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Bell’s Palsy (PG)
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Course Curriculum
1. What cranial nerve is affected in Bell's palsy?
*
Cranial nerve III
Cranial nerve V
Cranial nerve VII
Cranial nerve XII
2. Which of the following is a hallmark sign of Bell’s palsy?
*
Unilateral forehead sparing
Gradual onset over weeks
Pain in both ears
Sudden onset unilateral facial weakness
3. Which viral infection is commonly linked to Bell's palsy?
*
HIV
Varicella zoster
Cytomegalovirus
Epstein-Barr virus
4. What is the first-line treatment for Bell's palsy in primary care?
*
Antibiotics
Oral corticosteroids
Gabapentin
No treatment
5. What is the optimal timing for corticosteroid initiation in Bell’s palsy?
*
Within 72 hours of symptom onset
After 1 week
Only if no improvement
Not needed in mild cases
6. Which of the following symptoms is NOT typical in Bell’s palsy?
*
Difficulty closing the eye
Loss of taste on anterior tongue
Facial droop
Bilateral limb weakness
7. What should be advised to protect the eye in Bell’s palsy?
*
Regular eye exercises
Eye patching and lubricating drops
Steroid eye drops
Dark sunglasses
8. Which part of the face is always affected in Bell’s palsy (unlike stroke)?
*
Jaw
Neck
Forehead
Chin
9. What is the most likely prognosis of Bell’s palsy?
*
Permanent paralysis
Recovery within 6 months in most cases
Lifelong oral steroids
Progressive worsening
10. What symptom would raise suspicion of Ramsay Hunt syndrome rather than Bell’s palsy?
*
Facial weakness
Hyperacusis
Vesicular rash in the ear canal
Loss of taste
11. Which of the following is NOT a common complication of Bell’s palsy?
*
Corneal ulceration
Synkinesis
Facial contracture
Seizures
12. What is synkinesis in the context of Bell’s palsy recovery?
*
Hearing loss
Abnormal nerve regeneration causing involuntary movement
Loss of coordination
Sudden limb movements
13. What other condition must be ruled out in new-onset facial weakness?
*
Stroke
Otitis externa
Trigeminal neuralgia
Tonsillitis
14. Which of these may be helpful adjuncts to aid Bell's palsy recovery?
*
Physiotherapy and facial exercises
Long-term corticosteroids
MRI scan
Speech therapy
15. Which population is at slightly higher risk of Bell’s palsy?
*
Teenagers
Pregnant women
Elderly men
Children under 5
16. What is the significance of bilateral facial palsy?
*
Suggests alternative causes such as Guillain-Barré syndrome
Typical of Bell’s palsy
Indicates full recovery
Rare but benign
17. What initial investigation is required in typical Bell's palsy?
*
MRI brain
Blood cultures
None needed
CT head (to exclude stroke)
18. Which symptom supports a diagnosis of stroke over Bell’s palsy
*
Inability to wrinkle forehead
Weakness in upper and lower face
Forehead sparing with limb weakness
Ageusia
19. What is the likely cause of Bell’s palsy?
*
Immune-mediated nerve inflammation
Brain tumour
Pituitary lesion
Muscle degeneration
20. What role do antivirals play in Bell’s palsy treatment?
*
Always required
No role
Only for bacterial causes
May be used in combination with steroids in severe cases