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Question 1
Correct
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What is the likely diagnosis in a 55-year old man presenting with jaundice, weight loss, pale coloured stools and elevated alkaline phosphatase?
Your Answer: Pancreatic carcinoma
Explanation:Increased alkaline phosphatase is indicative of cholestasis, with a 4x or greater increase seen 1-2 days after biliary obstruction. Its level can remain elevated several days after the obstruction is resolved due to the long half life (7 days). Increase up to three times the normal level can be seen in hepatitis, cirrhosis, space-occupying lesions and infiltrative disorders. Raised alkaline phosphatase with other liver function tests being normal can occur in focal hepatic lesions like abscesses or tumours, or in partial/intermittent biliary obstruction. However, alkaline phosphatase has several isoenzymes, which originate in different organs, particularly bone. An isolated rise can also be seen in malignancies (bronchogenic carcinoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma), post-fatty meals (from the small intestine), in pregnancy (from the placenta), in growing children (from bone growth) and in chronic renal failure (from intestine and bone). One can differentiate between hepatic and non-hepatic cause by measurement of enzymes specific to the liver e.g. gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT).
In an elderly, asymptomatic patient, isolated rise of alkaline phosphatase usually points to bone disease (like Paget’s disease). Presence of other symptoms such as jaundice, pale stools, weight loss suggests obstructive jaundice, most probably due to pancreatic carcinoma.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal; Hepatobiliary
- Pathology
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Question 2
Correct
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Which of the following can lead to haemolytic anaemia?
Your Answer: Presence of haemoglobin S
Explanation:Haemoglobin S is an abnormal type of haemoglobin seen in sickle cell anaemia. This allows for the haemoglobin to crystalize within the RBC upon exposure to low partial pressures of oxygen. This results in rupture of the RBCs as they pass through microcirculation, especially in the spleen. This can cause blockage of the vessel down stream and ischaemic death of tissues, accompanied by severe pain.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- General
- Physiology
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Question 3
Correct
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What will the destruction of endoplasmic reticulum stop?
Your Answer: Synthesis of proteins
Explanation:The rough endoplasmic reticulum is the factory for the manufacturing of proteins. It contains ribosomes attached to it and transports proteins that are destined for membranes and secretions. The rough ER is connected to the nuclear envelope and to the cisternae of the Golgi apparatus by vesicles that shuttle between the two compartments.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- General
- Physiology
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Question 4
Correct
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A man in his sixties underwent surgery to remove a lump from his axilla. During removal, a nerve originating from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus was damaged. Which nerve is this referring to?
Your Answer: Lateral pectoral
Explanation:The only branch of the lateral cord of brachial plexus in the options given, is the lateral pectoral nerve. It supplies the pectoralis major muscle and sends a branch to join the medial pectoral nerve forming a loop in front of the first part of the axillary artery.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Upper Limb
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Question 5
Correct
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Which of the following organelles have the capacity to regenerate and spontaneously replicate?
Your Answer: Mitochondrion
Explanation:A mitochondria is a membrane bound organelle found in eukaryotic cells. They are called the powerhouse of the cell and are the place where ATP is formed from energy generated through metabolism. They are capable of replication as well as repair and regeneration.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- General
- Physiology
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Question 6
Correct
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A 45-year-old woman was brought to the emergency department due to fever and chills. She has a history of recurrent UTI and complains of dysuria and urinary frequency. Urinary white blood cell count is >200 cell/high power field. If urine culture is performed, what is the most likely organism that will grow?
Your Answer: Escherichia coli
Explanation:The pathogen that most likely causes recurrent urinary tract infection in young women are E. coli, Enterococcus and Staphylococcus saprophyticus.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
- Pathology
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Question 7
Correct
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Which type of thyroid tumour represents 75 - 80% of thyroid cancer cases? This type is predominant in children and in patients who have had a previous history of head or neck radiation.
Your Answer: Papillary carcinoma
Explanation:Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common thyroid cancer. This cancer has a high cure rate with 10-year survival rates for all patients with papillary thyroid cancer estimated at 80% to 90%.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Neoplasia
- Pathology
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Question 8
Correct
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Myoglobin is released as a result of rhabdomyolysis from damaged skeletal muscles. What function do they perform in the muscle?
Your Answer: Acts like haemoglobin and binds with O2
Explanation:Myoglobin is a pigmented globular protein made up of 153 amino acids with a prosthetic group containing haem around which the apoprotein folds. It is the primary oxygen carrying protein of the muscles. The binding of oxygen to myoglobin is unaffected by the oxygen pressure as it has an instant tendency to bind given its hyperbolic oxygen curve. It releases oxygen at very low pO2 levels.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- General
- Physiology
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Question 9
Correct
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A 42 year old man with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) underwent an abdominal aortic angiography which revealed that his inferior mesenteric artery was occluded. If this patient showed no symptoms, the most likely reason is that the area the inferior mesenteric artery supplies, must be supplied by collateral blood flow from which arteries?
Your Answer: Left and middle colic
Explanation:The arterial branches that form an anastomosis between the superior mesenteric artery and the inferior mesenteric artery are the left colic artery and the middle colic artery. The middle colic artery is the most distal branch of the superior mesenteric artery while the left colic forms the most proximal branch of the inferior mesenteric artery. These two arteries will give collateral blood flow in the case that the inferior mesenteric artery gets occluded. The superior mesenteric artery gives off the following branches; ileocolic, appendicular, ileal artery, right colic and middle colic arteries. The left colic, sigmoid and superior rectal arteries are branches of the inferior mesenteric artery. The marginal artery branches off directly from the abdominal aorta.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
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Question 10
Correct
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A 32-year-old man presents to the doctor complaining of pain in his left calf whilst walking. He says that the pain goes away after a short period of rest but starts again during exercise or walking. The man reveals he has been a smoker for the last 15 years. His blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol level are normal. Artery biopsy shows intraluminal thrombosis and vasculitis. What's is the most likely cause of these findings?
Your Answer: Buerger's disease
Explanation:Thromboangiitis obliterans, also known as Buerger’s disease, is a rare type of occlusive peripheral arterial disease, usually seen in smokers, most commonly in men aged 20 to 40. Symptoms most often include intermittent claudication, skin changes, painful ulcers on extremities, pain in the extremities during rest and gangrene. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings, arteriography, echocardiography, and computed tomography angiography. A difference in blood pressure between arms, or between the arms and legs is a common finding. Electrocardiographic findings include nonspecific abnormality or normal results.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Pathology
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Question 11
Incorrect
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What is a major source of fuel being oxidised by the skeletal muscles of a man who has undergone starvation for 7 days?
Your Answer: Muscle glycogen
Correct Answer: Serum fatty acids
Explanation:Starvation is the most extreme form of malnutrition. Prolonged starvation can lead to permanent organ damage and can be fatal. Starved individuals eventually lose significant fat and muscle mass as the body uses these for energy.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
- Physiology
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Question 12
Correct
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The pleural cavity is the space between the two pulmonary pleurae which cover the lungs. What is the normal amount of pleural fluid?
Your Answer: 10 ml
Explanation:Pleural fluid is a serous fluid produced by the serous membrane covering normal pleurae. Most fluid is produced by the parietal circulation (intercostal arteries) via bulk flow and reabsorbed by the lymphatic system. The total volume of fluid present in the intrapleural space is estimated to be only 2–10 ml. A small amount of protein is present in intrapleural fluid. Normally, the rate of reabsorption increases as a physiological response to accumulating fluid.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
- Respiratory
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Question 13
Correct
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Which of these structures is most likely to be damaged if a patient loses consciousness days or weeks after an otherwise insignificant head trauma, especially in elderly patients?
Your Answer: Dural bridging vein
Explanation:A subdural haematoma is a type of hematoma, usually associated with traumatic brain injury, in which blood collects between the dura mater and the pia-arachnoid mater. Symptoms of subdural haemorrhage have a slower onset than those of epidural haemorrhages because the lower pressure veins bleed more slowly than arteries. These injuries are more common in elderly patients, especially those taking antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs. Oedema and increased intracranial pressure are unusual.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Neurology
- Pathology
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Question 14
Correct
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Following nerve injury, paralysis of the quadriceps femoris muscle occurs. Which of the following movements will be affected?
Your Answer: Extension of the leg
Explanation:The quadriceps muscle is a great extensor of the thigh. Therefore, following nerve injury or cutting nerve supply to the quadriceps will affect extension of the thigh
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Lower Limb
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Question 15
Correct
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Pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen on ingestion of a fatty meal is seen in a condition which involves which of the following substances?
Your Answer: Cholecystokinin
Explanation:The clinical scenario described here favours the presence of gallstones. During food ingestion, vagal discharges stimulate gallbladder contraction. Moreover, presence of fat and amino acids in the intestinal lumen stimulates the release of cholecystokinin (CCK) in the duodenum. This causes sustained gallbladder contraction and relaxation of the sphincter of Oddi. If gallstones are present, there will be inflammation in the gallbladder and CCK will aggravate it due to contractions.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
- Physiology
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Question 16
Correct
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A 16 year old girl fractured a bone in her left foot. Upon examination the clinician discovered that the fracture affected the insertion of the peroneus brevis muscle. Which of the following bones was most likely affected?
Your Answer: Base of the fifth metatarsal
Explanation:The peroneus brevis muscle originates from the lower two-thirds of the lateral body of the fibula and has inserts at the base of the fifth metatarsal. Fractures to this bone are common and can be due to infection, trauma, overuse and repetitive use.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Lower Limb
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Question 17
Incorrect
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What is the reason for a deranged thrombin clotting time?
Your Answer: Warfarin therapy
Correct Answer: Heparin therapy
Explanation:Thrombic clotting time is also known as thrombin time. It is clinically performed to determine the therapeutic levels of heparin. After plasma is isolated from the blood, bovine thrombin is added to it and the time it takes from the addition to clot is recorded. The reference interval is usually <21s. deranged results are indicative of heparin therapy, hypofibrinogenemia, hyperfibrinogenaemia or lupus anticoagulant.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- General
- Physiology
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Question 18
Correct
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What is the nerve supply to the muscles of the lateral compartment of the leg ?
Your Answer: Superficial peroneal nerve
Explanation:The peroneus longus and peroneus brevis in the lateral compartment of the leg take nerve supply from the superficial peroneal nerve.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Lower Limb
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Question 19
Correct
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Which Statement is true of the brachial plexus?
Your Answer: The posterior cord continues as the axillary nerve
Explanation:The lateral cord continues as the musculocutaeous nerve.
The medial cord continues as the ulnar nerve.
The posterior cord continues as the radial nerve and the axillary nerve.
The nerve to subclavius muscle is a branch of the C6 root.
The suprascapular nerve is a branch from the upper trunk.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Upper Limb
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Question 20
Correct
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A brain tumour causing blockage of the hypophyseal portal system is likely to result in an increased secretion of which of the following hormones?
Your Answer: Prolactin
Explanation:The hypophyseal portal system links the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary. With the help of this system, the anterior pituitary receives releasing and inhibitory hormones from the hypothalamus and regulates the action of other endocrine glands. One of the inhibitory hormones carried by this system is the prolactin-inhibitory hormone. In the absence of this hormone which might occur in case of a blockage of the system, prolactin secretion increases to about three times normal levels.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Physiology
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Question 21
Correct
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The uterine artery arises from the?
Your Answer: Internal iliac artery
Explanation:The uterine artery arises from the anterior division of the internal iliac artery and runs medially on the levator ani towards the uterine cervix.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Pelvis
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Question 22
Correct
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A 25 year old man presented with a history of headache and peripheral cyanosis. He had been living in the Himalayas for 6 months prior to this. What is the reason for his condition?
Your Answer: Physiological polycythaemia
Explanation:Polycythaemia is a condition that results in an increase in the total number of red blood cells (RBCs) in the blood. It can be due to myeloproliferative syndrome or due to chronically low oxygen levels or rarely malignancy. In primary polycythaemia/polycythaemia vera the increase is due to an abnormality in the bone marrow, resulting in increases RBCs, white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets. In secondary polycythaemia the increase occurs due to high levels of erythropoietin either artificially or naturally. The increase is about 6-8 million/cm3 of blood. A type of secondary polycythaemia is physiological polycythaemia where people living in high altitudes who are exposed to hypoxic conditions produce more erythropoietin as a compensatory mechanism for thin oxygen and low oxygen partial pressure.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- General
- Physiology
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Question 23
Correct
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What principal artery that supplies the meninges is susceptible to rupture following trauma to the side of the head over the temporal region:
Your Answer: Middle meningeal artery
Explanation:The middle meningeal artery normally arises from the first or mandibular segment of the maxillary artery. The artery runs in a groove on the inside of the cranium, this can clearly be seen on a lateral skull X-ray. An injured middle meningeal artery is the most common cause of an epidural hematoma.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Head & Neck
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Question 24
Correct
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A patient who has used NSAIDS for many years presents to the A&E with symptoms of acute haemorrhagic shock. An emergency endoscopy is done that shows that a duodenal ulcer has perforated the posterior wall of the first part of the duodenum. Which artery is most likely to be the cause of the haemorrhage?
Your Answer: Gastroduodenal
Explanation:The gastroduodenal artery is a branch of the hepatic artery and descends near the pylorus between the first part of the duodenum and the neck of the pancreas to divide at the lower border of the duodenum into the right gastroepiploic and pancreaticoduodenal arteries. Before it divides, it gives off a few branches to the pyloric end of the stomach and to the pancreas. The artery that is most likely involved in this situation is the gastroduodenal artery since it is posterior to the first part of the duodenum.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
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Question 25
Incorrect
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Which nuclei of the posterior grey column of the spinal cord are likely affected in a patient who has lost the sensation of pain and temperature?
Your Answer: Posteromarginal nucleus
Correct Answer: Substantia gelatinosa
Explanation:Substantia gelatinosa is one of the nuclei in the posterior grey column along side other posterior grey column nuclei like the nucleus dorsalis, nucleus proprius, and posteromarginal nucleus. These nuclei are a collection of cells in the posterior grey area found in throughout the spinal cord. The substantia gelatinosa receives direct input from the dorsal nerve roots (sensory), especially from thermoreceptors and nociceptors (receptors for temperature and pain).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Neurology
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Question 26
Incorrect
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A CT-scan of the lung shows a tumour crossing the minor (horizontal) fissure. This fissure separates:
Your Answer: The lower lobe from both the middle and upper lobes
Correct Answer: The middle lobe from the upper lobe
Explanation:The horizontal fissure separates the upper lobe from the middle lobe. The oblique fissure on the other hand separates the lower lobe from both the middle and upper lobes. The lingula is found only on the left lung.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Thorax
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Question 27
Correct
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During gastrectomy, the operating surgeon ligates the short gastric arteries along the greater curvature of the stomach. Where do the short gastric arteries branch from?
Your Answer: Splenic artery
Explanation:Short gastric arteries arise from the splenic artery at the end or from its terminal divisions. They are about 5 or 7 in number, passing from the left to the right in between the layers of the gastrosplenic ligament to be distributed along the greater curvature of the stomach.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
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Question 28
Correct
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Identify which of the following muscles acts on two joints?
Your Answer: Sartorius
Explanation:The sartorius muscle, the longest muscle in the body, is one of the two jointed or biarticular muscles. It originates from the anterior superior iliac spine and part of the notch between the anterior superior iliac spine and anterior inferior iliac spine and crosses both the hip joint and the knee joint. At the hip joint the sartorius flexes and rotates the thigh at the hip joint and flexes the leg at the knee joint.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Lower Limb
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Question 29
Incorrect
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Calculate the cardiac stroke volume of a patient whose oxygen consumption (measured by analysis of mixed expired gas) is 300 ml/min, arterial O2 content is 20 ml/100 ml blood, pulmonary arterial O2 content is 15 ml/100 ml blood and heart rate is 60/min.
Your Answer: 20 ml
Correct Answer: 100 ml
Explanation:By Fick’s principle, VO2 = Q × (CA (O2) − CV (O2)) where VO2 = O2 consumption, Q = cardiac output and CA(O2) and CV(O2) are arterial and mixed venous O2 content respectively. Thus, in the given problem, 300 ml O2/min = Q × (20−15) ml O2/100 ml. Thus, Q = 6000 ml blood/min. Then, we can calculate stroke volume by dividing the cardiac output with heart rate. Thus, stroke volume = 6000 ml/min divided by 60/min stroke volume = 100 ml.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Physiology
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Question 30
Correct
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Which of the following is the most abundant WBC seen in a smear from a healthy person.
Your Answer: Neutrophils
Explanation:neutrophils are the most abundant cell type of the WBC. These phagocytes are found normally in the blood and increase in number are seen during an acute inflammation. These the percentages of WBC in blood Neutrophils: 40 to 60%
Lymphocytes: 20 to 40%
Monocytes: 2 to 8%
Eosinophils: 1 to 4%
Basophils: 0.5 to 1%
Band (young neutrophil): 0 to 3%. eosinophils, basophils, neutrophils are known as granulocytes and monocytes and lymphocytes as agranulocytes.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Inflammation & Immunology
- Pathology
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
