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Question 1
Correct
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Which among these medications does NOT cause gastric ulceration?
Your Answer: Misoprostol
Explanation:Misoprostol is effective in preventing gastric ulceration since it is a prostaglandin analogue. Celecoxib, being a selective COX-2 inhibitor only elevates risk of ulceration as well as NSAIDs. Renal failure on the other hand results in elevated gastric acid after reducing the breakdown of gastrin.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
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Question 2
Incorrect
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A 74 year old man presents with 12 kg weight loss and persistent back pain that is unrelated to activity for the past several months. Laboratory findings show :WCC: 6.7 x 109/l (5.4 neutrophils, 1.2 lymphocytes and 0.2 monocytes)Haemoglobin: 11.2 g/dlhaematocrit: 33.3%MCV: 88 flPlatelet count: 89 x 109/l.The biochemistry shows:sodium 144 mmol/lpotassium 4.5 mmol/lchloride 100 mmol/lbicarbonate 26 mmol/lurea 14 mmol/lcreatinine 90 μmol/la glucose of 5.4 mmol/l.A CT scan of the spine reveals scattered 0.4 to 1.2 cm bright lesions in the vertebral bodies.Which of the following additional laboratory test findings is he most likely to have?
Your Answer: Serum calcium of 1.4 mmol/l
Correct Answer: Serum prostate specific antigen of 35 microgram/l
Explanation:Old age, persistent backache, weight loss, and osteosclerotic lesions make prostatic adenocarcinoma the most likely diagnosis. The sequelae include severe pain, pathological fractures, hypercalcemia and cord compression. Prostatic adenocarcinoma is detected by elevated levels of prostate specific antigen. Positive serology for borrelia burgdorferi would hint at Lyme disease which does not cause osteosclerotic bone lesions, neither would Neisseria gonorrhoeae have such a presentation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Rheumatology
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Question 3
Correct
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A 30-year-old female presented with complaints of anxiety, tremors, sweating, tachycardia and weight loss despite increased appetite. Which of the following pathogenesis is responsible for such symptoms?
Your Answer: Increased metabolic rate
Explanation:These symptoms are suggestive of thyrotoxicosis. In this disease, the basal metabolic rate of the patients is increased due to excessive thyroid hormones in the blood.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine
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Question 4
Correct
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A 32 year old woman presents with a painful elbow which she has been feeling for the past two weeks. Which of the following will be consistent with a diagnosis of tennis elbow?
Your Answer: Pain on wrist extension against resistance
Explanation:Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is an overuse injury of the hand and finger extensor tendons that originate in the lateral humeral epicondyle that occurs following repeated or excessive pronation/supination and extension of the wrist (e.g., in racquet sports). Clinical features include pain and tenderness over the lateral epicondyle and along extensor muscles and thickening of the tendons. The examiner holds the patient’s hand with the thumb placed over the lateral epicondyle – The patient makes a fist, supinates the forearm, deviates radially, and extends the fist against the examiner’s resistance which will result in pain over the lateral epicondyle. Conservative treatment includes rest, physiotherapy and orthotic braces. If this fails corticosteroids and lidocaine injections are employed. Surgery is indicated in patients with persistent symptoms despite 6 months of conservative treatment. Excision of abnormal tendon tissue; longitudinal incisions (tenotomies) in scarred and fibrotic areas to promote healing.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Rheumatology
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Question 5
Incorrect
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A 12 year old female presents at her local emergency room with a complete loss of consciousness, intercostal retractions, no residual sign and no post-ictal phase. She later went on to have a full recovery. From the list of options, choose the most probable diagnosis.
Your Answer: Febrile convulsion
Correct Answer: Partial generalized seizure
Explanation:The symptoms of a partial generalized seizure are consistent with this patient.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Neurology
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Question 6
Correct
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A 70-year-old man underwent emergency surgery for an acute abdomen. Following surgery, he was noted to be oliguric. Investigations revealed the following: Sodium 121 mmol/L (137-144) Potassium 6.6 mmol/L (3.5-4.9) Chloride 92 mmol/L (95-107) Urea 17.2 mmol/L (2.5-7.5) Creatinine 250 µmol/L (60-110) pH 7.16 (7.36-7.44) Standard bicarbonate 15.6 mmol/L (20-28). What is the calculated anion gap for this patient?
Your Answer: 20 mmol/L
Explanation:Anion gap is calculated as (Na + K) − (Cl + HCO3). Therefore in this patient, the calculated value is 20 mmol/L. The normal anion gap is between 8-16 mmol/l. The excessive value here reflects the presence of other acidic anions, and in this case with the metabolic acidosis, the constituents may be lactate, etc.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Renal
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Question 7
Correct
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A 55 year old man experiences sudden loss of vision preceded by the perception of something he describes as jagged lines or 'heat waves'. He's known to be myopic. What is the best treatment?
Your Answer: Scleral buckling
Explanation:The clinical picture is characteristic of retinal detachment, which should be treated immediately to prevent permanent loss of vision. Scleral buckling is a surgical procedure used to repair a retinal detachment, where the surgeon attaches a piece of silicone or a sponge onto the white of the eye at the spot of a retinal tear pushing the sclera toward the retinal tear or break, promoting repair. Signs of detachment include an increase in the number of eye floaters, flashes of light in the field of vision, and reduced peripheral vision.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Ophthalmology
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Question 8
Incorrect
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An 86 year old woman accidentally inhaled her hearing aid due to her advanced Alzheimer's dementia. Upon clinical examination, her respiratory rate is found to be 35, and thus a bronchoscopy is recommended. According to which of the following would you obtain consent for this patient?
Your Answer: Relatives/next of kin will have to consent for the patient
Correct Answer: The procedure does not require a written consent
Explanation:This is an emergency case regarding a patient with impaired cognitive functioning. This is why the procedure does not require a written consent. In any other case where the patient has a normal mental capacity, the consent would be obtained as an informed written consent. In this case however, the suggested procedure is almost a matter of life and death, the doctor being required to act on behalf of the patient to her optimal advantage. Under English law no other person can consent to treatment on behalf of an adult, though it is desirable that next of kin are consulted before treating an adult without consent. Recent legislation gives legal authority to people appointed by the patient, or by the state, or a relative or carer, to consent (or refuse) on behalf of the patient. A mini-mental score may not adequately identify those unable to give consent.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Older Adult
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Question 9
Correct
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A 29 year old soldier who returned from the army recently, presented with problems with sleep and concentration. He was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Which of the following is the best treatment option for him?
Your Answer: Narrative exposure therapy + paroxetine
Explanation:The main treatments for people with PTSD are psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of the two. Cognitive behavioural therapy is the main psychotherapy method. It mainly includes exposure therapy and cognitive restructuring. The pharmacological management mainly consists of SSRI. So the most appropriate answer is narrative exposure therapy + paroxetine.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Mental Health
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Question 10
Incorrect
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A 34-year-old woman presented to you with low mood, anhedonia and loss of weight. She refuses to eat or drink and believes that she does not deserve to live. What is the most appropriate treatment?
Your Answer: Fluoxetine
Correct Answer: ECT
Explanation:The lady is having a serious level of postpartum depression associated with violent thoughts that require immediate intervention. ECT shows good results in these cases. It is done under general anaesthesia but its mechanism of action is not quite understood.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Mental Health
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Question 11
Correct
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A 19 year old female presented with irregular menstrual cycles for 4 months. On examination her weight was 85 kg and height was 145 cm. She was not on any medications. Which of the following is the most appropriate investigation to arrive at a diagnosis?
Your Answer: Pelvic ultrasound
Explanation:Oligomenorrhoea and BMI of 40.4 is suggestive of Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). To diagnose PCOS 2 out of following 3 criteria should be present : oligo/anovulation, hyperandrogenism, clinical (hirsutism or less commonly male pattern alopecia) or biochemical (raised FAI or free testosterone) and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Genitourinary
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Question 12
Correct
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An 85 year old elderly male presents with complaint of worsening breathlessness over the last 2 years. He has a longstanding history of COPD and currently takes salbutamol, ipratropium, salmeterol, beclomethasone and theophylline. FEV1 comes out to be less than 30%. What will be the most suitable next step in the management of this patient?
Your Answer: Assessment for long term O2 therapy
Explanation:Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is the cornerstone mode of treatment in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) associated with resting hypoxaemia. When appropriately prescribed and correctly used, LTOT has clearly been shown to improve survival in hypoxemic COPD patients. Requirements to proceed to LTOT is the patient should be stable and on appropriate optimum therapy (as in given case) and having stopped smoking tobacco. The patient should be shown to have a PaO2 of less than 7.3 kPa and/or a PaCO2 of greater than 6 kPa on two occasions at least 3 weeks apart. FEV1 should be less than 1.5 litres, and there should be a less than 15% improvement in FEV1 after bronchodilators. Patients with a PaO2 between 7.3 and 8 kPa who have polycythaemia, right heart failure or pulmonary hypertension may benefit from LTOT.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory
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Question 13
Correct
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A 32 year old man notices a pruritic scaly annular rash on his thigh. He claims that the rash appeared after a walk in the park. Which drug would you suggest he starts?
Your Answer: Doxycycline
Explanation:The clinical picture of an itchy, scaly annular rash after a walk in the park suggests erythema migrans. The pathogen responsible is a spirochete, Borrelia Burgdorferi transmitted by ticks leading to Lyme disease. Doxycycline is the antibiotic of choice if no contraindications.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Infectious Diseases
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Question 14
Correct
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A 24 year old patient known with alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency is expecting her first child. She is concerned whether her child will be affected or not. What is the pattern of inheritance of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency?
Your Answer: Autosomal recessive
Explanation:Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is inherited in an autosomal codominant pattern, meaning that one defective allele tends to result in milder disease than two defective alleles.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory
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Question 15
Correct
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A 67 year old female with end-stage renal failure, presented to her doctor with confusion and a flapping tremor. She has not travelled abroad, has not changed her medication, and does not consume alcohol. Which of the following options would explain her symptoms?
Your Answer: Uraemic encephalopathy
Explanation:Uremic encephalopathy is most often associated with a flapping tremor (as observed in this patient) due to the accumulation of urea. A similar kind of ‘flap’ can be observed in decompensated liver disease due to high levels of ammonia, too.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Renal
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Question 16
Incorrect
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A 28-year-old male is complaining about sore feet and lower back pain. He says it feels like walking on gravel. He also mentioned have some urethral discharge that he had not received any treatment for. He had a holiday in Morocco recently. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Gonococcal arthritis
Correct Answer: Sjogren's Syndrome
Explanation:This is a case of Sjogren Syndrome (aka Reiter’s disease). It is characterised by a triad of: seronegative arthritis mostly sacroiliitis (walking on gravel reflects planter fasciitis), urethritis and conjunctivitis. Sjogren Syndrome usually follows gastroenteritis or non specific urethritis. On the other hand gonococcal arthritis usually occurs in patients who are systemically unwell.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Musculoskeletal
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Question 17
Correct
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Select the correct statement regarding portal hypertension.
Your Answer: The total vascular resistance of the hepatic sinusoids is increased.
Explanation:Portal hypertension is increased blood pressure within the portal venous system. This happens mainly due to liver damage which increases the vascular resistance of hepatic sinusoids by interfering with the normal blood flow. Portal blood pressure increases and flow through the liver decreases. Normal portal venous pressure is between 5-10 mmHg and in portal hypertension it’s usually more than 10 mmHg. This high pressure can cause accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity known as ascites. To overcome the pressure, the portal vein starts to drain blood to systemic circulation via porto-systemic shunts. The connection between the portal vein and inferior vena cava is known as the porto caval shunt. Due to damaged hepatocytes, detoxification of substances absorbed in the intestine is impaired and the former shunt mixes non-detoxified blood with the systemic circulation. These toxic substances may affect neurons causing hepatic encephalopathy which is a major complication of portal hypertension.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Hepatobiliary
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Question 18
Correct
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A 50-year-old heavy drinker is brought to the A&E in a drowsy state. He is responding to questions however on examination he has nystagmus and hyper-reflexia. His MCV is 103fL.What is the most likely cause for his cognitive impairment?
Your Answer: B1 Deficiency
Explanation:Thiamine deficiency is very common with alcoholism. It manifests by Wernicke-Korsakoff encephalopathy. The patient is usually agitated, with an abnormal gait and amnesia.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
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Question 19
Incorrect
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A child presents with hypothyroidism. Which of the following features is characteristic of hypothyroidism?
Your Answer: Un-descended testis
Correct Answer: Prolonged neonatal jaundice
Explanation:Congenital hypothyroidism is one of the most important diseases of the new-born, which may lead to mental and physical retardation when treatment is delayed or an appropriate dosage of thyroxine is not administered. The most alarming and earliest sign is jaundice, especially when it is prolonged, during the neonatal period.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Mental Health
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Question 20
Correct
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A 37 year old male fell whilst walking home and landed on his outstretched hand. He is now complaining of pain in his right arm. X-rays were conducted and indicate a fracture of the radial head. Choose the most commonly associated nerve injury from the list of options.
Your Answer: Radial nerve
Explanation:There will be a radial nerve injury due to finger drop with both sensation intact and a normal wrist.
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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 10-month-old boy is brought to clinic. His parents are concerned because two days ago, he met another child with mumps. Which is the most appropriate strategy for this child?
Your Answer: He should receive MMR plus mumps immunoglobulin now
Correct Answer: Do nothing now but give MMR at the appropriate age
Explanation:Immunity against mumps develops over a long time. There is nothing to be done except to proceed with the usual vaccination schedule.
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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 54 year old female has complained of a sudden and severe pain on the left side of her skull. She is also experiencing pain in and around her jaw. What is the most appropriate next step in her treatment?
Your Answer: Temporal artery biopsy
Correct Answer: ESR
Explanation:A diagnosis of giant cell arteritis or temporal arteritis is likely here as many points favour it. She is over 50 years old, is female, has severe pain in the left half of her skull, and is complaining of pain around the jaw (jaw claudication).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Seriously Ill
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Question 23
Correct
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A 14-year-old uncontrolled asthmatic started on a steroid inhaler. Which of the following is the most common adverse effect he might complain about?
Your Answer: Dysphonia
Explanation:Usage of inhaled corticosteroids are less associated with systemic adverse effects. However they are associated with local complications including dental caries and most commonly dysphonia.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory
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Question 24
Correct
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A 23 year old male has complained of pain when swallowing and dysphagia. He has a sore mouth and soreness in the corners of his mouth. From the list of options, what is the single most likely diagnosis for this patient?
Your Answer: Candida infection
Explanation:The symptoms could indicate CMV or Candida infections, but CMV is much less common.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- ENT
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Question 25
Correct
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A 15-year-old boy complains of fever, headache, and neck stiffness. On examination, Kernig's and Brudzinski's signs were positive. In the meantime, while awaiting the results from blood culture, how will you manage this patient?
Your Answer: Cefotaxime
Explanation:Positive Kernig’s and Brudzinski’s signs may indicate meningitis. While awaiting blood culture results, a broad-spectrum antibiotic such as Cefotaxime (a third generation cephalosporin) is preferred over the other medications listed.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 26
Correct
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A 28-year-old male is involved in a motorcycle accident. He sustained a direct blow to his lower chest. His blood pressure is 83/48, HR 113 bpm. On examination, there are multiple bruises on the chest with bowel sounds heard on auscultation of his chest. The single most likely diagnosis is?
Your Answer: Diaphragmatic rupture
Explanation:Ruptured diaphragm is a serious condition that is very difficult to diagnose and requires rapid intervention. The presence of bowel sounds on chest auscultation is highly suggestive of this.
Ruptured oesophagus is excluded by the absence of haematemesis and normal intestinal sounds.
Fractured ribs could be life threatening if associated with a tension pneumothorax which is excluded by a normal chest auscultation.
Flail chest is characterised by paradoxical breathing and respiratory failure. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory
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Question 27
Incorrect
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Which of the following nail changes are present in ulcerative colitis?
Your Answer: Beau's lines
Correct Answer: Clubbing
Explanation:Clubbing of the fingers can be present in many clinical conditions like CLD, bronchiectasis, lung abscess, Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s Disease. Koilonychia or spoon shaped nails are a typical finding in iron deficiency anaemia. Splinter haemorrhages are pin point haemorrhages found in infective endocarditis and secondary to trauma. Yellow nails are present in pulmonary and renal diseases.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Dermatology
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Question 28
Correct
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A 30 year old female with schizophrenia has a poor compliance with oral drugs. Which of the following is the best long term management for her?
Your Answer: Depot (Risperidone)
Explanation:Antipsychotics in depot preparations are best for the long term management. Depot Risperidone is the suitable answer from the given answers.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Mental Health
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Question 29
Correct
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A 55 year old male presents to the emergency with acute onset breathlessness. He underwent a total hip replacement 7 days back. On examination, the JVP is raised. Which other investigation would be most helpful in leading to an accurate diagnosis?
Your Answer: CTPA
Explanation:The most pertinent diagnosis suspected in this case would be a pulmonary embolism considering the recent surgical history and acute onset of breathlessness. A CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) is a medical diagnostic test that employs computed tomography (CT) angiography to obtain an image of the pulmonary arteries. Its main use is to diagnose pulmonary embolism (PE).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Mental Health
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Question 30
Correct
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A 43 year old female had a cervical smear test. The results came back showing only normal findings. What is the most appropriate management for this patient?
Your Answer: Repeat cervical smear in three years
Explanation:Screening for cervical carcinoma helps to prevent the development of the disease. According to NICE, the screening interval using liquid-based cytology (as opposed to PAP) is 3 years for women less than 50 years old and 5 years for women over 50 years old. If a smear test is conducted and it shows no endocervical cells then it should be conducted again.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Genitourinary
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
