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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
Incorrect
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Almost all of the protein that appears in the stool is:
Your Answer: From digestive juices
Correct Answer: Comes from bacteria and cellular debris
Explanation:75% of faecal weight is water. By dry weight 30% of faeces is bacteria,10-20% is fat and 2-3% proteins. Almost all proteins ingested are absorbed in the gut.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
- Medicine
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Question 3
Correct
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Which of the following is a granulocyte?
Your Answer: Eosinophil
Explanation:Granulocytes are a category of white blood cells characterized by the presence of granules in their cytoplasm. There are three principal types of granulocytes, distinguished by their appearance under Wright’s stain:
- Basophil granulocytes
- Eosinophil granulocytes
- Neutrophil granulocytes
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology
- Medicine
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Question 4
Correct
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Which of the following increase insulin secretion?
Your Answer: Sulfonylureas
Explanation:Sulfonylureas are a type of antidiabetic drug used to treat diabetes mellitus type 2. Their main mechanism of action is producing a rise in plasma insulin levels, through stimulation of insulin secretion and a decrease in hepatic clearance of insulin. Sulfonylureas include gliclazide, glipizide, glibenclamide and glimepiride.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 5
Correct
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During which phase of the cardiac cycle does most of the ventricular filling occur?
Your Answer: Ventricular diastole
Explanation:During the phase of ventricular diastole when the heart muscle relaxes and all the valves are open, blood flows easily into the heart. This is the phase of rapid ventricular filling. During isovolumetric contraction and relaxation the volume of blood in the heart does not change. During ventricular ejection blood enters into the aorta and pulmonary vessels.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 6
Correct
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The process whereby DNA fragments are separated by size and charge is called:
Your Answer: Gel electrophoresis
Explanation:Fragments of DNA of varying length can be separated on the basis of their charge and their size by a process called gel electrophoresis. Because DNA contains negatively charged phosphate groups, it will migrate in an electric field toward the positive electrode. Shorter chains migrate more rapidly through the pores of the gel, and thus separation depends on length. DNA bands in the gel can be visualized by various techniques including staining with dyes and autoradiography.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
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Question 7
Incorrect
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Embryologically the anterior pituitary is formed from?
Your Answer: Neural crest cells
Correct Answer: Rathkes pouch
Explanation:The ectoderm, located in the roof of the pharynx, forms Rathke’s pouch, which comes into contact with the ectoderm of the developing brain. The pouch eventually separates from the pharynx, becoming the anterior pituitary.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 8
Correct
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What are the major motor proteins that interact with microtubules?
Your Answer: Kinesin and dynein
Explanation:The major motor proteins that interact with microtubules are kinesin, which usually moves toward the (+) end of the microtubule, and dynein, which moves toward the (−) end.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 9
Correct
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The only APCs that can activate naive T lymphocytes are:
Your Answer: Dendric cells
Explanation:Only professional antigen-presenting cells (macrophages, B lymphocytes, and dendritic cells) are able to activate a resting helper T-cell when the matching antigen is presented. However, macrophages and B cells can only activate memory T cells whereas dendritic cells can activate both memory and naive T cells, and are the most potent of all the antigen-presenting cells.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Immunology
- Medicine
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Question 10
Correct
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High titre of which of the following antibodies is not considered diagnostic for the mentioned disease?
Your Answer: Rheumatoid factor in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Explanation:Diagnosis of RA is mainly based on clinical features (e.g., morning stiffness, symmetrical joint swelling) and laboratory tests (e.g., anti-CCP). Rheumatoid factor is not very specific for this disease and hence has low reliability. X-ray findings (e.g., soft tissue swelling or joint space narrowing) occur late in the disease and are therefore not typically used for diagnosis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Connective Tissue
- Medicine
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Question 11
Correct
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Which one of the following makes up most of the adrenal cortex?
Your Answer: Zona fasciculata
Explanation:The zona fasciculata represents the widest area of the adrenal cortex, situated in the middle of the cortex. It produces glucocorticoids including; 11-deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, and cortisol.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 12
Correct
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The conversion of haem to bilirubin is catalysed by which of these enzymes?
Your Answer: Biliverdin reductase
Explanation:Bilirubin is created by the activity of biliverdin reductase on biliverdin, a green tetrapyrrolic bile pigment that is also a product of haem catabolism.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Hepatobiliary
- Medicine
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Question 13
Correct
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The following is true about the carotid arterial supply to the brain:
Your Answer: Following carotid occlusion, precapillary anastomoses are unable to prevent infarction
Explanation:The brain has two sources of blood supply; the internal carotid arteries which are the anterior segment or the main artery that supplies the anterior portion of the brain, and the vertebral arteries which is the posterior segment which supplies the posterior portion of the brain. The internal carotid arteries branch and form two major arteries anterior and middle cerebral arteries. The right and left vertebral arteries fuse together at the level of the pons on the anterior surface of the brainstem to form the midline basilar artery. The basilar artery joins the blood supply from the internal carotids in an arterial ring at the base of the brain called the circle of Willis. The anterior and posterior communicating arteries conjoin the two major sources of cerebral vascular supply via the circle of Willis improving the chances of any region of the brain continuing to receive blood if one of the major arteries becomes occluded.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Neurology
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Question 14
Correct
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Following an action potential, cytosolic Ca2+ is increased. The binding of free Ca2+ to troponin C results in all of the following except:
Your Answer: Weakening of the troponin i interaction with actin
Explanation:At rest, troponin i is bound to actin and tropomyosin and covers the site where the myosin head interacts with actin. When Calcium enters into the muscle, it binds with troponin C and cause a structural change in troponin i which moves out of the myosin binding site and causes the cross bridges between the actin and myosin filaments to occur.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 15
Correct
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Question 16
Incorrect
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Which mechanism of action does Penicillin use?
Your Answer: Inhibit DNA gyrase
Correct Answer: Inhibit cell wall synthesis
Explanation:Bacteria constantly remodel their peptidoglycan cell walls, simultaneously building and breaking down portions of the cell wall as they grow and divide. β-Lactam antibiotics inhibit the formation of peptidoglycan cross-links in the bacterial cell wall; this is achieved through binding of the four-membered β-lactam ring of penicillin to the enzyme DD-transpeptidase. As a consequence, DD-transpeptidase cannot catalyse formation of these cross-links, and an imbalance between cell wall production and degradation develops, causing the cell to rapidly die.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Infectious Diseases
- Medicine
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Question 17
Correct
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Among the following which is the beneficial effect of nitro-glycerine?
Your Answer: Dilation of systemic veins
Explanation:Dilation of systemic veins is a beneficial effect of nitro-glycerine.Administration of nitro-glycerine results in the dilation of systemic veins and decrease of myocardial wall tension and oxygen demand. Dilatation of systemic veins can cause reduced systemic vascular resistance leading to reduced cardiac workload thus reducing anginal symptoms secondary to demand ischemia.This is accompanied by vasodilation of large and medium-sized coronary arteries with increased coronary blood flow to the sub endocardium.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Pharmacology
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Question 18
Correct
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AV valves open during?
Your Answer: Early diastole
Explanation:The cardiac cycle refers to a complete heartbeat from its generation to the beginning of the next beat, and so includes the diastole, the systole, and the intervening pause.The first stage, diastole, is when the semilunar valves (the pulmonary valve and the aortic valve) close, the atrioventricular (AV) valves (the mitral valve and the tricuspid valve) open, and the whole heart is relaxed. The second stage, atrial systole, is when the atrium contracts, and blood flows from atrium to the ventricle.The third stage, isovolumic contraction is when the ventricles begin to contract, the AV and semilunar valves close, and there is no change in volume. The fourth stage, ventricular ejection, is when the ventricles are contracting and emptying, and the semilunar valves are open. During the fifth stage, isovolumic relaxation time, pressure decreases, no blood enters the ventricles, the ventricles stop contracting and begin to relax, and the semilunar valves close due to the pressure of blood in the aorta.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 19
Correct
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Which of the following best describes the cardiac muscle?
Your Answer: Striated and involuntary
Explanation:Cardiac muscle (heart muscle) is an involuntary, striated muscle that is found in the walls and histological foundation of the heart, specifically the myocardium. Cardiac muscle is one of three major types of muscle, the others being skeletal and smooth muscle.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 20
Correct
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A 78-year-old male with long-standing Alzheimer's disease is being reviewed in your clinic. Which among the following is true regarding memantine, a drug which has been approved for the management of dementia?
Your Answer: It is an NMDA-receptor antagonist
Explanation:Memantine is an antagonist of the NMDA (N-Methyl-D-Aspartate)-receptor subtype of glutamate receptor. It is used to slow the neurotoxicity thought to be involved in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Drug interactions:
- When given concomitantly with other NMDA-receptor antagonists (e.g., ketamine, amantadine) there is increased risk of psychosis.
- Dopamine agonists, L-dopa, and anticholinergics enhance effects of memantine.
- Antispasmodics (e.g., baclofen) enhance effects, as memantine has some antispasmodic effects.
- Drugs excreted by cationic transporters in the kidney (e.g. quinine, cimetidine, ranitidine) reduce excretion.
- Common adverse effects include dizziness, headache, confusion, diarrhoea, and constipation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Pharmacology
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Question 21
Correct
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Regarding transportation of iron in the body, the process in which iron is transported from the enterocyte into the blood occurs using which transporter protein:
Your Answer: Ferroportin
Explanation:Divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) transport several divalent metals including iron across the enterocyte’s cell membrane into the cell. The cell can then release it into the body via the only known iron exporter in mammals, ferroportin.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology
- Medicine
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Question 22
Correct
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Which of the following drug can cause galactorrhoea?
Your Answer: Metoclopramide
Explanation:Metoclopramide causes extrapyramidal effects (especially in children and young adults), hyperprolactinaemia, and occasionally tardive dyskinesia on prolonged administration. Also reported are drowsiness, restlessness, diarrhoea, depression, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, rashes, pruritus, oedema.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Pharmacology
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Question 23
Correct
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Arachidonic acid is converted to:
Your Answer: Prostaglandin H2
Explanation:The enzymes cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (i.e. prostaglandin G/H synthase 1 and 2 {PTGS1 and PTGS2}) metabolize arachidonic acid to Prostaglandin G2 and prostaglandin H2.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Immunology
- Medicine
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Question 24
Correct
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Salty taste is triggered by:
Your Answer: Amiloride-sensitive sodium channel
Explanation:Amiloride-sensitive sodium channels also known as epithelial Na channels is a membrane bound ion channel that is selectively permeable to Na+ ions. These channels are located throughout different epithelial membranes in the body. It is found in taste receptor cells, where it plays an important role in salt taste perception. They are also located in the kidney, the lung and the colon. Hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) voltage-gated ion channels are widely seen in the cortex, hippocampus, thalamus and brain regions that underlie the generation of both focal and generalized-onset seizures. The metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluRs) perform a variety of functions in the central and peripheral nervous systems. They are involved in learning, memory, anxiety, and the perception of pain. Gustducin is a G protein associated with taste and gustatory system. It plays a major role in sensation of bitter, sweet and umami stimuli.
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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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When during the cell cycle does DNA replication occur?
Your Answer: S phase
Explanation:The S phase is known as the synthesis phase. During this phase DNA will begin to replicated, as well as the synthesis of the centrosomes and associated proteins.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
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Question 26
Correct
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Cells mediating innate immunity include:
Your Answer: Natural killer cells
Explanation:Natural killer cells have features of both innate and adaptive immunity. They play an important part in defence against tumours and viruses. They are non specific and do not generate immunological memory
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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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Question 28
Correct
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A 34 year old female presents to the clinic with skin tightness. On examination she has sclerodactyly, thickened skin of the shoulders and bi-basal crepitations. Her HRCT chest shows ground glass changes. Raynaud phenomenon is suspected and she is started on a monthly dose of IV cyclophosphamide (1 gm/month) for 6 months and a daily dose of 10 mg of oral prednisolone. However, she returned over a period of few weeks after developing exertional dyspnoea, pedal oedema and feeling unwell. On examination, JVP is raised, there is marked pedal oedema and bi basal crepitations on chest auscultation. Urine dipstick shows haematuria (++) and proteinuria (++). What in your opinion is the most likely cause of her deteriorating renal function?
Your Answer: Scleroderma renal crisis
Explanation:Scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) is a rare but severe complication in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). It is characterized by malignant hypertension, microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia with schistocytes and oligo/anuric acute renal failure. SRC occurs in 5% of patients with systemic scleroderma, particularly in the first years of disease evolution and in the diffuse form. Patients may develop symptoms of fluid overload.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Connective Tissue
- Medicine
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Question 29
Correct
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Coronary flow is reduced during
Your Answer: Tachycardia
Explanation:Maximum amount of blood flow in the coronary arteries occur during diastole. When the heart rate increases which is also called tachycardia the duration of diastole decreases. Hence the amount of blood flow to the cardiac muscle also decreases.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 30
Correct
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In which area is depolarization initiated?
Your Answer: SA node
Explanation:SA node is the pacemaker of the heart. It determines the rate of contractions. It is the place where depolarization is initiated. It exhibits phase 4 depolarization or automaticity. Electrical impulses then spread to the AV node, purkinje fibers, bundle of his and the ventricular muscles.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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