Question 1

What is the preferred drug for the management of infantile spasms?&#10;A) adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)&#10;B) vigabatrin&#10;C) phenytoin&#10;D) phenobarbital

Accepted Answer

ACTH is the preferred drug for the management of infantile spasms. Prednisone is equally effective.

Question 2

Most complex partial seizures arise from what area of the brain?&#10;A) frontal lobe&#10;B) parietal lobe&#10;C) temporal lobe&#10;D) occipital lobe

Accepted Answer

Approximately 70% to 80% of complex partial seizures arise from the temporal lobe. Remaining cases of complex partial seizures arise mainly from the frontal lobe, with smaller percentages originating in the parietal and occipital lobes.

Question 3

Which of the following is not considered a cause of seizures in an infant?&#10;A) hypoglycemia&#10;B) breech delivery&#10;C) hypoxic-ischemic brain insult&#10;D) cerebral contusion

Accepted Answer

Hypoxic-ischemic insult is the most common cause of neonatal convulsions, resulting from lack of oxygen to the brain during or before delivery. Seizures resulting from cerebral contusion are often a result of prolonged or traumatic labor. The other important cause of seizures arising in the early neonatal period is hypoglycemia, most often seen in babies who are small for gestational age.

Question 4

Which of the following is considered an idiopathic epilepsy syndrome?&#10;A) temporal lobe epilepsy&#10;B) benign neonatal convulsions&#10;C) frontal lobe epilepsy&#10;D) posttraumatic epilepsy

Accepted Answer

The other choices are considered cryptogenic or symptomatic epilepsy syndromes.

Question 5

Which of the following head injuries is most likely to increase the risk of seizures in an individual?&#10;A) injury with no skull fracture&#10;B) uncomplicated brief loss of consciousness&#10;C) penetrating wounds&#10;D) grade I concussions

Accepted Answer

Severe head-brain injuries and penetrating wounds are possible causes of posttraumatic epilepsy. Mild head injuries do not increase risk of seizures.

Question 6

Which of the following is considered a medical emergency?&#10;A) tonic-clonic seizures&#10;B) status epilepticus&#10;C) myoclonic seizures&#10;D) atonic seizures

Accepted Answer

Status epilepticus is a condition in which seizures are so prolonged or so repeated that recovery does not occur between attacks. These occur when the person has generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and no return to consciousness occurs between seizures. It is a medical emergency.

Question 7

Which of the following is not a characteristic of a simple partial seizure?&#10;A) jerking of muscles&#10;B) paresthesias or tingling&#10;C) illusions/hallucinations&#10;D) loss of consciousness

Accepted Answer

Simple partial seizures are associated with preservation of consciousness and unilateral hemispheric involvement. They may be manifested by motor symptoms or somatosensory symptoms. Psychotic responses to seizure activity include hallucinations or illusions and a sudden sense of fears.

Question 8

What central nervous system (CNS)neurotransmitter plays a vital role in seizure termination?&#10;A) epinephrine&#10;B) norepinephrine&#10;C) acetylcholine&#10;D) gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)

Accepted Answer

GABA agonists play a vital role in seizure termination. Loss of GABA-mediated inhibition results in seizures.

Question 9

What phase of a seizure ends with relaxation of all body muscles?&#10;A) tonic phase&#10;B) clonic phase&#10;C) acute phase&#10;D) chronic phase

Accepted Answer

In the tonic phase of a tonic-clonic seizure, the body becomes rigid and the person has risk of falling. The clonic phase begins with rhythmic jerky contractions, especially in the extremities and ends up with relaxation of all body muscles.

Question 10

Which type of epileptic syndrome is characterized by aphasia in the absence of other neurologic abnormalities?&#10;A) Lennox-Gastaut syndrome&#10;B) benign childhood epilepsy&#10;C) juvenile myoclonic epilepsy&#10;D) Landau-Kleffner syndrome

Accepted Answer

Landau-Kleffner syndrome (acquired epileptic aphasia) is characterized by an acquired aphasia in the absence of neurologic abnormalities.

Question 11

In which phase of a seizure are neurons depolarized and fired continuously?&#10;A) tonic phase&#10;B) clonic phase&#10;C) postictal depression phase&#10;D) chronic phase

Accepted Answer

The answer of In which phase of a seizure are...

Question 12

What type of seizures are characterized by a sudden loss of muscle tone that may result in falls?&#10;A) atonic seizures&#10;B) myoclonic seizures&#10;C) absence seizures&#10;D) tonic-clonic seizures

Accepted Answer

The answer of What type of seizures are characterized by...

Question 13

In which of the following epilepsies is an anticonvulsant not indicated?&#10;A) severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy&#10;B) benign myoclonic epilepsy of infancy&#10;C) benign childhood epilepsy&#10;D) centrotemporal spikes

Accepted Answer

The answer of In which of the following epilepsies is...

Question 14

What is the most common cause of seizure in people over 50 years old?&#10;A) myocardial infarction&#10;B) epilepsy&#10;C) cerebral vascular disease&#10;D) falls

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the most common cause of...

Question 15

Which of the following medications is usually delivered intravenously for the initial management of status epilepticus?&#10;A) lamotrigine&#10;B) benzodiazepines&#10;C) carbamazepine&#10;D) ethosuximide

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following medications is usually...

Question 16

Infants with which type of seizures have an 80% to 90% risk of mental retardation?&#10;A) benign neonatal convulsions&#10;B) childhood absence epilepsy&#10;C) juvenile myoclonic epilepsy&#10;D) frontal lobe epilepsy

Accepted Answer

The answer of Infants with which type of seizures have...

Question 17

Which of the following is not considered a cause of acute symptomatic seizures?&#10;A) hyponatremia&#10;B) hypernatremia&#10;C) hypoglycemia&#10;D) hypercalcemia

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is not considered...

Question 18

What is the most common type of seizure in adults?&#10;A) myoclonic&#10;B) simple partial&#10;C) absence&#10;D) complex partial

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the most common type of...

Question 19

Which of the following will not increase seizure activity in people with epilepsy?&#10;A) aspirin&#10;B) caffeine&#10;C) amphetamines&#10;D) some asthma drugs

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following will not increase...

Question 20

Which cranial nerve can be stimulated by an implantable pulse generator to decrease seizures?&#10;A) abducens&#10;B) spinal accessory&#10;C) vagus&#10;D) oculomotor

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which cranial nerve can be stimulated by...

Question 21

Which of the following is a false statement regarding epilepsy?&#10;A) You should restrain someone during a seizure.&#10;B) It is impossible to swallow your tongue during a seizure.&#10;C) Status epilepticus can cause death.&#10;D) People with epilepsy hold jobs with a high degree of responsibility.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is a false...

Deck 32: Epilepsy