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Question 1
Incorrect
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A 35-year-old gentleman with a history of alcohol excess presents to hospital with progressive abdominal distension. He now complains of early satiety and abdominal discomfort as a result of the distension. Examination reveals a significantly distended abdomen with shifting dullness. A diagnostic ascitic tap is performed and the fluid sent for analysis. What is the most appropriate first line treatment for his ascites?
Your Answer: Dietary salt restriction
Correct Answer: Paracentesis
Explanation:The first line treatment for ascites that is symptomatic is paracentesis. If it is not symptomatic, treatment could be with salt and fluid restriction as well as spironolactone. If spironolactone maximum dosage is reached, you can use furosemide additionally. Amiloride is not a diuretic that is recommended in this case.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 2
Correct
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A 69-year-old man on the cardiology ward who is hypotensive, and tachycardic is having profuse melaena. He was commenced on dabigatran 150mg bd by the cardiologists 48 hours earlier for non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Following appropriate resuscitation which of the following treatments is most likely to improve his bleeding?
Your Answer: Idarucizumab (Praxbind)
Explanation:Idarucizumab (Praxbind) is a newer antidote for dabigatran, the first of its kind. It is a monoclonal antibody fragment that binds dabigatrin with a higher affinity than thrombin. It is very expensive.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 3
Correct
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A 45-year-old man was referred for abnormal liver biochemistry. Investigations showed he had an ALT of 98 U/l and was Hep B surface antigen positive. Which of the following is true of chronic active hepatitis due to the hepatitis B virus?
Your Answer: It carries an increased risk of subsequent hepatocellular carcinoma
Explanation:Chronic hepatitis B patients have an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. In chronic hepatitis B infection, you have +HBsAg, +anti-HBc, (-)IgM antiHBc, and (-) anti-HBs. In acute hepatitis B infection, you have+HBsAg, + anti-HBc, + IgM anti-HBc, and negative anti-HBs. In immunity due to natural infection, you have negative HBsAg, +anti-HBc, and + anti-HBs. In immunity due to vaccination, you have negative HBsAg, negative anti-HBc, and positive anti-HBs. It is important to remember these serologies, it will get you a lot of points on the test.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 4
Correct
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A 36-year-old man is being investigated for recurrent gastric and duodenal ulceration diagnosed at endoscopy. He has suffered from bouts of abdominal pain and intermittent diarrhoea although his weight is stable. Some of his investigations results are: Basal acid secretion 20 mEq/h (1–5), Fasting gastrin 200 pg/ml (<100), Secretin test: Basal gastrin 200pg/ml, Post-secretin 500pg/ml. Which of the following are responsible for the elevated gastrin levels?
Your Answer: Gastrinoma
Explanation:This case describes Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It is characterized by refractory peptic ulcer disease, often multiple ulcers. This is typically caused by secretion of gastrin from a gastrinoma, a neuroendocrine tumour. The most common site of ulceration is the duodenum. A symptom of a pancreatic gastrinoma may be steatorrhea from hypersecretion of gastrin. Serum gastrin levels > 1000 and a pH < 2 are diagnostic of pancreatic gastrinoma. The secretin test is a test that can differentiate gastrinoma from other causes of high gastrin levels. Gastrin will rise after secretin injection if the patient has a gastrinoma.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 5
Correct
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A 24-year-old woman presents as an emergency to her GP with acute vomiting which began some 3–4 hours after attending an afternoon meeting. Cream cakes were served during the coffee break. Which of the following organisms is the most likely cause of this acute attack of vomiting?
Your Answer: Staphylococcus aureus
Explanation:Staph. aureus is the most likely cause. It is found in foods like dairy products, cold meats, or mayonnaise. It produces a heat-stable ENDOTOXIN (remember this) that causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea 1-6 hours after ingestion of contaminated food. B. cereus is classically associated with fried rice being reheated. Salmonella is typical with raw eggs and undercooked poultry. Campylobacter which is most commonly associated with food poisoning, is seen with poultry 50% of the time. Yersinia enterocolitica is seen with raw or undercooked pork, and may be a case presenting with mesenteric adenitis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 6
Correct
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Which of the following forms of acute viral hepatitis has a much higher mortality in pregnant than non-pregnant females?
Your Answer: Hepatitis E
Explanation:Pregnant patient in a third world country with hepatitis: The answer is most likely Hepatitis E. The mortality for Hepatitis E in pregnant women is very high. It is transmitted faecal-orally. There is no hepatitis G. Hepatitis C, B, A are less likely to be the correct answer than E given it’s classic association with pregnancy and poor living conditions.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 7
Incorrect
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A social worker has been diagnosed with hepatitis C infection. Which test will conclusively establish the presence of this infection?
Your Answer: Anti-HCV
Correct Answer: HCV RNA
Explanation:The most sensitive test for detecting Hepatitis C infection (acute) is HCA RNA; it can be detected 1-2 weeks after infection. Anti-HCV antibodies take at least 6 weeks to develop and be positive.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 8
Correct
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A 60-year-old man with known ulcerative colitis and diverticular disease comes to clinic complaining of passing faeces per urethra. Cystoscopy confirms a fistula between his bladder and bowel. Which treatment is most likely to be effective?
Your Answer: surgery
Explanation:The best treatment for a colovesicular fistula is surgery. This is the only definitive treatment. If the patient is a poor surgical candidate, there can be an attempt to manage them non-operatively, but this is absolutely NOT the MOST EFFECTIVE therapy.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 9
Incorrect
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A 55-year-old lady, known with rheumatoid arthritis, complains of increasing numbness and tingling in her feet and hands. She has recently developed an ulcer on her left heel, after having burnt her foot in a hot bath. A number of depigmented areas are readily seen over her upper limbs. She is currently taking low-dose prednisolone (7.5 mg daily), alendronic acid, lansoprazole, paracetamol, indomethacin, methotrexate and rituximab. Her blood tests demonstrate: Haemoglobin 9.9 g/l, MCV 102 fl, Platelets 410 x 109/L, White blood cells 12.3 x 109/L, Vitamin B12 97 pg/ml, Folate 12.3ng/ml, Random blood glucose 9.9 mmol/L, Thyroid-stimulating hormone 4.7 mU/ml, Thyroxine 12.8 pmol/L. Which autoantibody would be most diagnostic for the underlying disease?
Your Answer: Antigastric parietal cell (PCA)
Correct Answer: Anti-intrinsic factor (IF)
Explanation:This clinical scenario describes pernicious anaemia. Anti-intrinsic factor (IF) antibodies are most specific for pernicious anaemia. Antigastric parietal cell antibodies have a higher sensitivity but are less specific for pernicious anaemia. The other antibodies listed are not related to pernicious anaemia. Anti-TTG is seen with Celiac’s disease, anti-TPO is seen with thyroid disease, GAD is seen with type I diabetes, but this does not explain her anaemia.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 10
Incorrect
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A 54-year-old plumber presents with general deterioration. He drinks approximately 25 units of alcohol each week and is a smoker of five cigarettes daily. Examination reveals that he is jaundiced, has numerous spider naevi on his chest and he has a temperature of 37.2°C. Abdominal examination reveals hepato-splenomegaly. Investigations reveal: Bilirubin 100 micromol/L (1-22), Alkaline phosphatase 310 iu/l (45 – 105), ALT 198 iu/l (5 – 35), AST 158 iu/l (1 – 31), Albumin 25 g/L (37 – 49), Hepatitis B virus surface antigen positive, Hepatitis B virus e antigen negative, Hepatitis B virus DNA awaited. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Alcoholic liver disease
Correct Answer: Chronic hepatitis B infection
Explanation:The clinical scenario describes a man in liver failure. Given the serological results, he is most likely to have a chronic hepatitis B infection. In chronic hepatitis B infection, you have +HBsAg, +anti-HBc, (-)IgM antiHBc, and (-) anti-HBs. In acute hepatitis B infection, you have +HBsAg, +anti-HBc, +IgM anti-HBc, and negative anti-HBs. in immunity due to natural infection, you have negative HBsAg, +anti-HBc, and + anti-HBs. In immunity due to vaccination, you have negative HBsAg, negative anti-HBc, and positive anti-HBs. While he could have a superimposed hepatitis D infection on top of hepatitis B, there is no mention of hepatitis D serology, make this an incorrect answer. The other choices do not involve hepatitis serologies.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 11
Correct
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Which is the most common type of inherited colorectal cancer:
Your Answer: Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal carcinoma
Explanation:Hereditary non-polyposis syndrome (HNPCC) is the most common type of inherited colorectal cancer. It often presents in younger and younger generations down a family. FAP presents with 100’s-1000’s of polyps and is less common. Li-Fraumeni syndrome and Fanconi syndrome are rare. For Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, the thing you will look for in the question stem is discoloured spots on the lips, this is classic.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 12
Correct
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A 42-year-old man presented with bloody diarrhoea and weight loss. Which one of the following would favour the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease on rectal biopsy?
Your Answer: Patchy inflammation
Explanation:The correct answer is patchy inflammation. Superficial ulceration as well as non-patchy inflammation are seen in ulcerative colitis (UC) in the colon and rectum; you would expect to see transmural inflammation in Crohn’s disease and it can be patchy and located anywhere from mouth to anus. Crypt distortion and crypt abscesses are seen in both UC and Crohn’s, however they are more common in ulcerative colitis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 13
Incorrect
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A 54-year-old woman, with a long history of inflammatory bowel disease presents to his GP with abnormal liver function tests. She has a raised alkaline phosphatase level but no symptoms of liver disease. Which of the following options is the best set of investigations to confirm the diagnosis?
Your Answer: Ultrasound scan and liver biopsy
Correct Answer: MRCP and liver biopsy
Explanation:In a patient with abnormal LFTs and UC, think primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). MRCP and liver biopsy is the best answer. MRCP will show classically beads on a string – intra and extrahepatic stricturing and dilation. Remember this finding!! Liver biopsy is required for official diagnosis (need tissue!).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 14
Correct
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A 27-year-old man with a long history of heavy alcohol intake is admitted with nausea and frequent vomiting four hours after a meal in a restaurant. During review in the Emergency department he vomits a cupful of blood. What is the cause of his haematemesis?
Your Answer: Mallory-Weiss tear
Explanation:This is a classic clinical presentation, with alcohol intake and nausea/vomiting that leads to hematemesis, of a Mallory-Weiss tear. Because of the history, that makes this more likely than haemorrhagic gastritis, duodenal ulceration, or oesophagitis (also oesophagitis would not bleed a cupful). Oesophageal varices would present with copious amounts of hematemesis and most likely hemodynamic instability as a result of the amount of blood loss. In Mallory-Weiss tear they are typically presented as a hemodynamically stable patient.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 15
Correct
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A 32-year-old lady, known with a history of Type 1 diabetes presents to the clinic with increasing tiredness, mild upper abdominal discomfort and itching. The GP has arranged some investigations prior to her clinic visit. Investigations; Hb 13.2 g/dL, WCC 5.0 x109/L, PLT 240 x109/L, Na+ 140 mmol/L, K+ 4.9 mmol/L, Creatinine 90 μmol/L, HbA1c 8.3%, Anti-Smooth muscle antibody: positive, Immunoglobulins increased. Which of the following would be the next appropriate investigation?
Your Answer: Liver function testing
Explanation:The key to this question is anti-smooth muscle antibodies. This is a finding of autoimmune hepatitis, which can be seen in type I diabetics. This also fits with her clinical picture. If you know these two facts, you should get every question correct regarding autoimmune hepatitis. Liver function testing is the best answer, then and should be elevated to indicate inflammation of the liver. Hepatic US, CK, thyroid function testing, short synacthen test are not helpful in the diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 16
Incorrect
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Which of the following is the most common route of hepatitis B transmission worldwide?
Your Answer: Blood inoculation through needles
Correct Answer: Perinatal transmission
Explanation:Perinatal transmission is the most common cause of Hepatitis B infection worldwide. Post-exposure prophylaxis should be provided, which consists of hepatitis B immune globulin and hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth. Without this, about 40% will develop chronic infection.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 17
Correct
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A baby is born to a mother who is known to have chronic hepatitis B. The mothers latest results are as follows: HBsAg: Positive, HBeAg: Positive. What is the most appropriate strategy for reducing the vertical transmission rate?
Your Answer: Give the newborn hepatitis B vaccine + hepatitis B immunoglobulin
Explanation:The Green Book guidelines report in an active infection (HBeAg+ and HBsAg+) to give the vaccine as well as immunoglobulin. If antibodies are present it is not active infection (anti-Hbe) and then in that case only the vaccine, and no immunoglobulin, would be given. The presence of HBeAg means a person is infectious and can transmit to other people.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 18
Incorrect
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A 28-year-old patient presents with inflammatory bowel disease. 5-ASA would be most appropriate in treating which condition?
Your Answer: Maintenance therapy for Crohn’s disease
Correct Answer: Maintenance therapy for ulcerative colitis
Explanation:5-ASA is not an acute treatment; it is for maintenance therapy for ulcerative colitis and/or Crohn’s. The most benefit is seen in patients with ulcerative colitis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 19
Incorrect
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A 54-year-old female presents with fatigue and xerostomia. Bloods tests reveal the following: Hb 13.9 g/dL, WBC 6.1 *109/L, Platelets 246 *109/L, Bilirubin 33 µmol/L, ALP 292 u/l ALT 47 u/l What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Primary Sjogren's syndrome
Correct Answer: Primary biliary cirrhosis
Explanation:With a bilirubin of 33, automatically the diagnosis from the choices listed is primary biliary cirrhosis or autoimmune hepatitis, not SLE, mono, or Primary Sjogren’s Syndrome. With autoimmune hepatitis, however, you would not expect such a high bilirubin and would expect very high AST/ALT, which here is just mildly elevated. This makes primary biliary cirrhosis the most likely answer. The classic presentation is itching in a middle-aged woman. The dry mouth is likely due to Sicca Syndrome, which occurs in 70% of cases of PBC, but with these liver function tests, PBC is most the likely answer.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 20
Incorrect
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A 55-year-old male is admitted with vomiting. He has a long history of alcohol abuse, appears slightly jaundiced and is dishevelled and unkempt. He was started on an intravenous glucose infusion and diazepam and he symptomatically improved. One day later he becomes confused, develops vomiting, diplopia and is unable to stand. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Hepatic encephalopathy
Correct Answer: Vitamin B deficiency
Explanation:The most likely diagnosis is Wernicke’s encephalopathy. This presents in a long time alcoholic from vitamin BI deficiency. Symptoms include confusion and confabulation, oculomotor symptoms/signs, and ataxia.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 21
Correct
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A 33-year-old lady who is known hepatitis C positive comes to your clinic. She is 28 weeks pregnant and her obstetrician wants you to assess her and provide medical advice for the mother and child. Which of the following statements concerning hepatitis C are most accurate in her case?
Your Answer: Breast-feeding does not increase the risk of transmission
Explanation:Breast feeding has not been shown to increase the risk of transmission of HCV from mother to baby. This is simply a fact to memorize. The other answer choices are not the most accurate as there is no evidence-proven way to decrease the chance that baby will get HCV from the mother during the birth. About 5 out of every 100 infants born to HCV infected mothers become infected.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 22
Incorrect
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A 56-year-old woman has a family history of haemochromatosis and is homozygous for the C282Y mutation. Her ferritin is 927 mg/L (normal range 15-150), haemoglobin 12.5 g/dL (normal range 11.5-16) and aspartate aminotransferase 87 U/L (normal range <40). Which is the best course of action?
Your Answer: Weekly venesection until she is anaemic
Correct Answer: Weekly venesection to drop her ferritin into the low-normal range
Explanation:Venesection should be done (essentially blood-letting) to decrease the too-high ferratin level. IV Desterrioxamine would have the opposite effect. ASA does not have to do with ferritin. You do not just watch this and recheck. And you do not want to make the patient anaemic.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 23
Correct
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A 62-year-old woman with scleroderma and Reynaud’s phenomenon complains of weight loss and has been referred for an opinion. Gastrointestinal associations of progressive systemic sclerosis include which of the following?
Your Answer: Oesophageal stricture
Explanation:Oesophageal stricture is a complication of systemic sclerosis, think of the oesophagus as sclerosing (fibrosing) leading to stricture and you never forget. Based on the clinical presentation of systemic sclerosis this is more likely than pancreatic dysfunction, PSC, lymphoma, or diverticulitis. Additionally, CREST syndrome stands for: calcinosis cutis, Raynaud’s phenomenon (which the patient has), oesophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasias), this is a form of systemic sclerosis you should be familiar with.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 24
Correct
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A 74-year-old man presents with left-sided lower abdominal pain. He is obese and admits to a dislike of high fibre foods. The pain has been grumbling for the past couple of weeks and is partially relieved by defecation. He has suffered intermittent diarrhoea. Blood testing reveals a neutrophilia, and there is also a microcytic anaemia. Barium enema shows multiple diverticula, more marked on the left-hand side of the colon. Which diagnosis fits best with this clinical picture?
Your Answer: Diverticular disease
Explanation:Given that he has diverticula in the clinical scenario combined with his presenting symptoms, it is likely that he has diverticular disease. A low fibre diet would support this diagnosis. Acute diverticulitis would require treatment with antibiotics. Depending on the severity (Hinchey classification) would determine if he needs oral or IV antibiotics, hospital admission or outpatient treatment. Sometimes abscesses or micro perforations occur, which typical require drainage and possibly surgical intervention. Diverticular disease is clearly a better answer than other possible answer choices, simply based on the symptoms presented in the prompt (and mention of low fibre).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 25
Correct
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A 33-year-old man with a known history of alcoholic liver disease is reviewed following a suspected oesophageal variceal haemorrhage. He has been resuscitated and intravenous terlipressin has been given. His blood pressure is now 104/60 mmHg and his pulse is 84/min. What is the most appropriate intervention?
Your Answer: Endoscopic variceal band ligation
Explanation:The correct course of action after giving terlipressin and resuscitating with IV fluids is to perform an EGD with endoscopic variceal band ligation. According to NICE: ‘Offer endoscopic variceal band ligation for the primary prevention of bleeding for people with cirrhosis who have medium to large oesophageal varices. There are serious complications of a TIPS procedure and it is not the first line treatment.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 26
Correct
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A 25-year-old woman is reviewed in clinic. She was previously treated with omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). She remains on PPI therapy but continues to have epigastric discomfort. You suspect she has ongoing H. pylori infection and request a urea breath test to investigate this. How long would the patient need to stop her PPI therapy before the urea breath test?
Your Answer: 14 days
Explanation:PPI will affect the accuracy of the test. In general, most recommend discontinuing PPI therapy for 2 weeks prior to a urea breath test. PPI’s have an anti-H. pylori effect.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 27
Correct
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A 37-year-old social worker is referred to you with a long history of diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort. She was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome 10 years ago and takes mebeverine, peppermint tablets and Gaviscon. She is a vegetarian and rarely drinks or smokes. Examination of all systems is normal. Her blood tests show macrocytic anaemia. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy reveals oesophagitis, hypertrophy of the gastric body and multiple duodenal ulcers. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Zollinger–Ellison syndrome
Explanation:This case describes Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It is characterized by refractory peptic ulcer disease, often multiple ulcers. This is typically caused by secretion of gastrin from a gastrinoma, a neuroendocrine tumour. The most common site of ulceration is the duodenum. A symptom of a pancreatic gastrinoma may be steatorrhea from the hypersecretion of gastrin. Serum gastrin levels > 1000 and a pH < 2 are diagnostic of pancreatic gastrinoma. None of the other answer choices are a better answer than this. CT abdomen may potentially show a tumour, but this is not diagnostic for type.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 28
Correct
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A 26-year-old lawyer presents to the gastroenterology clinic with weight loss, intermittent oily diarrhoea and malaise. Blood testing reveals folate and iron deficiency. There is also mild hypocalcaemia on biochemistry screening. She has type-1 diabetes of 10 years’ duration and is stable on a basal bolus insulin regime, otherwise her past medical history is unremarkable. Which of these antibody tests is most specific for making a diagnosis?
Your Answer: Anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies
Explanation:The prompt is suggestive of celiac disease as an aetiology. The antibody that is used primarily to suggest this diagnosis is anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody. You can also check anti-gliadin and anti-endomyseal antibodies, although anti-TTG antibodies are now the preferred test. To get an official diagnosis you must have a tissue diagnosis (biopsy). Anti-smooth muscle antibodies would be seen in autoimmune hepatitis. Anti-thyroid antibodies are not at all related to this, and are associated with thyroid. Anti-nuclear antibodies are non-specific.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 29
Correct
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Which one of the following is most suggestive of Wilson’s disease?
Your Answer: Reduced serum caeruloplasmin
Explanation:In Wilson’s disease, serum caeruloplasmin is decreased. Skin pigmentation is not increased, but may become jaundiced. 24 hour urine copper excretion is increased. Hepatic copper concentration is increased. Serum copper level is also increased. Key point: high copper. Remember Kayser-Fleisher rings for the eyes in Wilson’s disease.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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Question 30
Correct
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A 24-year-old waiter applies for a job at a cafeteria. He gives a history of having had enteric fever 2 years ago. Which of the following investigations is most likely to indicate a chronic carrier status?
Your Answer: Culture of intestinal secretions
Explanation:The chronic asymptomatic carrier state is thought to be why there is continued appearance of the bacterium in human populations. As shedding of the organism is intermittent and sometimes at low levels, methods to detect it have been limited. The Salmonella typhi may be cultured from intestinal secretions, faeces or urine in chronic carriers and is recommended to confirm the diagnosis. Vi agglutination test can also be high in normal people in areas with typhoid endemic. Full blood count or blood culture would not be helpful to determine carrier status. Widal antigen test is unable to differentiate carriers from people with a hx of prior infection.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastroenterology
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
