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DSSSB -28 August 2019 (Shift-2)
Pathology & Genetics
Easy

Identify a degenerative disorder characterized by disseminated demyelination of nerve fibres of the brain and spinal cord.

Appeared in: DSSSB -28 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system attacks the myelin sheath of nerves in the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord.
  • This attack causes inflammation and damage, a process called demyelination, which creates scar tissue (sclerosis) and disrupts the transmission of nerve signals.
  • The term "disseminated" is a key descriptor for MS, as the demyelinating lesions are characteristically scattered (disseminated) in different locations within the CNS and appear at different times.
  • Common symptoms resulting from this disruption include fatigue, vision problems (optic neuritis), numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, and problems with coordination and balance.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: Muscular dystrophy is a group of genetic diseases that cause progressive weakness and degeneration of the muscle fibers themselves. It does not involve demyelination of the central nervous system.
  • Option C: Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder that affects the neuromuscular junction, where nerves and muscles communicate. It is caused by antibodies that block or destroy acetylcholine receptors, leading to muscle weakness, but it does not involve demyelination of the brain and spinal cord.
  • Option D: Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary (tau) tangles in the brain. This leads to the death of nerve cells and results in progressive cognitive decline, primarily affecting memory. Its core pathology is not demyelination.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Pathophysiology of Neurodegenerative Disorders as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • Nurses play a crucial role in managing MS by educating patients about the disease, administering medications (such as disease-modifying therapies), helping manage symptoms like fatigue and spasticity, and providing emotional support.
  • Recognizing the signs of an MS relapse (e.g., new or worsening numbness, weakness, or vision changes) is critical for timely intervention, which may include high-dose corticosteroids to reduce nerve inflammation.
  • Patient safety is a key concern, especially regarding fall risk due to muscle weakness, spasticity, or ataxia. Nurses must implement and teach fall prevention strategies.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, break down the question into its key components: 1) a degenerative disorder, 2) characterized by 'disseminated demyelination', and 3) affecting the 'brain and spinal cord' (the Central Nervous System).
  • Focus on the most specific pathological process mentioned: 'disseminated demyelination'. This is the defining feature you need to match.
  • Evaluate each option based on its primary pathology.
  • Eliminate Muscular Dystrophy, as it affects muscle tissue directly, not nerve myelin.
  • Eliminate Myasthenia Gravis, as it affects the neuromuscular junction (acetylcholine receptors), not the myelin sheath.
  • Eliminate Alzheimer's Disease, which involves plaques and tangles, not primary demyelination.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Pathophysiology of Neurodegenerative Disorders
  • Stem keywords: degenerative disorder, disseminated demyelination, nerve fibres, brain and spinal cord
  • Lead-in keywords: Identify
  • Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QFX-xcsvyiDKB2pD1QT__Q

Reference Book

E6 Textbook of Biochemistry for medical StudentsDM Vasudevan Part 2 — Subpart B (pp 240-463 of 478) p. 128-130

E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) p. 822-824

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 1905-1907

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