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  • Question 1 - A young woman is concerned that she has put on weight since she...

    Correct

    • A young woman is concerned that she has put on weight since she was a medical student, as she now no longer finds time to exercise. She decides to try various weight loss tablets temporarily.
      After 2 months, she is successfully losing weight but also has trouble with increased stool frequency, difficulty in climbing stairs and getting up out of chairs. However, she has no problems walking on the flat.
      She also has difficulty in sleeping at the moment but puts that down to the increased frequency of headaches for the past 2 months.

      Which one of the following is the most likely cause of her weakness?

      Your Answer: She is abusing thyroxine tablets

      Explanation:

      Exogenous thyroid hormone use has been associated with episodes of thyroid storm as well as thyrotoxic periodic paralysis.
      It presents with marked proximal muscle weakness in both upper and lower limbs, hypokalaemia and signs of hyperthyroidism.
      Hyperthyroidism generally presents with tachycardia, hypertension, hyperthermia, and cardiac arrhythmias

      Laxatives and diuretics can result in electrolyte abnormalities.
      Medical complications associated with laxatives include chronic diarrhoea which disrupts the normal stool electrolyte concentrations that then leads to serum electrolyte shifts; acutely, hypokalaemia is most typically seen. The large intestine suffers nerve damage from the chronic laxative use that renders it unable to function properly. The normal peristalsis and conduction are affected; the disorder is thought to be secondary to a degeneration of Auerbach’s Plexi. However, it does not cause muscle weakness.

      Insulin tends to cause weight gain, not weight loss.
      Metformin does not cause muscle weakness but can cause headaches.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Endocrine System & Metabolism
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  • Question 2 - A 45-year-old obese patient arrives at the clinic for a regular health check...

    Correct

    • A 45-year-old obese patient arrives at the clinic for a regular health check up. His labs are as follows: Fasting blood sugar: 6 mmol/l, Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): 10 mmol/L. What is the most likely diagnosis?

      Your Answer: Impaired glucose tolerance

      Explanation:

      Impaired glucose tolerance means that blood glucose is raised beyond normal levels, but not high enough to warrant a diabetes diagnosis. With impaired glucose tolerance you face a much greater risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Impaired glucose tolerance is defined as 2-hour glucose levels of 140 to 199 mg per dL (7.8 to 11.0 mmol) on the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, and impaired fasting glucose is defined as glucose levels of 100 to 125 mg per dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol per L) in fasting patients.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Endocrine System & Metabolism
      12.5
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  • Question 3 - A 35-year-old man is referred to the clinic by his GP. He complains...

    Correct

    • A 35-year-old man is referred to the clinic by his GP. He complains of lethargy and tiredness. He has recently been discharged from the hospital after being admitted to the intensive care unit following a motorbike accident.
      His thyroid function testing is :
      TSH 0.3 IU/l (0.5-4.5)
      Free T4 8 pmol/l (9-25)
      Free T3 3.1 pmol/l (3.4-7.2)

      Which of the following is most likely to be the diagnosis?

      Your Answer: Sick euthyroid syndrome

      Explanation:

      Euthyroid sick syndrome (also known as nonthyroidal illness syndrome) can be described as abnormal findings on thyroid function tests that occurs in the setting of a nonthyroidal illness (NTI), without pre-existing hypothalamic-pituitary and thyroid gland dysfunction. After recovery from an NTI, these thyroid function test result abnormalities should be completely reversible.
      Multiple alterations in serum thyroid function test findings have been recognized in patients with a wide variety of NTIs without evidence of pre-existing thyroid or hypothalamic-pituitary disease. The most prominent alterations are low serum triiodothyronine (T3) and elevated reverse T3 (rT3), leading to the general term low T3 syndrome. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), free T4 (FT4), and free T4 index (FTI) also are affected in variable degrees based on the severity and duration of the NTI. As the severity of the NTI increases, both serum T3 and T4 levels drop, but they gradually normalize as the patient recovers.
      Reverse T3 is used to differentiate between this condition and secondary thyroid failure.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Endocrine System & Metabolism
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  • Question 4 - A 65-year-old woman presents at clinic complaining of worsening hoarseness of voice and...

    Incorrect

    • A 65-year-old woman presents at clinic complaining of worsening hoarseness of voice and dyspnoea over the past month. She has a history of toxic multinodular goitre successfully treated with radioiodine. On examination, she has a firm asymmetrical swelling of the thyroid gland. Laryngoscopy demonstrates a right vocal cord paralysis and apparent external compression of the trachea.

      What is the most likely diagnosis?

      Your Answer: Medullary thyroid cancer

      Correct Answer: Anaplastic thyroid cancer

      Explanation:

      Thyroid malignancies are divided into papillary carcinomas (80%), follicular carcinomas (10%), medullary thyroid carcinomas (5-10%), anaplastic carcinomas (1-2%), primary thyroid lymphomas (rare), and primary thyroid sarcomas (rare).
      Hürthle cell carcinoma is a rare thyroid malignancy that is often considered a variant of follicular carcinoma.
      – Papillary and Follicular carcinoma are slow-growing tumours
      – Sporadic cases of Medullary thyroid carcinoma also typically manifest with painless solitary thyroid nodules in the early stages.
      – Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma has the most aggressive biologic behaviour of all thyroid malignancies and has one of the worst survival rates of all malignancies in general. It manifests as a rapidly growing thyroid mass in contrast to a well-differentiated carcinoma, which are comparatively slow-growing. Patients commonly present with associated symptoms due to local invasion. Hoarseness and dyspnoea resulting from the involvement of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and airway occur in as many as 50% of patients.
      – Almost all patients with primary thyroid lymphoma have either a clinical history or histological evidence of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. The risk of primary thyroid lymphoma increases 70-fold in patients with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis compared with the general population. Regional and distant lymphadenopathy is common.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Endocrine System & Metabolism
      82.9
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  • Question 5 - Which one of the following types of thyroid cancer is associated with the...

    Correct

    • Which one of the following types of thyroid cancer is associated with the RET oncogene?

      Your Answer: Medullary

      Explanation:

      RET (rearranged during transfection) is a receptor tyrosine kinase involved in the development of neural crest derived cell lineages, kidney, and male germ cells. Different human cancers, including papillary and medullary thyroid carcinomas, lung adenocarcinomas, and myeloproliferative disorders display gain-of-function mutations in RET.
      In over 90% of cases, MEN2 syndromes are due to germline missense mutations of the RET gene.
      Multiple endocrine neoplasias type 2 (MEN2) is an inherited disorder characterized by the development of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), parathyroid tumours, and pheochromocytoma.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Endocrine System & Metabolism
      82.4
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  • Question 6 - In a patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which of the following is most specific...

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    • In a patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which of the following is most specific to the disease?

      Your Answer: Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies

      Explanation:

      Hashimoto thyroiditis is part of the spectrum of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) and is characterized by the destruction of thyroid cells by various cell- and antibody mediated immune processes. It usually presents with hypothyroidism, insidious in onset, with signs and symptoms slowly progressing over months to years.

      The diagnosis of Hashimoto thyroiditis relies on the demonstration of circulating antibodies to thyroid antigens (mainly thyroperoxidase and thyroglobulin) and reduced echogenicity on thyroid sonogram in a patient with proper clinical features.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Endocrine System & Metabolism
      14.6
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  • Question 7 - A 43-year-old woman is concerned about osteoporosis as she as a strong family...

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    • A 43-year-old woman is concerned about osteoporosis as she as a strong family history of it. She is one year postmenopausal and aware of hot flushes at night.

      Which one of the following therapies would be most appropriate?

      Your Answer: Cyclical oestrogen and progestogen

      Explanation:

      As the patient has early menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HT) is considered to be the first line of choice for prevention of bone loss and fracture in the early postmenopausal period for 5 years.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Endocrine System & Metabolism
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  • Question 8 - A 42-year-old male with long history of diabetes is complaining of a red-hot...

    Correct

    • A 42-year-old male with long history of diabetes is complaining of a red-hot tender lump near his anus. What is the most possible diagnosis?

      Your Answer: Abscess

      Explanation:

      A diabetic patient is a patient with depressed immunity. It is not uncommon to develop abscesses. Diabetic patients have a defected cellular innate immunity. On the other hand, bacteria become much more virulent in a high glucose environment in the interstitium.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Endocrine System & Metabolism
      18.1
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  • Question 9 - A 55-year-old woman is referred to urogynaecology with symptoms of urge incontinence. A...

    Correct

    • A 55-year-old woman is referred to urogynaecology with symptoms of urge incontinence. A trial of bladder retraining is unsuccessful. It is therefore decided to use a muscarinic antagonist. Which one of the following medications is an example of a muscarinic antagonist?

      Your Answer: Tolterodine

      Explanation:

      A muscarinic receptor antagonist (MRA) is a type of anticholinergic agent that blocks the activity of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. There are six antimuscarinic drugs currently marketed for the treatment of urge incontinence: oxybutynin, tolterodine, propiverine, trospium, darifenacin, and solifenacin.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Endocrine System & Metabolism
      70.1
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  • Question 10 - A 21-year-old singer, who had thyroid surgery a few months before, now complains...

    Correct

    • A 21-year-old singer, who had thyroid surgery a few months before, now complains of not being able to raise the pitch of her voice, and suspects it was because of the surgery. What is the most likely diagnosis?

      Your Answer: External laryngeal nerve injury

      Explanation:

      The external laryngeal nerve may be injured or traumatized following thyroid surgery due to its close proximity, which may result in hoarseness or loss of voice.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Endocrine System & Metabolism
      12.6
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  • Question 11 - A 50-year-old man had a fasting blood glucose test as part of a...

    Correct

    • A 50-year-old man had a fasting blood glucose test as part of a work-up for hypertension. It comes back as 6.5 mmol/l. The test is repeated and reported as 6.7 mmol/l. He says he feels constantly tired but denies any polyuria or polydipsia. How should these results be interpreted?

      Your Answer: Impaired fasting glycaemia

      Explanation:

      A fasting blood glucose level from 110 to 126 mg/dL (5.5 to 6.9 mmol/L) is considered prediabetes. This result is sometimes called impaired fasting glucose.
      Diabetes mellitus (type 2): diagnosis

      The diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus can be made by plasma glucose. If the patient is symptomatic:
      fasting glucose greater than or equal to 7.0 mmol/l
      random glucose greater than or equal to 11.1 mmol/l (or after 75g oral glucose tolerance test)
      If the patient is asymptomatic the above criteria apply but must be demonstrated on two separate occasions.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Endocrine System & Metabolism
      51.5
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  • Question 12 - A 70-year-old smoker was recently diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. Which of...

    Correct

    • A 70-year-old smoker was recently diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. Which of the following electrolyte combinations confirms the diagnosis of SIADH?

      Your Answer: Low serum Na, low serum osmolarity, high urine osmolarity

      Explanation:

      Due to the high amount of ADH in their blood, patient is voiding a low volume of urine with high osmolarity and as a result low levels of electrolytes will be present in the serum.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Endocrine System & Metabolism
      21.9
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  • Question 13 - A 30-year-old man presented with polydipsia and polyuria for the last two years.

    Investigations...

    Correct

    • A 30-year-old man presented with polydipsia and polyuria for the last two years.

      Investigations reveal:
      Serum urea 9.5 mmol/L (2.5-7.5)
      Serum creatinine 108 mol/L (60-110)
      Serum corrected calcium 2.9 mmol/L (2.2-2.6)
      Serum phosphate 0.7 mmol/L (0.8-1.4)
      Plasma parathyroid hormone 6.5 pmol/L (0.9-5.4)

      Which of the following is directly responsible for the increase in intestinal calcium absorption?

      Your Answer: 1,25 Dihydroxy vitamin D

      Explanation:

      This patient has hypercalcaemia due to hyperparathyroidism. However, the intestinal absorption of calcium is mainly controlled by 1,25 dihydroxy-vitamin D. Under the influence of calcitriol (active form of vitamin D), intestinal epithelial cells increase their synthesis of calbindin (calcium-binding carrier protein) necessary for active calcium ion absorption.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Endocrine System & Metabolism
      37.2
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  • Question 14 - A 27-year-old woman presents with recurrent headaches and sweating. On examination, a nodule...

    Incorrect

    • A 27-year-old woman presents with recurrent headaches and sweating. On examination, a nodule is felt in the region of the thyroid gland. She mentions that her mother had kidney stones and died following a tumour in her neck. A surgeon recommends complete thyroidectomy as her treatment of choice.

      What is the most important investigation to be done before the surgery?

      Your Answer: Serum calcium

      Correct Answer: 24-hour urinary catecholamines

      Explanation:

      The patient is most likely to have Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC).
      Sporadic, or isolated MTC accounts for 75% of cases and inherited MTC constitutes the rest.
      Inherited MTC occurs in association with multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 2A and 2B syndromes, but non-MEN familial MTC also occurs.
      A 24-hour urinalysis for catecholamine metabolites (e.g., vanillylmandelic acid [VMA], metanephrine) has to be done to rule out concomitant pheochromocytoma in patients with MEN type 2A or 2B, as Pheochromocytoma must be treated before MTC.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Endocrine System & Metabolism
      203.1
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  • Question 15 - A 35-year-old woman visits you in the paediatric diabetes clinic with her 2-year-old...

    Correct

    • A 35-year-old woman visits you in the paediatric diabetes clinic with her 2-year-old son who has recently been diagnosed by type-1 diabetes. He has an identical twin brother and she is concerned about his risk of developing diabetes.
      What advice would you give regarding his future risk?

      Your Answer: He has a 30-50% future risk of developing type-1 diabetes

      Explanation:

      The frequency of type-1 diabetes is higher in siblings of diabetic parents (e.g., in the UK 6% by age 30) than in the general population (in the U.K. 0.4% by age 30), while disease concordance in monozygotic (identical) twins is about 40% i.e. the risk that the unaffected twin will develop diabetes.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Endocrine System & Metabolism
      97.2
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  • Question 16 - A 60-year-old man with type 1 diabetes is brought to the clinic with...

    Correct

    • A 60-year-old man with type 1 diabetes is brought to the clinic with his wife. He is limping and his wife noticed that his ankle was abnormally-shaped after he stepped out of the shower.

      Examination of his right ankle reveals a painless warm swollen joint.
      There is crepitus and what appears to be palpable bone debris. X-ray reveals gross joint destruction and apparent dislocation. Joint aspiration fluid shows no microbes.

      Investigations:
      His CRP and white count are of normal values.
      Historical review of HB A1c reveals that it has rarely been below 9%.

      What is the most likely diagnosis?

      Your Answer: Charcot's ankle

      Explanation:

      Charcot arthropathy is a progressive condition of the musculoskeletal system that is characterized by joint dislocations, pathologic fractures, and debilitating deformities. It results in progressive destruction of bone and soft tissues at weight-bearing joints. In its most severe form, it may cause significant disruption of the bony architecture.
      Charcot arthropathy can occur at any joint; however, it occurs most commonly in the lower extremity, at the foot and ankle. Diabetes is now considered to be the most common aetiology of Charcot arthropathy.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Endocrine System & Metabolism
      153
      Seconds
  • Question 17 - A 60-year-old Muslim man with type 2 diabetes comes to the clinic for...

    Incorrect

    • A 60-year-old Muslim man with type 2 diabetes comes to the clinic for advice. He is about to start fasting for Ramadan and he is not sure how to modify the administration of his diabetes medications. He is currently on metformin 500mg tds.

      What is the most appropriate advice?

      Your Answer: Switch to subcutaneous biphasic insulin for the duration of Ramadan

      Correct Answer: 500 mg at the predawn meal + 1000 mg at the sunset meal

      Explanation:

      Biguanides (Metformin):
      People who take metformin alone should be able to fast safely given that the possibility of hypoglycaemia is minimal. However, patients should modify its dose and administration timing to provide two-thirds of the total daily dose, which should be taken immediately with the sunset meal, while the other third is taken before the predawn meal.

      Thiazolidinediones: No change needed.

      Sulfonylurea:
      Once-daily sulfonylurea (such as glimepiride or gliclazide MR): the total daily dose should be taken with the sunset meal.
      Shorter-acting sulfonylurea (such as gliclazide twice daily): the same daily dose remains unchanged, and one dose should be taken at the sunset meal and the other at the predawn meal.
      Long-acting sulfonylurea (such as glibenclamide): these agents should be avoided.

      It is important that diabetic patients to eat a healthy balanced diet and choose foods with a low glycaemic index (such as complex carbohydrates), which can help to maintain blood glucose levels during fasting. Moreover, it is crucial to consume adequate fluids to prevent dehydration. Physical activity is encouraged, especially during non-fasting periods.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Endocrine System & Metabolism
      59
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  • Question 18 - A 50-year-old woman is referred to the outpatient clinic with a 6-month history...

    Correct

    • A 50-year-old woman is referred to the outpatient clinic with a 6-month history of diarrhoea. She has had intermittent loose normal-coloured stools 2-3 times a day. She also has up to 10 hot flushes a day but thinks she is entering menopause; her GP has recently started her on hormone replacement therapy.
      15 years ago she had a normal colonoscopy after presenting with abdominal pain and intermittent constipation. She has asthma controlled by inhalers, hypertension controlled by ACE inhibitors and hypothyroidism controlled by thyroxine. She smoked 10 cigarettes a day for the last 30 years and drinks alcohol about 14 units/week.

      On examination, she looks hot and flushed. She is afebrile. Her pulse is regular 92 bpm and her BP is 164/82 mmHg. Her respirator rate is 20 breaths/min at rest and she sounds quite wheezy. A widespread polyphonic expiratory wheeze can be heard on chest auscultation.
      Her abdomen is soft. Her liver is enlarged 4 cm below the right costal margin but not-tender.

      Results of blood tests show:

      Na 140 mmol/l
      K 4.8 mmol/l
      Glucose 9.8 mmol/l
      Albumin 41 g/l
      ALT 94 U/l
      ALP 61 U/l
      Bilirubin 18 mmol/l
      Ca 2.47 mmol/l
      WCC 10.1 × 109/l
      Hb 12.2 g/dl
      MCV 90.5 fl
      Platelets 234 × 109 /l
      PT 13 s

      Chest X-ray is normal.
      Ultrasound of the liver shows an enlarged liver containing three ill-defined mass lesions in the right lobe.

      What is the most likely diagnosis?

      Your Answer: Carcinoid syndrome

      Explanation:

      Carcinoid tumours are of neuroendocrine origin and derived from primitive stem cells in the gut wall, especially the appendix. They can be seen in other organs, including the lungs, mediastinum, thymus, liver, bile ducts, pancreas, bronchus, ovaries, prostate, and kidneys. While carcinoid tumours tend to grow slowly, they have the potential to metastasise.
      Signs and symptoms seen in larger tumours may include the following:
      – Periodic abdominal pain: Most common presentation for a small intestinal carcinoid; often associated with malignant carcinoid syndrome.
      – Cutaneous flushing: Early and frequent (94%) symptom; typically affects head and neck.
      – Diarrhoea and malabsorption (84%): Watery, frothy, or bulky stools, gastrointestinal (GI) bleed or steatorrhea; may or may not be associated with abdominal pain, flushing, and cramps.
      – Cardiac manifestations (60%): Valvular heart lesions, fibrosis of the endocardium; may lead to heart failure with tachycardia and hypertension.
      – Wheezing or asthma-like syndrome (25%): Due to bronchial constriction; some tremors are relatively indolent and result in chronic symptoms such as cough and dyspnoea.
      – Pellagra with scale-like skin lesions, diarrhoea and mental disturbances.
      – Carcinoid crisis can be the most serious symptom of the carcinoid tumours and life-threatening. It can occur suddenly or after stress, including chemotherapy and anaesthesia.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Endocrine System & Metabolism
      61.5
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  • Question 19 - A 16-year-old boy is being treated with ADH for diabetes insipidus. His blood...

    Correct

    • A 16-year-old boy is being treated with ADH for diabetes insipidus. His blood results show:
      fasting plasma glucose level: 6 mmol/l (3- 6)
      sodium 148 mmol/l (137-144)
      potassium 4.5 mmol/l (3.5-4.9)
      calcium 2.8 mmol/l (2.2-2.6).

      However, he still complains of polyuria, polydipsia and nocturia.
      What could be the most probable cause?

      Your Answer: Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus

      Explanation:

      Diabetes insipidus (DI) is defined as the passage of large volumes (>3 L/24 hr) of dilute urine (< 300 mOsm/kg). It has the following 2 major forms:
      Central (neurogenic, pituitary, or neurohypophyseal) DI, characterized by decreased secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH; also referred to as arginine vasopressin [AVP])
      Nephrogenic DI, characterized by decreased ability to concentrate urine because of resistance to ADH action in the kidney.
      The boy most probably has nephrogenic diabetes insidious (DI) not central DI so he is not responding to the ADH treatment.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Endocrine System & Metabolism
      127.9
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  • Question 20 - Which of the following findings would point towards a diagnosis of neonatal hypothyroidism?...

    Correct

    • Which of the following findings would point towards a diagnosis of neonatal hypothyroidism?

      Your Answer: Mother has hyperthyroidism

      Explanation:

      Transient congenital hypothyroidism can be due to: iodine deficiency or excess, maternal consumption of goitrogens or antithyroid medications during pregnancy, transplacental passage of TSH receptor-blocking antibodies, and neonatal very low birth weight and prematurity

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Endocrine System & Metabolism
      57.3
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY

Endocrine System & Metabolism (17/20) 85%
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