Neuromuscular and Nervous Systems Flashcards
7 cards from real NPTE-PT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Neuromuscular and Nervous Systems flashcards as text
Which neurotransmitter is deficient in myasthenia gravis and what is the mechanism of dysfunction?
Answer: Acetylcholine; autoimmune destruction of nicotinic receptors
Myasthenia gravis is caused by autoimmune antibodies against nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction, reducing functional receptor availability.
A patient presents with a 'claw hand' deformity with hyperextension at the MCP joints and flexion at the IP joints of the ring and small fingers. Which nerve is injured?
Answer: Ulnar nerve
Ulnar nerve injury causes claw hand of the ring and small fingers due to loss of intrinsic muscle function (lumbricals 3 and 4), resulting in unopposed extrinsic extensor and flexor forces.
During the swing phase of gait, which muscle group is primarily responsible for foot clearance?
Answer: Ankle dorsiflexors
Ankle dorsiflexors (primarily tibialis anterior) lift the foot during swing phase to ensure clearance; weakness results in foot drop and compensatory circumduction or hip hiking.
Which of the following is a characteristic feature of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)?
Answer: Ascending motor weakness with areflexia
GBS is an acute demyelinating polyneuropathy characterized by ascending, typically symmetric motor weakness and areflexia, often following a respiratory or GI infection.
A physical therapist is using PNF techniques with a patient post-stroke. Which PNF technique involves alternating isometric contractions of agonist and antagonist without joint movement?
Answer: Rhythmic stabilization
Rhythmic stabilization involves alternating isometric contractions of opposing muscle groups to improve stability, motor control, and cocontractions without movement.
A patient with cerebellar ataxia demonstrates past-pointing on finger-nose testing. This error in overshooting a target is termed:
Answer: Dysmetria
Dysmetria is the inability to accurately judge distances and control movement termination, causing overshooting (hypermetria) or undershooting (hypometria) of a target.
What is the primary purpose of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) in stroke rehabilitation?
Answer: Force use of the affected limb by restraining the unaffected limb
CIMT restrains the less-affected limb (usually with a mitt or sling) to force intensive use of the affected limb, overcoming learned non-use and promoting cortical reorganization.