6 Months Of Weakness | Weakness and Paralysis (Assessment & Diagnosis) — 52yo Man | Neurology | MCCQE1 Q#13425
MCCQE1 Question #13425
Dimension of Care
Chronic Care
Activity
Assessment & Diagnosis
Objective
Weakness and Paralysis
Section
Medicine / Family Medicine
Subject
Neurology
Last updated: February 2026
A 52-year-old man presents with 6 months of “weakness.” He no longer mows the lawn because he “gets tired,” but he can climb stairs if he rests between flights. He denies dropping objects, tripping, or needing his arms to rise from a chair. He reports poor sleep, low motivation after job loss, and chronic low back pain that improves with sitting. He denies diplopia, dysphagia, numbness, bowel or bladder changes, or weight loss. On examination, cranial nerves, tone, reflexes, sensation, gait, and straight-leg raise are all normal, and motor strength is 5/5 throughout. Which clinical feature best supports fatigue (low energy) rather than true neuromuscular weakness as the primary problem?
Full answer analysis and choices are available inside the practice session.
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