Question 1

It is a rare, genetically transmitted disorder that involves twitching movements, dementia, and death. Its symptoms begin to appear in childhood to late in life, and onset most typically occurs during midlife. What is it?
A) Huntington's disease
B) Alzheimer's disease
C) Parkinson's disease
D) Meningitis

Accepted Answer

The description matches the symptoms of Huntington's disease, which is a rare genetic disorder that causes involuntary movements, cognitive decline, and eventually leads to death. It typically starts to appear during mid-life but can also develop in childhood or later in life. Alzheimer's disease is a different form of dementia that does not typically involve involuntary movements, and Parkinson's disease primarily affects movement and does not usually cause dementia. Meningitis is an infection that can cause inflammation of the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord but does not match the other symptoms described in the question.

Question 2

Why might having AIDS produce dementia?
A) Most people with AIDS have a history of Alzheimer's disease.
B) Most people with AIDS are over age 65.
C) The AIDS virus narrows the capillary walls and produces infarctions.
D) The AIDS virus invades the brain and affects mental processes.

Accepted Answer

The AIDS virus can invade the brain and affect mental processes, leading to the development of dementia.

Question 3

What is the fourth leading cause of dementia caused by degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, and characterized by progressive decline in language and behavior?
A) frontotemporal lobar degeneration
B) Parkinson's disease
C) Huntington's disease
D) encephalitis

Accepted Answer

Frontotemporal lobar degeneration is the fourth leading cause of dementia and is characterized by degeneration in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, leading to a gradual decline in language and behavior. Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease are also neurodegenerative diseases, but they primarily affect movement and are not typically associated with language and behavior decline. Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain, which can cause a range of symptoms but is not typically associated with dementia.

Question 4

As we age, neurons are gradually lost, the brain becomes smaller, and information is processed more slowing. For some, this brain atrophy leads to ____.
A) enlarged ventricles
B) depression
C) anxiety
D) declining memory

Accepted Answer

Declining memory is a common symptom of brain atrophy, which is the gradual loss of neurons and shrinkage of the brain that occurs with age.

Question 5

Approximately 87% of all strokes are the result of ____.
A) reduced blood flow
B) blood vessels bursting
C) leakage of blood into the brain
D) vascular cognitive impairment

Accepted Answer

Approximately 87% of all strokes are ischemic strokes, which occur due to reduced blood flow to the brain.

Question 6

The cause of Alzheimer's disease is ____.
A) believed to include hereditary and environmental factors
B) excessive drinking leading to encephalopathy
C) the natural aging process
D) excessive blood flow in the brain

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, rather than the other options listed.

Question 7

Which medications are sometimes prescribed to alleviate the depression associated with stroke?
A) B vitamins
B) fluoxetine
C) benzodiazepine
D) lithium carbonate

Accepted Answer

fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), is sometimes prescribed to alleviate depression associated with stroke. It can help increase levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is often low in people with depression. B vitamins may also be helpful, but they are not typically prescribed specifically for depression after stroke. Benzodiazepines and lithium carbonate are not commonly used to treat depression after stroke.

Question 8

Which of the following organic brain disorders are incurable and always fatal?
A) Alzheimer's disease and meningitis
B) Huntington's disease and stroke
C) stroke and meningitis
D) Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease

Accepted Answer

Both Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease are incurable and always fatal. While treatments can help manage symptoms, there is no known cure for these disorders. Meningitis and stroke, on the other hand, can sometimes be treated or managed effectively, particularly if caught early.

Question 9

Skip undergoes a surgical procedure in which electrodes are implanted in his brain to reduce his tremors and other motor disturbances. Which disorder is most likely being treated?
A) Huntington's disease
B) Cerebral vascular disorder
C) Parkinson's disease
D) Alzheimer's disease

Accepted Answer

Deep brain stimulation, involving the implantation of electrodes, is commonly used to treat Parkinson's disease to help reduce tremors and improve motor function.

Question 10

A handout on Alzheimer's disease says, "Alzheimer's is the third leading cause of dementia in older persons. It only affects the elderly, it causes marked deterioration in mental functioning without emotional disturbances, and it has no cure." Which portion of this statement is accurate?
A) It is accurate to say that Alzheimer's only affects the elderly.
B) It is accurate to say that Alzheimer's has no cure.
C) It is accurate to say that Alzheimer's is the third leading cause of dementia.
D) It is accurate to say that Alzheimer's does not cause emotional disturbances.

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease currently has no cure, although treatments are available to manage symptoms.

Question 11

A physician says, "Most people know that AIDS leaves people open to deadly infections, but few are aware that cognitive impairment may be the first sign of HIV infection or AIDS. In serious cases, a diagnosis of AIDS delirium complex (ADC) is made. Prevalence of ADC among persons with HIV infection is between 30 to 40 percent in Western countries. Recently, medications have proven to improve symptoms of ADC once they develop." What about the physician's comments is correct?
A) Cognitive impairment may be the first sign of HIV infection or AIDS.
B) In serious cases, a diagnosis of AIDS delirium complex (ADC) is made.
C) Medications have proven to improve symptoms of ADC.
D) Prevalence of ADC among persons with HIV infection is between 30 to 40 percent.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A physician says, "Most people know that...

Question 12

Which statement about strokes is correct?
A) They rarely happen in people under age 65.
B) They are the leading cause of dementia.
C) They are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.
D) They are caused by an expansion of blood cells.

Accepted Answer

Strokes are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Option A is incorrect as strokes can happen at any age. Option B is incorrect as while strokes can contribute to cognitive decline, they are not the leading cause of dementia. Option D is incorrect as strokes are caused by a blockage or rupture of blood vessels, not an expansion of blood cells.

Question 13

Parkinson's disease is diagnosed ____.
A) more in men than in women
B) more in women than in men
C) only in men
D) equally across genders

Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease is diagnosed more frequently in men than in women, with men being about 1.5 times more likely to develop the disease.

Question 14

According to the Rand Corporation (2010) ____ of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan report experiencing probable traumatic brain injury (TBI).
A) 10 percent
B) 20 percent
C) 30 percent
D) 40 percent

Accepted Answer

According to the Rand Corporation (2010), 20 percent of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan report experiencing probable traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Question 15

Sybil becomes somewhat dazed as she hits her head against an open cabinet door. She has experienced the mildest form of head injury, known as a ____.
A) cerebral laceration
B) contusion
C) concussion
D) stroke

Accepted Answer

A concussion is a mild form of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that occurs after a blow or jolt to the head. It can cause a variety of symptoms including dizziness, headache, and confusion, but is generally not life-threatening. Cerebral lacerations and contusions are more severe forms of head injury, while a stroke is caused by a disruption of blood flow to the brain and is not related to trauma.

Question 16

Dr. Wayne says during a case conference, "We know that the patient's cognitive disorder is caused by an infectious agent. That automatically rules out ____ as a primary cause."
A) syphilis
B) encephalitis
C) AIDS dementia
D) Huntington's disease

Accepted Answer

Huntington's disease is a genetic disorder, not caused by an infectious agent, unlike the other options listed.

Question 17

Neurofibrillary tangles, memory loss, and beta-amyloid plaques are most related to ____.
A) Huntington's disease
B) epilepsy
C) Parkinson's disease
D) Alzheimer's disease

Accepted Answer

Neurofibrillary tangles, memory loss, and beta-amyloid plaques are hallmark features of Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline.

Question 18

Rozee suffered a stroke when blood leaked into the brain after a blood vessel burst. This type of stroke is called a(n) ____ stroke.
A) atherosclerotic
B) hemorrhagic
C) blockage
D) traumatic

Accepted Answer

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and leaks blood into the surrounding tissue.

Question 19

Current research suggests that genetic factors ____.
A) cause nearly all cases of Alzheimer's
B) have no appreciable impact on Alzheimer's risk
C) are associated with early-onset Alzheimer's
D) function as protective factors not risk factors

Accepted Answer

Genetic factors, particularly mutations in certain genes, are associated with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, which occurs in people typically under the age of 65.

Question 20

Normal age changes in the brain and occasional lapses in memory ____.
A) are common in healthy adults
B) are uncommon in healthy adults
C) warrant a minor neurocognitive disorder diagnosis
D) produce insignificant changes

Accepted Answer

Normal age-related changes in the brain and occasional memory lapses are common in healthy adults as part of the aging process.

Quiz 12: Neurocognitive Disorders

It is a rare, genetically transmitted disorder that involves twitching movements, dementia, and death. Its symptoms begin to appear in childhood to late in life, and onset most typically occurs during midlife. What is it?

Why might having AIDS produce dementia?

What is the fourth leading cause of dementia caused by degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, and characterized by progressive decline in language and behavior?

As we age, neurons are gradually lost, the brain becomes smaller, and information is processed more slowing. For some, this brain atrophy leads to ____.

Approximately 87% of all strokes are the result of ____.

The cause of Alzheimer's disease is ____.

Which medications are sometimes prescribed to alleviate the depression associated with stroke?

Which of the following organic brain disorders are incurable and always fatal?

Skip undergoes a surgical procedure in which electrodes are implanted in his brain to reduce his tremors and other motor disturbances. Which disorder is most likely being treated?

A handout on Alzheimer's disease says, "Alzheimer's is the third leading cause of dementia in older persons. It only affects the elderly, it causes marked deterioration in mental functioning without emotional disturbances, and it has no cure." Which portion of this statement is accurate?

Which statement about strokes is correct?

Parkinson's disease is diagnosed ____.

According to the Rand Corporation (2010) ____ of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan report experiencing probable traumatic brain injury (TBI) .

Sybil becomes somewhat dazed as she hits her head against an open cabinet door. She has experienced the mildest form of head injury, known as a ____.

Dr. Wayne says during a case conference, "We know that the patient's cognitive disorder is caused by an infectious agent. That automatically rules out ____ as a primary cause."

Neurofibrillary tangles, memory loss, and beta-amyloid plaques are most related to ____.

Rozee suffered a stroke when blood leaked into the brain after a blood vessel burst. This type of stroke is called a(n) ____ stroke.

Current research suggests that genetic factors ____.

Normal age changes in the brain and occasional lapses in memory ____.