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Question 1
Correct
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“Ploidy” is a term used to refer to the number of chromosomes in cells. Cancer cells are commonly:
Your Answer: Aneuploidy
Explanation:Cancer cells most commonly undergo disordered cell growth and cell division. This results in an additional number of chromosomes called aneuploidy. This is a characteristic of cancer cells along with variation in differentiation of the cells.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
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Question 2
Incorrect
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With regards to the cell cycle, which phase represents period of cell growth that divides the end of DNA synthesis and the beginning of somatic cell division?
Your Answer: S Phase
Correct Answer: Gap 2
Explanation:Interphase is divided into three phases: G1 (first gap), S (synthesis), and G2 (second gap). During all three parts of interphase, the cell grows by producing proteins and cytoplasmic organelles. However, chromosomes are replicated only during the S phase. Thus, a cell grows (G1), continues to grow as it duplicates its chromosomes (S), grows more and prepares for mitosis (G2), and finally divides (M) before restarting the cycle.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 3
Incorrect
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Which of the following is NOT a cause of onycholysis?
Your Answer: Porphyria
Correct Answer: Mycoplasma pneumonia
Explanation:Onycholysis is the separation of the distal edge of the nail from the vascular nailbed causing whiteness of the free edge. Causes include:- Idiopathic- Trauma, excessive manicuring- Infection: especially fungal- Skin disease: psoriasis, dermatitis- Impaired peripheral circulation e.g. Raynaud’s- Systemic disease: hyper/hypothyroidism, reactive arthritis, porphyria cutanea tarda- Sometimes a reaction to detergents (e.g. washing dishes with bare hands, using detergent-based shampoos or soaps).- Patients with hepatocellular dysfunction may develop hair-thinning or hair loss and nail changes such as clubbing, leukonychia (whitening), or onycholysis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Dermatology
- Medicine
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Question 4
Correct
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What is the most important way in which heat is lost from the body?
Your Answer: Radiation and conduction
Explanation:The body maintains a constant core temperature by balancing heat loss and heat gain. The mechanisms of heat loss are: radiation, evaporation, convection and conduction. Out of these mechanisms, the most important under normal conditions are radiation, through which body heat is given off to the surrounding atmosphere; and conduction, in which the body releases heat into the objects it comes into contact with.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 5
Correct
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The proportion of individuals within a population affected by disease at a specific time point, based on positive testing for serum antibodies is known as:
Your Answer: Sero-Prevalence
Explanation:In immunology, seroconversion is the time period during which a specific antibody develops and becomes detectable in the blood. After seroconversion has occurred, the disease can be detected in blood tests for the antibody. Sero-prevalence includes individuals who are antibody positive for a specific infection at a specific point in time.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Infectious Diseases
- Medicine
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Question 6
Incorrect
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A 73-year-old female is being reviewed in the osteoporosis clinic. She had a fracture of her left hip 5 years ago and was started on alendronate. Following the development of persistent musculoskeletal pain, alendronate was replaced with risedronate, which was also stopped for similar reasons. Strontium ranelate was therefore started but was also stopped due to the development of deep vein thrombosis in the right leg. Her current T-score is -4.1. A decision is made to start a trial of denosumab. What is the mechanism of action of denosumab?
Your Answer: Monoclonal antibody against osteoprotegerin
Correct Answer: Inhibits RANK ligand, which in turn inhibits the maturation of osteoclasts
Explanation:The principal mechanism by which strontium inhibits osteoclast activity is by enhancing the secretion of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and by reducing the expression of the receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) in osteoblasts.Osteoporosis is defined as low bone mineral density caused by altered bone microstructure ultimately predisposing patients to low-impact, fragility fractures.Management:Vitamin D and calcium supplementation should be offered to all women unless the clinician is confident they have adequate calcium intake and are vitamin D repleteAlendronate is the first-line treatment. Around 25% of patients cannot tolerate alendronate, usually due to upper gastrointestinal problems. These patients should be offered risedronate or etidronate.Strontium ranelate and raloxifene are recommended if patients cannot tolerate bisphosphonates.Other medications that are useful in the treatment of osteoporosis are denosumab, teriparatide, raloxifene, etc.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Pharmacology
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Question 7
Incorrect
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A 70-year-old male presents with chest pain. His past medical history includes hypertension and angina. He continues to smoke about 20 cigarettes per day despite being advised about lifestyle modifications.Blood investigations obtained in the emergency department show:Na+: 133 mmol/lK+: 3.3 mmol/lUrea: 4.5 mmol/lCreatinine: 90 μmol/lWhich among the following is the most likely explanation for the abnormalities seen in the above investigations?
Your Answer: Enalapril therapy
Correct Answer: Bendroflumethiazide therapy
Explanation:The blood investigations in this patient reveal hyponatremia as well as hypokalaemia. Among the options provided, Bendroflumethiazide therapy can cause the above presentation with the electrolyte disturbances. Note:- Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that is associated with hyperkalaemia.- Enalapril therapy can cause side effects of dizziness, hypotension, cough, and rarely a rash.- Felodipine therapy can cause side effects of dizziness, headache, cough, and palpitations.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Pharmacology
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Question 8
Correct
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Humoral immunity is a major defence against:
Your Answer: Viral infections
Explanation:Humoral immunity is provided by the neutralizing and non-neutralizing antibodies that are formed from the B lymphocytes. This form of immunity is most important in viral infection. Non-neutralizing antibodies increases phagocytosis of the infected cell and inhibit the ability of the virus to replicate.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Immunology
- Medicine
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Question 9
Correct
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Presence of which of the following indicates a worse prognosis in rheumatoid arthritis?
Your Answer: Anti-CCP antibodies
Explanation:Rheumatoid arthritis is both common and chronic, with significant consequences for multiple organ systems. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody testing is particularly useful in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, with high specificity, presence early in the disease process, and ability to identify patients who are likely to have severe disease and irreversible damage. However, its sensitivity is low, and a negative result does not exclude disease. Anti-CCP antibodies have not been found at a significant frequency in other diseases to date, and are more specific than rheumatoid factor for detecting rheumatoid arthritis. The other factors that are mentioned do not play a key prognostic role.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Connective Tissue
- Medicine
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Question 10
Correct
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When one of the two copies of the autosomes has a mutation and the protein produced by the normal form of the gene cannot compensate. The affected individual has an:
Your Answer: Autosomal dominant disorder
Explanation:An autosomal dominant trait will be expressed no matter the consequence. If one chromosome has a mutation the other will not be able to compensate for the mutation hence the protein formed will be mutated and will not function properly.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
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Question 11
Incorrect
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The alpha amylases hydrolyse which linkages in the ingested polysaccharides?
Your Answer: 4:1α linkages
Correct Answer: 1:4α linkages
Explanation:Alfa amylase hydrolyses the α (1-4) glyosidic bonds in amylose and amylopectin and leave primarily maltose.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
- Medicine
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Question 12
Correct
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Organophosphates, such as Sarin, have been used as chemical-warfare agents by terrorists. Which of the following statements is true concerning organophosphate poisoning?
Your Answer: Atropine is useful in the management of organophosphate poisoning
Explanation:The principal action of organophosphates is the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase’s, therefore leading to the accumulation of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors (miosis, hypersalivation, sweating, diarrhoea, excessive bronchial secretions), nicotinic receptors (muscle fasciculations and tremor) and in the central nervous system (anxiety, loss of memory, headache, coma). Removal from the source of the organophosphate, adequate decontamination, supplemental oxygen and atropine are the initial treatment measures. Pralidoxime, an activator of cholinesterase, should be given to all symptomatic patients.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Pharmacology
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Question 13
Correct
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In adults, the major site of haematopoiesis is?
Your Answer: The axial skeleton
Explanation:Bone marrow is the flexible tissue in the interior of bones. In humans, red blood cells are produced by cores of bone marrow in the heads of long bones.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology
- Medicine
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Question 14
Correct
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In the microanatomy of the pituitary gland, the pituicytes present are in fact modified forms of which cells?
Your Answer: Astrocytes
Explanation:Pituicytes are glial cells present in the pars nervosa, the posterior pituitary gland. Their irregular shape resembles that of astrocytes, and their cytoplasm also has intermediate filaments. They differ from astrocytes in that they have large cytoplasmic lipid droplets.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 15
Correct
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Which of the following factors serve to decrease cardiac output?
Your Answer: Standing from a lying position
Explanation:Sleep has no effect on the cardiac output. Anxiety, excitement, increased body temperature and pregnancy will increase the cardiac output. Standing from a lying position will decrease the cardiac output transiently.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 16
Incorrect
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The following are synthesized in the liver EXCEPT?
Your Answer: Angiotensinogen
Correct Answer: Cholecystokinin
Explanation:The liver is responsible for the mainstay of protein metabolism, synthesis as well as degradation. It is also responsible for a large part of amino acid synthesis. The liver plays a role in the production of clotting factors as well as red blood cell production. Some of the proteins synthesized by the liver include coagulation factors I (fibrinogen), II (prothrombin), V, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XIII, as well as protein C, protein S and antithrombin. The liver is a major site of production for thrombopoietin, a glycoprotein hormone that regulates the production of platelets by the bone marrow. The liver also produces albumin, the most abundant protein in blood serum and angiotensinogen. Cholecystokinin, previously called pancreozymin, is synthesized and secreted by enteroendocrine cells in the duodenum
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
- Medicine
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Question 17
Incorrect
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During which phase of the cell cycle does DNA synthesis occur?
Your Answer: G1
Correct Answer: S
Explanation:DNA synthesis occurs in the S phase of the cell cycle. In the G1 phase the cell prepares to divide. In G2 the cellular organelles divide and in the M phase mitosis occur. In the G0 phase the cell becomes quiescent and does not divide further
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
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Question 18
Correct
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Question 19
Incorrect
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Digoxin causes:
Your Answer: Negative inotropy
Correct Answer: Increase in cytosolic calcium concentration
Explanation:Digoxin is a positive inotrope which inhibits NA/K ATPase, increases cardiac contractility and can cause hypokalaemia.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 20
Incorrect
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A 20-year-old female has been admitted with an acute infection. She gives a history suggestive of hypersensitivity to amoxicillin. After consultation with the allergy specialist, she has now been diagnosed with an IgE mediated penicillin allergy. Which of the following drugs should be avoided in this patient?
Your Answer: Gentamicin
Correct Answer: Cefalexin
Explanation:Cefalexin should be avoided in this patient.This patient is known to have a severe penicillin allergy. None of the above antibiotics are penicillin based. However, 0.5 – 6.5% of patients who are proven to have an IgE mediated penicillin allergy will also be allergic to cephalosporins, including cefalexin. Penicillin, cephalosporins, and carbapenems are all members of the beta-lactam group of antibiotics and share a common beta-lactam ring. There is, therefore, a small risk of allergy cross-over between all these antibiotics. The rates of allergy cross-over are lower with second and third-generation cephalosporins than first-generation cephalosporins such as cefalexin.It is important to question the patient carefully to ascertain what symptoms they had on exposure to penicillin. Symptoms such as an urticarial rash or itching make it more likely that they have an IgE mediated allergy.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Pharmacology
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Question 21
Incorrect
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The following is true about the carotid arterial supply to the brain:
Your Answer: Direct union with the vertebral artery forms the circle of Willis
Correct Answer: Following carotid occlusion, precapillary anastomoses are unable to prevent infarction
Explanation:The brain has two sources of blood supply; the internal carotid arteries which are the anterior segment or the main artery that supplies the anterior portion of the brain, and the vertebral arteries which is the posterior segment which supplies the posterior portion of the brain. The internal carotid arteries branch and form two major arteries anterior and middle cerebral arteries. The right and left vertebral arteries fuse together at the level of the pons on the anterior surface of the brainstem to form the midline basilar artery. The basilar artery joins the blood supply from the internal carotids in an arterial ring at the base of the brain called the circle of Willis. The anterior and posterior communicating arteries conjoin the two major sources of cerebral vascular supply via the circle of Willis improving the chances of any region of the brain continuing to receive blood if one of the major arteries becomes occluded.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Neurology
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Question 22
Incorrect
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The complex twisting and folding of peptide chains describes which order of protein structure?
Your Answer: Quaternary structure
Correct Answer: Secondary structure
Explanation:Secondary Structure refers to the coiling or folding of a polypeptide chain that gives the protein its 3-D shape. There are two types of secondary structures: the alpha (α) helix and the beta (β) pleated sheet.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Metabolism
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Question 23
Incorrect
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Which of the following forms an important constituent of the brush border on the microvilli of the intestinal epithelium?
Your Answer: Cytoplasmic proteins
Correct Answer: Hydrolases
Explanation:There are certain enzymes which are part of the brush border cells including hydrolases also known as the brush border hydrolases. They perform the final step in digestion of certain nutrients.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
- Medicine
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Question 24
Correct
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A 52-year-old man has squamous-cell carcinoma of his lower lip. Which of the following is most likely to be a feature of this type of carcinoma?
Your Answer: It is capable of metastasising via the lymphatics
Explanation:Squamous-cell skin cancer usually presents as a hard lump with a scaly top but can also form an ulcer. Onset is often over months and it is more likely to spread to distant areas than basal cell cancer vie the lymphatics. The greatest risk factor is high total exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. Other risks include prior scars, chronic wounds, actinic keratosis, lighter skin, Bowen’s disease, arsenic exposure, radiation therapy, poor immune system function, previous basal cell carcinoma, and HPV infection. While prognosis is usually good, if distant spread occurs five-year survival is ,34%
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Dermatology
- Medicine
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Question 25
Correct
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Tumour necrosis factor is a cytokine. What is its major function?
Your Answer: Promotion of inflammation
Explanation:Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is a cytokine that has a wide variety of functions. It can cause cytolysis of certain tumour cell lines; it is involved in the induction of cachexia; it is a potent pyrogen, causing fever by direct action or by stimulation of interleukin-1 secretion; it can stimulate cell proliferation and induce cell differentiation under certain conditions.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Immunology
- Medicine
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Question 26
Correct
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Select the correct statement regarding cholecystokinin (CCK):
Your Answer: It causes gallbladder contraction and pancreatic enzyme secretion.
Explanation:CCK has a primary action of increasing the motility of the gallbladder by contracting the muscles in the mucosa of the gall bladder. Apart from this, it augments the action of secretin, resulting in the production of an alkaline pancreatic juice. It increases the synthesis of enterokinase, inhibits gastric emptying and may also enhance the motility of the small intestine and colon. It is released (secreted) by your small intestine during the digestive process. It’s sometimes called pancreozymin.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
- Medicine
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Question 27
Correct
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Which part of the neuron has the highest concentration of sodium channels per square millimetre of the cell membrane?
Your Answer: Nodes of Ranvier
Explanation:The nodes of Ranvier contain Na+/K+ ATPases, Na+/Ca2+ exchangers and a high density of Na+ channels. The estimated concentration of sodium channels in the node is of ∼1500/μm2.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Neurology
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Question 28
Incorrect
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A 62 year old female complains of pain and stiffness in her shoulders. She also finds it difficult to get out of her chair. From the list of symptoms below, choose the one most likely to support the diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica.
Your Answer: Proximal muscle weakness
Correct Answer: Low grade fever
Explanation:Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disease which usually causes stiffness and pain in the shoulder – this can also occur in the pelvic girdle muscles. Its onset can either be subacute or acute and is associated with a systemic inflammatory response. This, therefore, causes symptoms such as fever, weight loss, anorexia, and malaise. Polymyalgia rheumatica is unpredictable in its course and it is known that 30 per cent of patients also present with giant cell arteritis. The cause of this disease is unknown but studies have shown it have infectious origins. Diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica can be difficult and other inflammatory diseases have to be excluded first. Patients with this disease are usually over 60 years of age (it is very rarely seen in those under 50). Muscle weakness does not present, although this can be hard to assess when the patient is in pain. Low-grade fever and weight loss are typical of this disease due to chronic inflammation. As such, weight gain is very rare and peripheral joints are usually not affected (they can be affected but it is very rare). Also, muscle tenderness is not a specific symptom of the disease – it is therefore not a classical finding of polymyalgia rheumatica. Although patients usually complain of stiffness and pain, the muscles are usually not significantly tender – this is usually more associated with fibromyalgia or myositis. When investigated, a normochromic/normocytic anaemia; a raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate often over 50 mm/hr., and raised C reactive protein are usually revealed. Symptoms of giant cell arteritis should also be sought, such as headaches, visual disturbances, TIAs (transient ischemic attacks), jaw claudication, and thickened temporal arteries. The patient response to a moderate dose of steroids is useful when confirming a diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica. The maximum dose of prednisolone should not exceed 20mg once a day. After treatment, patients should show a 70 per cent improvement in symptoms within a month (between 3-4 weeks). Inflammatory markers should also fall back to their normal levels. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are of little use and are associated with morbidity. There is also little evidence for the use of steroidal-sparing agents.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Geriatrics
- Medicine
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Question 29
Incorrect
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What is the function of basic electrical rhythm
Your Answer: Responsible for the migrating motor complex
Correct Answer: To coordinate peristalsis and other motor activity
Explanation:The basal or basic electrical rhythm (BER) or electrical control activity (ECA) determines the frequency of the contractions in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, thus acting to coordinate peristalsis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
- Medicine
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Question 30
Correct
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Efferent innervation of the muscle spindle is supplied by which type of motor neuron?
Your Answer: Gama – motor neuron
Explanation:The muscle spindle is supplied by both sensory and motor nerves. Sensory supply is via Type Ia fibers whereas the motor supply is via gamma motor neurons.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Neurology
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