AMC MCQ - Australian Medical Council Multiple Choice Questions Neurology and Mental Health Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 68-year-old man is brought to the emergency department with a sudden onset of left-sided facial droop, arm weakness, and slurred speech.
The symptoms started 90 minutes ago.
He has a history of hypertension.
His blood pressure is 170/95 mmHg and his blood glucose is 7.2 mmol/L.
According to Australian stroke guidelines, what is the most crucial next step in management?

Accepted Answer

Perform an urgent non-contrast CT scan of the brain.

Answer

Administer 300mg of aspirin immediately.

Answer

Arrange for an urgent MRI of the brain with diffusion-weighted imaging.

Answer

Commence an intravenous infusion of labetalol to lower his blood pressure.

Question 2

A 34-year-old woman is diagnosed with her first episode of moderate Major Depressive Disorder. She has no other medical or psychiatric comorbidities and is not pregnant. According to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) guidelines, which of the following is considered an appropriate first-line treatment option?

Accepted Answer

A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as sertraline.

Answer

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Answer

A benzodiazepine such as diazepam.

Answer

Lithium carbonate.

Question 3

A 72-year-old man presents with a 2-year history of progressive difficulty with his mobility. His wife reports he has a persistent tremor in his right hand which is most noticeable when he is watching television but improves when he reaches for his cup. On examination, you note a lack of facial expression, a slow, shuffling gait, and 'cogwheel' rigidity in his right arm. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease

Answer

Essential tremor

Answer

Drug-induced parkinsonism

Answer

Multiple system atrophy

Question 4

According to the DSM-5 criteria, which of the following is a core diagnostic feature of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?

Accepted Answer

Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment and a pattern of unstable interpersonal relationships.

Answer

A grandiose sense of self-importance and a need for excessive admiration.

Answer

A pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation.

Answer

A pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of that leads to submissive and clinging behaviour.

Question 5

A 29-year-old woman presents with a history of recurrent headaches. She describes them as a severe, unilateral, pulsating pain that lasts for about 8-10 hours. During the headaches, she feels nauseous and prefers to lie down in a dark, quiet room. She denies any preceding visual disturbances. Based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) criteria, what is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Migraine without aura

Answer

Tension-type headache

Answer

Cluster headache

Answer

Migraine with typical aura

Question 6

A patient with severe schizophrenia is being considered for involuntary treatment under an Australian Mental Health Act because they are deemed to be a serious risk to their own safety. In making this decision, which guiding principle is of primary importance?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring treatment is provided in the least restrictive environment possible.

Answer

The patient's absolute right to refuse treatment.

Answer

The opinion of the patient's family members.

Answer

The availability of a private hospital room for the admission.