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Question 1
Correct
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A 32-year-old woman with a history of bipolar disorder exhibits lithium toxicity symptoms.Which of the following is the MOST LIKELY feature to be present?
Your Answer: Clonus
Explanation:Lithium toxicity manifests itself in the following ways:AtaxiaClonusComaConfusionConvulsionsDiarrhoeaIncreased muscle toneNausea and vomitingNephrogenic diabetes insipidusRenal failureTremor
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This question is part of the following fields:
- CNS Pharmacology
- Pharmacology
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Question 2
Incorrect
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A 24-year-old student with red and painful right eye presents. Conjunctival erythema, mucopurulent discharge and lid crusting are seen on examination, and patient denies presence of itching of the eye. All his observations are normal, he has no fever and is otherwise well.Which of these is the most likely causative organism?
Your Answer: Staphylococcus epidermidis
Correct Answer: Haemophilus influenzae
Explanation:The most frequent cause of red eye is conjunctivitis. It is caused by inflammation of the conjunctiva which can be infective or allergic and accounts for about 35% of all eye problems presenting to general practice.Viral conjunctivitis is commonly caused by adenoviruses and it is the most common infectious conjunctivitis.The common bacterial causes of conjunctivitis are Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus.The clinical features of infective conjunctivitis include:Acute onset of conjunctival erythemaFeeling ‘grittiness’, ‘foreign body’ or ‘burning’ sensation in the eye.Watering and discharge which may cause transient blurring of visionThe discharge for viral conjunctivitis is less than that of bacterial conjunctivitis and usually watery.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
- Specific Pathogen Groups
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Question 3
Incorrect
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Regarding Legionella species which of the following statements is CORRECT:
Your Answer: They are transmitted via the respiratory droplet route.
Correct Answer: They are Gram-negative organisms.
Explanation:Legionella pneumophilais a Gram negative bacterium that is found in natural water supplies and in the soil, transmitted predominantly via inhalation of aerosols generated from contaminated water (direct person-to-person spread of infected patients does not occur). It is the cause of Legionnaires’ disease. Outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease have been linked to poorly maintained air conditioning systems, whirlpool spas and hot tubs.The clinical features of the pneumonic form of Legionnaires’ disease include:Mild flu-like prodrome for 1-3 daysCough (usually non-productive and occurs in approximately 90%)Pleuritic chest painHaemoptysisHeadacheNausea, vomiting and diarrhoeaAnorexiaLegionella pneumophilainfections can be successfully treated with macrolide antibiotics, such as erythromycin, or quinolones, such as ciprofloxacin. Tetracyclines, such as doxycycline, can also be used.The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) can occur with Legionnaires’ disease and will result in hyponatraemia as is seen in this case.Legionella pneumophilainfections are resistant to amoxicillin but can be successfully treated with macrolide antibiotics, such as erythromycin, or quinolones, such as ciprofloxacin. Tetracyclines, such as doxycycline, can also be used. The majority of cases of Legionnaires’ disease are caused by Legionella pneumophila, however many other species of Legionella have been identified.Legionella longbeachae is another less commonly encountered species that has also been implicated in outbreaks. It is predominantly found in soil and potting compost, and has caused outbreaks of Pontiac fever, the non-respiratory and less severe variant of Legionnaires’ disease.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
- Pathogens
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Question 4
Incorrect
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Which of the following ions normally has the highest concentration in intracellular fluid:
Your Answer: Na +
Correct Answer: K +
Explanation:Potassium (K+) is the principal intracellular ion; approximately 4 mmol/L is extracellular (3%) and 140 mmol/L intracellular (97%).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Cellular
- Physiology
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Question 5
Correct
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External haemorrhoids may cause anal pain. When explaining to your patient why it does so, which of the following nerves will you point out as being affected?
Your Answer: Pudendal nerve
Explanation:The pain associated with external haemorrhoids is carried by a branch of the pudendal nerve, specifically the somatic fibres (S2-S4). It innervates the external anal sphincter and most of the skin over the perineum.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Abdomen
- Anatomy
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Question 6
Incorrect
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You examine a 48-year-old patient who has had proximal weakness, hypertension, and easy bruising in the past. She exhibits considerable face fullness and truncal obesity on examination. You diagnose her with Cushing's syndrome.When would her random cortisol level likely be abnormal?Â
Your Answer: 0900 hrs
Correct Answer: 2400 hrs
Explanation:Cortisol levels fluctuate throughout the day, with the greatest levels occurring around 0900 hours and the lowest occurring at 2400 hrs during sleep.The diurnal swing of cortisol levels is lost in Cushing’s syndrome, and levels are greater throughout the 24-hour period. In the morning, levels may be normal, but they may be high at night-time, when they are generally repressed.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine Physiology
- Physiology
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Question 7
Incorrect
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A 64-year-old woman with a history of chronic breathlessness is referred for lung function testing.Which of the following statements regarding lung function testing is FALSE? Select ONE answer only.
Your Answer: In obstructive lung disease, FVC is usually reduced but to a lesser extent than FEV 1
Correct Answer: In restrictive lung disease, the FVC is increased
Explanation:In restrictive lung disorders there is a reduction in the forced vital capacity (FVC) and the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). The decline in the FVC is greater than that of the FEV1, resulting in preservation of the FEV1/FVC ratio (>0.7%).In obstructive lung disease, FEV1is reduced to <80% of normal and FVC is usually reduced but to a lesser extent than FEV1. The FEV1/FVC ratio is reduced to 80% in the presence of symptomsModerate airflow obstruction = FEV1 of 50-79%Severe airflow obstruction = FEV1 of 30-49%Very severe airflow obstruction = FEV1<30%.Spirometry is a poor predictor of durability and quality of life in COPD but can be used as part of the assessment of severity.COPD can only be diagnosed on spirometry if the FEV1 is <80% and FEV1/FVC ratio is < 0.7.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Physiology
- Respiratory Physiology
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Question 8
Incorrect
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Regarding the lumbar plexus, which of the following is a direct muscular branch?
Your Answer: Nerve to piriformis
Correct Answer: Nerve to quadratus lumborum
Explanation:The lumbar plexus gives rise to several branches which supply various muscles and regions of the posterior abdominal wall and lower limb. These branches include the Iliohypogastric, ilioinguinal, genitofemoral, lateral femoral cutaneous, femoral and obturator nerves.In addition, the lumbar plexus gives off muscular branches from its roots, a branch to the lumbosacral trunk and occasionally an accessory obturator nerve.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Lower Limb
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Question 9
Incorrect
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All of the following statements are correct with regards to protection of the gastric mucosa except which of the following?
Your Answer: Surface cells secrete HCO 3 - which helps prevent autodigestion by creating a less favourable environment for gastric proteases.
Correct Answer: NSAIDs directly stimulate increased parietal cell acid production.
Explanation:Prostaglandin production, which usually inhibits acid secretion and increases mucus and bicarbonate secretion, is inhibited by NSAIDs.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
- Physiology
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Question 10
Incorrect
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You suspected a fungal nail infection in a 50-year-old man who presented with an itchy, scaly rash between his toes and a thicker, discoloured nail on his big toe that has been there for almost one month already. Which of the following tests is most likely to confirm your suspected diagnosis?
Your Answer: Nail clippings for NAAT
Correct Answer: Nail clippings for microscopy and culture
Explanation:Nail clippings for microscopy and culture are a diagnostic test for fungal infection. Because some fungi are restricted to the lower parts of the nail, clippings should be taken from the discoloured or brittle parts and cut back as far as possible from the free edge.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Microbiology
- Pathogens
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
