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Question 1
Correct
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A patient presents with occasionally severe retrosternal chest pain and dysphagia for both solids and liquids. What would be the best management option if the barium swallow showed a dilated oesophagus which tapers to a fine distal end?
Your Answer: Dilatation of the LES
Explanation:Dysphagia for both solids and liquids indicates either obstruction or impaired oesophageal peristalsis which is usually due to neuromuscular causes such as achalasia. Achalasia is the failure of smooth muscle fibres to relax, which can cause the lower oesophageal sphincter to remain closed. The lower part of the oesophagus is more narrow than normal and presents as a birds beak appearance on barium swallow. If dysphagia was present only on solid food consumption, a benign or malignant tumour must be suspected.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
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Question 2
Correct
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A 65-year-old man, after suffering from a pathological rib fracture, complains of recurrent infection. Bone marrow aspiration revealed a calcium level of 3.9 mmol/l and alkaline phosphatase level of 160u/l. What type of cell would be found in abundance in the marrow spear?
Your Answer: Plasma cells
Explanation:Multiple myeloma or plasma cell myeloma, is a cancer of plasma cells, responsible for producing antibodies. It often, presents early with no symptoms followed by bone pain and pathological fractures (metastases), raised calcium levels, bleeding, frequent infections, and anaemia. It usually occurs around the age of 61 and is more common in men than women.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Geriatric Medicine
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Question 3
Incorrect
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Which of the following signs is least suggestive of cervical myelopathy?
Your Answer: Finger pseudoathetosis
Correct Answer: Bladder disturbance
Explanation:Cervical myelopathy is mostly caused by spondylosis of C5-C7. Sphincters are usually not involved. The lower limbs usually are hypertonic with weakness and up going planter reflex. Vibration and proprioception tend to be lost. Biceps jerk is inverted or even absent. Although cervical spondylosis is the most common cause, an intrinsic lesion might give a similar picture.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 4
Correct
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Which of the following is correct regarding lead poisoning?
Your Answer: Causes a peripheral neuropathy due to demyelination
Explanation:Lead can be absorbed through the skin and by inhalation. It is associated with iron deficiency and a microcytic anaemia. The most common gastrointestinal symptoms are abdominal colic and constipation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 5
Incorrect
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A new study was developed to assess the benefit of omega-3 fish oils in patients with established ischaemic heart disease. The power of the study is equal to:
Your Answer: 1 / p value
Correct Answer: 1 - probability of making a type II error
Explanation:The power of a test is defined as 1 − the probability of Type II error. The Type II error is concluding at no difference (the null is not rejected) when in fact there is a difference, and its probability is named β. Therefore, the power of a study reflects the probability of detecting a difference when this difference exists. It is also very important to medical research that studies are planned with an adequate power so that meaningful conclusions can be issued if no statistical difference has been shown between the treatments compared. More power means less risk for Type II errors and more chances to detect a difference when it exists.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Evidence Based Medicine
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Question 6
Correct
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A female palliative cancer patient has painful bone metastases. Which breakthrough dose of morphine would you prescribe, if she has been taking long acting morphine tablets (120mg) every 12 hours?
Your Answer: 40 mg
Explanation:To calculate the breakthrough dose for oral morphine solution, you need to find the dose she should receive every 4 hours, according to the total amount of morphine she receives. If she is receiving 120 mg every 12 hours, then she should receive 40 mg every 4 hours as a breakthrough dose.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 7
Correct
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Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding etanercept?
Your Answer: Must be given intravenously
Explanation:Etanercept is a TNF receptor fused with human immunoglobulin. It binds to TNF-alpha preventing it from binding to its normal receptor. Thus, inhibiting it competitively. It is used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in adults when traditional treatments fail. When injected subcutaneously, it is accompanied with skin reactions and urticaria. It should be given intravenously. Serious blood disorders and demyelination have also been associated.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Musculoskeletal System
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Question 8
Incorrect
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Which one of the following statements regarding hepatocellular carcinoma is correct?
Your Answer: Alcohol excess is the most common underlying cause worldwide
Correct 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 9
Correct
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A 65-year-old male patient is found to have an elevated serum paraprotein level of 35 g/L. Bone marrow aspirate reveals 32% monoclonal plasma cell infiltrate. He has no evidence of anaemia, renal impairment, hypercalcaemia, or lytic lesions.
What should be the next step in management?Your Answer: Observe and monitor
Explanation:The patient is asymptomatic but matches the diagnostic criteria for multiple myeloma (MM). Therefore, the underlying diagnosis of this condition is smouldering multiple myeloma (SMM). SMM is an early precursor to MM. Its treatment is typically to watch and wait.
MM is a neoplasm of the bone marrow plasma cells. Peak incidence is in patients aged 60-70 years.
Clinical features of MM include:
1. Ostealgia, osteoporosis, pathological fractures (typically vertebral), and osteolytic lesions
2. Lethargy
3. Infections
4. Hypercalcaemia
5. Renal failure
6. Other features: amyloidosis e.g. macroglossia, carpal tunnel syndrome; neuropathy; hyperviscosityDiagnosis of MM is based on the confirmation of (a) one major criterion and one minor criterion or (b) three minor criteria in an individual who has signs or symptoms of multiple myeloma.
Major criteria:
1. >30% plasma cells on bone marrow biopsy
2. Monoclonal band of paraprotein on electrophoresis: >35g/L for IgG, 20g/L for IgA, or >1g of light chains excreted in the urine per dayMinor criteria:
1. 10-30% plasma cells on bone marrow biopsy
2. Abnormal monoclonal band but levels less than listed above
3. Lytic bone lesions observed radiographically
4. Immunosuppression -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 10
Incorrect
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From the list of options, choose the least useful therapy in preventing oesophageal variceal bleeding in portal hypertension.
Your Answer: Isosorbide dinitrate
Correct Answer: Variceal sclerotherapy
Explanation:Selective beta blockade and nitrates help to reduce portal pressure and therefore reduce the risk of bleeding (as does banding). Moreover, sclerotherapy, despite its use, has not actually been shown to reduce the risk of bleedings as primary prevention – however, it may reduce the risk of rebleeding after an index bleed. The mortality of variceal bleedings is known to be 50% at each episode.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
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Question 11
Correct
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A 70-year-old man presents with nocturia, hesitancy and terminal dribbling of urine.
Prostate examination reveals a moderately enlarged prostate with no irregular features and a well-defined median sulcus. Blood investigations show a PSA level of 1.3 ng/mL. Among the options provided below what is the most appropriate management for this patient?Your Answer: Alpha-1 antagonist
Explanation: -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 12
Incorrect
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A 68-year-old woman with contralateral hemisensory loss presents with severe burning pain in this area. In which of the following areas has arterial occlusion most probably occurred?
Your Answer: Small vessel lacunar stroke
Correct Answer: Thalamogeniculate artery
Explanation:The woman’s clinical evolution suggests that there was a thalamic stroke in the contralateral hemisphere. The artery most likely affected is the thalamogeniculate artery. Sensory loss is usually unilateral and presents at the opposite side of the brain lesion. This kind of stroke can result in severe burning pain which is responsive to tricyclics.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 13
Incorrect
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According to the Ann Arbor staging system for Hodgkin lymphoma, which one of the following would be staged as IIIB?
Your Answer: Two or more lymph nodes on the same side of the diaphragm with no systemic symptoms
Correct Answer: Nodes on both sides of diaphragm with night sweats
Explanation: -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 14
Correct
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A 50-year-old woman presents with coughing up copious sputum with blood streaks, increased breathlessness, and finger clubbing. She has a history of chronic cough. What is the initial investigation?
Your Answer: Chest x-ray
Explanation:Finger clubbing and past history suggest a chronic pulmonary process going on. A CXR will allow the pathology to be visualised including any infective or cancerous causes.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory System
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Question 15
Correct
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A 30-year-old man with type-1 diabetes mellitus on insulin presents in the A&E with fever, cough, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Examination reveals a dry mucosa, decreased skin turgor and a temperature of 37.8 °C.
Chest examination reveals bronchial breathing in the right lower lobe, and a chest X-ray shows it to be due to a right lower zone consolidation.
Other investigations show:
Blood glucose: 35 mmol/l
Na+: 132 mmol/l
K+: 5.5 mmol/l
urea: 8.0 mmol/l
creatinine: 120 μmol/l
pH: 7.15
HCO3: 12 mmol/l
p(CO2): 4.6 kPa
chloride: 106 mmol/l.
Urinary ketones are positive (+++).
The patient is admitted to the hospital and treated. Which of the following should not be used while treating him?Your Answer: Bicarbonate
Explanation:Bicarbonate therapy is not indicated in mild and moderate forms of DKA because metabolic acidosis will correct with insulin therapy. The use of bicarbonate in severe DKA is controversial due to a lack of prospective randomized studies. It is thought that the administration of bicarbonate may actually result in peripheral hypoxemia, worsening of hypokalaemia, paradoxical central nervous system acidosis, cerebral oedema in children and young adults, and an increase in intracellular acidosis. Because severe acidosis is associated with worse clinical outcomes and can lead to impairment in sensorium and deterioration of myocardial contractility, bicarbonate therapy may be indicated if the pH is 6.9 or less.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine System & Metabolism
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Question 16
Correct
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A 45-year-old male was discharged recently after treatment of bleeding peptic ulcers. 3 days after discharge he was readmitted complaining of acute severe chest pain for the past 1 hour. His ECG showed an acute ST elevation myocardial infarction. His FBC, blood urea, serum electrolytes and serum creatinine were within normal ranges. Faecal occult blood was negative. Which of the following is the most appropriate management for this patient?
Your Answer: Primary angioplasty
Explanation:The patient has a recent history of bleeding peptic ulcer disease, which is an absolute contraindication for thrombolysis. So he should be offered primary angioplasty.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 17
Correct
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A 26-year-old male was being investigated further following several hypertensive episodes. There was a marked difference in his systolic blood pressures between the right brachial and the right femoral arteries. Which of the following is most probable diagnosis?
Your Answer: Coarctation of the aorta
Explanation:From the given physical findings (the difference in BP between the radial and femoral arteries), the most probable diagnosis is coarctation of the aorta.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 18
Incorrect
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A 67-year-old male presented with a history of chronic backache and altered sensation over the lateral side of his right calf and foot. Which of the following nerve roots will most likely be involved in this patient?
Your Answer: L4-L5
Correct Answer: L5-S1
Explanation:Lesions in L5-S1 region leads to altered sensation on the lateral side of calf and foot, along with back pain. There might be difficulty in extension of the leg, foot inversion, plantar flexion and toe flexion, as muscles controlling these functions are supplied by S1.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 19
Correct
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In an emergency bowel procedure, which among these antibiotics are indicated during anaesthetic induction?
Your Answer: Metronidazole
Explanation:Antibiotic prophylaxis is utilized to avert infection and is based on the degree of contamination involved in the surgical procedure. Operations where the wound is contained with minimal risk of contamination, antibiotic prophylaxis is questionable. In this case there is a high risk of contamination.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency & Critical Care
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Question 20
Correct
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A 40-year-old male presented with sudden onset chest pain and difficulty in breathing for the past 2 hours. On examination he had bilateral ankle swelling. Investigations revealed proteinuria of 6g/d. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for this presentation?
Your Answer: Reduced antithrombin III activity
Explanation:This patient has presented with a thromboembolic event most probably secondary to nephrotic syndrome (nephrotic-range proteinuria). Hypercoagulability is due to urinary loss of anticoagulant proteins, such as antithrombin III and plasminogen and an increase in clotting factors, especially factors I, VII, VIII, and X.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Renal System
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
