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Question 1
Correct
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A 23-year-old male presents with a history of lower back pain for the last one year. Presence of which of the following features most likely points towards ankylosing spondylitis?
Your Answer: Bilateral erosion of sacroiliac joints on X-ray
Explanation:Bilateral erosions of the sacroiliac joints on pelvic radiographs of patients with ankylosing spondylitis are an important feature of the modified New York classification criteria. Although HLA-B27 is commonly associated with AS, it can also be found in normal individuals. Back stiffness is worse in the morning and gets better as the day progresses. Tenderness and limited lumbar motion can be associated with other spine problems as well and is not characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Musculoskeletal System
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Question 2
Correct
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A 74-year-old man presents to the physician with complaints of hoarseness of voice and cough for the past 3 weeks. The patient has been a smoker and quit 3 years ago. Radiological examination reveals a mass in the mediastinum. Which investigation should be employed to establish a diagnosis?
Your Answer: LN biopsy
Explanation:Masses in the middle mediastinum most commonly represent lymph nodes that are enlarged by a malignant, infectious, or inflammatory process. Masses in the posterior mediastinum are usually benign tumours or cysts originating from either the nerves that are present in this area (neurogenic tumours) or from the oesophagus (foregut duplication cysts). Lymph node biopsy would be the ideal choice of investigation in this case.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory System
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Question 3
Correct
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A 20-year-old female has been referred for investigation of an iron deficiency anaemia. Her mother passed away at age 28, due to colonic carcinoma complicating Peutz-Jegher syndrome. Choose the mode of inheritance of Peutz-Jegher syndrome which is most likely.
Your Answer: Autosomal dominant
Explanation:Peutz-Jegher syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition which is characterised by perioral pigmentation and hamartomas of the bowel. It was initially assumed that these did not predispose to malignancy, but due to recent studies, the opposite is now believed to be true.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
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Question 4
Correct
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Which of the following statements is false regarding the bioavailability of a drug?
Your Answer: The bioavailability of a drug given orally is often affected by the degree of renal elimination
Explanation:Renal elimination of a drug has no role in altering the bioavailability of a drug.
The bioavailability of a drug is the proportion of the drug which reaches systemic circulation.
Mathematically, bioavailability is the AUCoral/AUCiv x 100%, where AUC = area under the concentration-time curve following a single (oral or iv) dose.Other options are true:
By definition, the bioavailability of a drug given intravenously is 100%.
Drugs given orally that undergo high pre-systemic (first-pass) metabolism in the liver or gut wall have a low bioavailability e.g. lidocaine.
Bioavailability is also affected by the degree of absorption from the gut and this can change depending on gut motility and administration of other drugs. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 5
Correct
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A 65-year-old male was admitted for surgery 4 days ago. He suddenly became confused and aggressive. His attention span was reduced, and he became very restless. Which single option from the history best explains his condition?
Your Answer: Alcohol consumption
Explanation:Patient was dependent on alcohol. After 4 days of admission he developed signs of alcohol withdrawal.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency & Critical Care
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Question 6
Correct
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A 33-year-old electrical technician presents following an overdose. Anticholinergic syndrome is suspected.
Which of the following is true?Your Answer: Mydriasis occurs
Explanation:Anticholinergic syndrome occurs following overdose with drugs that have prominent anticholinergic activity including tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines and atropine. Features include dry, warm, flushed skin, urinary retention, tachycardia, mydriasis (dilated pupils) and agitation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 7
Correct
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A 60-year-old male presented with ventricular tachycardia which was successfully cardioverted. To check whether he had prolonged QT interval, which of the following is the most appropriate method to measure the QT interval in ECG?
Your Answer: Time between the start of the Q wave and the end of the T wave
Explanation:The QT interval is the time from the start of the Q wave to the end of the T wave. It represents the time taken for ventricular depolarisation and repolarisation. The QT interval should be measured in either lead II or V5-6.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 8
Correct
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A 51-year-old man speaks fast and does not take enough breaths before speaking again. He ignores interruptions and does not want to pause in between. What best describes this kind of speech?
Your Answer: Pressure of speech
Explanation:A pressured speech is too fast for the listener to understand and is very difficult to interrupt.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 9
Correct
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A 20-year-old woman who is sexually active is having deep dyspareunia and vaginal discharge. She has a negative smear for Gonococcus. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Chlamydial trachomatis
Explanation:This case is highly suggested of PID or Pelvic Inflammatory disease with chlamydia as the more common infective agent. Tetracyclines are used for treatment.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Infectious Diseases
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Question 10
Correct
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A 33-year-old man presents with recurrent episodes of abdominal pain associated with weakness of his arms and legs.
Which one of the following urine tests would best indicate lead toxicity?Your Answer: Coproporphyrin
Explanation:Lead poisoning is characterised by abdominal pain, fatigue, constipation, peripheral neuropathy (mainly motor), and blue lines on gum margin in 20% of the adult patients (very rare in children).
For diagnosis, the level of lead in blood is usually considered with levels greater than 10 mcg/dL being significant. Furthermore, the blood film shows microcytic anaemia and basophilic stippling of red blood cells. Urinary coproporphyrin is increased (urinary porphobilinogen and uroporphyrin levels are normal to slightly increased). Raised serum and urine levels of delta-aminolaevulinic acid may also be seen, making it sometimes difficult to differentiate from acute intermittent porphyria.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 11
Correct
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All of the following statements regarding glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) are true, except?
Your Answer: Increased levels are seen in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Explanation:Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a 30-amino acid peptide hormone produced in the intestinal epithelial endocrine L-cells by differential processing of proglucagon. GLP-1 is released in response to meal intake.
The main actions of GLP-1 are to stimulate insulin secretion (i.e., to act as an incretin hormone) and to inhibit glucagon secretion, thereby contributing to limit postprandial glucose excursions. It also inhibits gastrointestinal motility and secretion and thus acts as an enterogastrone and part of the ileal brake mechanism. GLP-1 also appears to be a physiological regulator of appetite and food intake.
Decreased secretion of GLP-1 may contribute to the development of obesity, and exaggerated secretion may be responsible for postprandial reactive hypoglycaemia. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine System & Metabolism
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Question 12
Correct
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A 15-year-old girl is brought to the emergency after collapsing at a shopping mall. She is accompanied by her mother who reveals that she has had amenorrhea for the past 7 consecutive months. There is fine hair on her body. Which of the following investigations is mandatory in this case?
Your Answer: Urea & Electrolytes
Explanation:Although some individuals with Anorexia Nervosa exhibit no laboratory abnormalities, the semistarvation characteristic of this disorder can affect most major organ systems and produce a variety of disturbances. The induced vomiting and abuse of laxatives, diuretics, and enemas can also cause a number of disturbances leading to abnormal laboratory findings.
Haematology: Leukopenia and mild anaemia are common; thrombocytopenia occurs rarely.
Chemistry: Dehydration may be reflected by an elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Hypercholesterolemia is common.
Liver function tests may be elevated.
Hypomagnesemia, hypozincaemia, hypophosphatemia, and hyperamylasaemia are occasionally found.
Induced vomiting may lead to metabolic alkalosis (elevated serum bicarbonate), hypochloraemia, and hypokalaemia, and laxative abuse may cause a metabolic acidosis.
Serum thyroxine levels are usually in the low-normal range; triiodothyronine levels are decreased.
Hyperadrenocorticism and abnormal responsiveness to a variety of neuroendocrine challenges are common.
In females, low serum oestrogen levels are present, whereas males have low levels of serum testosterone.
There is a regression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in both sexes in that the 24-hour pattern of secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) resembles that normally seen in prepubertal or pubertal individuals. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency & Critical Care
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Question 13
Correct
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A 72-year-old man is referred to the haematology department with raised haemoglobin and platelet levels. A diagnosis of polycythaemia vera is suspected.
Which other abnormality of the blood would be most consistent with this diagnosis?Your Answer: Neutrophilia
Explanation:Neutrophilia is also commonly associated with polycythaemia vera.
Polycythaemia vera (PV), also known as polycythaemia rubra vera, is a myeloproliferative disorder caused by clonal proliferation of marrow stem cells leading to an increase in red cell volume, often accompanied by overproduction of neutrophils and platelets. It has peak incidence in the sixth decade of life, with typical features including hyperviscosity, pruritus, splenomegaly, haemorrhage (secondary to abnormal platelet function), and plethoric appearance.
Some management options of PV include lose-dose aspirin, venesection (first-line treatment), hydroxyurea (slightly increased risk of secondary leukaemia), and radioactive phosphorus (P-32) therapy.
In PV, thrombotic events are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. 5-15% of the cases progress to myelofibrosis or AML. The risk of having AML is increased with chemotherapy treatment.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 14
Correct
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A 68-year-old male patient presents with central chest pain and associated flushing. He claims the pain is crushing in character. ECG reveals T wave inversion in II, III and AVF. Blood exams are as follows: Troponin T = 0.9 ng/ml. Which substance does troponin bind to?
Your Answer: Tropomyosin
Explanation:Troponin T is a 37 ku protein that binds to tropomyosin, thereby attaching the troponin complex to the thin filament.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Musculoskeletal System
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Question 15
Correct
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A 78-year-old retired journalist known to have prostatic carcinoma presents to the ED complaining of pain in the spine and the onset of severe lower-leg weakness accompanied by a loss of sensation. On examination, he is found to have percussion tenderness of his spine, loss of sensation up to the umbilicus and a distended bladder. He has markedly reduced power of the lower legs with hyperreflexia. Which of the following should not be part of your management of this patient?
Your Answer: Spinal X-rays
Explanation:Acute cord compression is a medical emergency. Typically, signs of segmental damage at the level of compression are usually combined with corticospinal tract dysfunction (e.g., hyperreflexia, Babinski’s sign and weakness) and sensory deficits below the level of compression. Symptoms include spinal pain that precedes the development of weak legs and sensory loss. There may be loss of bladder (and anal) sphincter control, manifesting as hesitancy, frequency and, finally, painless retention.
Spinal X-rays are rarely diagnostic. MRI is usually the investigation of choice and should not be delayed, but if not available consider doing a CT scan and myelography to confirm cord compression and fully define the level and extent of the lesion. If malignancy is the cause, it is important to give dexamethasone (oral or intravenous) while considering therapy more specific to the cause. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 16
Correct
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A 50-year-old male presented with episodes of collapse during the last month. Each episode persisted for about 2-3 minutes. They were self-limiting and associated with twitching of the limbs. There was no associated tonic-clonic movements, tongue biting, urinary or faecal incontinence. On examination he had reversed splitting of S2 and an ejection systolic murmur at the right sternal border. His electrocardiogram (ECG) showed left ventricular hypertrophy with strain pattern. CXR showed an area of calcification over the cardiac silhouette. Which of the following is the most probable diagnosis of this patient?
Your Answer: Aortic stenosis
Explanation:The classic triad of symptoms in patients with aortic stenosis is chest pain, heart failure and syncope. Pulsus parvus et tardus, pulsus alternans, hyperdynamic left ventricle, reversed splitting of the S2, prominent S4 and systolic murmur are some of the common findings of aortic stenosis. A calcified aortic valve is found in almost all adults with hemodynamically significant aortic stenosis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 17
Incorrect
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Which of the following statements is the most characteristic of primary Raynaud's phenomenon?
Your Answer: Anti-nuclear antibody is positive in 70% of cases
Correct Answer: Fingers are symmetrically involved during an attack
Explanation:A typical attack may last less than an hour but can also persist for longer. In primary Raynaud’s, attacks are more likely symmetric, episodic, and without evidence of peripheral vascular disease. Patients more commonly have a negative ANA and normal inflammatory markers. There should be no evidence of tissue gangrene, digital pitting, or tissue injury in primary Raynaud’s. In contrast, patients with secondary Raynaud’s will describe attacks that are more frequent, painful, often asymmetric and may lead to digital ulcerations.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Musculoskeletal System
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Question 18
Correct
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Drugs and their actions are listed below. Which pair is correctly matched?
Your Answer: Simvastatin inhibits HMGCoA reductase
Explanation:Amiodarone is a class III antiarrhythmic agent, and prolongs phase 3 of the cardiac action potential.
Digoxin increases the force of contraction of the heart muscle by inhibiting the Na-K-ATPase membrane pump, resulting in an increase in intracellular sodium.
Sotalol blocks beta-adrenoreceptors (Vaughan Williams Class II) and prolongs the cardiac action potential duration (Vaughan Williams Class III).
Streptokinase creates an active complex which promotes the cleavage of the Arg/Val bond in plasminogen to form the proteolytic enzyme plasmin. Plasmin degrades the fibrin matrix of the thrombus. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 19
Correct
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A 3-year-old girl is brought to the clinic by her mother due to burning micturition, frequency and urgency. She is also experiencing some suprapubic tenderness. Which of the following investigations should be done initially?
Your Answer: Clean catch of urine for Culture &Sensitivity
Explanation:Urine culture and sensitivity is used to diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI). A mid-stream clean catch urine sample is the most common type of sample collected. It is important to follow the clean catch process to have accurate results from an uncontaminated sample. Urine cultures can also check for infections of the bladder or kidney.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Renal System
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Question 20
Correct
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A 42-year-old female presents with a funny bone sensation in her right elbow that is accompanied by numbness and tingling in the 4th and 5th digits. The symptoms are aggravated when the elbow is bent for a prolonged period. Which of the following explains the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Cubital tunnel syndrome
Explanation: -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Musculoskeletal System
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Question 21
Correct
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A 30-year-old previously well female presented with yellowish discolouration of her sclera. Investigations revealed low haemoglobin, a retic count of 8% and the occasional spherocyte on blood film. Which of the following is the most appropriate single investigation?
Your Answer: Direct coombs test
Explanation:A low haemoglobin and a high retic count is suggestive of a haemolytic anaemia. Occasional spherocytes can be seen on blood film during haemolysis and it is not a specific finding. Direct Coombs test will help to identify autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, where there are antibodies attached to RBCs.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine System & Metabolism
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Question 22
Correct
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Which one of the following statements regarding hepatocellular carcinoma is correct?
Your Answer: Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor
Explanation:Diabetes is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma. Screening has been shown to be effective. Bevacizumab is not used for advanced cases. The incidence is higher in men. Alcohol is not the most common underlying cause worldwide; this is from cirrhosis from diseases like hepatitis B and C.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Hepatobiliary System
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Question 23
Correct
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A 37-year-old teacher with multiple sclerosis complains that her vision becomes blurred during a hot bath. Which of the following explain this?
Your Answer: Uhthoff's phenomenon
Explanation:Uhthoff’s phenomenon is worsening of vision following a rise in body temperature.
Lhermitte’s sign describes paraesthesia in the limbs on neck flexion.
Oppenheim’s sign is seen when scratching of the inner side of leg leads to extension of the toes. It is a sign of cerebral irritation and is not related to multiple sclerosis.
Werdnig-Hoffman’s disease is also known as spinal muscular atrophy. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 24
Correct
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A 37-year-old male patient presented with bilateral kidney stones. He gave a history of sarcoidosis. What is the most probable cause for renal stones?
Your Answer: Hyper calcaemic
Explanation:Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disorder which may involve the kidneys to a variable degree. Renal calculi have been reported to occur in about 10% of patients with chronic sarcoidosis. Hypercalcaemia due to marked hyperabsorption of dietary calcium, bone resorption and renal tubular calcium reabsorption causes hypercalciuria. Both hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria contribute to nephrolithiasis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Renal System
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Question 25
Correct
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A 25-year-old patient has presented with symptoms which all point to the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) a tumour. These are numbness in the face, vertigo, and tinnitus. Choose the most appropriate investigation from the list of options.
Your Answer: MRI Brain
Explanation:MRI scans are used to diagnose tumours in the cerebellopontine angle.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 26
Correct
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An 18-year-old male has been taken to the emergency department and is in a semi-unconscious state. Upon examination, he has the following stats: pulse = 60 bpm; RR = 8/min; and BP = 120/70 mmHg. The doctors also notice needle track marks on both of his arms, and his pupils are very small. From the list of options, choose the most suitable treatment.
Your Answer: Naloxone
Explanation:A reduced state of consciousness, RR 8/min, hypotension, miosis, and needle track marks on the arm are all symptoms of an opiate drug overdose, and so Naloxone is the most appropriate course of treatment.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency & Critical Care
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Question 27
Correct
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A 42-year-old female with a history of hypertension presented with increased thirst, polyuria and nocturia for 2 weeks duration. Her random blood sugar was 12 mmol/l. Which of the following antihypertensives can cause the above clinical presentation?
Your Answer: Bendroflumethiazide
Explanation:Thiazides and beta-blockers have been most commonly linked to the development of diabetes mellitus.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 28
Correct
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A 53-year-old cashier with a history of chronic back pain presents for a check-up. He is aware of a dragging feeling affecting his left foot when he tries to walk. This has developed since a minor injury to his left knee. On examination, he has weakness of dorsiflexion and eversion of the left foot. The right is unaffected and plantar flexion and inversion are normal on the left. MRI of the spinal cord shows degenerative disc changes at multiple levels, but no evidence of cord or nerve root impingement. Nerve conduction studies and EMG results are pending. Which of the following sensory loss patterns would you expect to find in association with this motor defect?
Your Answer: Sensory loss over the dorsum of the foot and anterolateral leg
Explanation:This patient presentation is unlikely to be an L5 nerve root lesion given the results of the MRI scan. Therefore, the most likely diagnosis is a mononeuritis affecting the left common peroneal nerve. This would lead to sensory loss over the dorsum of the foot and anterolateral leg on the left.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 29
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 30
Correct
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A 65-year-old female has complained she feels unsteady when she is walking. She is examined and is found to have pyramidal weakness of her left lower leg. She also has reduced pain and temperature sensation on her right leg and right side of her torso up to the umbilicus. Her joint position sense is also impaired in her left big toe but is found to be normal elsewhere. She has definite left extensor plantar response, and the right plantar response is equivocal. Where is the lesion?
Your Answer: Left mid-thoracic cord
Explanation:In Brown-Sequard syndrome, there is paralysis and loss of proprioception, which occurs on the same (ipsilateral) side of the body, as the lesion. Loss of pain and temperature sensation, therefore, occurs on the opposite (contralateral) side of the body as the lesion.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Geriatric Medicine
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
