Question 1

Which of the following best describes the main function of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)?

Accepted Answer

It links the central nervous system (CNS) with the body and external environment, detecting sensory stimuli and delivering them to the CNS.

Question 2

A patient presents with loss of sensation in the anterior thigh and weakness in extending the knee. Which nerve is most likely affected?

Accepted Answer

Femoral nerve

Question 3

Which cranial nerve is responsible for transmitting auditory and equilibrium information to the brain?

Accepted Answer

Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII)

Question 4

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the structure of a mixed spinal nerve?

Accepted Answer

It contains both sensory and motor axons.

Question 5

A person is unable to abduct their arm and has numbness over the deltoid region. Which nerve is most likely damaged?

Accepted Answer

Axillary nerve

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the function of the phrenic nerve?

Accepted Answer

It supplies motor signals to the diaphragm, driving ventilation.

Question 7

Which type of sensory receptor is responsible for detecting painful stimuli such as a burn?

Accepted Answer

Nociceptor

Question 8

A patient with Bell’s palsy would most likely experience which of the following symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Weakness or paralysis of facial muscles on one side

Question 9

Which of the following best explains why capsaicin cream can relieve neuropathic pain?

Accepted Answer

Capsaicin opens ligand-gated ion channels in nociceptors, causing desensitization with repeated application.

Question 10

Which of the following is a characteristic of rapidly adapting sensory receptors?

Accepted Answer

They respond rapidly with high intensity but stop sending signals after a certain period.

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the pathway of a simple stretch reflex, such as the patellar reflex?

Accepted Answer

A sensory neuron synapses directly on an alpha motor neuron in the spinal cord, causing contraction of the stretched muscle.

Question 12

Which of the following is TRUE about the Babinski sign?

Accepted Answer

It is an abnormal extension of the hallux and splaying of the other toes in response to stroking the foot, indicating upper motor neuron damage in adults.

Question 13

Which of the following best explains why the fingertips have a higher two-point discrimination ability than the forearm?

Accepted Answer

Fingertips have smaller receptive fields and more sensory neurons.

Question 14

Which nerve is most likely to be affected in carpal tunnel syndrome, resulting in numbness and tingling in the lateral three and a half fingers?

Accepted Answer

Median nerve

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the function of the Golgi tendon reflex?

Accepted Answer

It causes a muscle to relax when tension becomes too great, protecting muscles and tendons from damage.

Question 16

A patient presents with loss of sensation in the skin over the lateral forearm and weakness in elbow flexion. Which nerve is most likely affected?

Accepted Answer

Musculocutaneous nerve

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the role of alpha (α) motor neurons?

Accepted Answer

They stimulate skeletal muscle fibers to contract.

Question 18

Which of the following is a function of the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X)?

Accepted Answer

Sensory and motor innervation to thoracic and abdominal organs

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the effect of upper motor neuron lesions?

Accepted Answer

They initially cause spinal shock (paralysis), followed by spasticity and increased stretch reflexes.

Question 20

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the organization of the brachial plexus?

Accepted Answer

The posterior cord gives rise to the axillary and radial nerves.

Peripheral Nervous System: Structure, Function, and Clinical Relevance

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