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Question 1
Correct
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An 82-year-old patient presents to the clinic complaining of palpitations. ECG reveals waves with saw-tooth pattern, QRS complex of 80ms duration, a ventricular rate of 150/min and a regular R-R interval. Which of the following is most likely responsible for these findings?
Your Answer: Atrial flutter
Explanation:Atrial flutter is a common supraventricular tachyarrhythmia that is usually caused by a single macroreentrant rhythm within the atria, associated with a sawtooth appearance on the ECG. In stable patients the treatment includes rate control and rhythm control, however in unstable patients, a synchronized cardioversion is required.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 2
Incorrect
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A 48-year-old man is diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. Cytogenetic testing is carried out.
Which one of the following is mostly associated with a poor prognosis?Your Answer: Translocation between chromosome 15 and 17
Correct Answer: Deletions of chromosome 5
Explanation:Deletion of part of chromosome 5 or 7 is a poor prognostic feature for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
AML is the acute expansion of the myeloid stem line, which may occur as a primary disease or follow the secondary transformation of a myeloproliferative disorder. It is more common over the age of 45 and is characterized by signs and symptoms largely related to bone marrow failure such as anaemia (pallor, lethargy), frequent infections due to neutropenia (although the total leucocyte count may be very high), thrombocytopaenia (bleeding), ostealgia, and splenomegaly.
The disease has poor prognosis if:
1. Age of the patient >60 years
2. >20% blasts seen after the first course of chemotherapy
3. Chromosomal aberration with deletion of part of chromosome 5 or 7.Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) is an aggressive form of AML.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 3
Incorrect
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A 49-year-old female presents to the clinic complaining of pain in her left elbow that is localized to the left lateral epicondyle. She has spent the weekend painting her house. A diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis is suspected. The pain would characteristically worsen on which of the following movements?
Your Answer: Pronation of the forearm with the elbow flexed
Correct Answer: Resisted wrist extension with the elbow extended
Explanation:Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is an overuse injury of the hand and finger extensor tendons that originate in the lateral humeral epicondyle that occurs following repeated or excessive pronation/supination and extension of the wrist (e.g., in racquet sports). Clinical features include pain and tenderness over the lateral epicondyle and along extensor muscles, thickening of the tendons. The examiner holds the patient’s hand with the thumb placed over the lateral epicondyle – The patient makes a fist, supinates the forearm, deviates radially, and extends the fist against the examiner’s resistance which results in pain over the lateral epicondyle. Conservative treatment includes rest, physiotherapy and orthotic braces. If this fails corticosteroids and lidocaine injections are employed. Surgery is indicated in patients with persistent symptoms despite 6 months of conservative treatment. Excision of abnormal tendon tissue; longitudinal incisions (tenotomies) in scarred and fibrotic areas to promote healing.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Musculoskeletal System
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Question 4
Correct
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A 74-year-old man presents with left-sided lower abdominal pain. He is obese and admits to a dislike of high fibre foods. The pain has been grumbling for the past couple of weeks and is partially relieved by defecation. He has suffered intermittent diarrhoea.
Blood testing reveals a neutrophilia, and there is also a microcytic anaemia. Barium enema shows multiple diverticula, more marked on the left-hand side of the colon.
Which diagnosis fits best with this clinical picture?Your Answer: Diverticular disease
Explanation:Given that he has diverticula in the clinical scenario combined with his presenting symptoms, it is likely that he has diverticular disease. A low fibre diet would support this diagnosis. Acute diverticulitis would require treatment with antibiotics. Depending on the severity (Hinchey classification) would determine if he needs oral or IV antibiotics, hospital admission or outpatient treatment. Sometimes abscesses or micro perforations occur, which typical require drainage and possibly surgical intervention. Diverticular disease is clearly a better answer than other possible answer choices, simply based on the symptoms presented in the prompt (and mention of low fibre).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
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Question 5
Incorrect
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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: Sideroblastic anaemia
Correct 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.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 6
Incorrect
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A 22-year-old male with exercise induced asthma, has had good control with a salbutamol inhaler. But recently he has had asthma attacks with exercise. Which of the following is the most appropriate management?
Your Answer: Inhaled steroid
Correct Answer: Sodium cromoglycate
Explanation:Steroids and theophylline have less of a role in the treatment of exercise induced asthma. The best method of treatment is pre-exercise short-acting β2-agonist administration. Long-acting β2-agonists, mast cell stabilizers (e.g.: Sodium cromoglycate), and antileukotriene drugs also play a role.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory System
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Question 7
Correct
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A 69-year-old man complains of a significant decrease in weight, SOB, chest pain discomfort and cough. Examination results are constricted left pupil and drooping left eyelid. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Pancoast tumour
Explanation:Destructive lesions of the thoracic inlet is related to the apical lung cancer called Pancoast tumour, along with the involvement of cervical sympathetic nerves (the stellate ganglion) and brachial plexus which can lead to a Horner’s syndrome
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory System
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Question 8
Incorrect
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Which type of lung cancer is most commonly linked to cavitating lesions?
Your Answer: Adenocarcinoma
Correct Answer: Squamous cell
Explanation:Squamous-cell carcinoma is the most common histological type of lung cancer to cavitate (82% of cavitary primary lung cancer), followed by adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma. Multiple cavitary lesions in primary lung cancer are rare, however, multifocal bronchoalveolar cell carcinoma can occasionally have multiple cavitary lesions. Small cell carcinoma is not known to cavitate.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory System
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Question 9
Incorrect
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A kidney, ureter, and bladder (KUB) ultrasound for a hypertensive man with a BP of 160/90 mmHg and proteinuria++ revealed a decrease in size of the kidneys with smooth borders and normal pelvicalyceal system. What is the cause of hypertension in the patient?
Your Answer: Bilateral renal artery stenosis
Correct Answer: Chronic glomerulonephritis
Explanation:Causes of hypertension in bilateral renal artery stenosis are as follows: 90% probable cause is atherosclerosis with manifestations of CAD, TIA or stroke. The other less common cause is fibromuscular dysplasia that includes carotid and vertebral artery with manifestations of headache, TIA, and stroke.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
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Question 10
Correct
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A 52-year-old hypertensive, smoker presents to ER with right side weakness. He gives a history of multiple falls and lack of concentration. What is the most appropriate diagnosis?
Your Answer: Multi-infarct dementia
Explanation:The patient is a heavy smoker and hypertensive which are risk factors of atherosclerosis and cerebrovascular diseases. The acute onset of the weakness and the lateralization indicates a cerebral infarction.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 11
Incorrect
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Which one of the following is least associated with photosensitivity?
Your Answer: Herpes labialis
Correct Answer: Acute intermittent porphyria
Explanation:Sunlight, especially its ultraviolet radiation component, can cause increased or additional types of damage in predisposed individuals, such as those taking certain phototoxic drugs, or those with certain conditions associated with photosensitivity, including:
– Psoriasis
– Atopic eczema
– Erythema multiforme
– Seborrheic dermatitis
– Autoimmune bullous diseases (immunobullous diseases)
– Mycosis fungoides
– Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome
– Porphyria cutanea tarda
Also, many conditions are aggravated by strong light, including:
– Systemic lupus erythematosus
– Sjögren’s syndrome
– Sinear Usher syndrome
– Rosacea
– Dermatomyositis
– Darier’s disease
– Kindler-Weary syndrome
Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) belongs to the group inborn errors of metabolism and most patients with AIP are not light sensitive. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- The Skin
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Question 12
Correct
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A urine culture of a 50-year-old patient with urosepsis has isolated a multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli. What is the most likely reason for the multidrug resistance?
Your Answer: Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production
Explanation:Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) are enzymes that confer resistance to most beta-lactam antibiotics, including penicillins, cephalosporins, and the monobactam aztreonam. Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production is the main reason for multi-drug resistance among E.coli. Commonly used medications to treat ESBL-involved infections include carbapenems (imipenem, meropenem, and doripenem), cephamycins (cefoxitin and cefotetan), Fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin, beta-lactamase inhibitors (clavulanic acid, tazobactam, or sulbactam), non-beta-lactamases and colistin (if all other medications have failed.)
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Infectious Diseases
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Question 13
Incorrect
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A 50-year-old male with a history of type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension presented with exertional dyspnoea and chest pain for 2 weeks. On examination his blood pressure was 145/80 mmHg. On auscultation reversed splitting of the second heart sound and bibasal crepitations were detected. What would be the most likely finding on his ECG?
Your Answer: P pulmonale
Correct Answer: Left bundle branch block
Explanation:When closure of the pulmonary valve occurs before the aortic valve, reversed splitting occurs. The causes of reversed splitting are aortic stenosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, left bundle branch block (LBBB), and a ventricular pacemaker.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 14
Incorrect
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A 45-year-old male presents to A&E, after hitting his car multiple times when reversing. He complains of double vision when he looked back during reversing. He also complains of double vision when looking with an outward gaze. Which is the nerve involved in this patient?
Your Answer: Optic nerve
Correct Answer: Abducent nerve
Explanation:This nerve is responsible for the side to side movement of the eye, hence why damage can cause double vision.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 15
Incorrect
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In last 5 days, an old man has complained of severe left sided headache, which was aggravated by bright lights. He has not vomited but feels nauseated. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Cluster headache
Correct Answer: Migraine
Explanation:Migraine without aura have the following characteristics: Nausea and vomiting accompanied by >5 headaches that last for 4-72 hours, plus any unilateral, pulsating headache or are aggravated by routine daily activities.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 16
Incorrect
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A 26-year-old patient without a known medical history presents to casualty unconscious. What should be done as soon as possible?
Your Answer: CT Scan
Correct Answer: Blood Glucose
Explanation:Blood glucose should be evaluated immediately in order to investigate for diabetic coma triggered by hyperglycaemia or hypoglycaemia.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency & Critical Care
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Question 17
Correct
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Which one of the following is the most common type of Hodgkin lymphoma?
Your Answer: Nodular sclerosing
Explanation:The most common type of Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) is nodular sclerosing.
HL is a malignant proliferation of lymphocytes characterised by the presence of distinctive giant cells known as Reed-Sternberg cells. It has a bimodal age distribution being most common in the third and seventh decades of life.
According to the histological classification, there are four types of HL:
1. Nodular sclerosing: most common (around 70%), more common in women, associated with lacunar cells, good prognosis
2. Mixed cellularity: Around 20%, associated with a large number of Reed-Sternberg cells, good prognosis
3. Lymphocyte-predominant: Around 5%, Reed-Sternberg cells with nuclei surrounded by a clear space found, best prognosis
4. Lymphocyte-depleted: rare, worst prognosis
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 18
Correct
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A 18-year-old male complained of scrotal pain following a game of football. He couldn't recall any trauma to groin. Which of the following is the best investigation to confirm the diagnosis?
Your Answer: USG of the scrotum
Explanation:USG of the scrotum is important to exclude any abnormality with testicles, epididymis and scrotum. This presentation can be acute epididymo-orchitis or testicular torsion. USG of the scrotum will help to confirm the diagnosis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Men's Health
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Question 19
Correct
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Of the following options, which is an absolute contraindication to β blockers?
Your Answer: Heart block
Explanation:The Joint British Societies’ 2005 guidelines list asthma and heart block as ‘compelling contraindications’ to β blockers – this is because complications can occur which can prove to be fatal. All of the other options listed may be exacerbated by β blockers, and so are only considered to be ‘relative’ contraindications.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 20
Incorrect
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The ECG of a 29-year-old female shows an irregular rhythm with a HR of 154 bpm. She presented complaining of heart palpitations and hot flashes for the past 4 days. What is the most likely treatment?
Your Answer: Flecainide
Correct Answer: Beta blockers
Explanation:At 29 years old, the most probable cause of this arrhythmia is thyrotoxicosis. β blockers relieve symptoms such as tachycardia, tremor, and anxiety in thyrotoxic patients. β blockade should be used as the primary treatment only in patients with thyrotoxicosis due to thyroiditis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
