Neurology: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Neurology

Sample item

Which bedside observation should trigger concern for an acute stroke and rapid specialist assessment?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. New facial droop with unilateral arm weakness

Sudden facial asymmetry and unilateral arm weakness are common focal neurological deficits in acute stroke, where urgent assessment is needed because time-sensitive reperfusion treatment may be possible.

Option by option

  • A. Intermittent earwax symptoms

    Earwax symptoms do not indicate a cerebral vascular event.

  • B. New facial droop with unilateral arm weakness (correct)

    Correct: abrupt focal weakness is a classic stroke warning sign.

  • C. Chronic symmetric knee pain

    Symmetric chronic knee pain is not a focal neurological deficit.

  • D. Gradual toenail thickening

    Nail thickening is a dermatologic issue, not acute stroke.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is B, New facial droop with unilateral arm weakness. Sudden facial asymmetry and unilateral arm weakness are common focal neurological deficits in acute stroke, where urgent assessment is needed because time-sensitive reperfusion treatment may be possible.

Why is "Intermittent earwax symptoms" not the answer?

Earwax symptoms do not indicate a cerebral vascular event.

Why is "Chronic symmetric knee pain" not the answer?

Symmetric chronic knee pain is not a focal neurological deficit.

Why is "Gradual toenail thickening" not the answer?

Nail thickening is a dermatologic issue, not acute stroke.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neurology in General Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct: abrupt focal weakness is a classic stroke warning sign.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Neurology?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.