-
Question 1
Correct
-
A 60-year old woman who has a left sided post-pneumonic effusion, was to have some pleural fluid aspirated for culture and sensitivity. If the medical intern in charge of the procedure decided to aspirate while the patient is sitting up on her bed, where in the pleural cavity would the fluid tend to accumulate?
Your Answer: Costodiaphragmatic recess
Explanation:The lowest part of the pleural cavity is the costodiaphragmatic recess and it the space in which the pleural fluid will accumulate when the patient sits up.
The cupola is part of the pleural cavity that extends into the root of the neck above the first rib.
The costomediastinal recess is the junction at which the costal pleura becomes the mediastinal pleura.
The middle mediastinum is the part of the mediastinum that is occupied by the heart.
The hilar reflection is the point where the mediastinal pleura is reflected to continue on as the visceral pleura.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Thorax
-
-
Question 2
Correct
-
Endometrial hyperplasia is most likely to be associated with which of the following conditions?
Your Answer: Fibrothecoma
Explanation:A benign tumour arising from the ovarian stroma, fibrothecoma are bilateral in 10% cases. The thecoma component of the tumour can produce oestrogen leading to endometrial hyperplasia. The thecoma is rich in lipid content and is responsible for the yellowish appearance of the tumour. Meig’s syndrome is the presence of fibrothecoma with a right-sided hydrothorax.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Pathology
- Women's Health
-
-
Question 3
Incorrect
-
In relation to the muscles of facial expression, It is true to say:
Your Answer: Some muscles of facial expression receive their motor supply via the zygomaticofacial nerve
Correct Answer: They are in the same subcutaneous plane as the platysma muscle
Explanation:The facial muscles generally originate from the facial bones and attach to the skin, in the same plane as the platysma muscle. They are all innervated by cranial nerve VII (the facial nerve). The occipitofrontalis muscle consists of two parts: The occipital belly, near the occipital bone, and the frontal belly, near the frontal bone.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Head & Neck
-
-
Question 4
Incorrect
-
Mallory bodies are characteristic of which of the following conditions?
Your Answer: Primary biliary cirrhosis
Correct Answer: Alcoholic hepatitis
Explanation:Mallory bodies (or ‘alcoholic hyaline’) are inclusion bodies in the cytoplasm of liver cells, seen in patients of alcoholic hepatitis; and also in Wilson’s disease. These pathological bodies are made of intermediate keratin filament proteins that are ubiquinated or bound by proteins like heat chock protein. Being highly eosinophilic, they appear pink on haematoxylin and eosin staining.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal; Hepatobiliary
- Pathology
-
-
Question 5
Correct
-
Depression of the normal coagulation system and excessive bleeding after surgery can occur in which of the following medical conditions?
Your Answer: Liver disease
Explanation:As most of the coagulation factors are synthesized in the liver, liver diseases like hepatitis or cirrhosis will depress the coagulation system. Vitamin K deficiency can also decrease the production of vitamin K dependent coagulation factors VII, XI, X and prothrombin.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- General
- Physiology
-
-
Question 6
Incorrect
-
A surgical registrar performing an adrenalectomy procedure on the left suprarenal gland of a 25 - year old male patient, accidentally jabbed and injured a vital structure that lies anterior to the left suprarenal organ. Which of the following was the structure most likely injured?
Your Answer: Colon
Correct Answer: Pancreas
Explanation:The adrenal (suprarenal) glands are organs of the endocrine system located on top of each of the kidneys. The left suprarenal gland, in question, is crescent in shape and slightly larger than the right suprarenal gland. It is posteriorly located to the lateral aspect of the head of the pancreas which is thus the most likely to be injured. The other organs like the duodenum, liver and the inferior vena cava are related to the right suprarenal gland. The spleen and the colon are not in close proximity with the left suprarenal gland and are not likely to be the organs injured.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
-
-
Question 7
Correct
-
Which of the following will be a likely sequelae of complete ileal resection?
Your Answer: Vitamin B12 deficiency
Explanation:The ileum is a part of the small intestine and has a pH of around 7-8 (neutral or slightly alkaline). Its main function is absorption of products of digestion. The ileal wall has multiple villi, which in turn have numerous microvilli. This increases the surface area available for absorption significantly. The cells lining the ileum contain multiple enzymes such as protease and carbohydrase, which aid in the final stages of digestion. Villi contain lacteals which absorb the products of fat digestion, fatty acids and glycerol. Thus, ileal resection will lead to their decreased absorption and increased fat content in the stool. The ileum is also responsible for absorption of vitamin B12.
Maximum water absorption occurs in the colon followed by the jejunum. Hence, ileal resection is less likely to lead to fluid volume deficiency. Also, most minerals (like calcium, iron etc.) are absorbed in the duodenum, and thus will not be affected by ileal resection.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
- Physiology
-
-
Question 8
Incorrect
-
Which of these laboratory findings will indicate a fetal neural tube defect when done between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Increased alpha-fetoprotein
Explanation:Maternal serum screening during the second trimester is a non-invasive way of identifying women at increased risk of having children with a neural tube defect and should be offered to all pregnant women. The results are most accurate when the sample is taken between 15 and 20 weeks of gestation. Elevated levels of alpha-fetoprotein suggest open spina bifida, anencephaly, risk of pregnancy complications, or multiple pregnancy.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Neurology
- Pathology
-
-
Question 9
Incorrect
-
Leukotrienes normally function during an asthma attack and work to sustain inflammation. Which of the following enzymes would inhibit their synthesis?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: 5-lipoxygenase
Explanation:Leukotrienes are produced from arachidonic acid with the help of the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase. This takes place in the eosinophils, mast cells, neutrophils, monocytes and basophils. They are eicosanoid lipid mediators and take part in allergic and asthmatic attacks. They are both autocrine as well as paracrine signalling molecules to regulate the body’s response and include: LTA4, LTB4, LTC4, LTD4, LTE4 and LTF4.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Inflammation & Immunology
- Pathology
-
-
Question 10
Incorrect
-
The superior rectal artery is a continuation of the:
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Inferior mesenteric artery
Explanation:The superior rectal artery or superior haemorrhoidal artery is the continuation of the inferior mesenteric artery. It descends into the pelvis between the layers of the mesentery of the sigmoid colon, crossing the left common iliac artery and vein.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
-
-
Question 11
Incorrect
-
Following a lacerating injury along the anterior border of the trapezius muscle in the neck, a man has the point of his shoulder (scapula) sagging and he has difficulty with full abduction of his arm. Which nerve is most likely injured?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Accessory (cranial nerve XI)
Explanation:Injury to the accessory nerve denervates the trapezius muscle so that the person will no longer be able to raise the acromion of the shoulder. The dorsal scapular nerve supplies the rhomboids i.e. major and minor and the levator scapulae so that injury to this nerve weakens retraction of the scapula. The greater occipital nerve is responsible for sensation of the posterior scalp. The axillary nerve innervates the deltoid muscle which is responsible for abduction of the arm and the suprascapular nerve is responsible for rotating the humerus laterally. Cutaneous nerves supply the skin.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Upper Limb
-
-
Question 12
Incorrect
-
Multiple cells were labelled using a fluorescent dye that doesn’t cross the cell membrane. One cell in the middle was bleached with a light that destroys the dye, but the cell soon recovers its stain. The presence of which structures best explains this?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Gap junctions
Explanation:Gap junctions are attachments between cells that permit intercellular communication e.g. they permit current flow and electrical coupling between myocardial cells. They allow direct electrical transmission among cells and also permit certain substance to pass through as well. They are either homotypic, formed by two identical hemichannels or heterotypic, formed by different hemichannels.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- General
- Physiology
-
-
Question 13
Incorrect
-
What is the primary function of the Kupffer cells found in the liver?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Recycling of old red blood cells
Explanation:Kupffer cells found in the liver are part of the monocyte-reticular system. They are specialised macrophages and primarily function to recycle old and damaged RBCs. The RBCs are phagocytosed and the haemoglobin is broken down into haem and globin. The haem is further broken down into iron that is recycled and bilirubin that is conjugated with glucuronic acid and excreted in the bile.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Inflammation & Immunology; Hepatobiliary
- Pathology
-
-
Question 14
Incorrect
-
A patient presents with loss of pain and temperature sensation in the left leg. He is likely to have a lesion involving:
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Right lateral spinothalamic tract
Explanation:The spinothalamic tract is a sensory pathway originating in the spinal cord that transmits information to the thalamus. There are two main parts of the spinothalamic tract: the lateral spinothalamic tract transmits pain and temperature and the anterior spinothalamic tract transmits touch (crude touch). The decussation of this pathway occurs at the level of the spinal cord. Hence, a unilateral lesion of the lateral spinothalamic tract causes contralateral loss of pain and temperature.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Neurology
- Physiology
-
-
Question 15
Incorrect
-
When the pitch of a sound increases, what is the physiological response seen in the listener?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: The location of maximal basilar membrane displacement moves toward the base of the cochlea
Explanation:An increase in the frequency of sound waves results in a change in the position of maximal displacement of the basilar membrane in the cochlea. Low pitch sound produces maximal displacement towards the cochlear apex and greatest activation of hair cells there. With an increasing pitch, the site of greatest displacement moves towards the cochlear base. However, increased amplitude of displacement, increase in the number of activated hair cells, increased frequency of discharge of units in the auditory nerve and increase in the range of frequencies to which such units respond, are all seen in increases in the intensity or a sound stimulus.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Neurology
- Physiology
-
-
Question 16
Incorrect
-
Which of the following conditions can present with multiple abscesses that may discharge sulphur granules?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Actinomycosis
Explanation:Actinomycosis is primarily caused by any of the several members of the bacterial genus Actinomyces. These bacteria are generally anaerobes. And can cause multiple abscesses that may discharge sulphur granules.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
- Pathology
-
-
Question 17
Incorrect
-
A patient at the time of her second delivery opted for a bilateral pudendal nerve block. In order to inject the anaesthetic agent near the pudendal nerve a anaesthetic consultant had to insert a finger into the vagina and press laterally to palpate which landmark?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Ischial spine
Explanation:The ischial spine is always palpated through the walls of the vagina when performing a transvaginal pudendal nerve block and can easily be palpated on the lateral wall of the vagina.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Pelvis
-
-
Question 18
Incorrect
-
A 57-year-old male smoker noted a lump on his inner lip. Upon physical examination the lump measured more than 2 cm but less than 4 cm in its greatest dimension. He is diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the lip. What is the stage of the patient's cancer according to the TNM staging for head and neck cancers?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: T2
Explanation:Head and neck cancer is a group of cancers that starts within the mouth, nose, throat, larynx, sinuses, or salivary glands. The TNM staging system used for head and neck cancers is a clinical staging system that allows physicians to compare results across patients, assess prognosis, and design appropriate treatment regimens. The staging is as follows; Primary tumour (T): Tis: pre-invasive cancer (carcinoma in situ), T0: no evidence of primary tumour, T1: tumour 2 cm or less in its greatest dimension, T2: tumour more than 2 cm but not more than 4 cm, T3: tumour larger than 4 cm, T4: tumour with extension to bone, muscle, skin, antrum, neck, etc and TX: minimum requirements to assess primary tumour cannot be met. Regional lymph node involvement (N): N0: no evidence of regional lymph node involvement, N1: evidence of involvement of movable homolateral regional lymph nodes, N2: evidence of involvement of movable contralateral or bilateral regional lymph nodes, N3: evidence of involvement of fixed regional lymph nodes and NX: Minimum requirements to assess the regional nodes cannot be met. Distant metastases (M): M0: no evidence of distant metastases, M1: evidence of distant metastases and MX: minimum requirements to assess the presence of distant metastases cannot be met. Staging: Stage I: T1 N0 M0, Stage II: T2 N0 M0, Stage III: T2NOMO and T3N1MO, Stage IV: T4N1M0, any TN2M0, any TN3M0, any T and any NM1. The depth of infiltration is predictive of the prognosis. With increasing depth of invasion of the primary tumour, the risk of nodal metastasis increases and survival decreases. The patient in this scenario therefore has a T2 tumour.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Neoplasia
- Pathology
-
-
Question 19
Incorrect
-
A 12-year old girl was brought to the hospital with recurrent headaches for 6 months. Her physical examination revealed no abnormality. A CT scan of the head revealed a suprasellar mass with calcifications, eroding the surrounding sella turcica. The lesion is likely to represent:
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Craniopharyngioma
Explanation:Craniopharyngiomas (also known as Rathke pouch tumours, adamantinomas or hypophyseal duct tumours) affect children mainly between the age of 5 and 10 years. It constitutes 9% of brain tumours affecting the paediatric population. These are slow-growing tumours which can also be cystic, and arise from the pituitary stalk, specifically the nests of epithelium derived from Rathke’s pouch. Histologically, this tumour shows nests of squamous epithelium which is lined on the outside by radially arranged cells. Calcium deposition is often seen with a papillary type of architecture.
ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas are rare and mostly microadenomas. Paediatric astrocytoma’s usually occur in the posterior fossa. Although null cell adenomas can cause mass effect and give rise to the described symptoms, they are not suprasellar. Prolactinomas can also show symptoms of headache and disturbances in the visual field, however they are known to be small and slow-growing.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine
- Pathology
-
-
Question 20
Incorrect
-
T lymphocytes that express the MCH type II antigen are most likely to produce which of the following cytokines?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Gamma interferon
Explanation:Interferon gamma is a soluble cytokine previously known as the macrophage activating factor. It is the only member belonging to the type II class of the interferons. It is secreted by a number of cells taking part in the immune reaction including: T-helper cells (CD-4), cells with immunological memory (CD45PA), killer cells (CD8), dendrite cells (CD23,35), natural killer cells (CD16) and B lymphocytes (CD22,CD23). It has both a defending as well as a pathological effect. It induces differentiation in the myeloid cell in the bone marrow. If macrophages are infected by parasites it activates the macrophages to destroy them. IFN-γ strengthens the anti-tumour activities of the cytotoxic lymphocytes. Together with CD4 or CD8 toxins, produced by lymphocytes, it suppresses the growth of the tumour cells. along with these functions it increases the non specific response of the natural killer cells, causing changes in the cell membrane surface to prevent adhesion and penetration of a virus. It can either increase or decrease B cell response and it activates osteoclasts which increases bone resorption.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Inflammation & Immunology
- Pathology
-
-
Question 21
Incorrect
-
Identify which of the following muscles acts on two joints?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Sartorius
Explanation:The sartorius muscle, the longest muscle in the body, is one of the two jointed or biarticular muscles. It originates from the anterior superior iliac spine and part of the notch between the anterior superior iliac spine and anterior inferior iliac spine and crosses both the hip joint and the knee joint. At the hip joint the sartorius flexes and rotates the thigh at the hip joint and flexes the leg at the knee joint.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Lower Limb
-
-
Question 22
Incorrect
-
Which of these nerves controls adduction of hand?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Ulnar nerve
Explanation:The adductors of the fingers are the palmer interossei. They are supplied by the ulnar nerve, which is a branch of the medical cord of the brachial plexus.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Upper Limb
-
-
Question 23
Incorrect
-
Question 24
Incorrect
-
For calculation of cardiac output by Fick's principle, which of the following vessels is the best source of venous blood to determine the arterial-to-venous oxygen tension difference?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Pulmonary artery
Explanation:Fick’s principle states that the total uptake (or release) of a substance by peripheral tissues is equal to the product of the blood flow to the peripheral tissues and the arterial– venous concentration difference (gradient) of the substance. It is used to measure the cardiac output, and the formula is Cardiac output = oxygen consumption divided by arteriovenous oxygen difference. Assuming there are no shunts across the pulmonary system, the pulmonary blood flow equals the systemic blood flow. The arterial and venous blood oxygen content is measured by sampling from the pulmonary artery (low oxygen content) and pulmonary vein (high oxygen content). Peripheral arterial blood is used as a surrogate for the pulmonary vein.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Physiology
-
-
Question 25
Incorrect
-
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is likely to be affected by a lesion in the:
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Pons
Explanation:Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is also known as paradoxical sleep, as the summed activity of the brain’s neurons is quite similar to that during waking hours. Characterised by rapid movements of the eyes, most of the vividly recalled dreams occur during this stage of sleep. The total time of REM sleep for an adult is about 90–120 min per night.
Certain neurones in the brainstem, known as REM sleep-on cells, which are located in the pontine tegmentum, are particularly active during REM sleep and are probably responsible for its occurrence. The eye movements associated with REM are generated by the pontine nucleus with projections to the superior colliculus and are associated with PGO (pons, geniculate, occipital) waves.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Neurology
- Physiology
-
-
Question 26
Incorrect
-
Destruction of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus will result in:
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Loss of satiety
Explanation:The ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus is divided into an anterior and a superior part. The anterior part controls the female sexual drive, whereas the superior part is responsible for satiety. Destruction of the superior part of the nucleus will result in overeating, as no signal tells the body that it is satisfied.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Neurology
- Physiology
-
-
Question 27
Incorrect
-
A 78-year-old man who has been bedridden for a month is prescribed griseofulvin. What class of drugs does griseofulvin belong to?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Antifungal
Explanation:Griseofulvin is an antifungal drug. It is administered orally, and it is used to treat ringworm infections of the skin and nails. It binds to keratin in keratin precursor cells and makes them resistant to fungal infections. Griseofulvin works by interfering with fungal mitosis.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
-
-
Question 28
Incorrect
-
A 20-year old cyclist falls off a speeding bike and fractures a structure that articulates with the tubercle of the 7th rib. Which structure is fractured?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Transverse process of vertebra T7
Explanation:A rib tubercle is a projection that is postero-inferior and lateral to the neck of a rib which articulates with the transverse process of the corresponding vertebra i.e. of the same number. Therefore, the tubercle of rib 7 articulates with the transverse process of T7 vertebra. The head of the rib 7, on the other hand, articulates with the 6th vertebra superiorly and the 7th vertebra inferiorly.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Thorax
-
-
Question 29
Incorrect
-
A 60 year-old patient being treated for hypertension presents to the ED with swelling of the left upper limb due to poor venous return. On examination, it is found that an aneurysm of the ascending aorta is impinging on a large vein lying immediately anterosuperior to it. Which vein is it likely to be?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Left brachiocephalic
Explanation:Among the veins listed, only the left brachiocephalic vein is anterosuperior to the ascending aorta. The right brachiocephalic vein being on the right side would not be affected by the aortic aneurysm.
The azygos vein lies deep in the chest on the right side.
The internal thoracic vein lies interior to the anterior wall of the chest.
The left superior intercostal vein is close to the aortic arch, crossing it laterally. This vein drains the 2nd to 4th interspaces on the left side.
The Right internal jugular vein joins the right brachiocephalic vein which would not be affected by the aneurysm.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Thorax
-
-
Question 30
Incorrect
-
A histopathological analysis of a specimen showed loss of individual cell structure with karyorrhexis and fragmentation. The overall integrity of the tissue structure is preserved. This is typical of which of the following pathologies?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Viral hepatitis
Explanation:Viral infections will cause necrosis of the hepatocytes with characteristic changes of karyorrhexis and cell fragmentation.
Brown atrophy of the heart is due to accumulation of lipofuscin in the myocardium.
Tissue destruction associated with transplant rejection leads to widespread loss of structural integrity.
Single cell necrosis is not characteristically seen in chronic alcoholic liver.
Barbiturate overdose will result in hypertrophy of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum.
Carcinoma insitu will cause dysplastic cells without the overall structural integrity being disrupted.
Atrophy is due to apoptosis with ordered cellular fragmentation and phagocytosis and will not induce an inflammatory process unlike necrosis.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Injury & Wound Healing
- Pathology
-
SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
