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Question 1
Correct
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A 23-year-old man who works as a clerk presents for review. He is 6 feet 2 inches tall, with delayed puberty and infertility. On examination, he has small testes with scanty pubic hair.
Blood results are shown below:
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) 40 U/l (1-7)
Testosterone 4 nmol/l(9-35)
What is the most probable diagnosis?Your Answer: 47XXY
Explanation:Klinefelter syndrome (KS), the most common human sex chromosome disorder 47,XXY. It is characterized by hypogonadism (micro-orchidism, oligospermia/azoospermia) and gynecomastia in late puberty. If Klinefelter syndrome is not diagnosed prenatally, a patient with 47,XXY karyotype may demonstrate various subtle, age-related clinical signs that would prompt diagnostic testing. These include the following:
Infants: Hypospadias, small phallus, cryptorchidism.
Toddlers: Developmental delay (especially expressive language skills), hypotonia.
Older boys and adolescent males: Tall stature; delayed or incomplete pubertal development with eunuchoid body habitus; gynecomastia; small, firm testes; sparse body hair.From childhood with progression to early puberty, the pituitary-gonadal function observed is within normal limits for 47,XXY males.
At mid puberty and later, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations rise to hyper-gonadotropic levels, inhibin B levels fall until they are undetectable, and testosterone levels are at low or low-normal levels after an initial increase.Fragile X syndrome, also termed Martin-Bell syndrome or marker X syndrome, is the most common cause of inherited mental retardation, intellectual disability, and autism.
However, the patient here does not have any mental disabilities as he already works as a clerk, and that too would make Down’s Syndrome less likely.Classic Kallmann syndrome (KS) and idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) are rare genetic conditions that encompass the spectrum of isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Most patients have gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) deficiency, as suggested by their response to pulsatile GnRH therapy. Hypothalamic-pituitary function is otherwise normal in most patients, and hypothalamic-pituitary imaging reveals no space-occupying lesions. By definition, either anosmia or severe hyposmia is present in patients with Kallmann syndrome, in contrast to patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, whose sense of smell is normal.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine System & Metabolism
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Question 2
Correct
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A 37-year-old woman presents with signs of decreased air entry at the right base after an emergency laparotomy cholecystectomy 18h ago but with no obvious abnormality showed on her CXR. What is the most appropriate management strategy?
Your Answer: Chest physiotherapy
Explanation:Non-invasive action via chest physiotherapy is helpful in the reduction or clearance of excessive secretions from airways.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory System
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Question 3
Correct
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A 72-year-old male presents to the ER with acute chest pain, fever and sweating. ECG shows an acute MI. Which of the following routes will be the most significant in alleviating the patient's pain?
Your Answer: Intravenous
Explanation:The pain of myocardial infarction is usually severe and requires potent opiate analgesia. Intravenous diamorphine 2.5-5 mg (repeated as necessary) is the drug of choice and is not only a powerful analgesic but also has a useful anxiolytic effect.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 4
Incorrect
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Gentamicin is used along with benzylpenicillin in the treatment of infective endocarditis caused by streptococcus viridans. Which of the following mechanisms is present in this case?
Your Answer: Cell wall inhibition
Correct Answer: Inhibition of protein synthesis (translation)
Explanation:Gentamicin acts along with benzylpenicillin to inhibit protein synthesis at the level of ribosomes. Indirectly it inhibits the translation process.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 5
Correct
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A 45-year-old woman has been diagnosed with T1N1M1 malignancy in the left breast, with metastases detectable in the lower thoracic vertebrae and the left lung. Before the initiation of treatment of this patient with trastuzumab, which is the most important investigation to perform?
Your Answer: Echo
Explanation:Before the initiation of trastuzumab, an echocardiography is a must to rule out any pre-existing cardiac abnormalities as trastuzumab is cardiotoxic.
Trastuzumab (Herceptin) is a monoclonal antibody directed against the HER2/neu receptor. It is used mainly in metastatic breast cancer although some patients with early disease are now also given trastuzumab.
Adverse effects include:
Flu-like symptoms and diarrhoea are common.
Cardiotoxicity:
– Risk increases when anthracyclines are used concomitantly.
– Trastuzumab-induced cardiac dysfunctions are regarded as less severe and largely reversible because primary cardiomyocyte do not show ultrastructure changes unlike those associated with anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity.
– Primary myocyte injury does not occur in patients who were treated with trastuzumab. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Women's Health
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Question 6
Correct
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A 24-year-old man was hit on the lateral aspect of his head by a high velocity cricket ball and lost consciousness immediately. Paramedics found him to have a Glasgow coma score of 15 but take him to the A&E for further investigation. His Glasgow coma score on examination in the A&E is 13 (M5, V4, E4) and he has anterograde and retrograde amnesia to recent events. The doctors arrange an urgent CT scan. Which clinical sign would be most concerning if present?
Your Answer: Bradycardia
Explanation:Intracranial pressure (ICP) is a complex brain modality that determines cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), which is the difference between arterial blood pressure (ABP), and ICP. Raised ICP reduces CPP and blood delivery to the brain. This jeopardizes cerebral function and organismal survival in many species. A massive rise in ICP is also known to produce an increase in ABP, bradycardia and respiratory irregularities termed Cushing response. This mechanism is generally considered to be an agonal and terminal event occurring in extreme condition of brainstem ischaemia leading to a sympatho-adrenal response.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency & Critical Care
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Question 7
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 8
Correct
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A 72-year-old female patient with a history of atrial fibrillation was admitted with recurrent episodes of syncopal attacks. Her ECG showed torsade de pointes. What is the drug which does not cause the above presentation?
Your Answer: Omeprazole
Explanation:Drugs causing torsades de pointes are Amiodarone, Chlorpromazine, Clarithromycin, Disopyramide, Dofetilide, Erythromycin, Haloperidol, Methadone, Procainamide, Quinidine, Sotalol, Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin, Nilotinib, Ondansetron, Ranolazine, Sunitinib, Ziprasidone, Amitriptyline, Ciprofloxacin, Imipramine, Chlorthalidone, Dasatinib, Hydrochlorothiazide, Furosemide.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 9
Incorrect
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A 41-year-old gentleman undergoes a temporal lobectomy after the discovery of a brain tumour. Which one of the following consequences would be least likely to develop?
Your Answer: Superior homonymous quadrantanopia
Correct Answer: Astereognosis
Explanation:Astereognosis is associated with lesions to the parietal lobe, not the temporal lobe, so this symptom would not arise in this patient.
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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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Which of the following drugs is the strongest opioid?
Your Answer: Diamorphine 10 mg via syringe driver over 24 hours
Correct Answer: Modified-release morphine 30 mg BD orally
Explanation:Modified release morphine in BD dose is the strongest opioid of the selection.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 11
Correct
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Of the following medications, which is available over the counter (OTC) to treat heavy blood loss during menstruation?
Your Answer: Tranexamic acid
Explanation:Since March 2011, tranexamic acid has been available to buy from pharmacies to help treat heavy blood loss during menstruation. NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen and naproxen) are available to purchase over the counter, but these aid in the treatment of dysmenorrhea rather than menorrhagia. MIRENA, norethisterone, and COCP are not available to purchase over the counter to treat heavy blood loss (however COCP is available for contraceptive use).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 12
Correct
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A 48-year-old woman presented to you with a breast mass. On examination, it is hard, irregular and ill defined. The surface of the breast is slightly bruised however, there is no discharge. The most probable diagnosis is?
Your Answer: Fat necrosis
Explanation:Fat necrosis is often a result of a trauma or surgery. In fat necrosis the enzyme lipase releases fatty acids from triglycerides. The fatty acids combine with calcium to form soaps. These soaps appear as white chalky deposits which are firm lumps with no associated discharge. The given case has a bruise which indicates prior trauma.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Women's Health
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Question 13
Incorrect
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A 50-year-old man with a history of hyperlipidaemia, currently under treatment with simvastatin 10mg was found to have persistently high cholesterol levels. Previous attempts to increase the dose of simvastatin have resulted in myalgia. Given this history, which one of the following lipid-regulating drugs should definitely be avoided?
Your Answer: Ezetimibe
Correct Answer: Bezafibrate
Explanation:Both fibrates and nicotinic acid have been associated with myositis, especially when combined with a statin. However, the Committee on Safety of Medicines has produced guidance which specifically warns about the concomitant prescription of fibrates with statins concerning muscle toxicity.
Bezafibrate: It is a fibric acid derivative (fibrate) that has been used as a class of agents known to decrease triglyceride levels while substantially increasing HDL-C levels.
Pharmacological effects:
– Increases VLDL catabolism by increasing lipoprotein and hepatic triglyceride lipase.
– Decreases triglyceride synthesis by inhibiting acetyl-CoA reductase.
– Decreases cholesterol synthesis by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase.Side effects:
– Hypersensitivity
– Primary biliary cirrhosis
– Pre-existing gallbladder disease
– Concurrent use with HMG-CoA inhibitors (statins) can produce myopathy
– Hepatic/renal impairment in a patient warrants dose adjustment as this drug is primarily excreted via the renal mechanism.Contraindications: Concurrent use of MAO inhibitors, hypersensitivity, pre-existing cholestasis, and pregnancy.
Use: It can be used to treat Barth syndrome (characterized by dilated cardiomyopathy, neutropenia (presenting with recurrent infections), skeletal myopathy and short stature)
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 14
Incorrect
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Bicuspid aortic valve is in association with which of the following.
Your Answer: Marfan's syndrome
Correct Answer: Coarctation of the aorta
Explanation:Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common congenital cardiovascular anomaly, occurring in 1-2% of the population. Coarctation and bicuspid aortic valve occur more frequently in males with a prevalence of approximately 4:1. A high prevalence of these same cardiovascular lesions is also found in women with Turner’s syndrome.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 15
Incorrect
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A 65-year-old heavy smoker presented with acute central chest pain for 2 hours. Which of the following ECG findings is an indication for thrombolysis in this patient?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: 1 mm ST elevation in 2 limb leads
Explanation:Thrombolytic therapy is indicated in patients with evidence of ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) or presumably new left bundle-branch block (LBBB) presenting within 12 hours of the onset of symptoms if there are no contraindications to fibrinolysis. STEMI is defined as new ST elevation at the J point in at least two contiguous leads of 2 mm (0.2 mV) or more in men or 1.5 mm (0.15 mV) in women in leads V2-V3 and/or 1 mm (0.1 mV) or more in other contiguous limb leads.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 16
Incorrect
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A 74-year-old widow is undergoing haemodialysis for chronic renal failure. What is the most common problem that can arise in this case?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Protein-calorie malnutrition
Explanation:Protein-calorie malnutrition is observed in almost 50% of dialysis patients, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. All the other complications listed can usually be prevented thanks to modern-day dialysis techniques.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Renal System
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Question 17
Incorrect
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A 50-year-old man undergoes a colonoscopy due to the finding of blood in his stools. The colonoscopy revealed four polyps which were variable in size from one at 0.5cm, 2 at approximately 1.5cm and one at 2 cm.
When should this patient have a follow up colonoscopy?Your Answer:
Correct Answer: 3 years
Explanation:According to the British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines – this patient has 3-4 adenomas with 3 of them > 1 cm in size. This places him at medium risk and the recommendation is for a 3-year follow up period.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
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Question 18
Incorrect
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A 58-year-old woman has multiple non-healing leg ulcers. She reports feeling unwell for several months. Examination findings include a normal blood pressure, pulse 90 bpm, pale conjunctivae and poor dentition associated with bleeding gums. What is the most likely underlying diagnosis?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Vitamin C deficiency
Explanation:Severe vitamin C deficiency results in scurvy, a disorder characterized by hemorrhagic manifestations and abnormal osteoid and dentin formation.
Vitamin C plays a role in collagen, carnitine, hormone, and amino acid formation. It is essential for bone and blood vessel health and wound healing and facilitates recovery from burns. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, supports immune function, and facilitates the absorption of iron (see table Sources, Functions, and Effects of Vitamins).
Dietary sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, strawberries, and sweet peppers. (See also Overview of Vitamins.) -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine System & Metabolism
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Question 19
Incorrect
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A 41-year-old man who has had two episodes of pneumonia in succession and an episode of haemoptysis is observed to have paroxysms of coughing and increasing wheezing. A single lesion which is well-defined is seen in the lower right lower lobe on a chest x-ray. There is no necrosis but biopsy shows numerous abnormal cells, occasional nuclear pleomorphism and absent mitoses.
Which diagnosis fits the clinical presentation?Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Bronchial carcinoid
Explanation:Bronchial carcinoids are uncommon, slow growing, low-grade, malignant neoplasms, comprising 1-2% of all primary lung cancers.
It is believed to be derived from surface of bronchial glandular epithelium. Mostly located centrally, they produce symptoms and signs of bronchial obstruction such as localized wheeze, non resolving recurrent pneumonitis, cough, chest pain, and fever. Haemoptysis is present in approximately 50% of the cases due to their central origin and hypervascularity.
Central bronchial carcinoids are more common than the peripheral type and are seen as endobronchial nodules or hilar/perihilar mass closely related to the adjacent bronchus. Chest X-ray may not show the central lesion depending on how small it is. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory System
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Question 20
Incorrect
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A 50-year-old gentleman with renal cell carcinoma has a haemoglobin of 19 g/dl. Which investigation will conclusively prove that this patient has secondary polycythaemia?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Erythropoietin level
Explanation:Erythropoietin (EPO) is used to distinguish between primary and secondary polycythaemia. Secondary polycythaemia can be caused by tumours in the kidney that may secrete EPO or EPO-like proteins.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Renal System
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Question 21
Incorrect
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A 40-year-old female presented with fever, jaundice, and pain in the middle and upper abdomen. Her stools are clay-coloured. Which of the following should be done now?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography (ERCP)
Explanation:ERCP is necessary to look for any obstruction or compression of the extra-hepatic bile duct. The clay-coloured stools are a result of impaired bilirubin movement into the duodenum.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Hepatobiliary System
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Question 22
Incorrect
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The ECG of a 29-year-old female shows an irregular rhythm with a HR of 154 bpm. She presented complaining of heart palpitations and hot flashes for the past 4 days. What is the most likely treatment?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Beta blockers
Explanation:At 29 years old, the most probable cause of this arrhythmia is thyrotoxicosis. β blockers relieve symptoms such as tachycardia, tremor, and anxiety in thyrotoxic patients. β blockade should be used as the primary treatment only in patients with thyrotoxicosis due to thyroiditis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 23
Incorrect
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A 60-year-old man presents to his GP complaining of a cough and breathlessness for 2 weeks. He reports that before the onset of these symptoms, he was fit and well and was not on any medication. He is a known smoker of 10 cigarettes per day and has been smoking for over 25 years.
On examination, the GP diagnosed a mild viral chest infection and reassured the patient that the symptoms would settle of their own accord.
Two weeks later, the patient presented again to the GP, this time complaining of thirst, polyuria and generalised muscle weakness. The GP noticed the presence of ankle oedema.
A prick test confirmed the presence of hyperglycaemia and the patient was referred to the hospital for investigations where the medical registrar ordered a variety of blood tests.
Some of these results are shown below:
Na 144 mmol/l
K 2.2 mmol/l
Bicarbonate 34 mmol/l
Glucose 16 mmol/l
What is the most likely diagnosis?Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Ectopic ACTH production
Explanation:The patient has small cell lung cancer presented by paraneoplastic syndrome; Ectopic ACTH secretion.
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC), previously known as oat cell carcinoma is a neuroendocrine carcinoma that exhibits aggressive behaviour, rapid growth, early spread to distant sites, exquisite sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiation, and a frequent association with distinct paraneoplastic syndromes.
Common presenting signs and symptoms of the disease, which very often occur in advanced-stage disease, include the following:
– Shortness of breath
– Cough
– Bone pain
– Weight loss
– Fatigue
– Neurologic dysfunction
Most patients with this disease present with a short duration of symptoms, usually only 8-12 weeks before presentation. The clinical manifestations of SCLC can result from local tumour growth, intrathoracic spread, distant spread, and/or paraneoplastic syndromes.
SIADH is present in 15% of the patients and Ectopic secretion of ACTH is present in 2-5% of the patients leading to ectopic Cushing’s syndrome. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine System & Metabolism
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Question 24
Incorrect
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A 22-year-old male presents with loose stools and abdominal pain that is vague in nature. He previously had an episode of lower abdominal pain that was associated with pyrexia which settled on its own. He has also experienced mild weight loss recently. On examination, he is pale and has an ill defined mass in the right iliac fossa. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Crohn's disease
Explanation:Crohn’s Disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease, the pathogenesis of which is not fully understood. The clinical presentation of CD may be similar to ulcerative colitis (UC), the other most common inflammatory bowel disease. CD mostly affects young adults and adolescents between the ages of 15 and 35. It is typically located in the terminal ileum, but can discontinuously affect the entire gastrointestinal tract and commonly leads to complications such as fistulas, abscesses, and stenosis. Clinical features include diarrhoea, weight loss, and abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant (RLQ), as well as extraintestinal manifestations in the eyes, joints, or skin. It is often difficult to diagnose because there is no confirmatory test. Diagnosis is therefore based on the patient’s medical history, physical examination, lab tests, imaging (e.g., MRI), endoscopy, and serological testing. Acute episodes are treated with corticosteroids, and in severe cases, immunosuppressants may be indicated. Antibiotics and surgical intervention may be needed to help treat complications. Because the entire gastrointestinal tract may be affected, Crohn disease cannot be cured (in contrast to ulcerative colitis). The goal of treatment is thus to avoid the progression and recurrence of inflammatory episodes.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
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Question 25
Incorrect
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Which one of the following is least associated with photosensitivity?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Acute intermittent porphyria
Explanation:Sunlight, especially its ultraviolet radiation component, can cause increased or additional types of damage in predisposed individuals, such as those taking certain phototoxic drugs, or those with certain conditions associated with photosensitivity, including:
– Psoriasis
– Atopic eczema
– Erythema multiforme
– Seborrheic dermatitis
– Autoimmune bullous diseases (immunobullous diseases)
– Mycosis fungoides
– Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome
– Porphyria cutanea tarda
Also, many conditions are aggravated by strong light, including:
– Systemic lupus erythematosus
– Sjögren’s syndrome
– Sinear Usher syndrome
– Rosacea
– Dermatomyositis
– Darier’s disease
– Kindler-Weary syndrome
Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) belongs to the group inborn errors of metabolism and most patients with AIP are not light sensitive. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- The Skin
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Question 26
Incorrect
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A 32-year-old man, who is on salbutamol and low dose budesonide, has be suffering from recurrent asthma attacks for the last week. What is the next drug of choice?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Salmeterol
Explanation:According to recent guidelines on asthma management, after administering SABA as needed, low doses of ICS are indicated. In this case the patient already takes budesonide so he now requires a long acting beta agonist (LABA), in this case salmeterol.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory System
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Question 27
Incorrect
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A 45-year-old man who had a liver transplant just over 3 months ago, now has primary sclerosing cholangitis. He complains of fever, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, which has come on over the last week. He has a platelet count of 60 x 109/L and alanine transaminase (ALT) of 300 U/L with a normal bilirubin.
He is taking tacrolimus and prednisolone for immunosuppression, and tells you that he recently stopped taking valganciclovir.
What is the most likely diagnosis?Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Donor-acquired cytomegalovirus
Explanation:The fact that he has recently stopped taking his valganciclovir, anti-viral, is key to the answer to this question. This makes the answer quite plainly donor-acquired CMV infection over all of the other answer choices. He needs to stay on prophylaxis against this, particularly in the first 3 months after transplant. Symptoms and presentations of CMV infection can include fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, pneumonitis, hepatitis, hematologic abnormalities, retinitis, and esophagitis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Hepatobiliary System
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Question 28
Incorrect
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A 58-year-old female patient is being investigated for breathlessness, cough, and severe weight loss. On the medical ward round, her CXR is reviewed showing hilar lymphadenopathy and multiple peripheral lung metastases.
Which of the following tumours is least likely to be the underlying cause of this lung appearance?Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Brain
Explanation:All of the aforementioned listed tumours, except brain tumours, can metastasise to lungs and produce the typical CXR picture consisting of hilar lymphadenopathy with either diffuse multinodular shadows resembling miliary disease or multiple large well-defined masses (canon balls). Occasionally, cavitation or calcification may also be seen.
Most brain tumours, however, do not metastasise. Some, derived form neural elements, do so but in these cases, intraparenchymal metastases generally precede distant haematogenous spread.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 29
Incorrect
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A 74-year-old man with longstanding Waldenström's macroglobulinemia presents to the rheumatology clinic with joint pain and generalised weakness. Which of the following would be most indicative of type I cryoglobulinemia?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Raynaud's phenomenon
Explanation:Cryoglobulins are proteins that precipitate from an individual’s serum or plasma at temperatures lower than 37°C. They can be a mixture of immunoglobulin (Ig) and complement components or immunoglobulins alone. These cryoglobulins deposit in medium and large-sized blood vessels throughout the body, causing endothelial injury and end-organ damage known as cryoglobulinemia.
Cryoglobulinemia can be divided into three main types, depending on which kind of antibody your body produces.
Type I cryoglobulinemia is frequently associated with an underlying health condition, such as cancer of your blood or immune system.
Type II cryoglobulinemia and type III cryoglobulinemia are often seen in people with long-term (chronic) inflammatory conditions, such as autoimmune diseases. Type II cryoglobulinemia is very common in people with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Another name for types II and III cryoglobulinemia is mixed cryoglobulinemia.
People with cryoglobulinemia may or may not experience symptoms. When symptoms are present, they most commonly include a particular rash, usually over the lower legs as well as fatigue and joint pain.
Other cryoglobulinemia symptoms may include:
- Change in the color of your hands and/or feet with cold temperatures, called Raynaud’s phenomenon.
- Weight loss.
- High blood pressure
- Swelling (edema) of ankles and legs.
- Skin ulcers and gangrene.
- Enlarged liver (hepatomegaly) or enlarged spleen (splenomegaly).
Raynaud’s syndrome causes spasms in small blood vessels in your fingers and toes. This limits blood flow and leads to symptoms like skin color changes, cold skin and a pins and needles sensation. Common triggers of Raynaud’s attacks include cold weather and stress. Many people have mild symptoms that they can manage through lifestyle changes.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 30
Incorrect
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A 40-year-old man is admitted to the Emergency Department in a confused state. He tells you that he consumed two bottles of antifreeze.
On examination, his pulse is 120 bpm and blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg. An arterial blood gas analysis shows uncompensated metabolic acidosis. He is transferred to the high dependency unit and ethanol is given via a nasogastric tube.
How does ethanol help this patient?Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Competes with ethylene glycol for alcohol dehydrogenase
Explanation:Ethanol competes with ethylene glycol for alcohol dehydrogenase and thus, helps manage a patient with ethylene glycol toxicity.
Ethylene glycol is a type of alcohol used as a coolant or antifreeze
Features of toxicity are divided into 3 stages:
Stage 1: (30 min to 12 hours after exposure) Symptoms similar to alcohol intoxication: confusion, slurred speech, dizziness (CNS depression)
Stage 2: (12 – 48 hours after exposure) Metabolic acidosis with a high anion gap and high osmolar gap. Also tachycardia, hypertension
Stage 3: (24 – 72 hours after exposure) Acute renal failureManagement has changed in recent times:
Fomepizole, an inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase, is now used first-line in preference to ethanol.
Ethanol has been used for many years works by competing with ethylene glycol for the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase this limits the formation of toxic metabolites (e.g. glycolaldehyde and glycolic acid) which are responsible for the hemodynamic/metabolic features of poisoning.
Haemodialysis has a role in refractory cases. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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