November Mock Flashcards
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- Stroke: Medical and laboratory sciences (Pathology) The most commonly affected artery territory for a cerebral infarction, is the middle cerebral artery (MCA). MCA strokes typically present with contralateral hemiparesis and hemisensory loss, along with hemianopia, as seen in this case. Speech can also be affected if the dominant hemisphere is involved. Source: https://radiopaedia.org/articles/middle-cerebral-artery-mca-infarct?lang=gb
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- Amyloidosis: Diagnosis Common diagnostic factors of amyloidosis are the presence of risk factors (inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis) with lower extremity oedema. Nephrotic syndrome with proteinuria can also occur, as observed in this question. Whilst peripheral oedema can be caused by heart failure, the normal echocardiogram makes this option unlikely. The patient has no symptoms suggesting diabetes and the proteinuria isn’t consistent with lymphedema. Whilst glomerulonephritis can cause peripheral oedema, it would typically present with haematuria, rather than proteinuria. Source: https://patient.info/doctor/amyloidosis-pro
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- Pancreatitis: Medical and laboratory sciences (Aetiology) Around three quarters of cases of pancreatitis are caused by either gallstones or alcohol misuse. As this patient has no alcohol intake, gallstones are therefore the most likely cause of their pancreatitis. Gallstones cause pancreatitis by obstructing the pancreatic duct, which stimulates a local inflammatory response. Source: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/pancreatitis-acute/background-information/causes-riskfactors/
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- Anaemia: Diagnosis Iron deficiency anaemia can present with a range of symptoms and signs, but typically patients present with fatigue and dyspnoea. As koilonychia (spoon shaped nails) is associated with iron deficiency anaemia, this makes the diagnosis even more likely in this case. The other possible answers would be unlikely to present with this combination of signs and symptoms. Source: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anaemia-iron-deficiency/diagnosis/signs-symptoms/
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- Coeliac disease: Management (Complications) Dermatitis herpetiformis is an autoimmune vesicular skin condition, strongly associated to coeliac disease. It characteristically affects extensor surfaces, as appears in this question. The other answer options are not as closely linked to coeliac disease. Source: https://patient.info/doctor/coeliac-disease-pro
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- Neurofibromatosis: Medical and laboratory sciences (Epidemiology) This patient appears to have neurofibromatosis type 1, with multiple light brown skin spots (café au lait spots). Neurofibromatosis is an autosomal-dominant genetic disorder. Source: https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/engb/410?q=Neurofibromatosis%20type%201&c=suggested
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- Infectious mononucleosis: Diagnosis Infectious mononucleosis, caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, is most common between 15-24 years (as in this case). It typically presents with a fever, sore throat, enlarged tonsils with exudate, lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. Whilst diphtheria can cause a fever and grey coating at the back of the throat, it is much less common than infectious mononucleosis. Tonsillitis would cause the sore throat and inflamed tonsils but not the splenomegaly, which occurs in this case. Measles is typically accompanied by a runny nose and widespread rash. Malaria would normally have a history of recent travel, rigors and headache/ vomiting/ diarrhoea. Source: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/glandular-fever-infectious-mononucleosis/diagnosis/when-tosuspect-glandular-fever/
8
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- Peripheral vascular disease: Diagnosis The patient has clear risk factors for vascular disease. He is elderly and male, with a history of hypertension, smoking, and a previous TIA. Classical features of intermittent claudication include cramp-like pain in a muscle group after walking a predictable distance, which is relieved by rest but then brought on by walking the same distance again. Symptoms usually occur in distal extremities prior to proximal muscles, so the calves are more commonly affected than the thighs or buttocks. Source: Features of intermittent claudication and critical limb ischaemia | Diagnosis | Peripheral arterial disease | CKS | NICE
9
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- Reactive arthritis: Diagnosis Reactive arthritis typically presents with oligoarthritis, a urinary tract infection and uveitis, all of which are present in this case. Reactive arthritis commonly affects young males and typically symptoms develop 2-4 weeks after a genitourinary or gastrointestinal infection (suggested by the history of dysuria and diarrhoea in this case). Similarly, mucus membranes can also be affected, as in this case. Source: https://patient.info/doctor/reactive-arthritis-pro
Because common systems involved include the eye, the urinary system, and the hands and feet, one clinical mnemonic in reactive arthritis is “Can’t see, can’t pee, can’t climb a tree.”
10
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- Pancreatitis: Diagnosis The history of epigastric pain radiating to the back, in a patient with a history if alcohol excess, is indicative of pancreatitis. This is further confirmed by the raised amylase (typically greater than 3 times the normal value) and raised bilirubin and serum aminotransferases. Whilst PUD and gastritis cause epigastric pain, the blood results are not in-keeping with these diagnoses. Likewise, cholecystitis and hepatitis would commonly present instead with right upper quadrant pain. Source: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/pancreatitis-acute/diagnosis/when-to-suspect-acutepancreatitis/
11
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- UTI: Medical and laboratory sciences (Microbiology) This patient has the symptoms and investigation results of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Escherichia Coli is the most common cause of UTIs in the UK. Source: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/urinary-tract-infection-lower-women/backgroundinformation/causes/
12
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- Asthma: Management Nice CKS recommend offering a leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA), in patients whose asthma is poorly controlled on their current inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and short-acting beta agonist (SABA). NICE define ‘good control’ as patients having ‘little need for use of a SABA’. Using a SABA inhaler 5 times per week would not be defined as well controlled. NICE also recommends checking a patient’s inhaler technique before adjusting their medications, but we are told this patients technique is good, we can adjust their medications as needed. Source: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/asthma/management/newly-diagnosed-asthma/
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- Jaundice: Diagnosis (Investigation) This patient has signs and symptoms suggestive of pancreatic cancer (Nausea and weight loss in someone aged > 60 years). In this case the tumour is likely in the head/ neck of the pancreas, due to the presentation with obstructive jaundice and raised bilirubin/ ALP. NICE CKS recommend that if pancreatic cancer is suspected, an urgent CT scan should be arranged (within 2 weeks). They advise that an USS should only be done if an urgent CT is not possible. An ERCP or MRCP may be done later to further investigate the cancer but would not be first line. Source: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/gastrointestinal-tract-upper-cancers-recognitionreferral/diagnosis/symptoms-suggestive-of-gastrointestinal-tract-upper-cancers/
14
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- Multiple myeloma: Diagnosis The history of malaise and weight loss with symptoms of hypercalcaemia (abdominal pain, bone pain, constipation and polyuria) are very suggestive of a diagnosis of multiple myeloma. The blood results showing hypercalcaemia and renal impairment help confirm the diagnosis. In chronic kidney disease, the phosphate is typically high and in primary hyperparathyroidism the PTH would be high. Prostate cancer would usually instead cause obstructive urinary symptoms. Source: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/multiple-myeloma/diagnosis/when-should-i-suspect-multiplemyeloma/
Remember Multiple Myeloma: Old CRAB
OLD: >65years
C: Calcium elevated
R: Renal failure
A: Anaemia and AL amyloidosis
B: Bone pain and lytic bone lesions
15
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- Mitral regurgitation: Diagnosis Mitral regurgitation typically reveals a pansystolic murmur on auscultation. Source: https://patient.info/doctor/mitral-regurgitation-pro
16
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- Osteoporosis: Diagnosis (Investigations) NICE CKS recommends offering patients a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan, to measure patient’s bone mineral density and investigate for osteoporosis. Whilst vitamin D and calcium would likely also be done if assessing a patient for fragility fracture risk, they are not diagnostic for osteoporosis. Source: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/osteoporosis-prevention-of-fragilityfractures/management/assessment/
17
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- STEMI: Medical and laboratory sciences (Pathophysiology) ST elevation in leads II, III and aVF on ECG, demonstrates an inferior MI. The most common site of occlusion for an inferior STEMI, is the right coronary artery (in around 80% cases). Source: https://litfl.com/inferior-stemi-ecg-library/
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- Dyspepsia: Diagnosis (Investigations) NICE recommends referring patients of any age with dysphagia, or those aged >55 years with weight loss and either abdominal pain, reflux or dyspepsia for an urgent endoscopy (OGD) to investigate for oesophageal or gastric cancer. This patient fits the second referral criteria, being 60 years old with dyspepsia, weight loss, fatigue and anaemia, therefore requires an OGD within 2 weeks. None of the other options would be appropriate. Source: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/gastrointestinal-tract-upper-cancers-recognition-referral/
19
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- Migraine: Diagnosis The history of an aura (zig-zagging and flashing lights) followed by a headache, with associated nausea and vomiting is classic of a migraine. The aura and visual disturbance would not occur with a tension headache, and whilst flashes and floaters can occur with retinal detachment, there would be progressive and persistent visual changes. The presentation does not fit with acute glaucoma (intense eye pain and blurred vision) and whilst migraines have similar symptoms to occipital lobe epilepsy, the latter is much rarer. Source: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/migraine/diagnosis/diagnosis/
20
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- Pericarditis: Investigation Chest pain relieved by leaning forwards and a pleural rub on auscultation, on the background of a recent viral infection, is consistent with a diagnosis of pericarditis. A saddle-shaped ST elevation is the most classical ECG finding in pericarditis. Source: https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/243/investigations#firstOrder