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Question 1
Incorrect
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A 60-year-old man suffers from depression, poor concentration and inability to sleep. A few months earlier, he had a few episodes of debauchery and tantrums. Which drug is most likely to benefit him?
Your Answer: Citalopram
Correct Answer: Carbamazepine
Explanation:Carbamazepine would be the drug of choice in this case because it is an anti-convulsant. It helps to restore the normal levels of nerve activity in the brain.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 2
Correct
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A 63-year-old man, known to have small cell lung cancer and ischaemic heart disease (IHD), presents with increasing shortness of breath for the past 7 days. It becomes worse at night and is associated with an occasional non-productive cough. He has also noticed that his wedding ring feels tight. His cancer was diagnosed five months ago and he has recently completed a course of chemotherapy. From a cardiac point of view, he had a myocardial infarction (MI) two years ago following which he had primary angioplasty with stent placement. He has had no episode of angina since then.
Clinical examination of his chest is unremarkable. He does, however, have distended neck veins and periorbital oedema.
What is the most likely diagnosis?Your Answer: Superior vena cava obstruction
Explanation:Superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction is an oncological emergency caused by compression of the SVC and is most commonly associated with lung cancer.
Some causes of the condition include:
1. Common malignancies: non small cell lung cancer, lymphoma
2. Other malignancies: metastatic seminoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, breast cancer
3. Aortic aneurysm
4. Mediastinal fibrosisClinical features of SVC obstruction include:
1. Dyspnoea: most common
2. Swelling of the face, neck, and arms: conjunctival and periorbital oedema may be seen
3. Headache: often worse in the morning
4. Visual disturbances
5. Pulseless jugular venous distensionManagement options are:
1. General: dexamethasone, balloon venoplasty, stenting
2. Small cell lung cancer: chemotherapy and radiotherapy
3. Non small cell lung cancer: radiotherapy -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 3
Correct
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A 45-year-old male has presented at the hospital with an inoperable carcinoma and pain in his back. His pain has since been controlled well with morphine, but he soon starts vomiting. Morphine administration was ceased, and he was started on both fentanyl patches and metoclopramide. He soon develops stiffness in his neck and a fever. From the list of options, choose the cause of his symptoms.
Your Answer: Metoclopramide
Explanation:Metoclopramide side-effects are consistent with the patient’s symptoms: fever and stiffness of the neck. The other medications are not consistent with this symptom.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency & Critical Care
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Question 4
Correct
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A 35-year-old sales representative presents with severe pain going down her neck and right arm. She admits that this pain is worse on sitting and driving for long periods. Past history is significant for two previous road traffic accidents. Examination reveals weakness and sensory loss over C5/C6 nerve distribution. There is pain with neck movement and particularly extension. Which of the following investigations would be the most helpful in this case?
Your Answer: MRI scan of the cervical spinal cord
Explanation:Cervical radiculopathy is usually due to compression or injury to a nerve root by a herniated disc or degenerative changes. Levels C5 to T1 are the most commonly affected. It is usually, but not always, accompanied by cervical radicular pain, a sharp and shooting pain that travels from the neck and down the upper limb and may be severe. This needs to be differentiated from pain referred from the musculoskeletal (somatic) structures in the neck, which may be aching rather than sharp, and is more severe in the neck than in the upper limb. The neurological signs of cervical radiculopathy depend on the site of the lesion. The patient may have motor dysfunction, sensory deficits or alteration in tendon reflexes. While pain is a common presenting symptom, not all radiculopathies are painful (i.e. only motor deficits may be obvious). CT scanning cannot accurately demonstrate the commonest cause for cervical radiculopathy (disc herniation) without myelography, which requires hospital admission, lumbar puncture and the use of contrast. In patients with cervical radiculopathy, MRI is the imaging technique of choice for the detection of root compression by disc herniation and osteophytes. MRI allows the nerve roots to be directly visualised. Nerve conduction studies are also useful in determining the nerve roots that are involved.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Musculoskeletal System
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Question 5
Incorrect
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Which of the statements is most accurate regarding the lung?
Your Answer: In normal subjects the small airways contribute to most of the resistance
Correct Answer: The medial basal segment is absent in the left lower lobe
Explanation:The right and left lung anatomy are similar but asymmetrical. The right lung consists of three lobes: right upper lobe (RUL), right middle lobe (RML), and right lower lobe (RLL). The left lung consists of two lobes: right upper lobe (RUL) and right lower lobe (RLL). The right lobe is divided by an oblique and horizontal fissure, where the horizontal fissure divides the upper and middle lobe, and the oblique fissure divides the middle and lower lobes. In the left lobe there is only an oblique fissure that separates the upper and lower lobe.
The lobes further divide into segments which are associated with specific segmental bronchi. Segmental bronchi are the third-order branches off the second-order branches (lobar bronchi) that come off the main bronchus.
The right lung consists of ten segments. There are three segments in the RUL (apical, anterior and posterior), two in the RML (medial and lateral), and five in the RLL (superior, medial, anterior, lateral, and posterior). The oblique fissure separates the RUL from the RML, and the horizontal fissure separates the RLL from the RML and RUL.
There are eight to nine segments on the left depending on the division of the lobe. In general, there are four segments in the left upper lobe (anterior, apicoposterior, inferior and superior lingula) and four or five in the left lower lobe (lateral, anteromedial, superior and posterior). The medium sized airways offer the maximum airway resistance, not smaller ones.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory System
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Question 6
Incorrect
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A 71 year-old dentist is seen in clinic with a history of worsening memory problems and confusion. His wife had noted that his sleep was becoming more disturbed and he complains of vivid nightmares and visual hallucinations. Over the past few weeks, he has had increasing difficulty in dressing himself, and his mobility has deteriorated. On examination, he is bradykinesia with a resting tremor and rigidity affecting his arms and legs. His Mini-Mental-State Examination (MMSE) is 18/30. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Parkinson's disease
Correct Answer: Lewy body disease
Explanation:Lewy body dementia is the second most common cause of dementia in the elderly after Alzheimer’s disease. The core feature is a progressive dementia, but other characteristic features include Parkinsonism, visual hallucinations, fluctuating cognitive abilities and executive function, and an increased risk of falls or autonomic failure.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 7
Incorrect
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A 52-year-old chef presents to the ED with acute visual changes. He has a past medical history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. On neurological examination, his upper and lower limbs are normal however he has a homonymous hemianopia with central preservation. Where is the most likely cause of his problems within the central nervous system?
Your Answer: Optic chiasm
Correct Answer: Optic radiation
Explanation:Lesions in the optic radiation can cause a homonymous hemianopia with macular sparing, as a result of collateral circulation offered to macular tracts by the middle cerebral artery.
Lesions in the optic tract also cause a homonymous hemianopia, but without macular sparing.
Lesions in the optic chiasm, optic nerve, and temporal lobe cause bitemporal hemianopia, ipsilateral complete blindness, and superior homonymous quadrantanopia respectively. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 8
Correct
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A 63-year-old heavy smoker complains of pain on exertion in both calves and his buttocks. He has also recently developed erectile dysfunction. On examination, peripheral pulses in both lower limbs including distal and femoral are absent. Where is the single most probable site of obstruction?
Your Answer: Aorto iliac
Explanation:The penis receives its blood supply by the internal pudendal artery, a branch of the internal iliac artery. Erectile dysfunction indicates obstruction at the level of the common iliac arteries or higher.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 9
Correct
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A 46-year-old man presents with a swollen, red, and painful left calf. He does not have a history of any recent surgery or a long-haul flight. He is generally fit and well and takes no regular medication other than propranolol for migraine prophylaxis. There is also no history of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in his family.
The patient is referred to the deep vein thrombosis (DVT) clinic where he is diagnosed with a proximal DVT in his left calf. Following the diagnosis, he is started on low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) whilst awaiting review by the warfarin clinic.
Other than commencing warfarin, what further action, if any, is required?Your Answer: Investigate for underlying malignancy + check antiphospholipid antibodies
Explanation: -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 10
Correct
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A 50-year-old male patient with atrial fibrillation, who was on warfarin came to the clinic with an INR report of 7. Upon questioning it was revealed that he had been started on another drug recently, which was the reason for the prolonged INR. Which of the following drugs cause this?
Your Answer: Cimetidine
Explanation:Cimetidine inhibits hepatic microsomal activity, which may cause reduced metabolic clearance of warfarin and augments its anticoagulant effect. Pravastatin doesn’t affect the warfarin metabolism. Other drugs are enzyme inducers which will increase warfarin clearance.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 11
Incorrect
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A 60-year-old male with a history of diabetes and hypertension presented with left sided arm and leg weakness and loss of vision in the left eye for a brief period. His symptoms improved within a few hours. Which of the following is the most appropriate investigation that can be done at this stage?
Your Answer: CT brain
Correct Answer: Doppler USG
Explanation:Amaurosis fugax (transient ipsilateral visual loss) and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) are presentations of atherosclerotic disease of the carotid artery which can be identified by carotid duplex ultrasonography (US), with or without colour. This is the screening test of choice to evaluate for carotid stenosis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 12
Incorrect
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A 50-year-old diabetic and hypertensive patient who is on medication, presented in the OPD with complaints of constipation, polyuria, polydipsia and confusion. On investigation: Serum calcium was 3.07, serum electrophoresis is negative and the X-ray is normal. Which is the most probable cause of these symptoms?
Your Answer: Chronic Renal Failure
Correct Answer: Drug induced-Bendroflumethiazide
Explanation:Bendroflumethiazide is a drug used for treating hypertension and is a diuretic. It produces side effects such as constipation, frequent urination, fatigue, polydipsia etc.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 13
Correct
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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.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine System & Metabolism
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Question 14
Correct
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A 55-year-old female with a history of hypertension presented with severe central chest pain for the past one hour, associated with sweating and vomiting. Her ECG showed ST elevation myocardial infarction, evident in leads V2-V4. Which of the following is an absolute contraindication for thrombolysis?
Your Answer: Intracranial neoplasm
Explanation:Absolute contraindications for fibrinolytic use in STEMI
Prior intracranial haemorrhage (ICH)
Known structural cerebral vascular lesion
Known malignant intracranial neoplasm
Ischemic stroke within 3 months
Suspected aortic dissection
Active bleeding or bleeding diathesis (excluding menses)
Significant closed head trauma or facial trauma within 3 months
Intracranial or intraspinal surgery within 2 months
Severe uncontrolled hypertension (unresponsive to emergency therapy)
For streptokinase, prior treatment within the previous 6 months -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 15
Correct
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A 37-year-old social worker is referred to you with a long history of diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort. She was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome 10 years ago and takes mebeverine, peppermint tablets and Gaviscon. She is a vegetarian and rarely drinks or smokes.
Examination of all systems is normal. Her blood tests show macrocytic anaemia. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy reveals oesophagitis, hypertrophy of the gastric body and multiple duodenal ulcers.
What is the most likely diagnosis?Your Answer: Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
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.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
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Question 16
Correct
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A 70-year-old man presents with nocturia, hesitancy and terminal dribbling of urine.
Prostate examination reveals a moderately enlarged prostate with no irregular features and a well-defined median sulcus. Blood investigations show a PSA level of 1.3 ng/mL. Among the options provided below what is the most appropriate management for this patient?Your Answer: Alpha-1 antagonist
Explanation: -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 17
Correct
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A new blood test developed to screen individuals for cardiac failure was performed on 500 patients. The results were positive for 40 out of 50 patients with echocardiography-established heart failure. However, the test was also positive for 20 patients with no signs of heart failure. What is the positive predictive value of the test?
Your Answer: 0.66
Explanation:Positive predictive value = TP (true positives) / [TP + FP (false positives)] = 40 / (40 + 20) = 0.66
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Evidence Based Medicine
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Question 18
Correct
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An 18-year-old boy, thin with a tall stature, and a high arched palate arrives at the hospital with a spontaneous pneumothorax. He is accompanied by his brother who has a similar appearance. You suspect Marfan's Syndrome.
The gene encoding which of the following proteins is defective in this condition?Your Answer: Fibrillin-1
Explanation:A variety of proteins compose the structure of microfibrils, the most prominent of which are the two fibrillins. Fibrillin-1 a scaffolding protein is encoded by FBN1 on human chromosome 15q21 and fibrillin-2 is encoded by FBN2 on 5q23. Mutations in FBN1 produce Marfan syndrome, a pleiotropic autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder with prominent manifestations in the skeleton, eye and cardiovascular system. A number of conditions related to Marfan syndrome are also due to FBN1 mutations.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Musculoskeletal System
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Question 19
Incorrect
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Which of the following statements regarding the proton pump inhibitors is true?
Your Answer: They are excreted unchanged by the kidney
Correct Answer: They cause hair loss, diarrhoea, and headache
Explanation:Common side effects of omeprazole include: headache, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, gas (flatulence), dizziness, upper respiratory infection, acid reflux, constipation, rash, cough.
Less common side effects of Omeprazole include: bone fracture (osteoporosis related), deficiency of granulocytes in the blood, loss of appetite, gastric polyps, hip fracture, hair loss, chronic inflammation of the stomach, destruction of skeletal muscle, taste changes, abnormal dreams.
Rare side effects of Omeprazole include: liver damage, inflammation within the kidneys, pancreatitis, dermatologic disorder, potentially life threatening (toxic epidermal necrolysis). -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 20
Correct
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A 75-year-old woman presented with difficulty in climbing the stairs and difficulty in holding her head up, for the past 6 months. She didn't have any significant joint pain. Her creatinine phosphokinase level was very high and ESR was normal. Which of the following is the most probable diagnosis?
Your Answer: Polymyositis
Explanation:Polymyositis is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy characterized by symmetrical, proximal muscle weakness, elevated skeletal muscle enzyme levels and characteristic electromyography (EMG) and muscle biopsy findings. Weak neck extensors cause difficulty holding the head up. Pain is not a significant symptom, which differentiates it from arthritic conditions. ESR is elevated in only 50% of patients with polymyositis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Musculoskeletal System
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Question 21
Correct
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A 52-year-old woman with polycystic kidney disease and a slowly rising creatinine, which was 320 μmol/L at her last clinic visit 3 weeks ago, is brought into the Emergency Department having been found collapsed at home by her partner. She is now fully conscious but complains of a headache.
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What is the most likely diagnosis?Your Answer: Subarachnoid haemorrhage
Explanation:One of the most important complications in patients with PKD is being affected by berry aneurysms that may burst, causing a subarachnoid haemorrhage, which seems to be the case in this patient.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Renal System
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Question 22
Correct
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A 40-year-old man presents with recurrent headaches, 2-3 times a day, associated with sweating and palpitations.
His blood pressure during the attacks is around 220/120 mmHg.
Given the likely diagnosis, what is the next appropriate investigation?Your Answer: 24 hour urinary collection of metanephrines
Explanation:Classically, pheochromocytoma manifests with the following 4 characteristics:
– Headaches
– Palpitations
– Sweating
– Severe hypertensionThe Endocrine Society, the American Association for Clinical Chemistry, and the European Society of Endocrinology have released clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pheochromocytoma.
Biochemical testing via measurement of plasma free metanephrines or urinary fractionated metanephrines should be performed in patients suspected of having pheochromocytoma.Catecholamines produced by pheochromocytomas are metabolized within chromaffin cells. Norepinephrine is metabolized to normetanephrine and epinephrine is metabolized to metanephrine. Because this process occurs within the tumour, independently of catecholamine release, pheochromocytomas are best diagnosed by measurement of these metabolites rather than by measurement of the parent catecholamines.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine System & Metabolism
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Question 23
Incorrect
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A 27-year-old gentleman presents with a 2 year history of involuntary neck movements. There is no history of trauma. He is on no drugs. There is no relevant family history.
On examination he has an episodic right torticollis. The rest of his neurological examination is normal. MRI of his cervical spine is normal. The neurologist in the Movement Disorders Clinic has diagnosed cervical dystonia.
Which of the following treatments will be most beneficial?Your Answer: Baclofen
Correct Answer: Botulinum toxin
Explanation:Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxic protein from Clostridium botulinum that causes flaccid paralysis as it acts by preventing the release of Ach at the neuromuscular joint. It is the first-line treatment for cervical dystonia (torticollis) because the condition is a neurological disorder characterised by unusual muscle contractions of the neck. With the use of Botulinum toxin, the contractions would be released.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 24
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: Pyrophosphate analogue which inhibits osteoclast activity
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 replete
Alendronate 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. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 25
Correct
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A 42-year-old woman who has been a smoker since she was a teenager has the following blood result: Hgb=19. What hormone should you check?
Your Answer: Erythropoietin
Explanation:An increase in the patient’s haemoglobin tells us that the patient might be having an increased number of red blood cells. Smoking causes raised carboxyhaemoglobin levels and thus hypoxemia. Hypoxemia will increase the erythropoietin levels in the blood.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 26
Incorrect
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A 6-year-old boy is referred by his GP to the neurology clinic with abnormal movements. His mother noticed that for the last year, the boy has been falling over more and more frequently. He has also been having increasingly slurred speech. These have been getting progressively worse. He has had recurrent chest infections in his childhood.
What is the most likely diagnosis?Your Answer: Friedreich's ataxia
Correct Answer: Ataxic telangiectasia
Explanation:Ataxic telangiectasia is an inherited combined immunodeficiency disorder that is characterised by cerebellar ataxia and telangiectasia as seen in this child, as well as frequent infections as noted in this child’s history. The other differentials would not present with this clinical picture:
Friedreich’s ataxia and Infantile-onset spinocerebellar ataxia do not present with immune problems, whereas Cerebral palsy and Di-George Syndrome do not present with ataxia.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 27
Correct
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A 19-year-old lady with established anorexia nervosa is admitted with a BMI of 16. However, she gives the consent to be fed by a nasogastric tube. Which of the following electrolyte disturbances are you most likely to find?
Your Answer: Hypophosphataemia
Explanation:Refeeding syndrome can be defined as the potentially fatal shifts in fluids and electrolytes that may occur in malnourished patients receiving artificial refeeding (whether enterally or parenterally). These shifts result from hormonal and metabolic changes and may cause serious clinical complications. The hallmark biochemical feature of refeeding syndrome is hypophosphatemia. However, the syndrome is complex and may also feature abnormal sodium and fluid balance; changes in glucose, protein, and fat metabolism; thiamine deficiency; hypokalaemia; and hypomagnesaemia.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Fluids & Electrolytes
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Question 28
Correct
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A young man is reviewed for difficulty breathing. Lung function tests showed that his peak expiratory flow rate is 54% below the normal range for his age and height. What is a possible diagnosis?
Your Answer: Asthma
Explanation:Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), also called Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) is a person’s maximum speed of expiration, as measured with a peak flow meter. Measurement of PEFR requires some practise to correctly use a meter and the normal expected value depends on a patient’s gender, age and height.
It is classically reduced in obstructive lung disorders, such as Asthma, COPD or Cystic Fibrosis. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory System
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Question 29
Correct
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Surfactant reduces the surface tension at the air/liquid interface in the lung. Which of the following cells produce surfactant in the lung parenchyma?
Your Answer: Type II pneumocyte
Explanation:Pulmonary surfactant is a mixture of lipids and proteins which is secreted by the epithelial type II cells into the alveolar space.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory System
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Question 30
Correct
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In which of the following options does reversed splitting of the second heart sound occur?
Your Answer: Left bundle branch block (LBBB)
Explanation:Reversed splitting of the second heart sound occurs with reversal of the normal A2, P2 pattern – A2 may, therefore, be delayed, as with severe AS and LBBB. P2 may be early, as in Wolff-Parkinson-White Type B and persistent ductus arteriosus. Atrial septal defects show wide fixed splitting. Also, RBBB has wide (not fixed) splitting.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 31
Correct
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A 24-year-old presents with diarrhoea. She has had a previous ileal resection for Crohn's Disease. She has also had two recent episodes of loin to groin pain. Her bloods are normal including her inflammatory markers
What is the most likely diagnosis?Your Answer: Short bowel syndrome
Explanation:Given her history of bowel resections, the most likely answer in this case is short bowel syndrome. IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion and less likely. Bacterial overgrowth does not relate to resection history, so unlikely. Celiac disease or a flare of IBD are also less likely than short bowel syndrome in this case, simply given the history. Also her labs are normal making these unlikely. History, history, history!
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
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Question 32
Correct
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A 34-year-old woman is admitted to the hospital with a one-week history of dark urine and fatigue. One day before admission, she developed severe abdominal pain and abdominal distension.
On examination, she has pallor, jaundice, an enlarged tender liver, and ascites. Her investigations show:
Hb: 7.9 g/dL
WCC: 3.2 x 10^9/L
Plts: 89 x 10^9/L
MCV: 101 fL
Peripheral smear: Mild polychromasia
AST: 144 U/L
ALT: 130 U/L
Bilirubin: 54 μmol/L
Urine hemosiderin: ++
Urine urobilinogen +
Abdominal ultrasound reveals an enlarged liver, ascites, and absent flow in the hepatic veins.
Which single test would you request to confirm the underlying diagnosis?Your Answer: Flow cytometry for CD55 and CD59 expression
Explanation:The patient has paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) complicated by acute hepatic vein thrombosis (Budd-Chiari syndrome).
PNH is an acquired clonal disorder of haematopoietic stem cells, characterised by variable combination of intravascular haemolysis, thrombosis, and bone marrow failure. Diagnosis is made by flow cytometric evaluation of blood, which confirms the CD55 and CD59 deficiencies and deficiency of expression of other GPI-linked proteins. This test is replacing older complement-based assays such as the Ham test and sucrose lysis test.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 33
Incorrect
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A 59-year-old man complains of weakness in his right lower and upper limb since 3 for a few hours. He is has been taking Digoxin for 2 years. What is the most definitive investigation for this condition?
Your Answer: CT head
Correct Answer: Angiography
Explanation:Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside, having positive inotropic effects on the heart. It increases the strength of contractility of the heart, increasing the heart rate, but lowering blood pressure. This patient developed weakness in his limbs most likely caused by extremely low blood pressure that could be due to diseased blood vessels reacting to the side-effects of digoxin, therefore an angiography would be the best investigation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 34
Correct
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A 28-year-old male arrives at the clinic complaining of fever, arthralgia and urethritis. On examination, the ankle is swollen and there is a pustular rash on the dorsal foot. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Disseminated gonorrhoea
Explanation:DGI presents as two syndromes: 1) a bacteremic form that includes a triad of tenosynovitis, dermatitis, and polyarthralgias without purulent arthritis and 2) a septic arthritis form characterized as a purulent arthritis without associated skin lesions. Many patients will have overlapping features of both syndromes. Time from infection to clinical manifestations may range from 1 day to 3 months. There is no travel history and the rash of Lyme disease is not purulent. Reactive arthritis presents with conjunctivitis, urethritis and arthritis usually with a red hot tender and swollen joint.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Musculoskeletal System
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Question 35
Correct
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Which of the following nail changes are present in ulcerative colitis?
Your Answer: Clubbing
Explanation:Clubbing of the fingers can be present in many clinical conditions like CLD, bronchiectasis, lung abscess, Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s Disease. Koilonychia or spoon shaped nails are a typical finding in iron deficiency anaemia. Splinter haemorrhages are pin point haemorrhages found in infective endocarditis and secondary to trauma. Yellow nails are present in pulmonary and renal diseases.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- The Skin
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Question 36
Correct
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What is correct statement regarding pulsus alternans?
Your Answer: It is found in association with a third heart sound
Explanation:Pulsus alternans is the alternation of one strong and one weak beat without a change in the cycle length. It occurs most commonly in heart failure due to increased resistance to LV ejection, as occurs in hypertension, aortic stenosis, coronary atherosclerosis, and dilated cardiomyopathy. Pulsus alternans is usually associated with an S3 gallop, which is associated with a poor prognosis. It usually disappears with treatment of the heart failure.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 37
Correct
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A 40-year-old male was diagnosed with HIV. He had had multiple sexual partners. He was not willing to change his lifestyle, nor was he willing to inform any of his former partners. What is the most suitable next step for the doctor?
Your Answer: Give general advice
Explanation:General advice should be given to the patient as HIV is not a notifiable disease. Informing someone about the disease without the patient’s consent will breach the confidentiality.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Ethical & Legal
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Question 38
Correct
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A 21-year-old woman presents with painful vesicles in her right ear and a fever for some time. What is the most probable diagnosis?
Your Answer: Herpes zoster
Explanation:Herpes zoster oticus is a viral infection of the inner, middle, and external ear. It manifests as severe otalgia with associated cutaneous vesicular eruption, usually of the external canal and pinna. When associated with facial paralysis, the infection is called Ramsay Hunt syndrome.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- The Skin
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Question 39
Correct
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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
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Question 40
Correct
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A 70-year-old complains of lower urinary tract symptoms. Which one of the following statements regarding benign prostatic hyperplasia is incorrect?
Your Answer: Goserelin is licensed for refractory cases
Explanation:Goserelin (Zoladex) is usually prescribed to treat hormone-sensitive cancers of the breast and prostate not for BPH. All other statements are correct.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Renal System
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Question 41
Correct
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A 23-year-old patient with epilepsy, presented with fits. Investigations revealed profound hyponatremia. Which of the following drugs will cause this presentation?
Your Answer: Carbamazepine
Explanation:Carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine are the most common antiepileptics which induce hyponatremia in patients with epilepsy. Other antiepileptics such as eslicarbazepine, sodium valproate, lamotrigine, levetiracetam and gabapentin have also been reported to cause hyponatremia. So the most suitable answer is Carbamazepine.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency & Critical Care
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Question 42
Incorrect
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A 3-year old boy presents with an abdominal mass. Which of the following is associated with Wilms tumour (nephroblastoma)?
Your Answer: Tuberose sclerosis
Correct Answer: Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
Explanation:Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is a inherited condition associated with organomegaly, macroglossia, abdominal wall defects, Wilm’s tumour and neonatal hypoglycaemia. Wilm’s tumour is a kidney cancer that usually occurs in children. The causes are unknown, however, risk factors include race and family history. Of note, Wilm’s tumour can occur as part of the following syndromes: WAGR syndrome, Denys-Drash syndrome, and Beckwith-Wiedmann syndrome and not the other listed options in this question.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Renal System
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Question 43
Incorrect
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A 28-year-old man is investigated for cervical lymphadenopathy. Lymph node biopsy reveals nodular sclerosing Hodgkin lymphoma.
Which one of the following factors is associated with a poor prognosis?Your Answer: Mediastinal involvement
Correct Answer: Night sweats
Explanation: -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 44
Correct
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A 71-year-old woman residing in a nursing home for a couple of years complains of drooling of saliva and sudden difficulty in swallowing while eating. She is a known hypertensive on treatment. What would be your next step?
Your Answer: Endoscopy
Explanation:Dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing. Endoscopy allows for visual examination of the oesophagus and is indicated in patients with dysphagia to determine the underlying aetiology, exclude malignant and premalignant conditions, assess the need for therapy, and perform therapy including dilation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Geriatric Medicine
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Question 45
Correct
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A 23-year-old patient was involved in a MVA. Clinical examination reveals a fixed dilated pupil and reduced consciousness. Which of the following nerves is most likely damaged?
Your Answer: Oculomotor nerve
Explanation:The oculomotor nerve is the 3rd cranial nerve. When damaged it affects the ocular motility causing mainly ptosis or diplopia. Damage to it can also affect the pupillary functions causing pupil dilation and light reflex impairment.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 46
Correct
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A 60 old patient with a history of chronic cough was found to have partial ptosis, constricted pupil and loss of hemifacial sweating. What is the most probable diagnosis?
Your Answer: Horner's syndrome
Explanation:Horner syndrome (oculosympathetic paresis) results from an interruption of the sympathetic nerve supply to the eye. It is characterized by the classic triad of miosis (i.e., constricted pupil), partial ptosis, and loss of hemifacial sweating (i.e., anhidrosis). As this patient presented with chronic cough most probably he has Pancoast tumour (tumour in the apex of the lung, most commonly squamous cell carcinoma).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory System
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Question 47
Correct
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A 65-year-old, heavily alcohol dependent man came to the hospital with bleeding gums and petechiae upon examination. Which of the following is the likely vitamin deficiency?
Your Answer: C
Explanation:Vitamin deficiencies can happen in alcoholics due to malabsorption. Vitamin C deficiency or scurvy can result in bleeding gums and early symptoms including body weakness and lethargy. Other vitamin deficiencies can cause the following:
B1 or thiamine – Wernicke’s encephalopathy
B12 or cyanocobalamin – spinal cord degeneration
Vitamin K – anticoagulant effects
Vitamin E – neuropathies. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
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Question 48
Correct
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A 70-year-old male patient presented with increased difficulty in breathing during the last 4 months. He was diagnosed with mitral stenosis. On examination his BP was 120/80 mmHg and pulse rate was 68 bpm. There were bibasal crepitations on auscultation. He was on bisoprolol, furosemide and ISDN. From the given answers, what is the most likely indication of worsening of his mitral stenosis?
Your Answer: Haemoptysis
Explanation:Haemoptysis is a symptom which indicates the worsening of mitral stenosis. It occurs due to the rupture of pulmonary veins or the capillary system due to pulmonary venous hypertension. Elevated serum creatinine is seen in worsening aortic stenosis. Worsening of tricuspid regurgitation causes ascites and a pulsatile liver.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 49
Correct
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A 74-year-old woman is admitted with headaches, polyuria and polydipsia of recent onset. She has a history of mastectomy for breast cancer. A CT head scan shows multiple cerebral metastases.
Her admission biochemistry results are as follows:
Sodium 153 mmol/l
Potassium 4.0 mmol/l
Urea 5.0 mmol/l
Creatinine 110 micromol/l
Glucose 5 mmol/l.
Over the next 24 hours, she has a urinary volume of 4.4 litres and further tests reveal plasma osmolality 320 mOsm/kg and urinary osmolality: 254 mOsm/kg.
Which one of the following treatments should be used?Your Answer: Desmopressin (DDAVP)
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
This patient has the central type from metastases.
In patients with central DI, desmopressin is the drug of choice. It is a synthetic analogue of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). It is available in subcutaneous, IV, intranasal, and oral preparations. Generally, it can be administered 2-3 times per day. Patients may require hospitalization to establish fluid needs. Frequent electrolyte monitoring is recommended during the initial phase of treatment. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine System & Metabolism
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Question 50
Correct
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A 36-year-old man presents with severe pain in his right big toe which is erythematous and swollen. He recently had an appendicectomy. Personal history reveals that he consumes 30 units of alcohol per week. Choose the most likely diagnosis.
Your Answer: Gout
Explanation:Chronic alcoholism leads to increased levels of uric acid in the blood. Gout is caused by high levels of uric acid.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Musculoskeletal System
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
