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Question 1
Incorrect
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The second generation antihistamine, cetirizine is a less-sedating antihistamine than the older antihistamine, chlorphenamine because:
Your Answer: It is selective for H1-receptors.
Correct Answer: It is less lipid-soluble so less able to cross the blood brain barrier.
Explanation:All older antihistamines such as chlorphenamine cause sedation. The newer antihistamines e.g. cetirizine cause less sedation and psychomotor impairment than the older antihistamines because they are much less lipid soluble and penetrate the blood brain barrier only to a slight extent.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
- Respiratory
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Question 2
Correct
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A 71-year-old man treated with antibiotics for a chest infection returns with a profuse, offensive smelling diarrhoea. A diagnosis of Clostridium difficile diarrhoea is made after investigations.
The action most effective at minimizing spread to other patients is?
Your Answer: Hand washing
Explanation:Clostridium difficile, a Gram-positive, anaerobic, spore forming bacteria is present in the gut of approximately 3% of healthy adults (2012 UK HPA estimates). Following use of broad spectrum antibiotics, which alter normal gut flora, Clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea (CDAD) occurs.
Alcohol hand gel is not effective against Clostridium Difficile spores. Hand washing with soap and water is very essential for healthcare workers who come in contact with it.
Wearing an apron and gloves, and isolation to a side room are important contact precautions. They are, however, ineffective if hand washing is neglected.
Although oral vancomycin is the first-line treatment for C. difficile associated diarrhoea, it will not limit patient to patient spread.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
- Specific Pathogen Groups
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Question 3
Correct
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A 62 year old man has sustained a penetrating injury to the submandibular triangle. On examination, his tongue is weak and when protruded deviates to the left. Which of the following nerves has most likely been injured:
Your Answer: Left hypoglossal nerve
Explanation:Damage to the hypoglossal nerve results in weakness of the tongue, with deviation of the tongue towards the weak side on protrusion.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Cranial Nerve Lesions
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Question 4
Correct
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Which of the following is a primary action of calcitonin:
Your Answer: Decreased bone resorption through inhibition of osteoclast activity
Explanation:Calcitonin is a 32 amino acid polypeptide that is primarily synthesised and released by the parafollicular cells (C-cells) of the thyroid gland in response to rising or high levels of plasma Ca2+ions. Its primary role is to reduce the plasma calcium concentration, therefore opposing the effects of parathyroid hormone.
Secretion of calcitonin is stimulated by:
– Increased plasma calcium concentration
– Gastrin
– Pentagastrin
– The main actions of calcitonin are:
– Inhibition of osteoclastic activity (decreasing calcium and phosphate resorption from bone)
– Stimulation of osteoblastic activity
– Decreases renal calcium reabsorption
– Decreases renal phosphate reabsorption -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine
- Physiology
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Question 5
Incorrect
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A 22-year-old man arrives at the emergency department with a sore throat, low-grade fever, and malaise. His partner has infectious mononucleosis, which was recently diagnosed. In this situation, which of the following cells is the most proliferative:
Your Answer: Neutrophils
Correct Answer: Lymphocytes
Explanation:Histologic findings in EBV infectious mononucleosis: Oropharyngeal epithelium demonstrates an intense lymphoproliferative response in the cells of the oropharynx. The lymph nodes and spleen show lymphocytic infiltration primarily in the periphery of a lymph node.
Relative lymphocytosis (≥ 60%) plus atypical lymphocytosis (≥ 10%) are the characteristic findings of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infectious mononucleosis. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Immune Responses
- Pathology
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Question 6
Incorrect
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A 42-year-old man presented to the emergency room after an incident of slipping and falling onto his back and left hip. Upon physical examination, it was noted that he has pain on hip adduction, but normal hip flexion.
Which of the following muscles was most likely injured in this case?Your Answer: Sartorius
Correct Answer: Pectineus
Explanation:The hip adductors are a group of five muscles located in the medial compartment of the thigh. These muscles are the adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, gracilis, and pectineus.
The hip flexors consist of 5 key muscles that contribute to hip flexion: iliacus, psoas, pectineus, rectus femoris, and sartorius.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Lower Limb
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Question 7
Incorrect
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A 56-year-old female visits her cardiologist complaining of a condition that has started since he started her on amiodarone for atrial arrhythmia. The cardiologist recognised that she is experiencing a side effect of amiodarone.
Which one of the following conditions will this woman NOT have?Your Answer: Thyrotoxicosis
Correct Answer: Xanthopsia
Explanation:Amiodarone is a class III potassium channel blocker used to treat multiple types of arrhythmias.
Side effects include:
1. pulmonary fibrosis
2. blue discolouration of the skin
3. phototoxicity
4. corneal deposits
5. hepatic necrosis
6. thyroid dysfunction
7. sleep disturbances
8. peripheral neuropathy.Xanthopsia is a condition where the patient complains of seeing yellow lines and is seen in digoxin overdose.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular Pharmacology
- Pharmacology
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Question 8
Correct
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Nitric oxide release from endothelium is stimulated by all of the following EXCEPT for:
Your Answer: Noradrenaline
Explanation:Nitric oxide (NO) production by the endothelium is increased by factors that elevate intracellular Ca2+, including local mediators such as bradykinin, histamine and serotonin, and some neurotransmitters (e.g. substance P). Increased flow (shear stress) also stimulates NO production and additionally activates prostacyclin synthesis. The basal production of NO continuously modulates vascular resistance; increased production of nitric oxide acts to cause vasodilation. Nitric oxide also inhibits platelet activation and thrombosis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Physiology
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Question 9
Correct
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A 35-year-old lady has suffered a serious brain injury. Her uvula has deviated to the right, according to inspection. Which of the following nerves is likely to be affected?
Your Answer: Left vagus nerve
Explanation:When the vagus nerve is damaged, the soft palate is paralyzed and the uvula is shifted away from the affected side. The vagus nerve innervates the uvulae muscle, which forms the uvula’s core. If only one side is innervated, contraction of the active muscle will draw the uvula towards it.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Cranial Nerve Lesions
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Question 10
Correct
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A 50-year-old woman with painful joints had some blood tests done with her GP. The test showed she had anti-double stranded DNA antibodies.
Which one of these disorders is most likely to be associated with anti-double stranded DNA antibodies?Your Answer: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Explanation:CREST syndrome is usually associated with anti-centromere antibodies.
Primary biliary cirrhosis is associated with anti-mitochondrial antibodies.
Sjogren’s syndrome is associated with anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies.
Polymyositis is associated with anti-Jo1 antibodies.
Anti-double stranded DNA antibodies are highly characteristic of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). They are a group of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) that target double stranded DNA and are implicated in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- General Pathology
- Pathology
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Question 11
Correct
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The most common cause of anaemia worldwide is which of the following?
Your Answer: Iron deficiency anaemia
Explanation:The most common cause of microcytic anaemia and of any anaemia worldwide is iron deficiency anaemia.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology
- Pathology
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Question 12
Correct
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The 'pump handle' movement of the thoracic wall describes which of the following movements:
Your Answer: The anterior ends of the ribs moving upwards and forwards
Explanation:Because the anterior ends of the ribs are inferior to the posterior ends, when the ribs are elevated, the anterior end moves upwards and forwards, moving the sternum upwards and forwards in turn. This ‘pump handle’ upwards and forwards movement changes the anteroposterior (AP) dimension of the thorax.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Thorax
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Question 13
Incorrect
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A 43 year old lady who has a previous medical history of hyperthyroidism presents to the emergency room with sweating, palpitations and agitation. On examination, she is tachycardic, hypertensive and hyperpyrexic. She recently had a stomach bug and has not been able to take her medication regularly. The best medication to immediately treat her symptoms is which of the following?
Your Answer: Carbimazole
Correct Answer: Propranolol
Explanation:There is a high suspicion of a thyroid crisis in this patient and emergent treatment should be initiated even before the results of TFT’s have returned. Antiadrenergic drugs like IV propranolol should be administered immediately to minimise sympathomimetic symptoms. Antithyroid medications like propylthiouracil or carbimazole should be administered to block further synthesis of thyroid hormones. After thionamide therapy has been started to prevent stimulation of new hormone synthesis, there should then be delayed administration of oral iodine solution. Hydrocortisone administration is also recommended as it treats possible relative adrenal insufficiency while also decreases peripheral conversion of T4 to T3.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine
- Pharmacology
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Question 14
Correct
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An analytical cohort study is done to compare the relationship between omega 3 intake and occurrence of myocardial infarction (MI) among males aged over 65 years. The following are the data from the study:
No. of subjects taking placebo: 100 men
No. of subjects taking placebo who suffered an MI: 15 men
No. of subjects taking omega 3: 100 men
No. of subjects taking omega 3 who suffered an MI: 5 men
Compute for the absolute risk in the treatment (omega 3) group.Your Answer: 0.05
Explanation:The absolute risk (AR) is the probability or chance of an event. It is computed as the number of events in treated or control groups, divided by the number of people in that group.
AR = 5/100 = 0.05
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Evidence Based Medicine
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Question 15
Correct
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A 30-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes mellitus is brought in drowsy and confused. Her BM is 2.2 mmol/l and a dose of IM glucagon is administered.
What is the principal stimulus for the secretion of glucagon?Your Answer: Hypoglycaemia
Explanation:Glucagon, a peptide hormone, is produced and secreted by alpha cells of the islets of Langerhans, located in the endocrine portion of the pancreas.
Its main physiological role is stimulation of hepatic glucose output leading to increase in blood glucose. It is the major counter-regulatory hormone to insulin in maintaining glucose homeostasis.
The principal stimulus for the secretion of glucagon is hypoglycaemia. Hypoglycaemia then stimulates:
Glycogenolysis
Gluconeogenesis
Lipolysis in adipose tissue leading to increased glycaemia.Secretion of glucagon is also stimulated by arginine, alanine, adrenaline, acetylcholine and cholecystokinin
Secretion of glucagon is inhibited by:
Insulin
Somatostatin
Increased free fatty acids
Increased urea production -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine Physiology
- Physiology
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Question 16
Correct
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You review a patient with urinary sepsis and decide to start her on gentamicin.
Which statement about gentamicin is true?
Your Answer: Ototoxicity is a dose-related effect
Explanation:Gentamicin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, acts by binding to the 30S subunit of the bacterial ribosome inhibiting the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA, and thus prevents initiation of protein synthesis.
Gentamicin is given by injection because it is NOT absorbed orally.
It is excreted in the kidneys by glomerular filtration
Gentamicin is not to be used for the treatment of Neisseria meningitidis, Neisseria gonorrhoea, or Legionella pneumophila.There is a risk of patient going into shock from lipid A endotoxin release.
Two of its most notable side effects are hearing loss reversible nephrotoxicity and which are both dose-related and levels should be monitored in patients.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Infections
- Pharmacology
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Question 17
Correct
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On her most recent blood tests, a 55 year-old female with a history of hypertension was discovered to be hypokalaemic. She is diagnosed with primary hyperaldosteronism.
Which of the following is a direct action of aldosterone?
Your Answer: Secretion of H + into the distal convoluted tubule
Explanation:Aldosterone is a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal cortex’s zona glomerulosa. It is the most important mineralocorticoid hormone in the control of blood pressure. It does so primarily by promoting the synthesis of Na+/K+ATPases and the insertion of more Na+/K+ATPases into the basolateral membrane of the nephron’s distal tubules and collecting ducts, as well as stimulating apical sodium and potassium channel activity, resulting in increased sodium reabsorption and potassium secretion. This results in sodium conservation, potassium secretion, water retention, and a rise in blood volume and blood pressure.
Aldosterone is produced in response to the following stimuli:
Angiotensin II levels have risen.
Potassium levels have increased.
ACTH levels have risen.
Aldosterone’s principal actions are as follows:
Na+ reabsorption from the convoluted tubule’s distal end
Water resorption from the distal convoluted tubule (followed by Na+)
Cl is reabsorbed from the distal convoluted tubule.
K+ secretion into the convoluted distal tubule’s
H+ secretion into the convoluted distal tubule’s -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
- Renal Physiology
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Question 18
Correct
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Which of the following statements accurately describes the extensor indicis muscle?
Your Answer: It lacks the juncturae tendinum
Explanation:Extensor indicis is a narrow, elongated muscle found in the posterior compartment of the forearm. It belongs to the deep extensors of the forearm, together with supinator, abductor pollicis longus, extensor pollicis longus, and extensor pollicis brevis muscles. It lacks the juncturae tendinum, which connects the extensor digitorum on the dorsal aspect of the hand.
Extensor indicis can be palpated by applying deep pressure over the lower part of the ulna while the index finger is extended. The main function of extensor indicis involves the extension of the index finger at the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints. As the index finger is one of the few fingers that have their own separate extensor muscle, it is able to extend independently from other fingers. Additionally, extensor indicis muscle produces a weak extension of the wrist.
Extensor indicis receives its nervous supply from posterior interosseous nerve, a branch of the radial nerve derived from spinal roots C7 and C8. The skin overlying the muscle is supplied by the same nerve, with fibres that stem from the spinal roots C6 and C7.
The superficial surface of the extensor indicis receives arterial blood supply from posterior interosseous branch of the ulnar artery, whereas its deep surface receives blood from perforating branches of the anterior interosseous artery.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Upper Limb
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Question 19
Correct
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Which of the following is considered the best source of information if a research on the national hospital MRSA rates is being done?
Your Answer: Hospital Episode Statistics
Explanation:Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) is a data warehouse containing details of all admissions, outpatient appointments and A and E attendances at NHS hospitals in England.
Each HES record contains a wide range of information about an individual patient admitted to an NHS hospital, including:
– clinical information about diagnoses and operations
– patient information, such as age group, gender and ethnicity
– administrative information, such as dates and methods of admission and discharge
– geographical information such as where patients are treated and the area where they liveSome benefits of HES include:
– monitor trends and patterns in NHS hospital activity
– assess effective delivery of care
– support local service planning
– reveal health trends over time
– determine fair access to health care -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Evidence Based Medicine
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Question 20
Incorrect
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Regarding cellular respiration, which of the following statements is CORRECT:
Your Answer: Glycolysis is the final stage in cellular respiration.
Correct Answer: When fats are used as the primary energy source, an excess of acetyl-CoA is produced.
Explanation:Cellular respiration is the process by which cells obtain energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP transfers chemical energy from the energy rich substances in the cell to the cell’s energy requiring reactions e.g. active transport, DNA replication and muscle contraction.Cellular respiration is essentially a three step process: 1) Glycolysis, 2)The Krebs cycle, 3)The electron transfer system.The main respiratory substrate used by cells is 6-carbon glucose. Fats and proteins can also be used as respiratory substrates. When fats are being used as the primary energy source, in the absence of glucose, an excess amount of acetyl-CoA is produced, and is converted into acetone and ketone bodies. This can occur in starvation, fasting or in diabetic ketoacidosis. Proteins are used as an energy source only if protein intake is very high, or if glucose and fat sources are depleted.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Cellular
- Physiology
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
