Neuroscience Analysis of Occupational Performance (OCTH 455)
and
Neuroscience (PTRS 850)
Brainstem & Cranial Nerves practice questions

Analyze the behavioral symptoms to determine the neurological correlates of these individual's complaints. Identify the site of each lesion - be as specific as possible. What clinical tests or observations would be appropriate? If you choose to include a diagram in your answer, identify only the relevant structures (not ALL the structures). Provide details of how you reached each of your answers.

1. Ms. Ribbons is a makeup specialist for a major department store. Recently, she has been having trouble at the store; she has found herself losing her balance as she cruises around the counters; she also can't locate customers when they call to her for assistance. She has also had difficulty finding items on shelves, often reaching for an item she sees, and missing the jar or bottle. Additionally, she has had to avoid lifting open bottles from the counter with her left hand because when she does, the bottle beings to shake, and spills all over the place.

   She used to look forward to eating out for lunch, but lately she has lost interest in eating, complaining that the food is prepared poorly and is cooked too much, making it hard to chew.

   Problems at home have also begun. She has had a problem getting her own makeup on evenly. The left blush and eye shadow seems darker, and has to be redone several times. Her left chin and forehead also seem to sag. When she puts on her pantyhose, the right leg never seems to be properly adjusted. This is especially embarrassing when she wears textured hose.

   When you think you have identified the source of problem, read this.

2. Margaret washes windows for large office buildings. She works on a team with three others, and these people spend their days coordinating work responsibilities and they enjoy spending lunchtime together. Since they are outside all day, they are careful to dress to protect themselves from the weather. The other day, Margaret dropped her left glove and they were unable to retrieve it for several hours since they were so high on the scaffolding. She noticed that although her hand looked cold, she couldn't feel the chill. She pressed her hand against her neck and, to her surprise, could feel the cold only when her hand was against the left side of her neck but not the right side. At lunch, she was glad to warm up and get her glove back, but she noticed that she was having trouble swallowing her food, particularly the larger chunks in her soup. After lunch, she felt a bit dizzy and her heart began to race when she began to climb back up onto the scaffolding, so she sat down to rest before going home early.

   When you think you have identified the source of problem, read this.

3. Carlos likes to play golf. Usually he is a very competitive member of his foursome, but his game has been off lately. He has been unable to maintain his well-practiced grip on his favorite clubs (particularly with his right hand), causing the club to slip out of alignment as he begins his swing. Additionally, as all great golfers know, maintaining visual contact with the ball is critical to accurate placement of the ball on the green. Carlos has begun to complain that he sometimes sees two balls, and that occasionally he swings at the 'wrong' one. He has been unable to keep his eyes on the ball as he swings and he has not been able to watch it as it sails to its destination. Today has been particularly hot, and the foursome are all becoming fatigued as they near the final hole. It's at this point that one of the partners notices that Carlos' left eye is crossed.

   When you think you have identified the source of problem, read this.