Nursing Care of Children with Neurological and Sensory Disorders # MCQs Practice set

Q.1 Which of the following is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in children under 5 years?

Neisseria meningitidis
Haemophilus influenzae type b
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Escherichia coli
Explanation - Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children under 5, though Haemophilus influenzae type b incidence has decreased due to vaccination.
Correct answer is: Streptococcus pneumoniae

Q.2 A child with cerebral palsy shows increased muscle tone and hyperactive reflexes. Which type of cerebral palsy is most likely?

Ataxic
Spastic
Dyskinetic
Mixed
Explanation - Spastic cerebral palsy is characterized by increased muscle tone (hypertonia) and exaggerated reflexes (hyperreflexia).
Correct answer is: Spastic

Q.3 Which sensory disorder involves progressive loss of vision due to degeneration of the macula?

Glaucoma
Retinitis pigmentosa
Macular degeneration
Cataract
Explanation - Macular degeneration affects the central portion of the retina (macula), leading to central vision loss.
Correct answer is: Macular degeneration

Q.4 What is the first-line treatment for a febrile seizure in children?

Diazepam
Phenobarbital
Supportive care
Phenytoin
Explanation - Most febrile seizures are benign and require only supportive care, such as ensuring safety and fever control.
Correct answer is: Supportive care

Q.5 Which diagnostic test is most definitive for diagnosing hydrocephalus in children?

CT scan
MRI
Ultrasound
X-ray of the skull
Explanation - MRI provides detailed images of brain structures and CSF pathways, making it the most definitive test for hydrocephalus.
Correct answer is: MRI

Q.6 A child presents with sudden onset of vertigo, nausea, and hearing loss. Which disorder is most likely?

Labyrinthitis
Meniere's disease
Otitis media
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Explanation - Meniere's disease is characterized by vertigo, tinnitus, fluctuating hearing loss, and sometimes a feeling of fullness in the ear.
Correct answer is: Meniere's disease

Q.7 Which neurological disorder in children is characterized by sudden, brief, repetitive movements or vocalizations?

Tourette syndrome
Autism spectrum disorder
ADHD
Oppositional defiant disorder
Explanation - Tourette syndrome is defined by motor and vocal tics that are sudden, repetitive, and involuntary.
Correct answer is: Tourette syndrome

Q.8 What is the hallmark sign of increased intracranial pressure in infants?

Bulging fontanelle
Seizures
Nausea
Photophobia
Explanation - A bulging anterior fontanelle is an early and sensitive indicator of increased intracranial pressure in infants.
Correct answer is: Bulging fontanelle

Q.9 Which therapy is most beneficial for a child with sensorineural hearing loss?

Hearing aids
Cochlear implants
Antibiotics
Speech therapy alone
Explanation - Cochlear implants are recommended for children with severe sensorineural hearing loss to restore hearing function.
Correct answer is: Cochlear implants

Q.10 Which neurotransmitter is primarily deficient in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

Dopamine
Serotonin
GABA
Acetylcholine
Explanation - ADHD is associated with dysregulation of dopamine and norepinephrine pathways in the brain.
Correct answer is: Dopamine

Q.11 Which congenital disorder involves incomplete closure of the spinal column, often resulting in lower limb paralysis?

Spina bifida
Hydrocephalus
Cerebral palsy
Muscular dystrophy
Explanation - Spina bifida is a neural tube defect where the spinal column fails to close completely, leading to neurological deficits.
Correct answer is: Spina bifida

Q.12 A child with a history of head trauma presents with repetitive, brief episodes of loss of awareness and subtle body movements. Which seizure type is most likely?

Absence seizure
Tonic-clonic seizure
Myoclonic seizure
Atonic seizure
Explanation - Absence seizures are characterized by sudden, brief lapses in awareness, often with subtle motor signs.
Correct answer is: Absence seizure

Q.13 Which of the following is the most common cause of acquired blindness in children worldwide?

Retinopathy of prematurity
Cataract
Glaucoma
Vitamin A deficiency
Explanation - Vitamin A deficiency is a major preventable cause of blindness in children, particularly in developing countries.
Correct answer is: Vitamin A deficiency

Q.14 Which assessment tool is commonly used to evaluate consciousness levels in children with neurological disorders?

Glasgow Coma Scale
APGAR score
Denver Developmental Screening
Braden Scale
Explanation - The Glasgow Coma Scale assesses eye, verbal, and motor responses to determine level of consciousness in children.
Correct answer is: Glasgow Coma Scale

Q.15 Which visual impairment is characterized by clouding of the lens in children?

Cataract
Glaucoma
Retinitis pigmentosa
Strabismus
Explanation - Cataract refers to opacity of the lens, causing decreased vision and may be congenital or acquired.
Correct answer is: Cataract

Q.16 What is the primary nursing intervention for a child experiencing a seizure?

Insert a tongue depressor
Protect the child from injury
Administer oral medications immediately
Restrain the child
Explanation - During a seizure, the priority is safety: removing nearby hazards, cushioning the head, and monitoring airway and breathing.
Correct answer is: Protect the child from injury

Q.17 Which childhood neurological disorder is associated with excessive, non-purposeful movements, often triggered by emotional stress?

Tourette syndrome
Dystonia
Ataxia
Chorea
Explanation - Chorea is characterized by irregular, involuntary, sudden movements that may worsen with stress, seen in disorders like rheumatic fever.
Correct answer is: Chorea

Q.18 Which part of the ear is primarily affected in conductive hearing loss?

Cochlea
Middle ear
Auditory nerve
Inner ear hair cells
Explanation - Conductive hearing loss occurs due to obstruction or damage to the outer or middle ear, preventing sound transmission to the inner ear.
Correct answer is: Middle ear

Q.19 Which nursing intervention is important for a child with spina bifida to prevent skin breakdown?

Frequent repositioning
Low-sodium diet
Cognitive stimulation
Daily weight monitoring
Explanation - Children with spina bifida may have reduced sensation in lower limbs, increasing risk for pressure ulcers; regular repositioning prevents skin breakdown.
Correct answer is: Frequent repositioning

Q.20 Which type of cerebral palsy is associated with involuntary, uncontrolled, slow writhing movements?

Spastic
Ataxic
Dyskinetic
Mixed
Explanation - Dyskinetic cerebral palsy involves involuntary movements, including dystonia and athetosis, affecting coordination and posture.
Correct answer is: Dyskinetic

Q.21 Which childhood disorder involves gradual loss of peripheral vision due to retinal degeneration?

Retinitis pigmentosa
Cataract
Glaucoma
Strabismus
Explanation - Retinitis pigmentosa is a hereditary disorder leading to progressive degeneration of the retina, causing night blindness and peripheral vision loss.
Correct answer is: Retinitis pigmentosa

Q.22 Which postural sign is commonly observed in children with hydrocephalus?

Sunsetting eyes
Scissor gait
Head tilt
Kyphosis
Explanation - Sunsetting eyes, where the sclera is visible above the iris, is a classic sign of increased intracranial pressure in hydrocephalus.
Correct answer is: Sunsetting eyes

Q.23 Which vitamin deficiency is primarily linked to peripheral neuropathy in children?

Vitamin B1
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin K
Explanation - Vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency can lead to peripheral neuropathy, manifesting as numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness.
Correct answer is: Vitamin B1

Q.24 Which neurological disorder in children is associated with impaired coordination, balance, and unsteady gait?

Ataxia
Dystonia
Chorea
Spastic CP
Explanation - Ataxia involves dysfunction of the cerebellum or sensory pathways, resulting in lack of coordination, balance issues, and gait disturbances.
Correct answer is: Ataxia

Q.25 Which of the following is the most common congenital hearing loss in children?

Sensorineural hearing loss
Conductive hearing loss
Mixed hearing loss
Central auditory processing disorder
Explanation - Congenital sensorineural hearing loss is the most frequent form, often due to genetic factors or intrauterine infections.
Correct answer is: Sensorineural hearing loss