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NCLEX Neurology Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
A 37-year-old African American woman presents to the emergency department with pain and vision loss in her right eye. These symptoms progressively worsened over the course of hours. She also reports muscle weakness and sensory changes in both upper extremities. This has never happened before. The patient has a history of ulcerative colitis treated with oral 5-aminosalicylate, and hypertension that is adequately controlled on hydrochlorothiazide. On physical exam, she has a visual acuity of 20/20 in the left eye and 20/200 on the right, a right relative afferent pupil defect, and symmetric motor and sensory deficits more pronounced in the upper extremity. An MRI of brain was normal. MRI spinal cord was obtained with findings shown to the right. Which of the following is most likely the diagnosis?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Unilateral optic neuritis (vision loss, RAPD) with spinal cord symptoms (weakness, sensory loss) and normal brain MRI suggest neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), often with longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. MS typically shows brain lesions.
Question 2 of 5
The functional unit of the nervous system is the
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The neuron is the basic structural and functional unit of the nervous system, capable of receiving, processing, and transmitting signals.
Question 3 of 5
The effect of a sending neuron on a receiving neuron is typically greater when neurotransmitters bind to the receiving neuron and the synapse is the base of the receiving cell's axon.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Synapses closer to the axon hillock (base of the axon) have a greater impact due to less signal attenuation, and more neurotransmitter enhances the effect.
Question 4 of 5
Which division of the human nervous system carries signals to skeletal muscles?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The motor system (part of the somatic nervous system) controls skeletal muscle movement, distinct from the autonomic system’s visceral control.
Question 5 of 5
Our biological clock, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle, is housed within the
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The suprachiasmatic nucleus in the hypothalamus controls the circadian rhythm, including sleep-wake cycles.