ATI RN
Pediatric Neurology Test Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
The diagnosis of diffuse CNS infections depends on examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained by lumbar puncture (LP). The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein may reach 3,000 (mg/dL) in
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tuberculous meningitis can elevate CSF protein to 3,000 mg/dL from chronic inflammation and exudate. Bacterial peaks lower (~500-1,000); fungal and amebic rarely exceed 1,000; empyema is focal. TBs severity make B the correct answer.
Question 2 of 5
The following virushave clinical manifestations similar to that of the enteroviruswith the exception of more severe MRI lesions of the cerebral cortex and at timan absence of a CSF pleocytosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: HSV-1 mimics enterovirus symptoms but caussevere cortical MRI lesions and occasional absent pleocytosis, per studies. Arbovirus, parechovirus, rabi, and EBV align closer to enterovirus CSF findings. HSVs severity makes C the correct answer.
Question 3 of 5
The following are hematologic causof childhood pseudotumor cerebri EXCEPT
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Pseudotumor cerebri links to hematologic issulike Wiskott-Aldrich , megaloblastic anemia , polycythemia , and sickle cell via thrombosis or viscosity. Fanconi anemia causmarrow failure, not ICP. This mechanistic gap makes D the exception and correct answer.
Question 4 of 5
A 3-year-old female has a 2-week history of fever, bifrontal headache, lethargy, and vomiting. She has perioral cyanosis and dyspnea since infancy. She has a 10-minute focal tonic-clonic seizure. She is obtunded, temperature 100.8°F, pulse 118, BP 96/70 mm Hg. Perioral cyanosis is noted at rest, with a harsh pansystolic murmur along the left sternal border. Bilateral papilledema and right-sided weakness with hyperreflexia and extensor plantar reflex are present. The most likely cause of hemiparesis is
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A brain abscess best explains this scenario. The childs congenital heart defect (likely tetralogy of Fallot, given cyanosis and murmur) predisposto paradoxical emboli, seeding a brain abscess. Fever, headache, lethargy, vomiting, and focal seizure over 2 weeks, plus papilledema and focal neurologic signs (hemiparesis, hyperreflexia, Babinski), suggest an intracranial mass with infection. Abscessare common in cyanotic heart disease due to right-to-left shunting. Moyamoya causischemia, not fever or papilledema acutely. Brain tumor grows slowly, lacking fever. Intracranial hemorrhage is acute, not subacute with infection signs. Methemoglobinemia (original D) causcyanosis but not focal neurology or abscess. Abscesss fit with infection, mass effect, and cardiac history makes D the correct answer.
Question 5 of 5
All of the following cause neonatal seizurEXCEPT
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Neonatal seizurstem from pyridoxine deficiency , causing refractory epilepsy; lissencephaly , a malformation with epileptogenic cortex; hypoglycemia , lowering seizure threshold; and hypoxia-ischemia (D in original). Spina bifida , a spinal defect, rarely causseizurunless complicated by meningitis or severe hydrocephalus, which isnt typical neonatally. Incontinentia pigmentosa also links to seizurvia brain lesions. Spina bifidas primary spinal focus, lacking direct cortical irritability, makes D the exception and correct answer, per neonatal seizure etiology.