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Question 1
Incorrect
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An elderly man presents with complaints of a chronic cough with haemoptysis and night sweats on a few nights per week for the past four months. He is known to smoke 12 cigarettes per day and he had previously undergone treatment for Tuberculosis seven years ago.
His blood pressure was found to be 143/96 mmHg and he is mildly pyrexial 37.5°C. Evidence of consolidation affecting the right upper lobe was also found.
Investigations;
Â
Hb 11.9 g/dl
WCC 11.1 x109/l
PLT 190 x109/l
Na+ 138 mmol/l
K+ 4.8 mmol/l
Creatinine 105 μmol/l
CXR Right upper lobe cavitating lesion
Aspergillus precipitins positive
Which of the following is most likely the diagnosis?Your Answer: Reactivated tuberculosis
Correct Answer: Aspergilloma
Explanation:An aspergilloma is a fungus ball (mycetoma) that develops in a pre-existing cavity in the lung parenchyma. Underlying causes of the cavitary disease may include treated tuberculosis or other necrotizing infection, sarcoidosis, cystic fibrosis, and emphysematous bullae. The ball of fungus may move within the cavity but does not invade the cavity wall. Aspergilloma may manifest as an asymptomatic radiographic abnormality in a patient with pre-existing cavitary lung disease due to sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, or other necrotizing pulmonary processes. In patients with HIV disease, aspergilloma may occur in cystic areas resulting from prior Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia. Of patients with aspergilloma, 40-60% experience haemoptysis, which may be massive and life threatening. Less commonly, aspergilloma may cause cough and fever.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory System
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Question 2
Correct
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A 25-year-old female presented with multiple small genital ulcers, which are painful following a sexual intercourse with an unknown man. Which of the following can be used topically for this presentation?
Your Answer: Acyclovir
Explanation:The most probable diagnosis is Herpes Simplex infection. Topical Acyclovir can be used in early stages.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Infectious Diseases
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Question 3
Incorrect
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Regarding bupropion (Zyban), all of the following statements are true except?
Your Answer: It is contraindicated in anorexia nervosa
Correct Answer: It is associated with an idiosyncratic risk of seizure
Explanation:Bupropion (Zyban) is an amphetamine derivative which is used primarily as an anti depressant and for smoking cessation. It acts by increasing dopamine levels in the CNS. It has fewer withdrawal symptoms compared to other drugs. It is associated with dose associated risk of epileptic seizures in 1: 1000 patients and is contraindicated in a patient already suffering from epilepsy. Chief side effects include tremors, anxiety, insomnia, depression and a hypersensitivity urticarial rash. It inhibits the cytochrome p450 enzyme system in the liver and greater precaution is required when it is to be administered with other drugs like paroxetine, risperidone, beta blockers, propafenone and flecainide.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 4
Correct
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A 65-year-old male who was treated for atrial fibrillation 6 months ago, complained of painful swelling of the right breast/pectoral region. Following atrial fibrillation, he has taken a number of drugs. Which of the following drugs is responsible for the above presentation?
Your Answer: Spironolactone
Explanation:Spironolactone induces gynecomastia by blocking androgen production. It blocks androgens from binding to their receptors, and increasing both total and free oestrogen levels. Generally, discontinuation of treatment results in resolution of the gynecomastia. Other drugs which cause gynecomastia are calcium channel blockers (Nifedipine, Amlodipine, Verapamil, Diltiazem), ACE inhibitors (Captopril, Enalapril), alpha receptor blockers (Doxazocin, Prazosin) and centrally acting agents (Clonidine, Methyldopa, Reserpine).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 5
Correct
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A 15-year-old child with learning difficulties is referred to the endocrine clinic for review. His lab results show hypocalcemia and increased serum concentration of parathyroid hormone. On examination, there is subcutaneous calcification and a short fifth metacarpal in each hand.
What is the treatment of choice in this case?Your Answer: Calcium and vitamin D supplementation
Explanation:This child has pseudo hypoparathyroidism. It is a heterogeneous group of rare endocrine disorders characterized by normal renal function and resistance to the action of parathyroid hormone (PTH), manifesting with hypocalcaemia, hyperphosphatemia, and increased serum concentration of PTH.
Patients with pseudo hypoparathyroidism type 1a present with a characteristic phenotype collectively called Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO). The constellation of findings includes the following:
Short stature
Stocky habitus
Obesity
Developmental delay
Round face
Dental hypoplasia
Brachymetacarpals
Brachymetatarsals
Soft tissue calcification/ossification
The goals of therapy are to maintain serum total and ionized calcium levels within the reference range to avoid hypercalcaemia and to suppress PTH levels to normal. This is important because elevated PTH levels in patients with PHP can cause increased bone remodelling and lead to hyper-parathyroid bone disease.
The goals of pharmacotherapy are to correct calcium deficiency, to prevent complications, and to reduce morbidity. Intravenous calcium is the initial treatment for all patients with severe symptomatic hypocalcaemia. Administration of oral calcium and 1alpha-hydroxylated vitamin D metabolites, such as calcitriol, remains the mainstay of treatment and should be initiated in every patient with a diagnosis of pseudo hypoparathyroidism. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine System & Metabolism
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Question 6
Incorrect
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A 35-year-old male was brought to you in a confused state. Although not your patient, you can make out that the man has a history of schizophrenia, and has recently had his medications altered. Clinically, you find evidence of a lower respiratory tract infection, and blood investigations indicate a neutropenic picture.
What is the most likely drug causing the neutropenia?Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Clozapine
Explanation:Clozapine can cause neutropenia or agranulocytosis.
Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic used in the treatment of schizophrenia, and in patients who are intolerant to, or unresponsive to other antipsychotics.
It is a weak D2-receptor and D1-receptor blocking activity, with noradrenolytic, anticholinergic, and antihistaminic properties.
Many antipsychotic drugs can occasionally cause bone marrow depression, but agranulocytosis is particularly associated with clozapine.
Other side effects include:
Hypotension, tachycardia
Fever, sedation, seizures (with high doses)
Appetite increase
Constipation
Heartburn
Weight gain
Extrapyramidal symptoms
Agranulocytosis
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 7
Incorrect
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A son has brought his 72-year-old mother to clinic. He is concerned about her short-term memory problems for the past 10 months. He has to remind her to take her medications and she has had two incidents of falling over in the last 10 months. Which of the following assists in the diagnosis of above condition?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Progressive loss of function
Explanation:The clinical presentation is dementia. To differentiate Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia, the progressive loss of function is important. Progressive loss of function is usually associated with vascular dementia and rest of the responses are associated with Alzheimer disease.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Geriatric Medicine
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Question 8
Incorrect
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A child with jaundice and pale stools would most likely be evaluated by which of the following tests?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: US
Explanation:Blood tests do not help in the diagnosis of jaundice except of course by telling the level of jaundice (bilirubin) and providing some corroborative evidence such as autoantibodies, tumour markers or viral titres in the case of hepatitis. Classifying causes of jaundice on the basis of ultrasound provides a quick and easy schema for diagnosing jaundice which is applicable in primary care as well as hospital based practice.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Hepatobiliary System
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Question 9
Incorrect
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A 55-year-old woman is referred to urogynaecology with symptoms of urge incontinence. A trial of bladder retraining is unsuccessful. It is therefore decided to use a muscarinic antagonist. Which one of the following medications is an example of a muscarinic antagonist?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Tolterodine
Explanation:A muscarinic receptor antagonist (MRA) is a type of anticholinergic agent that blocks the activity of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. There are six antimuscarinic drugs currently marketed for the treatment of urge incontinence: oxybutynin, tolterodine, propiverine, trospium, darifenacin, and solifenacin.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine System & Metabolism
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Question 10
Incorrect
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In which of the following is there Growth hormone deficiency (GHD)?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Sheehan's syndrome
Explanation:The main cause of growth hormone (GH) deficiency is a pituitary tumour or the consequences of treatment of the tumour including surgery and/or radiation therapy.
Sheehan’s syndrome (SS) is postpartum hypopituitarism caused by necrosis of the pituitary gland. It is usually the result of severe hypotension or shock caused by massive haemorrhage during or after delivery. Patients with SS have varying degrees of anterior pituitary hormone deficiency.Laron syndrome is Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) deficiency due to GH resistance or insensitivity due to genetic disorders of the GH receptor causing GH receptor deficiency.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine System & Metabolism
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Question 11
Incorrect
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A 55-year-old man presents to the ED complaining of extreme fatigue. He has a history of Graves disease. On examination, his blood pressure is 103/58 mmHg, pulse 64/min and temperature 36.3ºC.
The following results are obtained:
Na+ 135 mmol/l
K+ 5.4 mmol/l
Urea 5.2 mmol/l
Creatinine 42 umol/l
TSH 3.5 mu/l
Free thyroxine (T4) 12 pmol/l
You arrange for a random cortisol test, however, whilst awaiting the result he becomes unresponsive. In addition to giving intravenous steroids and fluid, what test is urgent to check first given the likely diagnosis?Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Glucose
Explanation:The patient is most likely to have Addison’s disease as he has a history of autoimmune disease, hyperkalaemia and hypotension.
It is important to keep an Addisonian crisis on the differential in cases of shock, especially since adrenal crisis can be the patient’s first presentation of adrenal insufficiency.
Patients with Addison’s disease are prone to developing hypoglycaemia due to loss of the glucogenic effect of glucocorticoids. Given the sudden deterioration, a glucose level must be checked. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine System & Metabolism
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Question 12
Incorrect
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Choose the single most appropriate landmark located above the mid-inguinal point from the list of options.
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Deep inguinal ring
Explanation:The deep inguinal ring is located above the mid-inguinal point.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Musculoskeletal System
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Question 13
Incorrect
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A 23-year-old student commences chemotherapy for B-type acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. She suffers from vomiting, but 36 hours later her condition worsens and her bloods reveal a corrected calcium of 2.0 mmol/l and serum potassium of 6.7 mmol/l.
Which of the following options is the best way to avoid this problem from occurring?Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Hydration and allopurinol pre-chemotherapy
Explanation:This case is most likely tumour lysis syndrome, often occurring immediately after starting chemotherapy because the tumour cells are killed and their contents are released into the bloodstream. After treating lymphomas or leukaemia, there is a sudden hypocalcaemia, hyperphosphatemia, and hyperkalaemia
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Renal System
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Question 14
Incorrect
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A 60-year-old male presented in OPD with a complaint of inability to walk properly because of his left foot. History reveals he has undergone left knee surgery to for severe arthritis. On examination, dorsiflexion of his left foot was found to be compromised, and sensation over the dorsum of his left foot was impaired. Which of the following conditions is this man most likely suffering from?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Compression of common peroneal nerve
Explanation:The branches of the common peroneal nerve innervate the skin of the dorsum of the foot as well as the muscles which help to carry out dorsiflexion of the foot. Compression of the common peroneal nerve cause foot drop as well as the loss in sensation of the skin on the dorsum of the foot.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 15
Incorrect
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A 20-year-old female has been referred for investigation of an iron deficiency anaemia. Her mother passed away at age 28, due to colonic carcinoma complicating Peutz-Jegher syndrome. Choose the mode of inheritance of Peutz-Jegher syndrome which is most likely.
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Autosomal dominant
Explanation:Peutz-Jegher syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition which is characterised by perioral pigmentation and hamartomas of the bowel. It was initially assumed that these did not predispose to malignancy, but due to recent studies, the opposite is now believed to be true.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
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Question 16
Incorrect
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A 75-year-old gentleman sustained an injury to his arm after falling on outstretched hands. An X-ray confirms the fracture of the distal radius with backward shift of the distal fragment. The name given to this kind of deformity is?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Dinner fork deformity
Explanation:Dinner fork deformity is the name given to the fracture of distal radius, in which the distal fragment is dorsally angulated, displaced and sometimes impacted. Coxa vara is the hip deformity when angle between the head and shaft of the femur is reduced to more than 120 degree. A garden fork deformity is a reversed Colles fracture.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Musculoskeletal System
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Question 17
Incorrect
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A 50-year-old male patient presented with acute chest pain and a non ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) was diagnosed. He was treated with aspirin 300 mg and 2 puffs of Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) spray. According to NICE guidelines, which of the following categories of patients should receive clopidogrel?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: All patients
Explanation:According to NICE guidelines (2013) all people who have had an acute MI treatment should be offered with ACE inhibitor, dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin plus a second antiplatelet agent), a beta-blocker and a statin.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 18
Incorrect
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A 22-year-old woman has ingested an unknown quantity of paracetamol tablets four hours ago. She now presents with nausea, vomiting, anorexia and right subchondral pain.
Which of the following features suggest that she should be transferred to the liver unit?Your Answer:
Correct Answer: pH 7.25
Explanation:The most widely used prognostic predictors for acetaminophen over-ingestion is King’s College Criteria, which is: arterial PH < 7.3 after fluid resuscitation, Cr level > 3.4, PT > 1.8x control or > 100s, or INR > 6.5, and Grave III or IV encephalopathy.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
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Question 19
Incorrect
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A new study was developed to assess the benefit of omega-3 fish oils in patients with established ischaemic heart disease. The power of the study is equal to:
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: 1 - probability of making a type II error
Explanation:The power of a test is defined as 1 − the probability of Type II error. The Type II error is concluding at no difference (the null is not rejected) when in fact there is a difference, and its probability is named β. Therefore, the power of a study reflects the probability of detecting a difference when this difference exists. It is also very important to medical research that studies are planned with an adequate power so that meaningful conclusions can be issued if no statistical difference has been shown between the treatments compared. More power means less risk for Type II errors and more chances to detect a difference when it exists.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Evidence Based Medicine
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Question 20
Incorrect
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Drug-induced lupus erythematosus most often occurs after taking which of the following drugs?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Procainamide
Explanation:Many drugs are responsible for causing drug induced lupus. However, it is most commonly associated with hydralazine, procainamide and quinidine.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Musculoskeletal System
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Question 21
Incorrect
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A 49-year-old female presents to the clinic complaining of pain in her left elbow that is localized to the left lateral epicondyle. She has spent the weekend painting her house. A diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis is suspected. The pain would characteristically worsen on which of the following movements?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Resisted wrist extension with the elbow extended
Explanation:Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is an overuse injury of the hand and finger extensor tendons that originate in the lateral humeral epicondyle that occurs following repeated or excessive pronation/supination and extension of the wrist (e.g., in racquet sports). Clinical features include pain and tenderness over the lateral epicondyle and along extensor muscles, thickening of the tendons. The examiner holds the patient’s hand with the thumb placed over the lateral epicondyle – The patient makes a fist, supinates the forearm, deviates radially, and extends the fist against the examiner’s resistance which results in pain over the lateral epicondyle. Conservative treatment includes rest, physiotherapy and orthotic braces. If this fails corticosteroids and lidocaine injections are employed. Surgery is indicated in patients with persistent symptoms despite 6 months of conservative treatment. Excision of abnormal tendon tissue; longitudinal incisions (tenotomies) in scarred and fibrotic areas to promote healing.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Musculoskeletal System
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Question 22
Incorrect
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A young woman complains of constipation and pain on defecation. The pain is anorectal and a digital rectal examination was impossible due to pain and spasm. What is most likely the diagnosis?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Anal fissure
Explanation:Symptoms of anal fissure include sharp pain in the anal area upon defecation or anal stimulation. It may also cause burning or itching as well as visible fresh blood on the stools or on the toilet paper. It is usually visible upon inspection.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
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Question 23
Incorrect
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A 25-year-old man presents with bloody diarrhoea associated with systemic upset. Blood tests show the following:
Hb 13.4 g/dl
Platelets 467 * 109/l
WBC 8.2 * 109/l
CRP 89 mg/l
A diagnosis of ulcerative colitis is suspected. Which part of the bowel is most likely to be affected?Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Rectum
Explanation:The most COMMON site of inflammation from ulcerative colitis is the rectum, making this the correct answer. This is simply a fact you need to memorize. In general, ulcerative colitis only occurs in colorectal regions– nothing in the small bowel (unless there is backwash into the terminal ileum) and nothing further up the GI tract. In Crohn’s it can affect the entire GI tract from mouth to anus.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
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Question 24
Incorrect
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A 59-year-old woman has an 11mm skin lesion on her right forearm, which bleeds easily on contact and has changed in appearance over the last 11 months.
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Malignant melanoma
Explanation:Melanoma is more common in men than women. Reasons for the disease includes: UV light and genetic predisposition or mutations. Diagnosis is by biopsy and analysis of any skin lesion that has signs of being potentially cancerous.
Early warning signs of melanoma ABCDE:
Asymmetry
Borders (irregular with edges and corners)
Colour (variegated)
Diameter (greater than 6 mm)
Evolving over time -
This question is part of the following fields:
- The Skin
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Question 25
Incorrect
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Which area in the body controls the hypoxic drive to breathe?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Carotid body
Explanation:The carotid body consists of chemosensitive cells at the bifurcation of the common carotid artery that respond to changes in oxygen tension and, to a lesser extent, pH. In contrast to central chemoreceptors (which primarily respond to PaCO2) and the aortic bodies (which primarily have circulatory effects: bradycardia, hypertension, adrenal stimulation, and also bronchoconstriction), carotid bodies are most sensitive to PaO2. At a PaO2 of approximately 55-60 mmHg, they send their impulses via CN IX to the medulla, increasing ventilatory drive (increased respiratory rate, tidal volume, and minute ventilation). Thus, patients who rely on hypoxic respiratory drive will typically have a resting PaO2 around 60 mm Hg.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory System
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Question 26
Incorrect
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A 27-year-old gentleman presents with a 2 year history of involuntary neck movements. There is no history of trauma. He is on no drugs. There is no relevant family history.
On examination he has an episodic right torticollis. The rest of his neurological examination is normal. MRI of his cervical spine is normal. The neurologist in the Movement Disorders Clinic has diagnosed cervical dystonia.
Which of the following treatments will be most beneficial?Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Botulinum toxin
Explanation:Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxic protein from Clostridium botulinum that causes flaccid paralysis as it acts by preventing the release of Ach at the neuromuscular joint. It is the first-line treatment for cervical dystonia (torticollis) because the condition is a neurological disorder characterised by unusual muscle contractions of the neck. With the use of Botulinum toxin, the contractions would be released.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 27
Incorrect
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A 34-year-old male presented with exertional dyspnoea and chest pain for the past 2 weeks. On examination there was a mid-systolic murmur which is best heard at the apex and double apical impulse. His ECG showed left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). What is the risk factor which would be most indicative of the potential for sudden death in this patient?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Degree of left ventricular hypertrophy
Explanation:The history is suggestive of hypertrophic obstructive cardiac myopathy. The degree of left ventricular hypertrophy is strongly associated with sudden cardiac death.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 28
Incorrect
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A 24-year-old male with a history of a cardiac murmur which was not properly followed up, presented with right sided hemiparesis. His blood pressure was 120/70 mmHg. His ECG revealed right bundle branch block with right axis deviation. Which of the following is the most likely cause for this presentation?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Ostium secundum atrial septal defect
Explanation:Ostium secundum atrial septal defects are known to cause stroke due to the passage of emboli from the right sided circulation to the left sided circulation. ECG shows tall, peaked P waves (usually best seen in leads II and V2) and prolongation of the PR interval, rSR pattern in leads V3 R and V1 as well as right axis deviation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 29
Incorrect
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A 60-year-old male with no past medical history presented to Casualty with acute chest pain. ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is diagnosed following an ECG on arrival. He was subsequently successfully thrombolysed. Which of the following combinations of drugs is the most suitable combination for him to be taking 4 weeks after his STEMI?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: ACE inhibitor + beta-blocker + statin + aspirin + clopidogrel
Explanation:According to NICE guidelines (2013) all people who have had an acute MI, treatment should be offered with ACE inhibitor, dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin plus a second antiplatelet agent), beta-blocker and a statin.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular System
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Question 30
Incorrect
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Which one of the following is true regarding Escherichia coli infection?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: E coli is an important cause of neonatal meningitis
Explanation:Escherichia coli (also known as E. coli) is a gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms. Most E. coli strains are harmless, but some serotypes can cause serious food poisoning in their hosts, and are occasionally responsible for product recalls due to food contamination. The harmless strains are part of the normal flora of the gut, and can benefit their hosts by producing vitamin K2, and preventing colonization of the intestine with pathogenic bacteria. Virulent strains can cause gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections, and neonatal meningitis.
The most common causes of neonatal meningitis is bacterial infection of the blood, known as bacteremia (specifically Group B Streptococci (GBS; Streptococcus agalactiae), Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes). Although there is a low mortality rate in developed countries, there is a 50% prevalence rate of neurodevelopmental disabilities in E. coli and GBS meningitis -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Infectious Diseases
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
