Question 25

What is Stroke Volume (SV)?

Answer 25

Stroke Volume is the amount of blood ejected from the left ventricle per heartbeat. It is influenced by preload, afterload, and contractility.

Question 26

What is Preload?

Answer 26

Preload refers to the volume of blood filling the ventricles before contraction. It is determined by venous return and end-diastolic volume (EDV).

Question 27

What is Afterload?

Answer 27

Afterload is the pressure the heart must overcome to eject blood, primarily influenced by systemic vascular resistance and arterial pressure.

Question 28

What is Hypertension?

Answer 28

Hypertension is a chronic condition characterized by persistently high blood pressure, leading to increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.

Question 29

What is the difference between Primary and Secondary Hypertension?

Answer 29

Primary hypertension has no identifiable cause, whereas secondary hypertension is caused by an underlying condition such as kidney disease or endocrine disorders.

Question 30

What is Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)?

Answer 30

CHD is caused by insufficient blood supply to the myocardium due to atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries, leading to ischemia and potential heart attacks.

Question 31

What is Atherosclerosis?

Answer 31

Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries, leading to narrowing and reduced blood flow, increasing the risk of CHD and stroke.

Question 32

What is Angina Pectoris?

Answer 32

Angina Pectoris is chest pain caused by reduced oxygen supply to the heart muscle, typically triggered by exertion or stress.

Question 33

What is the difference between Stable and Unstable Angina?

Answer 33

Stable angina occurs predictably with exertion and is relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. Unstable angina occurs unpredictably, even at rest, and may indicate a heart attack.

Question 34

What is Myocardial Infarction (MI)?

Answer 34

MI, or heart attack, occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is completely blocked, leading to tissue death due to prolonged oxygen deprivation.

Question 35

What are the key diagnostic markers for an MI?

Answer 35

Elevated cardiac biomarkers such as troponin I, troponin T, CK-MB, and ECG changes (ST elevation in STEMI, non-ST elevation in NSTEMI).

Question 36

What is Arrhythmia?

Answer 36

Arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm that can cause symptoms ranging from palpitations to life-threatening cardiac arrest.

Question 37

What is Atrial Fibrillation?

Answer 37

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia where the atria beat chaotically and irregularly, leading to poor blood flow and increased stroke risk.

Question 38

What is Sinus Bradycardia?

Answer 38

Sinus bradycardia is a slow heart rate (<60 bpm) that may cause dizziness, fatigue, and hypotension, often requiring intervention if symptomatic.

Question 39

What is Sinus Tachycardia?

Answer 39

Sinus tachycardia is a rapid heart rate (>100 bpm), which can be caused by fever, stress, dehydration, or underlying heart conditions.

Question 40

What is Cardiogenic Shock?

Answer 40

A life-threatening condition where the heart fails to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, often following a severe MI.

Question 41

What is Heart Failure?

Answer 41

A chronic condition where the heart cannot pump effectively, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs and body tissues.

Question 42

What are HDL and LDL?

Answer 42

HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is 'good cholesterol' that helps remove excess cholesterol from arteries. LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is 'bad cholesterol' that contributes to plaque formation in arteries.

Question 43

What are the main risk factors for Cardiovascular Disease?

Answer 43

Age, family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and physical inactivity.

Question 44

What is Cardiac Arrest?

Answer 44

A sudden loss of heart function, often caused by ventricular fibrillation or severe arrhythmia, requiring immediate CPR and defibrillation.

Question 45

What is the Frank-Starling Mechanism?

Answer 45

A physiological principle stating that the more the heart muscle is stretched during filling (increased preload), the stronger the contraction, up to a limit.

Question 46

What is the difference between STEMI and NSTEMI?

Answer 46

STEMI involves a complete coronary artery blockage with ST elevation on ECG, requiring immediate reperfusion. NSTEMI is a partial blockage without ST elevation but with positive cardiac biomarkers.

Question 47

What are common diagnostic tests for cardiovascular disorders?

Answer 47

ECG, echocardiogram, stress test, cardiac catheterization, blood tests (troponin, CK-MB, cholesterol levels).

Question 48

What lifestyle changes can help prevent cardiovascular disease?

Answer 48

Regular exercise, a healthy diet, smoking cessation, weight control, stress management, and blood pressure/cholesterol control.