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Question 1
Incorrect
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Which one of the following immunological changes is seen in progressive HIV infection?
Your Answer: Increase in IL-2 production
Correct Answer: Increase in B2-microglobulin levels
Explanation:The immunological changes in HIV include depletion in CD4+ T cell, cytokine dysregulation and immune dysfunction. The dominant immunologic feature of HIV infection is progressive depletion of the helper T cell (CD4+ T cell), which reverses the normal CD4:CD8 ratio and subsequently lead to immunodeficiency. Other imuunological changes include:
increased B2-microglobulin
decreased IL-2 production
polyclonal B-cell activation
decreased NK cell function
reduced delayed hypersensitivity responses -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Clinical Sciences
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Question 2
Correct
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A 50-year-old female patient is started on cyclophosphamide for vasculitis associated with Wegener's granulomatosis. Which of the following adverse effects is most characteristically associated with cyclophosphamide use?
Your Answer: Haemorrhagic cystitis
Explanation:Cyclophosphamide is a cytotoxic alkylating agent that acts by causing cross-linking of DNA strands. Its major adverse effects include haemorrhagic cystitis, myelosuppression, and transitional cell carcinoma.
Cardiomyopathy is caused by doxorubicin and ototoxicity is caused by cisplatin. Alopecia and weight gain are associated with a variety of chemotherapeutic agents especially those that treat breast cancers (e.g. paclitaxel).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 3
Correct
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A patient who has recently been diagnosed with SLE undergoes serum testing. A rise in which of the following antibodies would indicate severe systemic involvement?
Your Answer: Anti double-stranded DNA antibodies
Explanation:Anti ds-DNA antibodies are very specific for SLE and their presence most often indicates systemic spread of the disease. These antibodies are present in about 30 percent of the total cases of SLE.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Rheumatology
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Question 4
Incorrect
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A 26-year-old woman is 24 weeks pregnant had a recent ultrasound that shows the foetus large for dates. She has an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) which was requested due to a combination of her Asian ethnicity and background of obesity. The following results are obtained: (Time (hours) : Blood glucose (mmol/l)), 0 : 9.2, 2 : 14.2. What is the most appropriate management?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Start insulin
Explanation:Insulin remains the standard of care for the treatment of uncontrolled gestational diabetes. Tight control maintained in the first trimester and throughout pregnancy plays a vital role in decreasing poor fetal outcomes, including structural anomalies, macrosomia, hypoglycaemia of the new-born, adolescent and adult obesity, and diabetes.
The baby is already large for dates so nutritional therapy can not be used alone. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
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Question 5
Incorrect
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A 55 yr. old female with a history of hypertension presented with severe central chest pain for the past one hour, associated with sweating and vomiting. Her ECG showed ST elevation myocardial infarction, evident in leads V2-V4. Which of the following is an absolute contraindication for thrombolysis?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Intracranial neoplasm
Explanation:Absolute contraindications for fibrinolytic use in STEMI
Prior intracranial haemorrhage (ICH)
Known structural cerebral vascular lesion
Known malignant intracranial neoplasm
Ischemic stroke within 3 months
Suspected aortic dissection
Active bleeding or bleeding diathesis (excluding menses)
Significant closed head trauma or facial trauma within 3 months
Intracranial or intraspinal surgery within 2 months
Severe uncontrolled hypertension (unresponsive to emergency therapy)
For streptokinase, prior treatment within the previous 6 months -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiology
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Question 6
Incorrect
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A 70-year-old complains of lower urinary tract symptoms. Which one of the following statements regarding benign prostatic hyperplasia is incorrect?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Goserelin is licensed for refractory cases
Explanation:Goserelin (Zoladex) is usually prescribed to treat hormone-sensitive cancers of the breast and prostate not for BPH. All other statements are correct.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nephrology
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Question 7
Incorrect
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A study is developed to compare two chemotherapy schemas for individuals with small cell lung cancer. Which of the following would you choose to compare survival time with in this particular study?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Hazard ratio
Explanation:The hazard ratio describes the relative risk of the complication based on comparison of event rates.
Hazard ratios have also been used to describe the outcome of therapeutic trials where the question is to what extent treatment can shorten the duration of the illness. However, the hazard ratio, a type of relative risk, does not always accurately portray the degree of abbreviation of the illness that occurred. In these circumstances, time-based parameters available from the time-to-event curve, such as the ratio of the median times of the placebo and drug groups, should be used to describe the magnitude of the benefit to the patient. The difference between hazard-based and time-based measures is analogous to the odds of winning a race and the margin of victory. The hazard ratio is the odds of a patient’s healing faster under treatment but does not convey any information about how much faster this event may occur.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Clinical Sciences
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Question 8
Incorrect
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A 25-year-old woman is found to have a blood pressure of 170/100 mmHg during a routine medical check. She is otherwise well and her physical examination is unremarkable. Blood tests show: Na+ 140 mmol/L, K+ 2.6 mmol/L, Bicarbonate 31 mmol/L, Urea 3.4 mmol/L, Creatinine 77 µmol/L. Which one of the following investigations is most likely to be diagnostic?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Renin:aldosterone ratio
Explanation:Primary aldosteronism now is considered one of the more common causes of secondary hypertension (HTN).
Individuals with primary aldosteronism may present with hypokalaemia metabolic alkalosis; however, as many as 38% of patients with primary aldosteronism may be normokalaemia at presentation.
Routine laboratory studies can show hypernatremia, hypokalaemia, and metabolic alkalosis resulting from the action of aldosterone on the renal distal convoluted tubule (DCT) (i.e., enhancing sodium reabsorption and potassium and hydrogen ion excretion).
Plasma aldosterone/plasma renin activity ratio is used for screening because it is fairly constant over many physiologic conditions.The patient is clinically free, so Cushing diseases can be exclude.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
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Question 9
Incorrect
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A 61-year-old gentleman presents with pain in his right flank and haematuria. A CT scan of the abdomen reveals a large 8 × 8cm solid mass in the right kidney and a 3 × 3cm solid mass occupying the upper pole of the left kidney. What is the most appropriate treatment for this patient?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Right radical nephrectomy and left partial nephrectomy
Explanation:This patient presents with the classic triad of renal carcinoma: haematuria, loin pain and a mass in the kidneys. Management will entail right radical nephrectomy because of the 8x8cm solid mass and a left partial nephrectomy of the 3x3cm solid mass.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nephrology
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Question 10
Incorrect
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A 57-year-old architect presents with weakness of the right hand. You note global wasting of the small hand muscles. There is also sensory loss over the medial border of the forearm around the elbow. Which of the following nerve roots is damaged?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: T1
Explanation:This patient has Klumpke’s paralysis due to damage to the T1 nerve root. This root eventually supplies the median and ulnar nerves. The ulnar nerve supplies all of the intrinsic hand muscles except for those of the thenar eminence and the first and second lumbricals, which are innervated by the median nerve.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Neurology
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Question 11
Incorrect
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A 69 year-old librarian with motor neuron disease is seen in clinic. Which of the following interventions will have the greatest effect on survival?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Non-invasive ventilation
Explanation:Motor neuron disease is a neurological condition of unknown cause which can present with both upper and lower motor neuron signs. It rarely presents before age 40 and various patterns of disease are recognised, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, progressive muscular atrophy and bulbar palsy.
Non-invasive ventilation (usually BIPAP) is used at night, with studies having shown a survival benefit of around 7 months. Riluzole prevents stimulation of glutamate receptors, used mainly in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and has been shown to prolong life by about 3 months. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Neurology
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Question 12
Incorrect
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A 34-year-old's chest x-ray showed diffuse bilateral alveolar shadows. He also suffers from shortness of breath, weight loss and dry cough due to Kaposi's sarcoma but no fever was noted. Which is the most likely causative organism?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Pneumocystis jiroveci
Explanation:Pneumocystis Jiroveci. This causative organism is responsible for pneumonia in individuals that have a compromised immune system. Symptoms include cyanosis, dry cough and in some cases, diffuse bilateral alveolar shadows on CXR. Co-trimoxazole is normally the treatment for this.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Infectious Diseases
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Question 13
Incorrect
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Out of the following, which is not associated with polycythaemia vera?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Raised ESR
Explanation:Polycythaemia vera (PV) is associated with a low ESR.
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. PV is associated with a low ESR.
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 acute myeloid leukaemia (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
Incorrect
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A 26 year old woman is 32 weeks pregnant. She has a history of Sjogren Syndrome. The foetus would be at a risk for which of the following?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: All correct
Explanation:Women with Sjögren syndrome are likely to experience more complications during pregnancy than women without an autoimmune disease as the anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies cross the placenta and lead to various life threatening complications. Studies show a high incidence of poor fetal outcomes for these patients. Congenital heart block, neonatal lupus, congestive cardiac failure, hydrops fetalis can all be caused as a result of Sjogren syndrome.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Rheumatology
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Question 15
Incorrect
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A 16-year-old boy is being treated with ADH for diabetes insipidus. His blood results show: fasting plasma glucose level: 6 mmol/l (3– 6), sodium 148 mmol/l (137–144), potassium 4.5 mmol/l (3.5–4.9), calcium 2.8 mmol/l (2.2–2.6). However, he still complains of polyuria, polydipsia and nocturia. What could be the most probable cause?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
Explanation:Diabetes insipidus (DI) is defined as the passage of large volumes (>3 L/24 hr) of dilute urine (< 300 mOsm/kg). It has the following 2 major forms:
Central (neurogenic, pituitary, or neurohypophyseal) DI, characterized by decreased secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH; also referred to as arginine vasopressin [AVP])
Nephrogenic DI, characterized by decreased ability to concentrate urine because of resistance to ADH action in the kidney.
The boy most probably has nephrogenic diabetes insidious (DI) not central DI so he is not responding to the ADH treatment. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
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Question 16
Incorrect
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A 60 yr. old previously well male was admitted with a suspected pulmonary embolism. On examination his BP was 130/80 mmHg and pulse rate was 88 bpm. His CXR was normal. He was treated with low molecular weight heparin. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial lung investigation for this patient?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography
Explanation:Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is the standard investigative tool, used for diagnosing a pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary angiography is indicated if CTPA is not available.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiology
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Question 17
Incorrect
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A 24 year old female, 28 weeks pregnant presents to the clinic complaining of shortness of breath and right sided pleuritic chest pain. The doctor suspects pulmonary embolism. Which of the following statement is incorrect regarding the management of this case?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer:
Explanation:V/Q scanning carries a slightly increased risk of childhood cancer compared with CTPA – 1/280,000 versus less than 1/1,000,000 – but carries a lower risk of maternal breast cancer. The rest of the options are true.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory
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Question 18
Incorrect
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A 20-year-old woman presents to casualty with flank pain and a 48 hour history of dysuria. Her past medical history includes polycystic ovarian syndrome. She is not in a steady relationship at present. There is haematuria and proteinuria on urine dipstick testing. Examination reveals a pyrexia of 38.1 °C and flank pain. What diagnosis fits best with this clinical picture?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Pyelonephritis
Explanation:The patient presents with flank pain and fever with haematuria and proteinuria associated with a social history of not being in a steady relationship. This patient is a young presumably sexually active female, so the diagnosis is most likely pyelonephritis which has an increased incidence in young sexually active women or men of >50 years of age.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nephrology
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Question 19
Incorrect
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Which of the following is NOT a cause of onycholysis?
Your Answer:
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. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Dermatology
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Question 20
Incorrect
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A 36 year-old accountant presents with a sudden onset of headache which progressed to him collapsing. Upon arrival in A&E, he has a heart rate of 76 bpm, blood pressure 220/140, and Glasgow Coma Score of 9 (E2, M5, V2). Which of the following should be done immediately?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Give high flow oxygen via a non-rebreather mask
Explanation:This man is likely suffering from a subarachnoid haemorrhage or intracerebral bleed. The priority is to prevent a secondary brain injury. Important first steps include ensuring a secure airway, normalizing cardiovascular function, and treating seizures. His airway is likely to be protected with a GCS of 9, although he may benefit from a nasal or oral airway, and close attention should be paid to his airway if going for a CT scan. He should receive high flow oxygen and his blood pressure should not be treated acutely, as i is often appropriate to compensate for a rise in intracranial pressure. Nimodipine should be given if a subarachnoid haemorrhage is proven. Attention should also be given to maintaining a normal blood sugar, as hyperglycaemia worsens outcomes.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Neurology
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Question 21
Incorrect
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A woman who is 36 weeks pregnant presents with chickenpox. How should she be treated?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Acyclovir
Explanation:Acyclovir is the correct answer. There has been no documented evidence of harm in pregnancy yet. Chickenpox can cause fetal abnormalities, and varicella zoster Immunoglobulin should be given to the infant immediately after birth (not the mother, won’t help). Steroids will actually make the chicken pox worse. Painkillers only, is obviously the wrong answer and pose severe risk to foetus.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Infectious Diseases
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Question 22
Incorrect
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A 38-year-old chef is brought into the emergency department by her husband. He reports that she has been confused for the last 3 days. She has a long-standing history of severe psoriasis but no other past medical history. Basic observations are all within normal range and a CT head is unremarkable. A fundoscopy exam reveals bilateral papilledema. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Vitamin A toxicity
Explanation:Vitamin A toxicity is a rare cause of papilledema. In this case, the patient is likely to have been taking retinoids for psoriasis.
Encephalitis does not usually present with papilledema. Brain abscess, brain tumour and hydrocephalus are all less likely with a normal CT head.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Ophthalmology
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Question 23
Incorrect
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A 35 yr. old female with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was brought to Casualty, complaining of chest pain and worsening difficulty in breathing for the past 36 hrs. On examination she was tachypnoeic, her BP was 85/65 mmHg and peripheral oxygen saturation was 98% on air. Her cardiac examination was normal but her jugular venous pressure was elevated. She didn't have ankle oedema. Her ECG showed sinus tachycardia and her CXR showed clear lung fields with a slightly enlarged heart. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Urgent transthoracic echocardiogram
Explanation:Acute breathlessness in SLE can be due to a pericardial effusion or a pulmonary embolism. Normal peripheral oxygen saturation and normal ECG, make the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism less likely. To exclude pericardial effusion, an urgent transthoracic echocardiogram is needed.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiology
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Question 24
Incorrect
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A 21-year-old woman presents with lethargy and confusion. On examination, you note a purpuric rash covering the abdominal wall and thighs, and a fever of 38C. Investigations reveal haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury. Which feature of the presentation makes the diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura more likely than haemolytic uremic syndrome?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Confusion
Explanation:Confusion in the patient refers to neurological symptoms that are more associated with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura than with haemolytic uremic syndrome. All the other symptoms present in both conditions similarly.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nephrology
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Question 25
Incorrect
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Which one of the following features is least recognised in long-term lithium use?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Alopecia
Explanation:All the above side-effects, with the exception of alopecia, may be seen in patients taking lithium.
Common lithium side effects may include:
– dizziness, drowsiness;
– tremors in your hands;
– trouble walking;
– dry mouth, increased thirst or urination;
– nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain;
– cold feeling or discoloration in your fingers or toes;
– rash; or.
– blurred vision. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 26
Incorrect
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A 61-year-old gentleman presents with heart failure and pedal oedema. The oedema occurs due to:
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Increased release of renin
Explanation:The oedema is an effect of the a decreased cardiac output that increases renin release which leads to vasoconstriction and sodium and water retention.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nephrology
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Question 27
Incorrect
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Out of the following, which tumour cells are found in patients with Hodgkin disease?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Reed-Sternberg cells
Explanation:The diagnosis of Hodgkin disease requires the identification of Reed-Sternberg cells in a characteristic cellular background. The normal cell of origin for the Reed-Sternberg cells remains unclear, with the predominance of evidence indicating a B or T lymphocyte.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 28
Incorrect
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Which is the formula to calculate the number needed to treat?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: 1 / (Absolute risk reduction)
Explanation:The number needed to treat (NNT) is valuable information in treatment decisions. NNT is the inverse of the absolute risk reduction (1/ARR) between two treatment options.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Clinical Sciences
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Question 29
Incorrect
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A 25-year-old male presents to the emergency department with fever, sweating, hyperventilation and breathing difficulty. He also complains of a continuous ringing sensation in both his ears for the past couple of days. He admits to consuming a lot of over the counter painkillers for the past few days. Which of the following drugs is the most likely cause of these symptoms?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Aspirin
Explanation:The presence of tinnitus, fever and hyperventilation are clues for aspirin (salicylate) toxicity.
Clinical Presentation of salicylate toxicity can include:
• Pulmonary manifestations include: Hyperventilation, hyperpnea, severe dyspnoea due to noncardiogenic pulmonary oedema, fever and dyspnoea due to aspiration pneumonitis
• Auditory symptoms caused by the ototoxicity of salicylate poisoning include: Hard of hearing and deafness, and tinnitus (commonly encountered when serum salicylate concentrations exceed 30 mg/dL).
• Cardiovascular manifestations include: Tachycardia, hypotension, dysrhythmias – E.g., ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, multiple premature ventricular contractions, asystole – with severe intoxication, Electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities – E.g., U waves, flattened T waves, QT prolongation may reflect hypokalaemia.
• Neurologic manifestations include: CNS depression, with manifestations ranging from somnolence and lethargy to seizures and coma, tremors, blurring of vision, seizures, cerebral oedema – With severe intoxication, encephalopathy
• GI manifestations include: Nausea and vomiting, which are very common with acute toxicity, epigastric pain, GI haemorrhage – More common with chronic intoxication, intestinal perforation, pancreatitis, hepatitis – Generally in chronic toxicity; rare in acute toxicity, Oesophageal strictures – Reported as a very rare delayed complication
• Genitourinary manifestations include: Acute kidney injury (NSAID induced Nephropathy) is an uncommon complication of salicylate toxicity, renal failure may be secondary to multisystem organ failure.
• Hematologic effects may include prolongation of the prothrombin and bleeding times and decreased platelet adhesiveness. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) may be noted with multisystem organ failure in association with chronic salicylate toxicity.
• Electrolyte imbalances like: Dehydration, hypocalcaemia, acidaemia, Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), hypokalaemia
Management of these patients should be done in the following manner:
• Secure Airway, Breathing, and Circulation
• Supportive therapy
• GI decontamination
• Urinary excretion and alkalization
• Haemodialysis -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 30
Incorrect
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A 50 yr. old male patient presented with acute chest pain and a non ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) was diagnosed. He was threated with aspirin 300mg and 2 puffs of glyceral trin (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:
- Cardiology
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