-
Question 1
Correct
-
A 34-year-old known alcoholic male has been found unconscious near a pub. The paramedics that attended to him said he was sweating and surrounded by empty cans of cider. Choose the most appropriate initial investigation from the list of options.
Your Answer: Capillary blood sugar
Explanation:Capillary blood sugar should be tested as alcohol-induced hypoglycaemia can present itself in cases such as these.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency & Critical Care
-
-
Question 2
Incorrect
-
A 45-year-old woman is HIV positive. She is very concerned that she is at increased risk of cancer. Which one of the following cancers is NOT increased in HIV positive people?
Your Answer: Non-small cell lung cancer
Correct Answer: Breast cancer
Explanation:Breast cancer has a lower incidence in HIV positive patients. Seminoma, Hodgkin’s disease, anal cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer are all increased incidence. Memorize this breast cancer fact.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Infectious Diseases
-
-
Question 3
Incorrect
-
Gentamicin is used along with benzylpenicillin in the treatment of infective endocarditis caused by streptococcus viridans. Which of the following mechanisms is present in this case?
Your Answer: Inhibition of protein synthesis (transcription)
Correct Answer: Inhibition of protein synthesis (translation)
Explanation:Gentamicin acts along with benzylpenicillin to inhibit protein synthesis at the level of ribosomes. Indirectly it inhibits the translation process.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
-
-
Question 4
Incorrect
-
Which of the following is the site where B-type natriuretic peptide is mainly secreted?
Your Answer: Atrial myocardium
Correct Answer: Ventricular myocardium
Explanation:B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is secreted mainly from the left ventricle and it is secreted as a response to stretching caused by increased ventricular blood volume.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
-
-
Question 5
Incorrect
-
An 86-year-old woman accidentally inhaled her hearing aid due to her advanced Alzheimer's dementia. Upon clinical examination, her respiratory rate is found to be 35, and thus a bronchoscopy is recommended. According to which of the following would you obtain consent for this patient?
Your Answer: Relatives/next of kin will have to consent for the patient
Correct Answer: The procedure does not require a written consent
Explanation:This is an emergency case regarding a patient with impaired cognitive functioning. This is why the procedure does not require a written consent. In any other case where the patient has a normal mental capacity, the consent would be obtained as an informed written consent. In this case however, the suggested procedure is almost a matter of life and death, the doctor being required to act on behalf of the patient to her optimal advantage. Under English law no other person can consent to treatment on behalf of an adult, though it is desirable that next of kin are consulted before treating an adult without consent. Recent legislation gives legal authority to people appointed by the patient, or by the state, or a relative or carer, to consent (or refuse) on behalf of the patient. A mini-mental score may not adequately identify those unable to give consent.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Geriatric Medicine
-
-
Question 6
Incorrect
-
A 45-year-old female, with 5 day history of fever and pain in the right iliac fossa, presented with acute abdominal pain and rigidity. Past medical, surgical and drug history were unremarkable. The most likely diagnosis will be?
Your Answer: Perforated Meckel's diverticulum
Correct Answer: Perforated diverticulum
Explanation:A diverticulum is a sac like protrusion from the colonic wall. Inflammation leads to diverticulitis characterised by abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. In complicated cases. It may lead to perforation, leading to abdominal tenderness, rigidity and guarding. Ischemic colitis presents with sudden onset abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea. Intussusception leads to abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and signs of intestinal obstruction.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
-
-
Question 7
Correct
-
An 18-year-old girl presents with short history of marked, right hip pain and an associated limp. She has a history of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia for which she completed treatment for last six months.
Your Answer: Avascular necrosis of the femoral head
Explanation:Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is a pathological process that results from disruption of the blood supply to the bone and occurs most commonly in the femoral epiphysis. Patients usually present with pain and limited joint motion. The mechanism involves impaired circulation to a specific area that ultimately becomes necrotic. AVN is most frequently associated with high doses of oral and intravenous corticosteroids and prolonged duration of therapy. Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy are usually also treated with corticosteroids.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Musculoskeletal System
-
-
Question 8
Incorrect
-
A 73-year-old woman attends COPD clinic for review. Her blood gases were checked on her last visit two months back. The test was repeated again today.
The paO2 on both occasions was 6.8 kPa. There is no CO2 retention on 28% O2. She stopped smoking around 6 months ago and is maintained on combination inhaled steroids and long acting b2-agonist therapy.
What is the next best step in management?Your Answer: Continue her current treatment and review in 4 months time
Correct Answer: Suggest she uses an oxygen concentrator for at least 19 h per day
Explanation:Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) > 15 h/day improves survival in hypoxemic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It significantly helps in reducing pulmonary hypertension associated with COPD and treating underlying pathology of future heart failure. There is little to no benefit of oxygen therapy for less than 15 hours.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory System
-
-
Question 9
Incorrect
-
A 69-year-old male with a history of Hepatitis C liver cirrhosis presented with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. He had no symptoms of hypovolaemia. Choose the best treatment option to prevent the patient from developing hepatorenal syndrome.
Your Answer: Neomycin
Correct Answer: Intravenous albumin administration
Explanation:In randomised controlled trials, the administration of albumin has been shown to lower the risk of the hepatorenal syndrome – this is thought to be due to its positive effect on circulatory systems. Diuretics can aid in the prevention of renal failure, but this patient is not showing signs of hypovolaemia. Synthetic disaccharide lactulose is primarily used for the prevention of hepatic encephalopathy, which has no function in preventing hepatorenal syndrome. Limited evidence is available for the use of Neomycin as a treatment for hepatic encephalopathy, but is associated with nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Renal System
-
-
Question 10
Correct
-
A 55-year-old male has complained of severe pain in the right hypochondrium - the pain has been ongoing for the past 24 hours. He describes the pain as coming in waves and it is accompanied by nausea. Nothing he has tried had relieved his pain. His temperature is within the normal range, but he feels hot and is sweating. What is the most appropriate investigation?
Your Answer: US Abdomen
Explanation:A US abdomen would be performed to confirm a diagnosis of biliary colic. A number of symptoms are consistent with this diagnosis: severe right hypochondria pain; pain coming in waves; nausea; no fever; and the absence of jaundice.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency & Critical Care
-
-
Question 11
Incorrect
-
Cholecystokinin is secreted from:
Your Answer: D cells in the pancreas
Correct Answer: I cells in upper small intestine
Explanation:Cholecystokinin (CCK) was discovered in 1928 in jejunal extracts as a gallbladder contraction factor. It was later shown to be member of a peptide family, which are all ligands for the CCK1 and CCK2 receptors. CCK peptides are known to be synthetized in the small intestinal endocrine I-cells and cerebral neurons.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
-
-
Question 12
Incorrect
-
A 32-year-old man, originally from Pakistan, was admitted with ascites and weight loss. The protein level on ascitic tap was 9 g/l.
Which of the following is the most likely cause of this presentation?Your Answer: Tuberculous peritonitis
Correct Answer: Hepatic cirrhosis
Explanation:This is a low protein level, indicating the fluid is transudative. The only answer choice that is a transudative fluid is in hepatic cirrhosis. Exudative fluid would be seen in tuberculous peritonitis, peritoneal lymphoma, with liver mets, and with intra-abdominal malignancy.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Hepatobiliary System
-
-
Question 13
Correct
-
A 43-year-old man is reviewed in the gastroenterology clinic. He has had troublesome dyspepsia for the past six months which has not settled with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. During the review of his systems he also reports passing 6-7 watery stools per day. An OGD 3 weeks ago showed gastric erosions and ulcers.
Which one of the following investigations is most likely to be diagnostic?Your Answer: Fasting gastrin
Explanation:This case describes Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It is characterized by refractory peptic ulcer disease, often multiple ulcers. This is typically caused by secretion of gastrin from a gastrinoma, a neuroendocrine tumour. The most common site of ulceration is the duodenum. A symptom of a pancreatic gastrinoma may be steatorrhea from the hypersecretion of gastrin. Serum gastrin levels > 1000 and a pH < 2 are diagnostic of pancreatic gastrinoma. None of the other answer choices are a better answer than this. CT abdomen may potentially show a tumour, but this is not diagnostic for type.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
-
-
Question 14
Incorrect
-
A 57-year-old female arrives at the emergency due to chest pain, shortness of breath and palpitations. ECG is done which shows a supraventricular tachycardia with a heart rate of 220/min. carotid massage fails to bring the heart rate down. How would you manage this patient?
Your Answer: IV adenosine
Correct Answer: DC shock
Explanation:Synchronized electrical cardioversion may also be used to treat stable ventricular tachycardia (VT) that does not respond to a trial of intravenous medications. Unstable patients with SVT and a pulse are always treated with synchronized cardioversion. The appropriate voltage for cardioverting SVT is 50-100 J. This is what AHA recommends and also SVT converts quite readily with 50-100 J.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
-
-
Question 15
Incorrect
-
A 2-day-old girl is admitted by her mother because she gets cyanotic upon feeding and she wouldn't stop crying. The doctors suspect a congenital heart disease. What is the most probable aetiology?
Your Answer: Coarctation of the aorta
Correct Answer: Transposition of the great arteries
Explanation:Transposition of the great arteries results in a significant hypoxemic status that is observed clinically by central cyanosis. The bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes is therefore the basic pattern of clinical presentation in transposition. Its onset and severity depend on anatomical and functional variants that influence the degree of mixing between the two circulations. Limited intercirculatory mixing, usually present if the ventricular septum is intact or the atrial septal defect is restrictive, is related to progressive and profound central cyanosis evident within the first hours of life. Tachypnoea, tachycardia, diaphoresis, poor weight gain, a gallop rhythm, and eventually hepatomegaly can be then detected later on during infancy. Heart murmurs associated with left outflow tract obstruction, due to a persistent arterial duct or a septal defect may be heard, but they are not a constant finding.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
-
-
Question 16
Correct
-
A 23-year-old woman presents with lethargy. Her bloods show: Hb: 10.4 g/dL Plts: 278 x 10^9/L WCC: 6.3 x 10^9/L MCV: 68 fL Blood film: Microcytic hypochromic RBCs, marked anisocytosis and basophilic stippling noted HbA2: 3.9% What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Beta-thalassaemia trait
Explanation:Individuals with thalassemia major usually develop symptoms within the first two years of life. These infants may fail to thrive and often have difficulty feeding, tire easily and suffer from severe anemia.
The infants may also suffer from diarrhea, irritability, recurrent episodes of fever, and other intestinal problems. These children have trouble gaining weight and growing at the rate expected for their age. Other complications include enlarged spleen, heart and liver and misshapen bones.
In many cases, the symptoms are severe enough to warrant regular blood transfusion to replenish the blood with healthy red blood cells. However, these regular transfusions can lead to a build up of iron in the blood that can damage the heart, liver and endocrine system and chelation therapy may be needed to remove this iron from the body.
Individuals with beta thalassemia trait usually have evidence of microcytosis and increased levels of hemoglobin A2. Hemoglobin F is sometimes elevated as well. Individuals with alpha thalassemia trait usually have evidence of microcytosis and normal levels of hemoglobin A2 and F.
In thalassemia major, the hemoglobin (Hb) level is usually less than 7 g/dl; the mean corpuscolar volume (MCV) less than 70 fl and the mean corpuscolar Hb (MCH) is over 20 pg.
In thalassemia intermedia, the hemoglobin level is between 7 and 10 g/dl; the MCV between 50 and 80 fl and MCH between 16 and 24 pg.
Thalassemia minor is characterized by a reduced MCV and MCH and an increased haemoglobin A2 level.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
-
-
Question 17
Incorrect
-
A 32-year-old woman, with a history of infertility, presented with postoperative bleeding from her abdominal wound. Her full blood count (FBC) and blood film showed hyperleukocytosis and the presence of promyelocytes, along with the following:
Hb: 9.2g/dL
Plts: 932 x 10^9/L
INR: 1.4 (Coagulation profile)
What should be the next step of management?Your Answer: Give hydroxyurea
Correct Answer: Give fresh frozen plasma
Explanation:The patient has acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APML) with associated disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Although the platelet count is high, platelet function is ineffective.
Patients may present, as in this case, with severe bleeding, and the most appropriate emergency treatment would be administration of fresh frozen plasma (FFP).
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
-
-
Question 18
Incorrect
-
A 65-year-old real estate broker presents with a tremor. Which one of the following features would suggest a diagnosis of essential tremor rather than Parkinson's disease?
Your Answer: Unilateral symptoms
Correct Answer: Tremor is worse when the arms are outstretched
Explanation:Difficulty in initiating movement (bradykinesia), postural instability and unilateral symptoms (initially) are typical of Parkinson’s. Essential tremor symptoms are usually worse if arms are outstretched and eased by rest and alcohol.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 19
Incorrect
-
A 25-year-old previously well male presented with chest discomfort and difficulty in breathing while running to the bus. Symptoms disappeared after resting. But the symptoms reappeared whilst he was climbing the stairs. On examination he was not dyspnoeic at rest. BP was 110/70 mmHg and pulse rate was 72 bpm. His heart sounds were normal. There was an additional clicking noise in the fourth left intercostal space which is heard with each heartbeat. Which of the following is the most probable cause for his presentation?
Your Answer: Acute pericarditis
Correct Answer: Spontaneous pneumothorax
Explanation:The given history is more compatible with spontaneous pneumothorax. Left-sided pneumothoraxes may be associated with a clicking noise, which is heard with each heart-beat and can sometimes be heard by the patient.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
-
-
Question 20
Incorrect
-
What is the mechanism of action of sumatriptan?
Your Answer: 5-HT2 antagonist
Correct Answer: 5-HT1 agonist
Explanation:Triptans are specific 5-HT1 agonists used in the acute treatment of migraine. They are generally used as first-line therapy in combination with an NSAID or paracetamol.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
-
SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
