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Question 1
Incorrect
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In idiopathic hypercalciuria, what management should be initiated if there is renal stone disease or bone demineralization?
Your Answer: Increased fluid intake
Correct Answer: Dietary modification and thiazide diuretics
Explanation:Idiopathic hypercalciuria presents with excess calcium in the urine without an apparent cause. Dietary modification is the first step in addressing this condition, however, because hypercalciuria increases the risk of developing renal stones and bone demineralisation, thiazide diuretics should be prescribed to increase calcium reabsorption when these symptoms are also present.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Renal System
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Question 2
Incorrect
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A 33-year-old male presents with a rash and low grade fever (37.6°C). Twenty-one days ago, he underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplant for high-risk acute myeloid leukaemia. The rash was initially maculopapular affecting his palms and soles but 24 hours later, general erythroderma is noted involving the trunk and limbs. Other than that, he remains asymptomatic. His total bilirubin was previously normal but is now noted to be 40 μmol/L (1-22).
How would you manage the patient at this stage?Your Answer: Observation
Correct Answer: High-dose methylprednisolone
Explanation:This is a classical picture of graft versus host disease (GVHD) following bone marrow transplant. Acute GVHD occurs in the first 100 days post transplant with chronic GVHD occurring 100-300 days after transplant. GVHD is graded according to the Seattle system, and each organ involved is scored (skin, liver, and gut).
The standard initial treatment in the acute setting is high-dose methylprednisolone started immediately. If there is no response, a more intensive immunosuppressive agent such as alemtuzumab or antilymphocyte globulin is needed.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 3
Incorrect
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A 55-year-old woman presents with drooping on the left side of her mouth, hearing defect, and partial in-coordination of movements and loss of sensation over her entire face. She is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. What is the most likely anatomical site affected?
Your Answer: Cerebellum
Correct Answer: Brain stem
Explanation:Cranial nerve 5, 7, and 8 involvement suggest a lesion in the brainstem.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Musculoskeletal System
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Question 4
Incorrect
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A 30-year-old female went to her local doctor's surgery for a follow-up to a cervical smear test. The smear was sent to histology and was identified as CIN2. Choose the most appropriate management for this patient.
Your Answer: Cone biopsy
Correct Answer: Refer for colposcopy
Explanation:Screening for cervical carcinoma helps to prevent the development of the disease. According to NICE, the screening interval using liquid-based cytology (as opposed to PAP) is 3 years for women less than 50 years old and 5 years for women over 50 years old. If a smear test is conducted and it shows no endocervical cells then it should be conducted again. This is because there was either inadequate preparation or sampling, or the sampling was done at the wrong point in the menstrual cycle. For severe dyskaryosis or carcinoma in situ, the patient needs treatment and should, therefore, be referred for a colposcopy. Clue cells are vaginal epithelial cells that are fuzzy (i.e.. without distinct edges) when looking at through a microscope. When bacterial vaginosis is present, over 20 per cent of the sample cells are clue cells. Bacterial vaginosis is treated with metronidazole therapy. Although trichomoniasis is treated with metronidazole too, the patient should be tested for other sexually transmitted diseases.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Women's Health
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Question 5
Incorrect
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A 50-year-old lung cancer patient presents with diminished reflexes, retention of urine, postural hypotension and sluggish pupillary reaction. What is the most likely explanation for her symptoms?
Your Answer: Brain Metastasis
Correct Answer: Paraneoplastic syndrome
Explanation:Paraneoplastic syndromes are more common in patients with lung cancer. Signs and symptoms include inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, finger clubbing, hypercoagulability and Eaton-Lambert syndrome.
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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 23-year-old male patient presents with urethritis for the last 2 weeks that has not responded to antibiotics. Lately he has developed an onset of new range of symptoms that are linked to his HLA B27 positivity. Which of the following signs is not related to Reiter's syndrome?
Your Answer: Pustular lesions on the soles of the feet
Correct Answer: A mild fever with a generalised macular rash
Explanation: -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Musculoskeletal System
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Question 7
Correct
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A 62-year-old female with a history of COPD and hypertension presents with pain on swallowing. Current medication includes a salbutamol and becotide inhaler, bendrofluazide and amlodipine. What is the most likely cause of the presentation?
Your Answer: Oesophageal candidiasis
Explanation:The history gives you a woman who is on inhaled steroid therapy. It is always a good idea for patients to rinse their mouths well after using inhaled steroids. Odynophagia (pain on swallowing) is a symptom of oesophageal candidiasis, which is the most likely answer given the steroids. Typically, you might see this in someone who is immunocompromised (classically, in HIV+ patients).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
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Question 8
Incorrect
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A 21-year-old male presented in the OPD with a testicular mass. During examination, the mass was found to be painless and 2.5cm in diameter. The surface is irregular and non-transilluminating. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Seminoma
Correct Answer: Teratoma
Explanation:The age group of the patient (20 to 30 years) is indicative of teratoma. It is also painless and non-transilluminating.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Men's Health
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Question 9
Correct
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A 7-year-old boy was brought to the ED in an unconscious and apnoeic state. What is your immediate management of this case?
Your Answer: Secure airway
Explanation:ABC : Airway, breathing, circulation is the order of assessment in any patient that is unconscious and apnoeic.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 10
Incorrect
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A 21-year-old student presents with yellowish discolouration of her sclera. She says she has had severe headaches over the last few weeks for which she has been taking paracetamol. What is the most likely cause of her jaundice?
Your Answer: Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
Correct Answer: Gilbert's syndrome
Explanation:Gilbert’s syndrome is a mild liver disorder in which the liver does not properly process bilirubin. Many people never have symptoms. Occasionally a slight yellowish colour of the skin or whites of the eyes may occur. Other possible symptoms include feeling tired, weakness, and abdominal pain.
The enzymes that are defective in Gilberts – UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 family, polypeptide A1 (UGT1A1) – are also responsible for some of the liver’s ability to detoxify certain drugs. While paracetamol (acetaminophen) is not metabolized by UGT1A1,[10] it is metabolized by one of the other enzymes also deficient in some people with Gilberts. Therefore a subset of people with Gilberts may have an increased risk of paracetamol toxicity. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Hepatobiliary System
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Question 11
Incorrect
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A 19-year-old woman is diagnosed with acute purulent meningitis after returning from a recent holiday abroad. Which of the following investigations is the least relevant?
Your Answer: An examination of fresh CSF with phase contrast microscopy
Correct Answer: PCR of CSF for Mycobacterium TB
Explanation:Amoebic, bacterial and fungal meningitis may present acutely but this is not common in tuberculous meningitis. Amoebic meningitis is caused by Naegleria fowleri as a result of swimming in infected freshwater. The organism may be found in fresh CSF specimens with phase contrast microscopy.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Infectious Diseases
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Question 12
Incorrect
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Which one of the following interventions has the least role in management of acne rosacea?
Your Answer: Topical metronidazole
Correct Answer: Low-dose topical corticosteroids
Explanation:Mild cases are often not treated at all, or are simply covered up with normal cosmetics and avoiding sun exposure. Therapy for the treatment of rosacea is not curative, and is best measured in terms of reduction in the amount of facial redness and inflammatory lesions. The two primary modalities of rosacea treatment are topical and oral antibiotic agents (including metronidazole and tetracyclines). Laser therapy may be appropriate for patients with prominent telangiectasia.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- The Skin
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Question 13
Incorrect
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A 45-year-old female, with 5 day history of fever and pain in the right iliac fossa, presented with acute abdominal pain and rigidity. Past medical, surgical and drug history were unremarkable. The most likely diagnosis will be?
Your Answer: Intussusception
Correct Answer: Perforated diverticulum
Explanation:A diverticulum is a sac like protrusion from the colonic wall. Inflammation leads to diverticulitis characterised by abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. In complicated cases. It may lead to perforation, leading to abdominal tenderness, rigidity and guarding. Ischemic colitis presents with sudden onset abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea. Intussusception leads to abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and signs of intestinal obstruction.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
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Question 14
Incorrect
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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: BMA
Correct 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 15
Correct
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An 82-year-old man arrives at the clinic with painful right upper arm that he has been experiencing for the last few months. The pain is gradually worsening and often wakes him up at night. He is a known case of Paget's disease involving his lumbar spine and pelvis and is currently taking oral bisphosphonates. On examination, shoulder movements are intact. Which of the following is the most likely cause of his arm pain?
Your Answer: Osteosarcoma
Explanation:Paget’s accelerates the remodelling process with old bone breaking down more quickly which disrupts the normal growth process. New bone development eventually adjusts to the faster pace and speeds up on its own. The pace is too fast for healthy bone growth, and the regrowth ends up softer and weaker than normal. The effect of this accelerated process causes bone pain, fractures, and deformities. Since osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer linked to abnormal bone growth, this makes it a rare but possible complication of Paget’s disease although the chances of developing osteosarcoma are minimal. Fractures are painful and restrict movement whereas this patients pain is gradually developing. Pain associated with osteoarthritis is usually mild to moderate and worsens as the day progresses.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Musculoskeletal System
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Question 16
Incorrect
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Which of the following characteristics does the jugular venous waveform have in tricuspid regurgitation?
Your Answer: Cannon waves
Correct Answer: Large V waves
Explanation:The jugular venous pulsation has a biphasic waveform.
– The a wave corresponds to right atrial contraction and ends synchronously with the carotid artery pulse. The peak of the ‘a’ wave demarcates the end of atrial systole.
– The c wave corresponds to right ventricular contraction causing the tricuspid valve to bulge towards the right atrium during RV isovolumetric contraction.
– The x’ descent follows the ‘c’ wave and occurs as a result of the right ventricle pulling the tricuspid valve downward during ventricular systole (ventricular ejection/atrial relaxation). (As stroke volume is ejected, the ventricle takes up less space in the pericardium, allowing relaxed atrium to enlarge). The x’ (x prime) descent can be used as a measure of right ventricle contractility.
– The x descent follows the ‘a’ wave and corresponds to atrial relaxation and rapid atrial filling due to low pressure.
– The v wave corresponds to venous filling when the tricuspid valve is closed and venous pressure increases from venous return – this occurs during and following the carotid pulse.
– The y descent corresponds to the rapid emptying of the atrium into the ventricle following the opening of the tricuspid valve. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 17
Incorrect
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A 66 year-old marketing analyst presents to the respiratory clinic with a 2-month history of progressive weakness and shortness of breath. He finds it difficult to stand from sitting, and struggles climbing stairs. He is an ex-smoker with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He had a recent exacerbation one month ago for which he was treated by the GP with a course of oral prednisolone, during which time his weakness transiently improved. On examination, you note a left-sided monophonic wheeze and reduced breath sounds at the left lung base. Blood tests and a chest x-ray are requested.
Hb 145 g/L
WCC10.5 109/l
Na+136 mmol/L
K+ 4.3 mmol/L
Urea 6.8 mmol/L
Creatinine 93 mmol/L
Calcium 2.62 mmol/L
Phosphate 1.44 mmol/L
Chest x-ray shows hyperinflated lungs, left lower lobe collapse and a bulky left hilum
What is the most likely cause of this patient's weakness?Your Answer: Myasthenia gravis
Correct Answer: Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome
Explanation:This man has a small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and associated Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome – a well-recognized paraneoplastic manifestation of SCLC. This classically affects the proximal muscles, especially in the legs, causing difficulty in standing from a seated position and climbing stairs. In contrast to myasthenia gravis, eye involvement is uncommon. Treatment with steroids is often helpful, which explains his transient symptomatic improvement during treatment for his COPD exacerbation. Steroid myopathy does not fit as the symptoms started well before his course of prednisolone. Although the patient is mildly hypercalcaemic, this would not be sufficient to produce his presenting symptoms, although it does reinforce the suspicion of lung malignancy. Motor neurone disease would be unlikely in this context and would not improve with steroids. Myasthenia gravis could produce these symptoms, but in the context of a new lung mass is a less viable diagnosis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 18
Incorrect
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What is the mechanism of action of carbimazole?
Your Answer: Destruction of functioning thyroid cells
Correct Answer: Inhibition of the iodination of tyrosine
Explanation:Carbimazole is used to treat hyperthyroidism. Carbimazole is a pro-drug as after absorption it is converted to the active form, methimazole. Methimazole prevents thyroid peroxidase enzyme from coupling and iodinating the tyrosine residues on thyroglobulin, hence reducing the production of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 (thyroxine).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 19
Incorrect
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A 28-year-old woman is evaluated in the endocrinology clinic for increased urine output. She weighs 60 kg and has a 24-hour urine output of 3500 ml. Her basal urine osmolality is 210 mOsm/kg.
She undergoes a fluid deprivation test and her urine osmolality after fluid deprivation (loss of weight 3 kg) is 350 mOsm/kg. Subsequent injection of subcutaneous DDAVP (desmopressin acetate) did not result in a further significant rise of urine osmolality after 2 hours (355 mOsm/kg).
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?Your Answer: Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
Correct Answer: Primary polydipsia
Explanation:In central and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (DI), urinary osmolality will be less than 300 mOsm/kg after water deprivation. After the administration of ADH, the osmolality will rise to more than 750 mOsm/kg in central DI but will not rise at all in nephrogenic DI. In primary polydipsia, urinary osmolality be above 750 mOsm/kg after water deprivation. A urinary osmolality that is 300-750 mOsm/kg after water deprivation and remains below 750 mOsm/kg after administration of ADH may be seen in partial central DI, partial nephrogenic DI, and primary polydipsia.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine System & Metabolism
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Question 20
Incorrect
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A 30-year-old female who was on chemotherapy developed a high-grade fever and productive cough over 2 days. On examination, there was evidence of a chest infection. Her WBC was 2100/ml. What is the most suitable treatment for this condition?
Your Answer: Piperacillin+Co-amoxiclav
Correct Answer: Piperacillin+tazobactam
Explanation:This patient has leukopenia following chemotherapy and she is more prone to severe bacterial infections. Neutropenic sepsis is common among cancer patients and it is one of the main reasons for death amongst these patients. As the first line monotherapy for high-risk patients, Piperacillin-tazobactam, Cefepime, Meropenem and Imipenem-cilastatin can be started as they all have antipseudomonal activity.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 21
Incorrect
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A 13-year-old boy complains of several episodes of collapse. He describes the majority of these episodes occurring when he is laughing. He states that he loses power in his legs and falls to the ground. He is alert throughout and recovers quickly. He also describes excessive daytime sleepiness with episodes in the morning of being awake but being unable to move his body. Examination is unremarkable. A diagnosis of narcolepsy is made. Which of the following is the first line treatment for excessive daytime sleepiness?
Your Answer: Fluoxetine
Correct Answer: Modafinil
Explanation:Narcolepsy is a rare condition characterised by excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep paralysis, hypnagogic hallucinations, and cataplexy (sudden collapse triggered by emotion such as laughing or crying). There is no cure for narcolepsy. Treatment options include stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) or modafinil (Provigil), antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft) and sodium oxybate (Xyrem). Modafinil has replaced methylphenidate and amphetamine as the first-line treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 22
Incorrect
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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: Implement Public Health Act
Correct 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 23
Incorrect
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Regarding bupropion (Zyban), all of the following statements are true except?
Your Answer: It is an amphetamine derivative
Correct Answer: It is associated with an idiosyncratic risk of seizure
Explanation:Bupropion (Zyban) is an amphetamine derivative which is used primarily as an anti depressant and for smoking cessation. It acts by increasing dopamine levels in the CNS. It has fewer withdrawal symptoms compared to other drugs. It is associated with dose associated risk of epileptic seizures in 1: 1000 patients and is contraindicated in a patient already suffering from epilepsy. Chief side effects include tremors, anxiety, insomnia, depression and a hypersensitivity urticarial rash. It inhibits the cytochrome p450 enzyme system in the liver and greater precaution is required when it is to be administered with other drugs like paroxetine, risperidone, beta blockers, propafenone and flecainide.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 24
Incorrect
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A 54-year-old female has complained of a sudden and severe pain on the left side of her skull. She is also experiencing pain in and around her jaw. What is the most appropriate next step in her treatment?
Your Answer: MRI
Correct Answer: ESR
Explanation:A diagnosis of giant cell arteritis or temporal arteritis is likely here as many points favour it. She is over 50 years old, is female, has severe pain in the left half of her skull, and is complaining of pain around the jaw (jaw claudication).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency & Critical Care
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Question 25
Incorrect
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A 20-year-old gentleman presents with drop foot following a sports injury.
On examination there is weakness of ankle dorsiflexion and eversion, and weakness of extension of the big toe. He has some sensory loss restricted to the dorsum of his foot surrounding the base of his big toe. Other examination is within normal limits.
Where is the most likely site of the lesion?Your Answer: Common peroneal nerve at the ankle
Correct Answer: Common peroneal nerve at the head of the fibula
Explanation:Peroneal nerve injury is also known as foot drop. The common peroneal nerve supplies the ankle and toe extensor muscle groups as well as sensation over the dorsum of the foot; thus, there is also loss of sensation in these cases.
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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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A 34 year-old gentleman presented with 3 months history of abdominal pain, intermittent diarrhoea, melena and loss of weight. The most likely diagnosis will be?
Your Answer: Inflammatory bowel disease
Explanation:Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by abdominal and pelvic pain, intermittent diarrhoea, loss of weight and tenesmus. Irritable bowel disease is associated either with diarrhoea or constipation and occurs in stressful conditions for the individual. A UTI is characterised by dysuria, fever and lumbar pain. Adenomyosis is characterised by heavy menstrual bleeding and chronic pelvic pain.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
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Question 27
Incorrect
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A 73-year-old gentleman with type 2 diabetes mellitus, complains of difficulty walking and trouble with his hands. It began with a tingling sensation in his soles, which later extended up to his ankles. He now feels unsteady when walking, and more recently, has noticed numbness and tingling in the fingers of both hands.
On examination, he has absent ankle reflexes, a high steppage gait, and altered sensation to his mid-calves.
What is the underlying pathological process?Your Answer: Anterior horn disease
Correct Answer: Axonal degeneration
Explanation:This case presents with sensorimotor neuropathy secondary to his DM. The progression of the neuropathy, known dying-back neuropathy, is a distal axonopathy or axonal degeneration as where the sensorimotor loss begins distally and travels proximally.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 28
Incorrect
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A 32 year-old active male presents with a three month history of pain in his feet and lower legs. He was previously diagnosed with diabetes at age 14 and treated with insulin. He admits to drinking 30 units of alcohol per week and is a current cannabis smoker. On examination, pain and temperature sensation in his feet are diminished, but joint position and vibratory sensation appear normal. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Alcoholic polyneuropathy
Correct Answer: Diabetic polyneuropathy
Explanation:The given history suggests a small fibre painful peripheral sensory neuropathy, the most common cause of which is diabetes. Joint position sense and vibratory sensation are carried through large fibres, and therefore are not currently affected. Sensory nerves are affected more often than motor, so reflexes usually remain in tact.
Vitamin B12 deficiency causes impairment of joint position and vibratory sensation.
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIPD) causes a large fibre peripheral neuropathy with areflexia.
In syringomyelia there is impaired pain and temperature noted in the upper limbs.
Finally, with alcoholic polyneuropathy, all fibre types are affected (sensory and motor loss). It is usually gradual with long term alcohol abuse and may be accompanied by a nutritional deficiency. In addition, pain is a more dominant feature.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 29
Incorrect
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Question 30
Incorrect
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A 22-year-old male presented with a cut injury at his wrist. Which of the following would be the expected clinical signs if his ulnar nerve was damaged?
Your Answer: Sensory loss of the lateral part of the hand
Correct Answer: Wasting of the interossei
Explanation:Damage to the ulnar nerve at wrist will cause wasting of the interossei and adductor pollicis muscle. There won’t be any sensory loss, weakness of wrist flexion or wasting of hypothenar muscles.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
