Page Contents
OVERVIEW
This page is dedicated to organizing various examples of standardized exam questions whose topic is poliomyelitis. While this may seem a odd practice, it is useful to see multiple examples of how poliomyelitis will be characterized on standardized exams (namely the boards and the shelf exams). This page is not meant to be used as a traditional question bank (as all of the answers will be the same), however seeing the classic “test” characterization for a topic 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 poliomyelitis.
- General signs of infection:
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- Classic findings:
- Fasciculations may be present
- Hypotonia: flaccid paralysis.
- Lower motor neuron signs (often asymmetric):
- Muscle atrophy may also be present.
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of reflexes: often asymmetric
- CSF findings show:
- Increased WBCs: lymphocytic pleocytosis
- Slight protein increase
- Normal glucose
QUESTION EXAMPLES
Question # 1
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:
- Cause: the poliovirus.
- Transmission of virus: fecal-oral transmission. Replicates in oropharynx and the small intestine before it spreads to bloodstream. From here it penetrates the CNS.
- Where is the damage: anterior horns of spinal cord (lower motor neuron death).
- Polio vaccine details:
- Salk vaccine: formalin-killed inactivated poliovirus.
- Sabin oral polio vaccine (OPV): live attenuates train
Page Updated: 05.04.2017