Epilepsy: Definition, Classification, Diagnosis, and Management

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT typically a characteristic of the epileptic triad?

Accepted Answer

Hallucinations

Answer

Loss of consciousness

Answer

Motor convulsions

Answer

Cognitive impairment

Question 2

What is the most common type of epileptic seizure?

Accepted Answer

Tonic-clonic seizure

Answer

Absence seizure

Answer

Myoclonic seizure

Answer

Focal seizure

Question 3

What is the primary diagnostic tool used for epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer

Computed tomography (CT) scan

Answer

Blood test

Question 4

Which anticonvulsant medication is commonly used as first-line treatment for generalized tonic-clonic seizures?

Accepted Answer

Valproic acid

Answer

Lamotrigine

Answer

Levetiracetam

Answer

Topiramate

Question 5

What is the primary aim of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in epilepsy management?

Accepted Answer

To minimize the frequency and severity of seizures

Answer

To prevent seizures entirely

Answer

To replace anticonvulsant medications

Answer

To cure epilepsy permanently

Question 6

What is the term used to describe a sudden and unexpected death in a person with epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP)

Answer

Epileptic death

Answer

Cardiorespiratory arrest

Answer

Seizure-related mortality

Question 7

Which type of focal seizure is most prevalent?

Accepted Answer

Simple partial seizure

Answer

Complex partial seizure

Answer

Secondary generalized seizure

Answer

Tonic-clonic seizure

Question 8

In absence seizures, what is the identifying EEG pattern?

Accepted Answer

Generalized spike-and-wave discharges

Answer

Focal spike discharges

Answer

Polyspike and wave complexes

Answer

Hypsarrhythmia

Question 9

For generalized tonic-clonic seizures, what medication is typically prescribed as first-line treatment?

Accepted Answer

Valproic acid

Answer

Carbamazepine

Answer

Phenytoin

Answer

Lamotrigine

Question 10

What is the primary objective of vagus nerve stimulation therapy for epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

To decrease seizure frequency

Answer

To eliminate seizures altogether

Answer

To improve cognitive abilities

Answer

To regulate seizure duration

Question 11

Distinguish between an aura and a seizure:

Accepted Answer

An aura is a sensory warning that precedes a seizure, while a seizure is a disruption of brain function leading to involuntary movements or behaviors

Answer

A seizure is a sensory warning that precedes an aura, while an aura is a disruption of brain function leading to involuntary movements or behaviors

Answer

An aura and a seizure are the same event

Answer

An aura is a subtype of seizure

Question 12

Which type of seizure is most common in children under five years old?

Accepted Answer

Febrile seizure

Answer

Tonic-clonic seizure

Answer

Absence seizure

Answer

Myoclonic seizure

Question 13

Which of the following is **not** a type of seizure?

Accepted Answer

Migraine

Answer

Focal seizure

Answer

Generalized seizure

Answer

Status epilepticus

Question 14

What is the most common cause of epilepsy in adults?

Accepted Answer

Genetics or unknown

Answer

Trauma

Answer

Stroke

Answer

Infection

Question 15

What is the definition of refractory epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Epilepsy that is not controlled by two or more medications

Answer

Epilepsy that is associated with intellectual disability

Answer

Epilepsy that is caused by a genetic defect

Answer

Epilepsy that is associated with multiple seizure types

Question 16

What is the most common type of focal seizure?

Accepted Answer

Simple focal seizure

Answer

Complex focal seizure

Answer

Secondary generalized seizure

Answer

Absence seizure

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a recommended intervention for managing epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Answer

Ketogenic diet

Answer

Vagus nerve stimulation

Answer

Surgery

Question 18

Which theory best explains the development and spread of an epileptic focus?

Accepted Answer

Abnormal neuronal excitability and synchronization

Answer

Structural abnormalities in the brain

Answer

Inflammatory changes in the brain

Answer

Neurotransmitter imbalances

Question 19

Which of the following is the most common type of seizure in adults?

Accepted Answer

Tonic-clonic seizures

Answer

Absence seizures

Answer

Myoclonic seizures

Answer

Atonic seizures

Question 20

What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism underlying most seizures?

Accepted Answer

Excessive neuronal excitation

Answer

Increased neuronal inhibition

Answer

Reduced neurotransmitter release

Answer

Altered ion channel function

Question 21

Which EEG pattern is characteristic of absence seizures?

Accepted Answer

Spike-and-wave discharges

Answer

Polyspike-and-wave discharges

Answer

Generalized tonic-clonic discharges

Answer

Myoclonic jerks

Question 22

What is the first-line medication for the treatment of generalized tonic-clonic seizures?

Accepted Answer

Valproic acid

Answer

Levetiracetam

Answer

Lamotrigine

Answer

Topiramate

Question 23

What is the surgical procedure of choice for patients with medically intractable focal epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Resective surgery

Answer

Vagotomy

Answer

Corpus callosotomy

Answer

Deep brain stimulation

Question 24

What is the most accurate diagnostic test for epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

EEG recording

Answer

MRI scan

Answer

CT scan

Answer

Blood test

Question 25

Which mechanisms are primarily responsible for the epileptiform discharges seen on EEG in epilepsy patients?

Accepted Answer

Increased neuronal excitability in the epileptogenic zone

Accepted Answer

Reduced inhibitory activity in the epileptogenic zone

Answer

Abnormal neurogenesis in the hippocampus

Answer

Glial cell dysfunction

Question 26

What is the term for a seizure that affects only one localized area of the brain?

Accepted Answer

Focal seizure

Answer

Generalized seizure

Answer

Absence seizure

Answer

Myoclonic seizure

Question 27

Which of the following electroencephalography (EEG) findings is typically seen in absence seizures?

Accepted Answer

3 Hz spike-and-wave discharges

Answer

Generalized spike-and-wave discharges

Answer

Polyspike discharges

Answer

Focal sharp waves

Question 28

Which of the following factors is a known risk factor for developing epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Head injury

Answer

Diabetes

Answer

Obesity

Answer

Hypertension

Question 29

In epilepsy management, what are the main pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, along with their respective benefits and drawbacks?

Accepted Answer

Pharmacological: Antiepileptic drugs; Non-Pharmacological: Surgery, Vagus nerve stimulation

Answer

Pharmacological: Benzodiazepines; Non-Pharmacological: Ketogenic diet, Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Answer

Pharmacological: Anticonvulsants; Non-Pharmacological: Acupuncture, Meditation

Answer

Pharmacological: Antibiotics; Non-Pharmacological: Electrical stimulation, Deep brain stimulation

Question 30

Which type of epilepsy is most prevalent in adults?

Accepted Answer

Temporal lobe epilepsy

Answer

Absence seizures

Answer

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

Answer

Generalized tonic-clonic seizures

Question 31

Which potential adverse effect is associated with antiepileptic medication?

Accepted Answer

Hepatotoxicity

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Hypotension

Question 32

What is the primary diagnostic tool for epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Answer

Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

Answer

Computed tomography (CT) scan

Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Question 33

Which type of status epilepticus involves altered consciousness without convulsive activity?

Accepted Answer

Nonconvulsive status epilepticus

Answer

Generalized status epilepticus

Answer

Focal status epilepticus

Answer

Febrile status epilepticus

Question 34

What is the predominant cause of epilepsy in children?

Accepted Answer

Idiopathic epilepsy

Answer

Infection

Answer

Trauma

Question 35

Which seizure type involves localized and specific symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Simple partial seizure

Answer

Myoclonic seizure

Answer

Generalized tonic-clonic seizure

Answer

Absence seizure

Question 36

What is the initial treatment of choice for most epilepsy types?

Accepted Answer

Antiepileptic drugs

Answer

Vagus nerve stimulation

Answer

Surgery

Answer

Ketogenic diet

Question 37

What is the characteristic EEG pattern seen in absence seizures?

Accepted Answer

Bilateral symmetrical 3 Hz spike-and-wave discharge

Answer

Generalized spike-and-wave discharge

Answer

Focal sharp waves

Question 38

What is the first-line medication for treating focal epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Levetiracetam

Answer

Lamotrigine

Answer

Phenytoin

Answer

Valproic acid

Question 39

Which of the following is the most common type of epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Generalized tonic-clonic seizures

Answer

Absence seizures

Answer

Myoclonic seizures

Question 40

What is the recommended first-line treatment for status epilepticus?

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines

Answer

Surgery

Answer

Anticonvulsants

Question 41

What is the approximate prevalence of epilepsy in the United States?

Accepted Answer

1-2%

Answer

3-4%

Answer

<1%

Answer

>5%

Question 42

What is the primary goal of epilepsy management?

Accepted Answer

Seizure control

Answer

Cognitive rehabilitation

Answer

Prevention of complications

Answer

Improved quality of life

Question 43

Which of the following is a type of intractable epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome

Answer

Childhood absence epilepsy

Answer

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

Answer

Benign rolandic epilepsy

Question 44

Which of the following is the most common type of epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Focal epilepsy

Answer

Myoclonic epilepsy

Answer

Generalized epilepsy

Answer

Absence epilepsy

Question 45

What is the characteristic EEG pattern of a generalized tonic-clonic seizure?

Accepted Answer

Bilateral, synchronous spike-and-wave discharges

Answer

Focal spikes

Answer

Unilateral, asynchronous spike-and-wave discharges

Answer

Polyspike-and-wave complexes

Question 46

Which of the following is a risk factor for developing epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Head injury

Answer

Old age

Answer

Diabetes mellitus

Answer

Hypertension

Question 47

What is the first-line treatment for most types of epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Anticonvulsant medication

Answer

Ketogenic diet

Answer

Vagus nerve stimulation

Answer

Surgery

Question 48

Which of the following is a contraindication to the use of valproate in epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Pregnancy

Answer

Co-administration with lamotrigine

Answer

Infants under 2 years old

Answer

History of liver disease

Question 49

What is the recommended duration of anticonvulsant therapy after a first unprovoked seizure?

Accepted Answer

At least 5 years

Answer

Indefinite

Answer

1 year

Answer

3 years

Question 50

What is the surgical treatment of choice for intractable focal epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Temporal lobectomy

Answer

Multiple subpial transection

Answer

Vagus nerve stimulation

Answer

Corpus callosotomy

Question 51

What is the prognosis for a patient with newly diagnosed focal epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Good

Answer

Poor

Answer

Fair

Answer

Depends on the seizure type