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Question 1
Correct
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A 42 year old obese man complains of a painful swollen ankle. The pain has worsened over the past 2 weeks. He is a diabetic and gives a history of recent alcohol consumption. Joint aspirate shows rhomboid crystals with numerous neutrophils. Radiological examination shows evidence of chondrocalcinosis. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Pseudogout
Explanation:Pseudogout is a paroxysmal joint inflammation due to calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition (calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate). Aetiology includes mostly idiopathic (primary form) and secondary form occurring as a result of joint trauma, familial chondrocalcinosis, hyperparathyroidism, hemochromatosis, gout, hypophosphatemia. Clinical presentation: Often asymptomatic. Acute (pseudogout attack): monoarthritis (rarely oligoarthritis), mostly affecting the knees and other large joints (e.g., hips, wrists, and ankles). It may become chronic (can affect multiple joints). Osteoarthritis with CPPD (most common form of symptomatic CPPD): progressive joint degeneration with episodes of acute inflammatory arthritis typical of pseudogout attacks. Arthrocentesis should be performed, especially in acute cases. Polarized light microscopy: detection of rhomboid-shaped, positively birefringent CPPD crystals. Synovial fluid findings: 10,000-50,000 WBCs/μL with > 90% neutrophils. X-ray findings: cartilage calcification of the affected joint (chondrocalcinosis). Fibrocartilage (meniscus, annulus fibrosus of intervertebral disc) and hyaline cartilage (joint cartilage) may be affected.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Connective Tissue
- Medicine
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Question 2
Correct
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Which of the following is not innervated by the parasympathetic nerve supply?
Your Answer: Radial muscle of iris
Explanation:The sphincter pupillae is supplied by the parasympathetic fibers from the Edinger Westphal nucleus of the oculomotor nerve. The dilator pupillae (radial muscle) is supplied by the postganglionic fibers of the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion. The parasympathetic nerve supply to the salivary glands originate in the parasympathetic nucleus of the facial nerve (superior salivatory nucleus) and the glossopharyngeal nerve (inferior salivatory nucleus). The parasympathetic preganglionic fibers originate in the dorsal nucleus of the vagus nerve and descend into the thorax in the vagus nerve. The fibers terminate by synapsing with postganglionic neurons in the cardiac plexuses. Postganglionic fibers terminate on the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes and on the coronary arteries Parasympathetic supply to the stomach is via the vagus nerve.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Neurology
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Question 3
Correct
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Question 4
Correct
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Which of the following conditions is associated with eosinophilia?
Your Answer: Ascaris
Explanation:Eosinophilia can be idiopathic (primary) or, more commonly, secondary to another disease. In the Western World, allergic or atopic diseases are the most common causes, especially those of the respiratory or integumentary systems. In the developing world, parasites are the most common cause e.g. Ascaris
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology
- Medicine
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Question 5
Correct
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The collection of genes that are termed the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are found on:
Your Answer: Short arm of chromosome 6
Explanation:Histocompatibility, or tissue compatibility, is the property of having the same, or sufficiently similar, alleles of a set of genes called human leukocyte antigens (HLA). HLA is the human form of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes found in all vertebrates. On a population level there is a great number of different alleles at each HLA locus on the short arm of chromosome 6
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Immunology
- Medicine
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Question 6
Incorrect
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Absorption of protein antigens i.e. bacterial and viral proteins takes place in the:
Your Answer: Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue
Correct Answer: Microfold cells (m cells) of the intestine
Explanation:M cells are specialized epithelial cells. They have a high capacity of transcytosis of microorganisms and macromolecules. They rapidly uptake antigens and present them to immune cells associated with the gut. In contrast to absorptive enterocytes, M cells do not exert direct defence mechanisms to antigens and pathogens in the intestinal cavity. Crypts of Lieberkühn are located mainly in the small intestine and large intestine and the main function is to replenish epithelial cells and to secrete intestinal enzymatic juice as well as mucous. Brunner’s glands empty into intestinal glands and their main function is to secrete mucin and to form a protective mucus layer on the duodenal epithelial cells to protect it from acidic chyme coming from the stomach. Islets of Langerhans are located in the pancreas and secrets insulin mainly. Mucosa associated lymphoid tissue plays a role in inducing immune response after presentation of antigens.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
- Medicine
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Question 7
Correct
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Which intercellular connections are responsible for fastening the cells to one another?
Your Answer: Hemidesmosomes, zonula adherens & desmosomes
Explanation:There are three major types of cell junction:Adherens junctions, desmosomes and hemidesmosomes (anchoring junctions),Gap junctions (communicating junction) &Tight junctions (occluding junctions)
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 8
Correct
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Which of the following features do mast cells and basophils have in common:
Your Answer: Are essential for immediate type-hypersensitivity reactions
Explanation:Anaphylaxis is a severe immediate allergic reaction of rapid onset affecting many body systems. It is due to the release of inflammatory mediators and cytokines from mast cells and basophils. Basophils are the least common of the granulocytes, representing about 0.5 to 1% of circulating white blood cells. However, they are the largest type of granulocyte. They are responsible for inflammatory reactions during immune response, as well as in the formation of acute and chronic allergic diseases, including anaphylaxis, asthma, atopic dermatitis and hay fever. They can perform phagocytosis (cell eating), produce histamine and serotonin that induce inflammation, and heparin that prevents blood clotting. Mast cells are similar in appearance and function. Both cell types store histamine, a chemical that is secreted by the cells when stimulated.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Immunology
- Medicine
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Question 9
Correct
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Regarding blood supply to the heart;
Your Answer: Coronary arteries fill as the heart relaxes
Explanation:The heart muscles acts like the skeletal muscle in the fact that it also compress the vessels during contraction. As the pressure in the ventricle is slightly greater than in the aorta the coronary vessels collapse during systole. Blood flows through them during the diastole phase of contraction.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 10
Correct
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The first enzyme carbohydrates encounter in the digestive tract is?
Your Answer: Amylase
Explanation:Carbohydrate digesting enzymes are known as amylase. Salivary amylase or ptyalin is the first enzyme to begin carbohydrate digestion in he oral cavity. Amylose is a component of carbohydrates and is not an enzyme. Isomaltase, maltase and sucrase are enzymes found in the small intestines that digest disaccharides like maltose and sucrose to monosaccharides.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
- Medicine
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Question 11
Correct
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Cholecystokinin causes the pancreas to
Your Answer: Produce pancreatic juice rich in enzymes
Explanation:Cholecystokinin (CCK) mediates digestion in the small intestine by inhibiting gastric emptying and decreasing gastric acid secretion. It stimulates the acinar cells of the pancreas to release a juice rich in pancreatic digestive enzymes, hence the old name pancreozymin. Together these enzymes catalyse the digestion of fat, protein, and carbohydrates.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
- Medicine
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Question 12
Correct
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Nitric oxide triggers vascular smooth muscle contraction through activation of which enzyme?
Your Answer: Guanylyl cyclase
Explanation:Impaired production or excess catabolism of NO impairs this endothelium-dependent vasodilator function and may contribute to excessive vasoconstriction under various pathological situations.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 13
Incorrect
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In a normal heart rate at rest, the left ventricular end-diastolic volume is ….
Your Answer: 70-100 ml
Correct Answer: 100-130 ml
Explanation:In cardiovascular physiology, end-diastolic volume (EDV) is the volume of blood in the right and/or left ventricle at end load or filling in (diastole) or the amount of blood in the ventricles just before systole. Because greater EDVs cause greater distention of the ventricle, EDV is often used synonymously with preload, which refers to the length of the sarcomeres in cardiac muscle prior to contraction (systole). End-diastolic volume: Right = 144 mL(± 23mL) & Left = 142 mL (± 21 mL).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 14
Incorrect
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A case-control study is being designed to look at the relationship between eczema and a new vaccine for yellow fever. What is the usual outcome measure in a case-control study?
Your Answer: Relative risk
Correct Answer: Odds ratio
Explanation:A case–control study (also known as case–referent study) is a type of observational study in which two existing groups differing in outcome are identified and compared on the basis of some supposed causal attribute. Case–control studies are often used to identify factors that may contribute to a medical condition by comparing subjects who have that condition/disease (the cases) with patients who do not have the condition/disease but are otherwise similar (the controls).An odds ratio (OR) is a statistic that quantifies the strength of the association between two events, A and B. The odds ratio is defined as the ratio of the odds of A in the presence of B and the odds of A in the absence of B or vice versa.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Research Skills
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Question 15
Correct
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A 22 year old nulliparous female presents with shortness of breath. She has a history of recurrent deep vein thrombosis. Complete blood count and clotting screen reveals the following results:Hb: 12.4 g/dl Plt: 137 WBC: 7.5*109/l PT: 14 secs APTT: 46 secs Which of the following would be the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Antiphospholipid syndrome
Explanation:The combination of APTT and low platelets with recurrent DVTs make antiphospholipid syndrome the most likely diagnosis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Connective Tissue
- Medicine
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Question 16
Incorrect
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Which of the following is NOT a cause of onycholysis?
Your Answer: Trauma
Correct Answer: Mycoplasma pneumonia
Explanation:Onycholysis is the separation of the distal edge of the nail from the vascular nailbed causing whiteness of the free edge. Causes include:- Idiopathic- Trauma, excessive manicuring- Infection: especially fungal- Skin disease: psoriasis, dermatitis- Impaired peripheral circulation e.g. Raynaud’s- Systemic disease: hyper/hypothyroidism, reactive arthritis, porphyria cutanea tarda- Sometimes a reaction to detergents (e.g. washing dishes with bare hands, using detergent-based shampoos or soaps).- Patients with hepatocellular dysfunction may develop hair-thinning or hair loss and nail changes such as clubbing, leukonychia (whitening), or onycholysis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Dermatology
- Medicine
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Question 17
Correct
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The telomerase is capable of adding several more repeats of telomeres at which end of the guanosine rich region.
Your Answer: 3rd end
Explanation:Telomerase is a reverse transcriptase that uses the RNA template to synthesize DNA in the 5th-3rd direction resulting in extension of the 3rd end and then translocates it to the newly synthesized end. The GT rich strand is thus elongated.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
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Question 18
Correct
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With regards to the deiodinases, where would you find D1?
Your Answer: Liver
Explanation:The liver produces an important amount of T3 by outer ring deiodination thanks to its elevated concentration of type I deiodinase. It can also be found in the kidney.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 19
Incorrect
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Which of the following affects the magnitude of the action potential?
Your Answer: Extracellular Na+/K+ ratio
Correct Answer: Changes in the external Na+ concentration
Explanation:The magnitude of the action potential is determined by the sodium current. Increase in external sodium will result in increased influx of sodium and hence generation of a stronger action potential.
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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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The chief cells of the stomach secrete which of the following?
Your Answer: Histamine
Correct Answer: Pepsinogens
Explanation:A gastric chief cell (or peptic cell, or gastric zymogenic cell) is a type of cell in the stomach that releases pepsinogen and gastric lipase.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
- Medicine
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Question 21
Incorrect
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Activation of baroreceptor reflex involves:
Your Answer: None of the above
Correct Answer: Short term regulation of systemic blood pressure
Explanation:Baroreceptors are found in the heart and the blood vessels. They are the carotid sinus and the aortic arch receptors and respond to the minute to minute change in the blood pressure i.e. a change in the pulsatile pressure and not to a change in the mean arterial pressure. If the pulse pressure decreases, the rate of firing of the receptors decreases, stimulating an increase in the heart rate and blood pressure. Mechanisms that regulate the long term blood pressure control include the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone mechanism.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 22
Incorrect
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Regarding the surface anatomy of the orifices of the heart, where is the aortic valve located?
Your Answer: Opposite the 3rd left intercostal space bind the left margin of the sternum
Correct Answer: Opposite the left 3rd intercostal space to the left of the sternum
Explanation:The aortic valve is situated in the left 3rd 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 23
Correct
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What is the most common cardiac defect seen in patients with Down’s syndrome?
Your Answer: Atrioventricular septal defect
Explanation:The rate of congenital heart disease in new-borns with Down syndrome is around 40%. Of those with heart disease, about 80% have an atrioventricular septal defect or ventricular septal defect with the former being more common. Mitral valve problems become common as people age, even in those without heart problems at birth.[3] Other problems that may occur include tetralogy of Fallot and patent ductus arteriosus.[38] People with Down syndrome have a lower risk of hardening of the arteries
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 24
Incorrect
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Vasodilatation of coronary arteries is caused by:
Your Answer: Carbon-monoxide
Correct Answer: Hypoxia
Explanation:The heart is highly metabolically active and boasts the highest oxygen consumption by mass of any organ. This demand for oxygen is met by the coronary circulation, which is responsible for delivering blood to the myocardium and represents approximately 5% of cardiac output. Vasodilation may be due to the local effect of hypoxia on coronary vessels, or local metabolic vasodilation, or the activation of β-adrenoceptors or some combination of these mechanisms.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 25
Incorrect
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Which of the following does not contribute to increased stroke volume during exercise?
Your Answer: Increased venous return
Correct Answer: Increased length of filling time during diastole
Explanation:Prolonged aerobic exercise training may also increase stroke volume, which frequently results in a lower (resting) heart rate. Reduced heart rate prolongs ventricular diastole (filling), increasing end-diastolic volume, and ultimately allowing more blood to be ejected.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 26
Incorrect
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A 62 year old female complains of pain and stiffness in her shoulders. She also finds it difficult to get out of her chair. From the list of symptoms below, choose the one most likely to support the diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica.
Your Answer: Proximal muscle weakness
Correct Answer: Low grade fever
Explanation:Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disease which usually causes stiffness and pain in the shoulder – this can also occur in the pelvic girdle muscles. Its onset can either be subacute or acute and is associated with a systemic inflammatory response. This, therefore, causes symptoms such as fever, weight loss, anorexia, and malaise. Polymyalgia rheumatica is unpredictable in its course and it is known that 30 per cent of patients also present with giant cell arteritis. The cause of this disease is unknown but studies have shown it have infectious origins. Diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica can be difficult and other inflammatory diseases have to be excluded first. Patients with this disease are usually over 60 years of age (it is very rarely seen in those under 50). Muscle weakness does not present, although this can be hard to assess when the patient is in pain. Low-grade fever and weight loss are typical of this disease due to chronic inflammation. As such, weight gain is very rare and peripheral joints are usually not affected (they can be affected but it is very rare). Also, muscle tenderness is not a specific symptom of the disease – it is therefore not a classical finding of polymyalgia rheumatica. Although patients usually complain of stiffness and pain, the muscles are usually not significantly tender – this is usually more associated with fibromyalgia or myositis. When investigated, a normochromic/normocytic anaemia; a raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate often over 50 mm/hr., and raised C reactive protein are usually revealed. Symptoms of giant cell arteritis should also be sought, such as headaches, visual disturbances, TIAs (transient ischemic attacks), jaw claudication, and thickened temporal arteries. The patient response to a moderate dose of steroids is useful when confirming a diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica. The maximum dose of prednisolone should not exceed 20mg once a day. After treatment, patients should show a 70 per cent improvement in symptoms within a month (between 3-4 weeks). Inflammatory markers should also fall back to their normal levels. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are of little use and are associated with morbidity. There is also little evidence for the use of steroidal-sparing agents.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Geriatrics
- Medicine
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Question 27
Correct
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Cytochrome p450 enzymes expressed in hepatocytes serve to?
Your Answer: Facilitate oxidations or hydrolysis of drugs.
Explanation:Cytochrome p 450 are a family of proteins involved in drug metabolism which accounts for about 75% of the total metabolism. Most drugs are deactivated directly or by facilitated excretion from the body.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Hepatobiliary
- Medicine
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Question 28
Incorrect
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A 47 year old woman presents with joint pains and a history of recurrent infections over the past few months. Labs reveal a positive rheumatoid factor and low white cell count. Given the likely diagnosis, which of the following features would be present in her case?
Your Answer: HLA-DR2 tissue type
Correct Answer: Splenomegaly
Explanation:Felty syndrome is a severe subtype of seropositive Rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical triad consists of arthritis, splenomegaly, and neutropenia (leads to an increased risk of recurrent bacterial infections). Other symptoms include skin ulcers of the lower limbs (indicating vasculitis), hepatomegaly, fever, and chest pain (indicating pleuritis or pericarditis). It is associated with increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Connective Tissue
- Medicine
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Question 29
Incorrect
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A 50-year-old male presents to the ER allegedly claiming that he consumed a bottle of antifreeze. Which of the following symptoms is least likely to be associated with this kind of poisoning?
Your Answer: Confusion
Correct Answer: Hypertension
Explanation:Loss of vision after consumption of antifreeze is a characteristic presentation of methanol poisoning.
Pathophysiology of methanol toxicity: When ingested, methanol is absorbed rapidly via the gastrointestinal tract in less than 10 minutes. Methanol is not protein-bound and is absorbed directly into the total body water compartment. Metabolism occurs mainly in the liver through serial oxidation via alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase but begins with alcohol dehydrogenase present in the gastric mucosa. Alcohol dehydrogenase oxidizes methanol to formaldehyde, and aldehyde dehydrogenase subsequently oxidizes formaldehyde to formic acid. Formic acid is the primary toxic metabolite that accounts for the associated anion gap metabolic acidosis and end-organ damage.
Clinical presentation: Patients who present within the first 12 to 24 hours following ingestion may appear normal, and this is described as the latent period. Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain subsequently ensue, followed by CNS depression and hyperventilation due to metabolic acidosis. Ocular symptoms associated with retinal toxicity are often evident in the form of blurry vision, decreased visual acuity, photophobia, and “halo vision.”
Treatment: Treatment options for methanol toxicity include supportive care, fomepizole (Antizole, 4-Methylpyrazole or 4MP), ethanol, dialysis, and folate.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Pharmacology
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Question 30
Incorrect
SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
