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Question 1
Correct
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Which of the following drugs will most likely trigger an exacerbation of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP)?
Your Answer: Oral contraceptive pill
Explanation:Hormonal contraceptives all contain man-made oestrogen and progestin hormones in a limited amount. These hormones prevent pregnancy by inhibiting the body’s natural cyclical hormones to prevent pregnancy. Even though all of these drugs except Ibuprofen can cause AIP in a vulnerable woman. The most likely cause is the OCP.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 2
Correct
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Causes of dilated pupils include which of the following?
Your Answer: Ethylene glycol poisoning
Explanation:Ethylene glycol poisoning is the only poison listed that will cause dilation of the pupils whereas all the other listed conditions and poisons will present with small pupils other than in the case of Myotonic dystrophy wherein the patient will present with a cortical cataract.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 3
Incorrect
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A 20-year-old male was admitted with a right sided pneumothorax. A chest drain was inserted just below the 4th rib in the midclavicular line. What is the structure at risk of damage during the above procedure?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Intercostal artery
Explanation:From the given answers, the most suitable answer is the intercostal artery. However the most vulnerable structure is the intercostal nerve, then intercostal artery and finally intercostal vein.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency & Critical Care
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Question 4
Incorrect
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A study is performed to assess a new proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in 120 elderly patients who are receiving aspirin. A control group of 240 elderly patients is given the standard PPI. The final evaluation after five years revealed that 24 individuals receiving the new PPI experienced an upper GI bleed. What is the absolute risk reduction if 60 individuals receiving the standard PPI experienced the same condition?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: 0.05
Explanation:Absolute risk reduction (ARR) – also called risk difference (RD) – is the most useful way of presenting research results to help your decision-making. Absolute risk reduction = (Control event rate) – (Experimental event rate) = 0.05 = 5% reduction
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Evidence Based Medicine
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Question 5
Incorrect
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A 60-year-old patient diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes mellitus is not responding to dietary modifications and weight reduction. He needs to be started on an oral hypoglycemic agent. Which among the following statements regarding oral hypoglycaemic agents is true?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Acarbose inhibits ?-glucosidase
Explanation: -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine System & Metabolism
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Question 6
Incorrect
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A 80-year-old male with hypertension presented with his second episode of atrial fibrillation. He was warfarinised and discharged. Later he was reviewed and found to be in sinus rhythm. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Continue lifelong warfarin
Explanation:CHA₂DS₂-VASc score is used for atrial fibrillation stroke risk calculation.
Congestive heart failure – 1 point
Hypertension – 1 point
Age >75 years – 2 points
Diabetes mellitus – 1 point
Stroke/Transient Ischemic Attack/Thromboembolic event – 2 points
Vascular disease (prior MI, PAD, or aortic plaque) – 1 point
Age 65 to 74 years – 1 point
Sex category (i.e., female sex) – 1 point
A score of 2 or more is considered as high risk and anticoagulation is indicated. This patient’s score is 3, so he needs life long warfarin to prevent stroke. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 7
Incorrect
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A 25-year-old female presented following an insect bite she complained of itching at the site of bite. What is the most appropriate management can be done at this stage?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Oral antihistamine
Explanation:Itching is due to release of histamine locally as a reaction to insect bites. Oral antihistamines are adequate as she doesn’t have other systemic features of anaphylaxis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Immune System
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Question 8
Incorrect
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What is correct statement regarding pulsus alternans?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: It is found in association with a third heart sound
Explanation:Pulsus alternans is the alternation of one strong and one weak beat without a change in the cycle length. It occurs most commonly in heart failure due to increased resistance to LV ejection, as occurs in hypertension, aortic stenosis, coronary atherosclerosis, and dilated cardiomyopathy. Pulsus alternans is usually associated with an S3 gallop, which is associated with a poor prognosis. It usually disappears with treatment of the heart failure.
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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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In last 5 days, an old man has complained of severe left sided headache, which was aggravated by bright lights. He has not vomited but feels nauseated. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Migraine
Explanation:Migraine without aura have the following characteristics: Nausea and vomiting accompanied by >5 headaches that last for 4-72 hours, plus any unilateral, pulsating headache or are aggravated by routine daily activities.
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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 47-year-old woman is being treated with steroids for her diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA). What is the other drug that can be added to this?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Aspirin
Explanation:Low dose aspirin is proven efficient in aversion of complications connected with giant cell arteritis such as stroke.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 11
Incorrect
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A 28-year-old male who has undergone splenectomy for an abdominal trauma presents on the 3rd postoperative day with acute abdominal pain and distension in the upper abdominal area with hypotension. 2 litres of coffee ground fluid was aspirated on insertion of ryles tubes. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Acute gastric dilatation.
Explanation:Acute gastric dilation leading to ischemia of the stomach is an under-diagnosed and potentially fatal event. Multiple aetiologies can lead to this condition, and all physicians should be aware of it. Acute gastric dilation occurs as a result of eating disorders, trauma resuscitation, volvulus of hiatal hernias, medications, electrolyte abnormalities, psychogenic polyphagia, superior mesenteric artery syndrome, and a myriad of other conditions. Without proper and timely diagnosis and treatment, gastric perforation, haemorrhage, and other serious complications can occur.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
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Question 12
Incorrect
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Regarding cranial nerves, which of the following statements is true?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: The vagus nerve supplies the palatal muscles
Explanation:In addition to the pharynx and larynx, the vagus nerve also innervates the palatoglossus of the tongue, and the majority of the muscles of the soft palate.
The lacrimal gland is supplied by the facial nerve.
The glossopharyngeal nerve supplies the parotid salivary gland controlling salivary secretions.
The oculomotor nerve carries parasympathetic efferents to the sphincter pupillae muscle and innervates the superior rectus.
The optic nerve carries sympathetic postganglionic fibres to the dilator pupillae muscle.
The trochlear nerve supplies the superior oblique muscle. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 13
Incorrect
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A study is developed to assess a new mandibular advancement device designed to reduce snoring. A 10 point scale was used to assess the severity of snoring before and after applying of the device by the respective partner. The number of the people involved in the study was 50. What test would you apply in this particular study?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Wilcoxon signed-rank test
Explanation:Steps required in performing the Wilcoxon signed rank test:
1 State the null hypothesis and, in particular, the hypothesized value for comparison
2 Rank all observations in increasing order of magnitude, ignoring their sign. Ignore any observations that are equal to the hypothesized value. If two observations have the same magnitude, regardless of sign, then they are given an average ranking
3 Allocate a sign (+ or -) to each observation according to whether it is greater or less than the hypothesized value (as in the sign test)
4 Calculate:
R+ = sum of all positive ranks
R- = sum of all negative ranks
R = smaller of R+ and R-
5 Calculate an appropriate P value What makes this test the most appropriate for this study is that the data is non-parametric, paired and comes from the same population. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Evidence Based Medicine
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Question 14
Incorrect
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The chorda tympani of the facial nerve (CN VII) carries:
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: parasympathetic fibres to the submandibular and sublingual glands and taste fibres from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue
Explanation:In the petrous temporal bone the facial nerve produces three branches:
1. The greater petrosal nerve, which transmits preganglionic parasympathetic fibres to the sphenopalatine ganglion. These postganglionic fibres supply the lacrimal gland and the glands in the nasal cavity;
2. The nerve to stapedius;
3. Parasympathetic fibres to the submandibular and sublingual glands and taste fibres from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 15
Incorrect
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Where is the site of action of spironolactone?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Distal convoluted tubule
Explanation:Spironolactone is an aldosterone antagonist which acts in the distal convoluted tubule. It is a potassium-sparing diuretic that prevents the body from absorbing too much salt and keeps the potassium levels from getting too low. Spironolactone is used to treat heart failure, high blood pressure (hypertension), or hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 16
Incorrect
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A 65-year-old man is referred to the oncology clinic with progressively worsening lower back pain for the last three months and history of weight loss for the past eight months. MRI lumbar spine confirms the suspicion of bone metastasis.
What is the most likely primary tumour?Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Prostate carcinoma
Explanation:Prostate cancer is the most common primary tumour that metastasises to the bone.
Most common tumours causing bone metastasis (in descending order):
1. Prostate (32%)
2. Breast (22%)
3. Kidneys (16%)
4. Lungs
5. ThyroidMost common sites of bone metastasis (in descending order):
1. Spine
2. Pelvis
3. Ribs
4. Skull
5. Long bones -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 17
Incorrect
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A 19-year-old girl suffers from a hereditary disease and presents at her GP with a renal colic. She claims that her mother had this problem too. What type of renal calculus is most likely responsible for the renal colic?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Cystine
Explanation:The patient seems to have inherited cystinuria which is an autosomal recessive disease. Typical for the disease is the abnormally high concentration of cysteine in the urine, finally causing cystinuria. In a person with cystinuria, the high concentrations of cysteine in the kidney results in the formation of stones with frequent colic pains and complications. If the genotype is partially expressed, then the phenotype might be even asymptomatic, thus the disease has a high variability.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Renal System
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Question 18
Incorrect
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A 64-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer has developed progressive back pain over the last 2 days. She also reports of weakness of her lower limbs and difficulty in walking. On examination, she has reduced power in both legs and increased tone associated with brisk knee and ankle reflexes. There is some sensory loss in the lower limbs and feet but perianal sensation is normal.
What is the most likely diagnosis?Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Spinal cord compression at T10
Explanation:The upper motor neurone signs in this patient point towards a diagnosis of spinal cord compression above the level of L1 and rules out cauda equina syndrome.
Spinal cord compression is an oncological emergency and affects up to 5% of cancer patients. Extradural compression accounts for the majority of cases, usually due to vertebral body metastases. One of the most common causes of spinal cord compression is osteoarthritis. It is also more commonly seen in patients with lung, breast, or prostate cancer.
Clinical features include:
1. Back pain: the earliest and most common symptom, may worsen on lying down or coughing
2. Lower limb weakness
3. Sensory changes: sensory loss and numbness
4. Neurological signs: depending on the level of the lesion.
Lesions above L1 usually result in upper motor neurone signs in the legs. Lesions below L1 usually cause lower motor neurone signs in the legs and perianal numbness. Tendon reflexes are increased below the level of the lesion and absent at the level of the lesion.Management options are:
1. High-dose oral dexamethasone
2. Urgent MRI for consideration of radiotherapy or surgery -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 19
Incorrect
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A 26-year-old woman presents for her first cervical smear. What is the most important aetiological factor causing cervical cancer?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Human papilloma virus 16 & 18
Explanation:It has been determined that HPV infection is the most powerful epidemic factor. This virus is needed, but not sufficient for the development of cervical cancer.
The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified HPV infection as carcinogenic to humans (HPV types 16 and 18), probably carcinogenic (HPV types 31 and 33) and possibly carcinogenic (other HPV types except 6 and 11).
Tobacco smoking, the use of contraceptives, and the number of births are factors that showed no statistically significant deviations in the studied population compared to other countries in the region, as well as European countries. They have an equal statistical significance in all age groups. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine System & Metabolism
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Question 20
Incorrect
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A 66-year-old man with newly-diagnosed small cell carcinoma discusses his further treatment options with the team of doctors.
Which statement is incorrect about small cell carcinoma?Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Patients with small cell lung cancer always benefit from surgery
Explanation:Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterized by rapid growth and early dissemination. Prompt initiation of treatment is important.
Patients with clinical stage Ia (T1N0) after standard staging evaluation may be considered for surgical resection, but combined treatment with chemotherapy and radiation therapy is the standard of care. Radiation therapy is often added at the second cycle of chemotherapy.
Historically, patients undergoing surgery for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) had a dismal prognosis. However, more recent data suggest that patients with true stage I SCLC may benefit from surgical resection.
Common sites of hematogenous metastases include the brain, bones, liver, adrenal glands, and bone marrow. The symptoms depend upon the site of spread.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory System
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Question 21
Incorrect
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A 25-year-old youth was brought to the A&E following a stab injury to the right back of the chest. On examination he was dyspnoeic, his trachea was deviated to the left side and there were engorged veins and absent breath sounds on the right side. Which of the following is the most probable diagnosis?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Tension pneumothorax
Explanation:History is suggestive of right sided tension pneumothorax. It can’t be a simple pneumothorax because of tracheal deviation and engorged veins.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency & Critical Care
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Question 22
Incorrect
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A 35-year-old female had an oral glucose tolerance test. Her oral glucose test after 2 hrs was 10mml/l. What is the result of her test?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Impaired glucose tolerance
Explanation:Impaired glucose tolerance is a pre-diabetic state of hyperglycaemia that is associated with insulin resistance and increased risk of cardiovascular pathology. To diagnose impaired glucose tolerance, the OGTT value after 2 hrs should be 140-199mg/dl (7.7 – 11.0 mmol/l). Impaired fasting glucose is diagnosed as fasting blood sugar between 100 mg/dl to 125 mg/dl.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine System & Metabolism
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Question 23
Incorrect
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Which of the following types of motor neuron diseases carries the worst prognosis?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Progressive bulbar palsy
Explanation:Motor neuron disease is a neurological condition of unknown cause which can present with both upper and lower motor neuron signs. It rarely presents before 40 years and various patterns of disease are recognised including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, primary lateral sclerosis, progressive muscular atrophy and progressive bulbar palsy. In some patients however, there is a combination of clinical patterns. In progressive bulbar palsy there is palsy of the tongue and muscles of chewing/swallowing and facial muscles due to loss of function of brainstem motor nuclei. This carries the worst prognosis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 24
Incorrect
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A 60-year-old man with a history of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is admitted to the acute medical unit for pneumonia. This is his fourth admission for pneumonia in the past six months.
Which of the following factors is most likely to be responsible?Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Hypogammaglobulinaemia
Explanation:Hypogammaglobulinemia is a complication of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) that leads to recurrent infections.
CLL is a type of cancer caused by monoclonal proliferation of well-differentiated lymphocytes, typically B cells (99%). Onset of the disease is usually asymptomatic and later constitutes anorexia, weight loss, bleeding, and recurrent infections. Lymphadenopathy is more marked in CLL than in chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML).
Investigations to diagnose CLL include blood film and immunophenotyping. Smudge cells (also known as smear cells) seen on the blood film point towards CLL. Complications of the disease include hypogammaglobulinemia leading to recurrent infections, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia in 10-15% of the patients, and transformation to high-grade lymphoma (Richter’s transformation).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 25
Incorrect
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During the examination of an elderly confused and non-coherent gentleman who was brought to casualty by a concerned neighbour, you notice that he has bilaterally small pupils, which do not appear to react to light. Under the circumstances, it is difficult to judge their response to accommodation.
Which of the following conditions may not account for the pupillary appearance in this patient?Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Acute alcohol intoxication
Explanation:Acute alcohol intoxication presents with pupillary dilation, thus, this is ruled out in this patient. All the other listed causes present with small pupils bilaterally.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 26
Incorrect
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A 54-year-old female presents with shortness of breath that has been going on for the last 10 months. Physical examination shows that she has an irregularly irregular pulse and a loud P2 with fixed splitting accompanied by a systolic ejection murmur in the 2nd left intercostal space. Which of the following would be the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Atrial septal defect (ASD)
Explanation:Atrial septal defect (ASD) is one of the more commonly recognized congenital cardiac anomalies presenting in adulthood. ASD is characterized by a defect in the interatrial septum allowing pulmonary venous return from the left atrium to pass directly to the right atrium. Depending on the size of the defect, size of the shunt, and associated anomalies, this can result in a spectrum of disease ranging from no significant cardiac sequelae to right-sided volume overload, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and even atrial arrhythmias.
With the routine use of echocardiography, the detection and, therefore, the incidence of ASD is increased compared to earlier incidence studies using catheterization, surgery, or autopsy for diagnosis. The subtle physical examination findings and often minimal symptoms during the first 2-3 decades of life contribute to a delay in diagnosis until adulthood, the majority (more than 70%) of which is detected by the fifth decade of life.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 27
Incorrect
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A 72-year-old male was admitted with acute right leg pain at rest. On examination, the right leg was white and peripheral pulses were not palpable. He gives a history of intermittent claudication for the past two years. What is the most probable cause for this presentation?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Atrial fibrillation
Explanation:This presentation is compatible with acute limb ischemia, which is a surgical emergency. Thromboembolism following atrial fibrillation is the most probable cause for this presentation as there is no history of prolonged immobilization or other associated risk factors in this male patient.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 28
Incorrect
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A 37-year-old woman presents with sudden blindness. She claims she had a similar episode last year which resolved in three months. Fundoscopy is normal. Upon examination, mild weakness of the right upper limb is found. Reflexes on the same limb are exaggerated. What is the best treatment?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Corticosteroids
Explanation:The age of the patients together with sudden loss of vision, remission and relapse of optic neuritis, focal neurological symptoms and exaggerated reflexes all suggest multiple sclerosis. This is treated with corticosteroids.
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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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A 70-year old man presents with difficulty speaking and has a history of weakness in his facial muscles, as well as in his right arm and leg. What is the most appropriate prophylactic regimen in this case?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Aspirin 300mg for 2 weeks followed by aspirin 75mg and dipyridamole 200mg
Explanation:Left-sided hemiparesis along with slurred speech are strong indications of stroke in the right cerebral hemisphere. This occurs due to poor blood flow to the brain from the heart. Aspirin 300mg has analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory properties that can address the acute symptoms of stroke like migraine and neuralgic pain. With a reduced dose of 75mg of Aspirin, its anti-platelet effect can inhibit further thrombus formation and prevent another stroke. Dipyridamole 200mg is an anti-coagulant preventing clot formation in the blood.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency & Critical Care
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Question 30
Incorrect
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A 39-year-old man was admitted with an exacerbation of asthma. He responded to treatment but the medical intern was concerned that Aspergillus fumigatus was cultured from his sputum.
Subsequently arranged serum total, IgE level was elevated at 437 ng/ml (normal 40-180 ng/ml), RAST to Aspergillus fumigatus was class III, Aspergillus fumigatus precipitins were negative.
What would be the most appropriate management step in this patient?Your Answer:
Correct Answer: No change in medication
Explanation:Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a form of lung disease that occurs in some people who are allergic to Aspergillus. With ABPA, this allergic reaction causes the immune system to overreact to Aspergillus leading to lung inflammation. ABPA causes bronchospasm (tightening of airway muscles) and mucus build-up resulting in coughing, breathing difficulty and airway obstruction.
Blood tests are used to look for signs of an allergic reaction. This includes evaluating your immunoglobulin E (IgE) level. This level is increased with any type of allergy. Many people with asthma have higher than normal IgE levels. In ABPA however, the IgE level is extremely high (more than 1000 ng/ml or 417 IU/ml). In addition to total IgE, all patients with ABPA have high levels of IgE that is specific to Aspergillus. A blood test can be done to measure specific IgE to Aspergillus. A blood or skin test for IgE antibodies to Aspergillus can be done to see if a person is sensitized (allergic) to this fungus. If these skin tests are negative (i.e. does not show a skin reaction) to Aspergillus fumigatus, the person usually does not have ABPA.
Therefore, there should be no change in medication since this patient does not have ABPA. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory System
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
