30 Jan Which of the following

Module 7 Case Study

Question 1

Scott, a 37-year-old elementary teacher, is seeing his general practitioner for complaints of general weakness, especially in his lower extremities. He has also been feeling very fatigued lately and has trouble keeping up with his students throughout his work day. His physician notes that he has lost a significant amount of weight in the last 6 months. Scott reports that even simple tasks, such as brushing his hair and getting dressed, can seem like a chore. He has trouble climbing stairs because of his weakness and notices that his speech is slurred, especially at the end of the day.

Scott’s physician uses a tongue depressor during his physical examination and Scott begins to gag and has difficulty swallowing. His physician notes muscle wasting and abnormal spasticity in upper and lower extremities bilaterally. All reflexes are normal except the Babinski reflex. Scott’s toes fan out when the sole of his feet are stroked with the reflex hammer.

Scott’s symptoms are primarily related to problems with:

Question 2

Because Scott’s symptoms are progressively getting worse over a period of several months, we can rule out which of the following diagnoses?

Question 3

Scott’s physician believes he may have ALS. Briefly describe this condition in your own words.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT an early symptom of ALS?

Question 5

What are the major differences between ALS and MS, physiologically? Describe any pathological differences you find in your research.

Question 6

Scott has a positive Babinski reflex. What is the significance of this? What does a positive Babinski reflex mean in adult patients?

Question 7

ALS stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. What does “amyotrophic” mean? What is happening to the body (physiologically) if it is experience “amyotrophic” changes?

Question 8

ALS stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. What is the word “lateral” referring to in this case?

Question 9

The motor neurons affected by ALS are found in the spinal nerves and peripheral branches of those spinal nerves only.

Question 10

Which of the following statements regarding ALS is true?

Question 11

Russell is 72 years old and is still working part-time as a professor. He has noticed some arm and hand shaking in the past year, but assumed it must be related to low or high blood sugar levels because he has had some issues with that in the past. However, the shaking/twitching has become more consistent lately and does not seem to be correlated with his diet. Russell’s doctor said that the stress of his job could be the problem, so he took the entire summer off from teaching.

When he returned to work in the fall, Russell and his students noticed that his handwriting has become nearly illegible. Drinking a cup of coffee without spilling had also become a challenge. Russell returned to his doctor, who performed a physical exam and a few tests. Here are the notable results: shuffling gait, mild bradykinesia, mild voice tremor, intermittent rigidity of the limbs, and normal EEG.

If Russell is having symptoms in his upper extremities, lower extremities, and his speech is slurred, which of the following body regions is most likely experiencing a pathology?

Question 12

Russell’s physician suspects that he may have Parkinson’s disease. List at least two other diagnoses that could fit Russell’s history and test results.

Question 13

Which of Russell’s physical exam findings could be related to a brain condition?

Question 14

Shuffling gait is often associated with Parkinson’s disease. Which of these symptoms is NOT another common sign of Parkinson’s disease?

Question 15

Russell’s physician decides to follow-up with an MRI. If he does have Parkinson’s disease, his MRI may show degeneration in which part of the brain?

Question 16

Parkinson’s disease involves the loss of a particular neurotransmitter. Which neurotransmitter is involved and how is it associated with the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a treatment option for Parkinson’s disease?

Question 18

If Russell is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and chooses not to pursue treatment, what is his prognosis?

Question 19

What does the term “neurodegenerative” mean? Briefly describe this term in your own words. (Do not copy a definition.)

Question 20

Which of the following statements is true regarding Parkinson’s disease?