American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

Mononeuritis multiplex is characterized by findings in how many separate nerves?

1. Only one nerve

2. Two or more nerves

3. Three or more nerves

4. Only peripheral nerves

The correct answer is: Two or more nerves

Mononeuritis multiplex is a clinical condition characterized by the simultaneous or sequential involvement of two or more peripheral nerves in an asymmetrical manner. It typically presents with patchy neurological deficits affecting distinct nerve distributions rather than a single nerve (which would be characteristic of mononeuropathy) or all nerves (which might suggest polyneuropathy). The key feature of mononeuritis multiplex is this involvement of multiple separate nerves, often leading to a distinctive pattern of motor or sensory loss corresponding to the affected nerves. This condition can be associated with systemic diseases, such as vasculitis, diabetes, or other inflammatory processes that target multiple nerve pathways. The focus on two or more nerves aligns with the definition of mononeuritis multiplex, which differentiates it from conditions affecting just one nerve or presenting with a more generalized pattern involving multiple nerves that would cover a broader spectrum. Thus, recognizing the characteristic finding of multiple nerve involvement is crucial for identifying and understanding the implications of this condition.