Neurology for the AANP FNP exam
Common across all ages. Master headache differentiation with red flags, stroke recognition with tPA window, and Bell palsy treatment. This chapter has 16 topics, a video lecture, an audio lesson, clinical scenarios, exam pearls and a quiz.
What you will learn
- Differentiate primary headaches and recognize SNOOP red flags
- Recognize stroke and apply tPA criteria
- Initiate first-line management for Bell palsy
- Identify status epilepticus
Topics in this chapter
- Headache disordersPrimary headaches (migraine, tension, cluster), red flags (SNOOP), acute and preventive therapy, status migrainosus.
- Seizures and epilepsyFirst seizure workup, focal vs generalized, status epilepticus, AED selection, driving and pregnancy considerations.
- Stroke and TIA (recap)Stroke recognition (FAST/BE-FAST), tPA window, hemorrhagic vs ischemic, secondary prevention (covered in Cardio).
- Peripheral neuropathyDiabetic, B12, alcohol-related, GBS, CIDP, treatment of neuropathic pain.
- Movement disordersParkinson disease, essential tremor, restless legs, tardive dyskinesia, Huntington, dystonia.
- Dizziness and vertigoVertigo differential (BPPV, Meniere, vestibular neuritis, central), Dix-Hallpike, Epley, lightheadedness vs vertigo.
- Multiple sclerosisMS clinical types, MRI criteria, acute attack steroids, disease-modifying therapy overview.
- Cranial nerve disordersCranial nerve palsies (III, IV, VI, VII overview), 3rd nerve palsy with pupil involvement = aneurysm, Horner.
- Neuromuscular disordersMyasthenia gravis, ALS, GBS recap, muscular dystrophy basics, polymyositis vs polymyalgia.
- Traumatic brain injuryConcussion criteria, return-to-play protocol, post-concussive syndrome, severe TBI basics.
- CNS infectionsMeningitis (bacterial, viral, fungal) workup, empiric antibiotics, encephalitis, abscess.
- Dementia and cognitive disorders (recap)Dementia subtypes (recap), MCI, normal pressure hydrocephalus, reversible causes workup.
- Chronic subdural hematoma (the quiet bleed)Chronic subdural hematoma in elderly or anticoagulated patients: gradual cognitive and functional decline, the crescent-shaped bleed on CT, and why a normal early scan does not reassure.
- Medication-overuse (rebound) headacheMedication-overuse (rebound) headache: how frequent use of acute headache drugs creates a self-perpetuating daily headache, the frequency thresholds by drug class, and the withdrawal-based treatment.
- Carpal tunnel syndromeCarpal tunnel syndrome: median nerve compression at the wrist, nocturnal numbness in the thumb and first three fingers, Phalen and Tinel signs, thenar wasting, and the stepwise management ladder.
- Polymyalgia rheumaticaPolymyalgia rheumatica: bilateral shoulder and hip girdle pain and stiffness in older adults, markedly elevated ESR, the dramatic low-dose steroid response, and its tight link to giant cell arteritis.
The full chapter is part of the membership. Open this chapter
Last updated November 4, 2026. Verify exam details against the official AANPCB Candidate Handbook before exam day.