ATI RN
Pediatric Musculoskeletal Assessment Questions
Question 1 of 5
A 15-year-old male has lost his ability to walk. On physical examination, his ankle and knee deep tendon reflexes are noted to be diminished. The weakness is greatest in peripheral muscles. Cranial nerves all are normal. One week before these symptoms arose, he returned from a camping trip. The most likely diagnosis is
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Tick paralysis fits this scenario: a camping trip (tick exposure), symmetric peripheral weakness, diminished reflexes, and normal cranial nerves. It resolves with tick removal. Myasthenia gravis causes fatigable weakness; organophosphate poisoning includes autonomic symptoms; spinal muscular atrophy is chronic with atrophy.
Question 2 of 5
Matching: External ophthalmoplegia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Kearns-Sayre syndrome (mitochondrial disorder) features external ophthalmoplegia. Other conditions don't affect eye muscles this way.
Question 3 of 5
Which is a characteristic clinical manifestation of Duchenne muscular dystrophy?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: All (cardiomyopathy, intellectual impairment, respiratory weakness, scoliosis) are characteristic of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, so E (moved to D) is correct.
Question 4 of 5
Which is the etiology of most cases of myasthenia gravis?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Myasthenia gravis is primarily an autoimmune disorder (antibodies against acetylcholine receptors), not inherited or purely postinfectious.
Question 5 of 5
A 9-year-old presents with paresis of the upper and lower portions of the face, and loss of taste on the right side of the anterior portion of the tongue. On physical examination, the corner of the mouth droops, and he is unable to close the right eye tightly. The remainder of the physical examination is normal. Which is the most likely diagnosis?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Bell palsy causes unilateral facial weakness, including inability to close the eye, drooping mouth, and loss of taste, with no other deficits.