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Question 1
Incorrect
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A 34-year-old Nigerian woman who is a known case of sickle cell anaemia presents with fever and worsening of recurrent back pain. There is no history of weight loss or night sweats. The investigations done on her arrival show: Hb: 7.8 g/dL, WCC: 10.1 x10^9/L, Plts: 475 x10^9/L, Reticulocytes: 12%, Serum total bilirubin: 88 μmol/L. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Haemolytic crisis
Correct Answer: Vaso-occlusive event
Explanation:This patient is having vaso-occlusive event/crisis (thrombotic crisis) which is a type of sickle cell crisis. It may be associated with ostealgia.
There is no evidence of an aplastic crisis in this case as the haemoglobin level is reasonable with a good reticulocyte count. Conversely, the haemoglobin is not low enough and reticulocyte count and bilirubin are not high enough for a haemolytic crisis.
Sickle cell anaemia is characterised by periods of good health with intervening crises. The four main types of sickle cell crises are thrombotic crisis (painful or vaso-occlusive crisis), sequestration crisis, aplastic crisis, and haemolytic crisis.
Thrombotic crisis is precipitated by infection, dehydration, alcohol, change in temperature, and deoxygenation. Sequestration crisis is characterised by acute chest syndrome (i.e. fever, dyspnoea, chest/rib pain, low pO2, and pulmonary infiltrates). Aplastic crisis is characterised by a sudden fall in haemoglobin without marked reticulocytosis. It usually occurs secondary to parvovirus infection. In haemolytic crisis, a fall in haemoglobin occurs secondary to haemolysis. It is a rare type of sickle cell crisis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 2
Correct
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A 36-year-old man with diabetes is referred with abnormal liver biochemistry. Which of the following is in keeping with a diagnosis of haemochromatosis?
Your Answer: Transferrin saturation 78% (20-50)
Explanation:A high transferrin saturation is seen in hemochromatosis, as well as a high iron level (>30), a high ferritin level, and a LOW TIBC (<20). Think of it like the opposite findings of iron deficiency anaemia which is a low iron, low ferritin, high TIBC.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 3
Incorrect
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A 48-year-old male with a history of bipolar disorder presents with acute confusion. In-transit to hospital he had a generalized seizure which terminated spontaneously after around 30 seconds. On arrival to the emergency department, his GCS is 14/15 and he is noted to have a coarse tremor. Suspecting a diagnosis of lithium toxicity, intravenous access is obtained, a blood sample was drawn for investigations and a saline infusion is started. The blood investigations revealed: Lithium level: 4.2 mmol/L, Na+: 136 mmol/L, K+: 4.6 mmol/L, Urea: 8.1 mmol/L, Creatinine: 99 µmol/L, Bicarbonate: 18 mmol/L, What is the most appropriate management for the patient?
Your Answer: Intravenous magnesium
Correct Answer: Arrange haemodialysis
Explanation:The presentation of the patient is typical of chronic lithium toxicity (due to the presence of mainly neurological manifestations). Additional to the blood investigations mentioned, urine analysis, electrolyte levels, and renal function should also be performed. A low urine Anion gap and a low urine specific gravity are highly suggestive of lithium toxicity.
ECG obtained in this patient is likely to show: nonspecific, diffuse ST segment depression with T wave inversion.
Acute lithium toxicity presents with more GI manifestations while, the clinical features of chronic lithium toxicity are mainly neurological and can include:
Coarse tremors (fine tremors are seen in therapeutic levels), hyperreflexia, acute confusion, seizures, and coma.
The management of lithium toxicity is as follows:
Immediate GI decontamination with gastric lavage (in case of acute intoxication)
Saline Administrations: the goal of saline administration is to restore GFR, normalize urine output and enhance lithium clearance.
Haemodialysis remains the mainstay treatment for lithium toxicity as lithium is readily dialyzed because of water solubility, low volume of distribution, and lack of protein binding.
The Extracorporeal Treatments in Poisoning Workgroup (EXTRIP Workgroup) recommendations for dialysis (extracorporeal treatment) in lithium toxicity include:
• Impaired kidney function and lithium levels > 4.0 mEq/L
• Decreased consciousness, seizures, or life-threatening dysrhythmias, regardless of lithium levels
• Levels are > 5.0 mEq/L, significant confusion is noted, or the expected time to reduce levels to < 1.0 mEq/L is more than 36 hours
As post-dialysis rebound elevations in lithium levels have been documented, continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) has been advocated. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 4
Correct
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A 60 yr. old male patient with hypertension presented with acute onset retrosternal chest pain for 3 hours. On examination his pulse rate was 68 bpm, BP was 100/60 mmHg and JVP was seen 3mm from the sternal notch. Respiratory examination was normal. His ECG showed narrow QRS complexes, ST segment elevation of 2mm in leads II, III and aVF and a complete heart block. What is the most immediate treatment from the following answers?
Your Answer: Chewable aspirin 300 mg
Explanation:The diagnosis is inferior ST elevation myocardial infarction. As the right coronary artery supplies the SA and AV nodes and bundle of His, conduction abnormalities are more common with inferior MIs. The most immediate drug management is high dose Aspirin. Definite treatment is urgent cardiac revascularization.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiology
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Question 5
Incorrect
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A 28-year-old female admitted for a course of chemotherapy, has been taking high dose steroids for a few days. The nurses report that she is very agitated and talks about trying to open the window of her room and jump out from the fourth floor. You review her notes and see that she admits to drinking a few glasses of wine per week and has smoked cannabis on a few occasions. On examination her BP is 145/88 mmHg, her pulse is 80 bpm. Blood investigations reveal: Haemoglobin: 12.1 g/dL (11.5-16.5) WBC count: 16.2 x 103/dL (4-11) Platelets: 200 x 109/L (150-400) C-reactive protein: 9 nmol/l (<10) Sodium: 140 mmol/l (135-146) Potassium: 3.9 mmol/l (3.5-5) Creatinine: 92 μmol/l (79-118) Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Manic depressive psychosis
Correct Answer: Corticosteroid-related psychosis
Explanation:Agitation, hypomania and suicidal intent within a few days after initiating corticosteroid therapy is highly suggestive of a diagnosis of corticosteroid-induced psychosis.
In some patients corticosteroid related psychosis has been diagnosed up to 12 weeks or more after commencing therapy.
Euphoria and hypomania are considered to be the most common psychiatric symptoms reported during short courses of steroids.
During long-term treatment, depressive symptoms were the most common.
Higher steroid doses appear to carry an increased risk for such adverse effects; however, there is no significant relationship between dose and time to onset, duration, and severity of symptoms.Management: Reduction or cessation of corticosteroids is the mainstay of treatment for steroid psychosis. For those patients who cannot tolerate this reduction/cessation of steroids, mood stabilizers may be of some benefit.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 6
Incorrect
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A 72-year-old with varicose veins complains of swollen, red, itchy legs. Which is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Cellulitis
Correct Answer: Varicose eczema
Explanation:Varicose eczema is a common problem, particularly in elderly patients due to stasis or blood pooling from insufficient venous return; the alternative name of varicose eczema comes from a common cause of this being varicose veins. It is often mistaken for cellulitis, but cellulitis is rarely bilateral and is painful rather than itchy.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Dermatology
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Question 7
Incorrect
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A 72-year-old woman who presented with headache and neck stiffness was started on IV ceftriaxone after undergoing a lumber puncture. The CSF culture shows listeria monocytogenes. What is the treatment of choice?
Your Answer: Add IV ciprofloxacin
Correct Answer: Change to IV amoxicillin + gentamicin
Explanation:The best option would be the combination of ampicillin and gentamycin. Changing to IV amoxicillin+gentamycin is however the best among the given choices here.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Infectious Diseases
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Question 8
Incorrect
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A 35-year-old gentleman is investigated for recurrent renal stones. He has been hospitalised on multiple occasions and has required lithotripsy three times. Investigations show the following: Calcium 2.08 mmol/L, Phosphate 0.85 mmol/L, Parathyroid hormone 4.1 pmol/L (normal range = 0.8 - 8.5) 24 hour urinary calcium 521 mg/24 hours (normal range < 300) Which one of the following treatments will most likely reduce the incidence of renal stones?
Your Answer: Bicarbonate supplements
Correct Answer: Indapamide
Explanation:Indapamide is a mild thiazide-like diuretic with hypotensive effect, and compared to other thiazides, it is reported to also have less metabolic derangements. However, it may have beneficial hypo-calciuric effects that are often associated with thiazides, thus, in this case, we would recommend prescribing this to the patient.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nephrology
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Question 9
Correct
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Which of the following suggests a diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum rather than chickenpox?
Your Answer: Absence of erythema surrounding lesions
Explanation:Molluscum contagiosum (MC), is a viral infection of the skin that results in small, raised, pink lesions with a dimple in the center with little to no surrounding erythema. They may occasionally be itchy or sore. They may occur singularly or in groups. Any area of the skin may be affected, with abdomen, legs, arms, neck, genital area, and face being most common. Onset of the lesions is around 7 weeks after infection. It usually goes away within a year without scarring.
Chickenpox lesions in the early stages may be mistaken for molluscum. However, the presence of associated macules and later vesicles and pustules help to differentiate them. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Clinical Sciences
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Question 10
Incorrect
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A 42 yr. old female presented with pain in her calves during walking which settled after resting. On examination there were orange colour deposits in the her palmar creases. Her fasting lipid profile showed a total cholesterol of 9.2 mmol/l (<5) and triglycerides of 7.0 mmol/l (<2). Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Type IV hyperlipidaemia
Correct Answer: Type III hyperlipidaemia
Explanation:Palmar xanthomas are found in type III hyperlipoproteinemia. Her total cholesterol level and triglyceride level support the diagnosis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiology
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Question 11
Correct
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Of the following disorders, which one causes acute tubular damage?
Your Answer: Myoglobinuria
Explanation:Myoglobinuria is the condition when there is degeneration of necrosed muscle that it is excreted in the urine. This condition would then cause acute tubular damage leading to renal failure.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nephrology
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Question 12
Correct
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A 25-year-old woman presented to the ED with carbon monoxide poisoning. High-flow oxygen was administered immediately. She had a GCS of 15 and her vitals were stable. Which one of the following is not an indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy in this scenario?
Your Answer: A carboxyhaemoglobin concentration of 16%
Explanation:Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, considered as the great imitator of other diseases, as the patients present with a myriad of symptoms. The carbon monoxide diffuses rapidly across the pulmonary capillary membrane binding to the haem molecule with a very high affinity (240 times that of oxygen) forming carboxy-haemoglobin (COHb). Non-smokers have a baseline COHb of ,3% while smokers have a baseline COHb of 10-15%.
Use of Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for treatment of mild to moderate CO poisoning is not routine.
The selection criteria for HBOT in cases of CO poisoning include:
• COHb levels > 20-25%
• COHb levels > 20% in pregnant patient
• Loss of consciousness
• Severe metabolic acidosis (pH <7.1)
• Evidence of end-organ ischemia (e.g., ECG changes, chest pain, or altered mental status)
Principle of HBOT:
Exposing patients to 100 percent oxygen under supra-atmospheric conditions results in a decrease in the half-life (t1/2) of COHb, from , 90 min in atmospheric air to , 30 minutes. The amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood also rises from , 0.3 to 6 mL/dL, increasing the delivery of non-haemoglobin-bound oxygen to the tissues. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 13
Incorrect
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A 72-year-old man is referred to the haematology department with raised haemoglobin and platelet levels. A diagnosis of polycythaemia vera is suspected. Which other abnormality of the blood would be most consistent with this diagnosis?
Your Answer: Raised alkaline phosphatase
Correct Answer: Neutrophilia
Explanation:Neutrophilia is also commonly associated with polycythaemia vera.
Polycythaemia vera (PV), also known as polycythaemia rubra vera, is a myeloproliferative disorder caused by clonal proliferation of marrow stem cells leading to an increase in red cell volume, often accompanied by overproduction of neutrophils and platelets. It has peak incidence in the sixth decade of life, with typical features including hyperviscosity, pruritus, splenomegaly, haemorrhage (secondary to abnormal platelet function), and plethoric appearance.
Some management options of PV include lose-dose aspirin, venesection (first-line treatment), hydroxyurea (slightly increased risk of secondary leukaemia), and radioactive phosphorus (P-32) therapy.
In PV, thrombotic events are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. 5–15% of the cases progress to myelofibrosis or AML. The risk of having AML is increased with chemotherapy treatment.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 14
Correct
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A 25-year-old female patient presents with massive haemorrhage. After grouping, her blood sample comes out to be B RhD negative. You work in the hospital's blood bank and are asked to prepare two units each of red blood cells (RBCs) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP). You manage to obtain the RBCs but not the Group B FFP as it is unavailable. Therefore, out of the following, FFP from a donor of which blood group would be best to transfuse?
Your Answer: AB RhD negative
Explanation:Group AB donors are the universal donors of FFP. This is because they produce neither anti-A nor anti-B antigens in their plasma and are, therefore, compatible with all ABO groups.
The aforementioned patient’s blood group is B meaning, thereby, she naturally produces anti-A antigens in her plasma and would need to receive plasma that does not have anti-B antigens in it. Hence, she can only receive FFP from donors of group B or AB. Moreover, as she is of childbearing age, she must receive RhD negative blood in order to avoid problems with future pregnancies if her foetus would be RhD positive.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 15
Correct
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A 60 yr. old patient with hypertension attended his regular clinic. His compliance was poor. His blood pressure was 180/100 mmHg. His pulse rate was 85 bpm which was irregularly irregular. On examination there was bibasal crepitation. No murmurs were heard. What is the most likely cause for these findings?
Your Answer: Left ventricular hypertrophy
Explanation:Left ventricular hypertrophy due to long standing hypertension is the most probable cause. The irregularly irregular pulse was suggestive of atrial fibrillation, which is due to diastolic dysfunction. Poor ventricular filling causes pulmonary congestion which manifests as bibasal crepitations.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiology
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Question 16
Incorrect
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Which of the following statements is true concerning gastrin?
Your Answer: It is inhibited by pancreatic bicarbonate
Correct Answer: Release is triggered by GI luminal peptides
Explanation:Gastrin is released by G cells in the antrum of the stomach. It stimulates secretion of gastric acid (HCl) by the parietal cells of the stomach and also aids in gastric motility. It is released in response to the following stimuli: vagal stimulation, antrum distention, hypercalcemia. It is inhibited by the following: presence of acid in stomach, SST, secretion, GIP, VIP, glucagon, calcitonin.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 17
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: 1 / p value
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:
- Clinical Sciences
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Question 18
Incorrect
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Primary hyperaldosteronism is characterized by which of the following features?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Muscular weakness
Explanation:Primary hyperaldosteronism, also known as Conn’s Syndrome, is one of the most common causes of secondary hypertension (HTN).
The common clinical scenarios in which the possibility of primary hyperaldosteronism should be considered include the following:
– Patients with spontaneous or unprovoked hypokalaemia, especially if the patient is also hypertensive
– Patients who develop severe and/or persistent hypokalaemia in the setting of low to moderate doses of potassium-wasting diuretics
– Patients with treatment-refractory/-resistant hypertension (HTN)
Patients with severe hypokalaemia report fatigue, muscle weakness, cramping, headaches, and palpitations. They can also have polydipsia and polyuria from hypokalaemia-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Long-standing HTN may lead to cardiac, retinal, renal, and neurologic problems, with all the associated symptoms and signs. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
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Question 19
Incorrect
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A 28-year-old 9 week pregnant woman is newly diagnosed with asthma. She is not on any medication at the moment. Her PEFR diary shows wide diurnal variations and she also gives a past history of eczema. Which of the following is correct?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Low dose inhaled corticosteroids would be considered acceptable
Explanation:The following drugs should be used as normal during pregnancy:
short acting β2 -agonists
long acting β2- agonists
inhaled corticosteroids
oral and intravenous theophyllinesUse steroid tablets as normal when indicated during pregnancy for severe asthma. Steroid tablets should never be withheld because of pregnancy.
If leukotriene receptor antagonists are required to achieve adequate control of asthma then they should not be withheld during pregnancy. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory
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Question 20
Incorrect
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A 30-year-old lawyer presents with a one-day history of a painful, red left eye. She describes how her eye is continually streaming tears. On examination, she exhibits a degree of photophobia in the affected eye and application of fluorescein demonstrates a dendritic pattern of staining. Visual acuity is 6/6 in both eyes. What is the most appropriate management?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Topical acyclovir
Explanation:This patient has a dendritic corneal ulcer. Herpes simplex keratitis most commonly presents with a dendritic corneal ulcer. Topical acyclovir and ophthalmology review is required. Giving a topical steroid in this situation could be disastrous as it may worsen the infection.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Ophthalmology
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