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OVERVIEW
This page is dedicated to organizing various examples of standardized exam questions whose answer is multiple sclerosis. While this may seem a odd practice, it is useful to see multiple examples of how multiple sclerosis will be characterized on standardized exams (namely the boards and the shelf exams). This page is not meant to be used as a tradition question bank (as all of the answers will be the same), however seeing the classic “test” characterization for a disease is quite valuable.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS CONDITION (ON EXAMS)
When it comes to standardized exams, each topic has its own “code” marked by key buzzwords, lab findings, clues, etc. If you are well versed in this code you will be able to more quickly identify the condition that is being discussed, and get the right answer on the exam you are taking. Below is the “code” for multiple sclerosis.
- Heat makes symptoms worse
QUESTION EXAMPLES
Question # 1
A previously healthy 30 year old woman comes to the clinic because she has been experiencing a 1 week history of progressive sensory loss. Initially only her feet felt numb, but now she also has noticed the feeling spreading to her umbilicus. She also explains that she has had urinary urgency and frequency, nocturia. She also has noticed a band like sensation of tightness around her mid-abdominal region. A neurological examination shows saccadic movement of the eyes to the right when the left eye is adducted. The patient has hyperreflexia diffusely, and sensation is decreased to pinprick below the level of the umbilicus. What is a possible diagnosis in this patient?
Explanation # 1
Question # 2
Explanation # 2
TESTABLE FACTS ABOUT THIS TOPIC (BEYOND ITS IDENTIFICATION)
Many questions on standardized exams go beyond simply recognizing the underlying topic. Often there are specific testable facts regarding some aspect of the topic’s pathophysiology/management/clinical implications that are commonly asked. Some of these are listed below:
Page Updated: 01.22.2017