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Question 1
Correct
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Which of the following is NOT an effect of a positive inotropic agent on the heart?
Your Answer: It decreases the rate of rise in ventricular blood pressure during systole
Explanation:Inotropic agents increase the contractility of the heart as well as the rate of rise in ventricular blood pressure during systole, generating a greater pressure and increasing the stroke volume e.g. like catecholamines do.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 2
Incorrect
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Concerning surface anatomy, where is the mitral valve found?
Your Answer: Situated in the 4th intercostal space beneath the sternum
Correct Answer: Situated in the 4th intercostal space to the left of the sternum
Explanation:The mitral valve is situated in the left 4th intercostal space just beneath the sternum.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 3
Incorrect
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Which one of the following antibiotics is safest to use in pregnancy?
Your Answer: Clarithromycin
Correct Answer: Erythromycin
Explanation:Antibiotics that should be avoided in pregnancy are included in the mnemonic: Countless SAFe Moms Take Really Good Care -Clarithromycin, Sulphonamides, Aminoglycosides, Fluoroquinolones, Metronidazole, Tetracyclines, Ribavirin, Griseofulvin, Chloramphenicol
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Pharmacology
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Question 4
Incorrect
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The choroid plexus:
Your Answer: One of its main functions is to produce CSF
Correct Answer: All are true
Explanation:The choroid plexus is a vascular structure found in all cerebral ventricles. The functional unit of the choroid plexus, composed of a capillary, enveloped by a layer of differentiated ependymal epithelium. Unlike the capillaries that form the blood-brain barrier, choroid plexus capillaries are fenestrated and have no tight junctions. The endothelium, therefore, does not form a barrier to the movement of small molecules. Instead, the blood-CSF barrier at the choroid plexus is formed by the epithelial cells and the tight junctions that link them.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Neurology
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Question 5
Correct
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A 22 year old man is being evaluated for chronic lower backache. Which of the following would most strongly point towards the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis?
Your Answer: Reduced lateral flexion of the lumbar spine
Explanation:Ankylosing spondylitis (spondylarthritis) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the axial skeleton that leads to partial or even complete fusion and rigidity of the spine. Males are disproportionately affected and upwards of 90% of patients are positive for the HLA-B27 genotype, which predisposes to the disease. The most characteristic early finding is pain and stiffness in the neck and lower back, caused by inflammation of the vertebral column and the sacroiliac joints. The pain typically improves with activity and is especially prominent at night. Other articular findings include tenderness to percussion and displacement of the sacroiliac joints (Mennell’s sign), as well as limited spine mobility, which can progress to restrictive pulmonary disease. The most common extra-articular manifestation is acute, unilateral anterior uveitis. Diagnosis is primarily based on symptoms and x-ray of the sacroiliac joints, with HLA-B27 testing and MRI reserved for inconclusive cases. There is no curative treatment, but regular physiotherapy can slow progression of the disease. Additionally, NSAIDs and/or tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitors may improve symptoms. In severe cases, surgery may be considered to improve quality of life. The spine adopts a bamboo shape, not lordosis. The pain usually improves as the day progresses. leg raise test causes pain in cases of meningitis etc not in this case.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Connective Tissue
- Medicine
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Question 6
Correct
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Which cell secretes parathyroid hormone?
Your Answer: Chief cells
Explanation:Parathyroid chief cells, also known as parathyroid principal cells or parathyroid cells, are the most prevalent type of cell in the parathyroid gland and the only ones present at birth. They secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 7
Correct
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The following are Gram positive rods:
Your Answer: Clostridia
Explanation:Examples of Gram positive bacilli:Bacillus genusClostridium genusCorynebacterium genusListeria genusPropionibacterium genusExamples of Gram negative bacilli:Bacteroides genusCitrobacter genusEnterobacter genusEscherichia genusPseudomonas genusProteus genusSalmonella genusSerratia genusShigella genusYersinia genus
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Infectious Diseases
- Medicine
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Question 8
Correct
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Regarding the innervation of the cerebral blood vessels, postganglionic sympathetic neurons have their cell bodies in the:
Your Answer: Superior cervical ganglia
Explanation:The superior cervical ganglion (SCG) is a part of autonomic system which plays a major role in maintaining homeostasis of the body. This ganglion innervates structures in the head and neck and is the largest and the most superiorly located ganglion. The SCG provides sympathetic innervation to structures within the head, including the pineal gland, the blood vessels in the cranial muscles and the brain, the choroid plexus, the eyes, the lacrimal glands, the carotid body, the salivary glands, and the thyroid gland. The postganglionic axons of the SCG innervate the internal carotid artery and form the internal carotid plexus. The internal carotid plexus carries the postganglionic axons of the SCG to the eye, lacrimal gland, mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and pharynx, and numerous blood-vessels in the head.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Neurology
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Question 9
Correct
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Which cranial nerve is responsible for the parasympathetic nerve supply of the thorax and upper abdomen?
Your Answer: CN X
Explanation:Cranial nerve X supplies the structures of the thorax and abdomen. All the rest of the cranial nerves supply the structures in the head and neck
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Neurology
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Question 10
Incorrect
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A 79-year-old woman has a waddling gait. History reveals enuresis and change in behaviour. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Parkinsons
Correct Answer: Normal pressure hydrocephalus
Explanation:The waddling gait and behaviour change are attributes of normal pressure hydrocephalus along with loss of bladder control which commonly happens with elder age.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Geriatrics
- Medicine
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Question 11
Correct
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In meiosis, the period of prophase 1 involves:
Your Answer: Replicated DNA condensing to form visible chromosomes
Explanation:Prophase 1 has been divided into five different stages (laptotene, zygotene, pachytene, diplotene and diakinesis). In prophase 1, chromosomes are going to condense to become visible, each chromosome will contain two chromatids that are joined at the centromere.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
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Question 12
Incorrect
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The growth promoting protein anabolic effects of insulin are mediated by:
Your Answer: Igf-1
Correct Answer: Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase
Explanation:Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase or PI-3Ks are a group of enzymes which are involved in a number of different cellular functions. PI-3Ks interact with insulin and the insulin receptor substrate, regulating glucose uptake. They are an important element in the insulin signalling pathway.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 13
Correct
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Regarding glomus cells, which of the following is true?
Your Answer: Contain catecholamines
Explanation:The carotid body detects changes in the composition of arterial blood flowing through it, mainly the partial pressure of oxygen, but also of carbon dioxide. Furthermore, it is also sensitive to changes in pH and temperature.The carotid body is made up of two types of cells, called glomus cells: Glomus type I/chief cells release a variety of neurotransmitters, including acetylcholine, ATP, and dopamine that trigger EPSPs in synapsed neurons leading to the respiratory centre.Glomus type II/sustentacular cells resemble glia, express the glial marker S100 and act as supporting cells.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Respiratory
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Question 14
Incorrect
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A 28 year old man was rushed to the hospital after experiencing sudden onset chest pain while playing football. He has never felt such pain in the past. However, one of his uncles had a similar sudden discomfort at a young age and he passed away following a heart problem. The following vitals are recorded on examination:BP: 101/74 mmHgRR: 22 breaths/minPR: 87 beats/min Physical examination reveals abnormally long fingers and on asking the man to hold the opposite wrist, the thumb and little finger overlap each other. He is not taking any medication regularly and past medical/surgical history is not significant. He admits to smoking half pack of cigarettes/day for the last 10 years but denies abusing any illicit drugs. Which of the following explanation most likely explains the disease process in this man?
Your Answer: Overactive elastase enzyme leading to an excessive breakdown of collagen
Correct Answer: A defect of the glycoprotein structure which usually wraps around elastin
Explanation:Aortic dissection is defined as separation of the layers within the aortic wall. Tears in the intimal layer result in the propagation of dissection (proximally or distally) secondary to blood entering the intima-media space. This can be caused as a result of both congenital or acquired factors like chronic uncontrolled hypertension. This patient shows no sign of hypertension but his physical examination hints towards Marfan Syndrome. Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder affecting the microfibrils and elastin in connective tissue throughout the body. MFS is associated with pathological manifestations in the cardiovascular system (e.g., mitral valve prolapse, aortic aneurysm, and dissection), the musculoskeletal system (e.g., tall stature with disproportionately long extremities, joint hypermobility), and the eyes (e.g., subluxation of the lens of the eye). Decreased collagen production occurs in ageing, hydroxylation defects are present in vitamin C deficiency, copper deficiency affecting lysyl oxidase enzyme occurs in Menke’s disease.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Connective Tissue
- Medicine
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Question 15
Correct
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In RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism), the DNA fragments are separated by length through a process known as:
Your Answer: Agarose gel electrophoresis
Explanation:Samples of DNA from individuals are broken into pieces by restriction enzymes and the fragments are separated according to their lengths via gel electrophoresis. Although now largely obsolete due to the rise of inexpensive DNA sequencing technologies, RFLP analysis was the first DNA profiling technique inexpensive enough to see widespread application.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
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Question 16
Correct
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All of the following constitute small intestinal brush border enzymes except:
Your Answer: Alpha-amylase
Explanation:The final step in digestion of carbohydrates, which is conversion of disaccharides to absorbable monosaccharides occurs on the small intestinal epithelial cells. The enzymes responsible for this final stage of digestion are not freely found in the intestinal lumen, but they are found as integral membrane proteins in the plasma membrane of the epithelial cell. The apical plasma membrane of the intestinal epithelial cell has numerous microvilli which extend from the cell known as the brush border. Thus, the enzymes embedded in those microvilli are referred to as brush border enzymes. All these enzymes except alfa amylase are brush border enzymes. Alfa amylase is secreted by pancreatic acinar cells.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
- Medicine
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Question 17
Incorrect
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A 45 year old man presents with fever, malaise, weight loss and myalgias that have been occurring for a month. You suspect polyarteritis nodosa and arrange for some lab investigations. Which of the following abnormality would most likely be present?
Your Answer: Positive ANCA
Correct Answer: Elevated creatinine
Explanation:People with polyarteritis nodosa often exhibit anaemia of chronic disease. Leucocytosis and eosinophilia may also be present. ANCA is only rarely positive. As polyarteritis nodosa affects the kidneys as well, the creatinine is elevated in most cases.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Connective Tissue
- Medicine
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Question 18
Incorrect
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Erythropoietin is synthesized by which cells of the nephron?
Your Answer: Glomerular epithelial cells
Correct Answer: Tubular interstitial cells
Explanation:Erythropoietin is produced by interstitial fibroblasts in the kidney in close association with peritubular capillary and proximal convoluted tubule. It is also produced in perisinusoidal cells in the liver. While liver production predominates in the fetal and perinatal period, renal production is predominant during adulthood.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Renal
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Question 19
Incorrect
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Most of the venous blood returns to the heart through the:
Your Answer: Right ventricle
Correct Answer: Coronary sinus and anterior cardiac veins
Explanation:Most of the venous blood returns to the heart via the coronary sinus and the anterior cardiac veins which drain into the right atrium.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 20
Incorrect
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Water hammer pulse is found in:
Your Answer: Aortic stenosis
Correct Answer: Aortic insufficiency
Explanation:Watson’s water hammer pulse is the medical sign which describes a pulse that is bounding and forceful, rapidly increasing and subsequently collapsing, as if it were the sound of a water hammer that was causing the pulse. A water hammer was a Victorian toy in which a tube was half filled with fluid, the remainder being a vacuum. The child would invert and reinvert the tube; each time the impact of the fluid at each end would sound like a hammer blow. This is associated with increased stroke volume of the left ventricle and decrease in the peripheral resistance leading to the widened pulse pressure of aortic regurgitation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 21
Incorrect
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In most somatic cells telomeres progressively shorten as:
Your Answer: The cell ages
Correct Answer: The cell divides
Explanation:Telomerase activity is seen in germ cells and is absent in somatic cells. A somatic cell is any biological cell forming the body of an organism, other than a gamete, germ cell, gametocyte or undifferentiated stem cell. i.e. liver cells. Telomeres prevent the chromosomes from shortening and prevent the coding portion of the DNA from being lost, thus allowing the cell to replicate indefinitely. During replication telomeres may be lost resulting in cell death.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
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Question 22
Correct
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An important hormone controlling the differentiation of monocytes to osteoclasts, by inhibiting the RANKL/ RANK interaction is called?
Your Answer: Osteoprotegerin
Explanation:Osteoprotegerin, also known as osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OCIF) is a glycoprotein that acts as a cytokine receptor. It works as a decoy receptor for the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL)/osteoclast differentiation factor, thus inhibiting the differentiation of osteoclasts, which are capable of resorbing bone. Osteoprotegerin has been proposed as a therapeutic agent for osteoporosis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 23
Correct
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In most somatic cells telomeres progressively shorten as:
Your Answer: The cell divides
Explanation:Telomere length shortens with age. Progressive shortening of telomeres leads to senescence, apoptosis, or oncogenic transformation of somatic cells, affecting the health and lifespan of an individual. Telomeres prevent the chromosomes from shortening and prevent the coding portion of the DNA from being lost, thus allowing the cell to replicate indefinitely. During replication telomeres may be lost resulting in cell death.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
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Question 24
Incorrect
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Where do the spinothalamic axons decussate?
Your Answer: Medulla
Correct Answer: Spinal cord
Explanation:The second order neurons from the spinothalamic tract cross obliquely to the opposite side in the anterior grey and white commissure within one segment of the spinal cord.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Neurology
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Question 25
Correct
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Where does most fat digestion begin?
Your Answer: Duodenum
Explanation:Digestion of some fats can begin in the mouth where lingual lipase breaks down some short chain lipids into diglycerides. However fats are mainly digested in the small intestine (in the duodenum). The presence of fat in the small intestine produces hormones that stimulate the release of pancreatic lipase from the pancreas and bile from the liver which helps in the emulsification of fats for absorption of fatty acids.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
- Medicine
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Question 26
Correct
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Tumour necrosis factor is a cytokine. What is its major function?
Your Answer: Promotion of inflammation
Explanation:Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is a cytokine that has a wide variety of functions. It can cause cytolysis of certain tumour cell lines; it is involved in the induction of cachexia; it is a potent pyrogen, causing fever by direct action or by stimulation of interleukin-1 secretion; it can stimulate cell proliferation and induce cell differentiation under certain conditions.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Immunology
- Medicine
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Question 27
Correct
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The basic unit of contraction in myocytes is:
Your Answer: Sarcomere
Explanation:Sarcomere is the organelle where calcium is stored to be released during contraction of the muscle. It is the basic unit of contraction in striated muscle fibers. As myocytes are also striated muscles, sarcomeres also forms the basic unit of contraction. The impulses travel along the membrane and via its interaction with the dihydropyridine receptors it releases the stored calcium.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 28
Incorrect
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Where is the major site of purine synthesis?
Your Answer: Kidney
Correct Answer: Liver
Explanation:The major site of purine synthesis is in the liver. Purines are biologically synthesized as nucleotides and in particular as ribotides.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Metabolism
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Question 29
Incorrect
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A 24 year old man presents to the clinic complaining of lower limb joint pain and lower backache for the past 2 weeks. He remembers getting a mild gastrointestinal infection while in Spain 6 weeks ago that settled spontaneously. There has been eye irritation that has now settled. Past surgical history includes an appendectomy 3 years back. Vital examination shows a temperature of 37.5 C. Lab results reveal a normal WBC and raised ESR. Which of the following is true?
Your Answer: Aspirated synovial fluid from an inflamed joint will clinch the diagnosis
Correct Answer: Rheumatoid factor is likely to be negative
Explanation:Reactive arthritis, (formerly known as Reiter’s syndrome), is an autoimmune condition that occurs after a bacterial infection of the gastrointestinal or urinary tract. It is categorized as a seronegative spondylarthritis because of its association with HLA-B27. Reactive arthritis primarily affects young men and usually presents with musculoskeletal or extra‑articular symptoms. The characteristic triad consists of arthritis, conjunctivitis, and urethritis. The diagnosis is based on clinical features such as patient history and physical examination; there are no specific tests for reactive arthritis. Treatment is primarily symptomatic and consists of the administration of NSAIDs, as most patients recover spontaneously. extraarticular dermatologic manifestations include skin lesions of the glans resembling psoriasis (balanitis circinata); hyperkeratinisation of the palms and soles (keratoderma blenorrhagicum), oral ulcers. There usually is no rash and the diagnosis is unrelated to the presence of rheumatoid factor. This is a clinical diagnosis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Connective Tissue
- Medicine
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Question 30
Incorrect
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The position of the kidneys besides the vertebral column retroperitoneally spans levels:
Your Answer: T11 – L2
Correct Answer: T12 – L3
Explanation:The asymmetry within the abdominal cavity, caused by the position of the liver, typically results in the right kidney being slightly lower and smaller than the left, and being placed slightly more to the middle than the left kidney. The left kidney is approximately at the vertebral level T12 to L3, and the right is slightly lower.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Renal
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
