Past paper questions Flashcards
(158 cards)
Which of the following is NOT a potential cause of obstructive renal impairment? A Benign prostatic hypertrophy B Recurrent kidney stones C Retroperitoneal fibrosis D Schistosomiasis E Systemic sclerosis
Benign prostatic hypertrophy can cause urinary retention and increased pressure in the urinary outflow tract,
Fibrosis or ureter by recurrent kidney stones = obstruction.
Schistosomiasis granulomas forming around the eggs of schistosomes = obstruction.
Systemic sclerosis [condition affecting small blood vessels] leads to
fibrinoid thickening of the afferent arterioles, leading to reduced renal perfusion and thus renal impairment [ckd], but it does not cause an obstructive uropathy.
A 60-year-old man who works for an oil company presents with a lesion
on the temple that is bothering him as it is growing. It bled once when he
knocked it. On examination, the lesion is 8 mm in diameter and is a flat,
mildly erythematous patch with a few scales and a larger keratotic horn
in the centre. There are no other lesions on inspection of his skin and no
personal or family history of skin cancer.
Which of the following is the most appropriate management plan? A Cryotherapy B Curettage C Excisional biopsy D Topical 5-fl uorouracil E Wide local excision
This lesion appears to be an actinic keratosis - Not at everted edges and well differentiated so unlikely to be SCC.
Treatment of isolated small lesions is by cryotherapy.
It has no concerning features to suggest that excision.
Which of the following best describes the MRI findings in multiple sclerosis?
A Cortical grey matter inflammatory lesions
B Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (more than three spinal
segments)
C Periventricular white matter lesions matching the clinical picture
D Periventricular white matter lesions not necessarily matching the clinical
picture
E White matter lesions exclusively in the cerebellum and brainstem
D Periventricular white matter lesions not necessarily matching the clinical picture.
This is because the central nervous system (CNS) inflammation does not
always cause demyelination or axonal damage of clinical significance, and
the CNS can recover from these foci of inflammation.
Which of the following is not a preventable risk factor for coronary artery
disease?
A Five cigarettes per day smoking history
B High low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels
C Hypertension
D Obesity
E 12 U/week alcohol history
12 U/week alcohol history
Low alcohol intake can reduce the risk.
A 55-year-old overweight pub landlord presents with a several-year history
of episodic acute painful joint swelling that started in his left big toe and
now affects his knees. Symptoms improve with use of diclofenac. Gout was
diagnosed on his first hospital visit, however this now appears recurrent.
He developed an acute attack in his left knee 2 days ago.
Which of the following represents the best plan for prophylaxis?
A Keep on long-term diclofenac with gastric protection
B Start allopurinol now with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs) cover and increase until his urate is below 300 mmol/L
C Start allopurinol at least 2 weeks after the acute attack has settled with
NSAID cover and increase until his urate level is below 300 mmol/L
D Switch to long-term colchicine
E Switch to use of depot steroid injections
C Start allopurinol at least 2 weeks after the acute attack has settled with
NSAID cover and increase until his urate level is below 300 mmol/L.
Allopurinol can precipitate acute attacks so wait 2-4 weeks.
In which of the following circumstances should angiotensin-converting
enzyme (ACE) inhibitors be avoided where possible?
A Glomerulonephritis
B Lupus nephritis
C Renal artery stenosis
D Systemic sclerosis with renal involvement
E All of the above
Renal artery stenosis
Glomerulonephritis and lupus nephritis AND SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS ACEI = renoprotection.
[43]Tetralogy of Fallot
An anxious mum has read on the internet about tetralogy of Fallot as she is
convinced her little boy may have it.
Which of the following does not fit the diagnosis?
A Her child is small for his age
B Her child is cyanotic
C His pulse exhibits a radio-femoral delay
D Her child exhibits a loud systolic murmur
E Her child can relive symptoms just by squatting
C His pulse exhibits a radio-femoral delay
Radio-femoral delay is a symptom of coarctation of the aorta, when the
coarctation (narrowing) occurs between the left subclavian artery and the aortic bifurcation.
Tetralogy of Fallot has four defining malformations:
1. Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
2. Pulmonary stenosis that turns the VSD into a right–left shunt, causing
cyanosis;
[acute attacks (due to increases in pulmonary vascular resistance)
can be managed by squatting, which raises peripheral vascular resistance
and therefore reduces the right–left shunt
3. Right ventricular hypertrophy
4. Overriding aorta, i.e. the aorta is connected to both ventricles and in this
sense acts like a second VSD, above which it sits
[44]Investigation of dysphagia
A 45-year-old man presents with intermittent difficulty in swallowing
for the last 4 months. This is associated with severe retrosternal pain and
regurgitation. He has no risk factors or sinister signs for malignancy.
What is the most important investigation in this case?
A Barium swallow
B Chest X-ray
C CT of the chest
D Endoscopy
E Iron studies
A - Achalsia - barium swallow is dx but
Dysphagia lasting more than 3 weeks, however, always warrants an endoscopy to exclude a malignant stricture.
[45] A 55-year-old Asian man with known thalassaemia trait registers with a new GP and is found to have a mild microcytic anaemia on routine testing. He does not complain of any symptoms. What is the most appropriate treatment? A Blood transfusion B Folate supplementation C Iron chelators D Iron supplementation E No treatment required
E
Individual Assymptomatic
A 72-year-old man is on warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Following a recent
chest infection his international normalised ratio (INR) rockets up to 5.2.
What was the most likely cause for this?
A Codeine phosphate
B Erythromycin
C Inappropriate high doses of warfarin
D International normalised ratio (INR) increased in concomitant infection
E Steroid inhalers
Erythromycin [potentiates the action of warfrin]
There is an interaction here with the antibiotics this woman is taking which has resulting in enhanced anticoagulation effects of warfarin
Cepahalosporins, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, clarithryomycin, erythromycin and metronidazole are all examples which increase the effect of warfarin.
Any P450 inducer will have this effect as warfarin is a drug metabolised by cytochrome P450 enzymes. Antibiotics can also upset the gut flora which reduces vitamin K levels. [Remember that warfarin prevents the activation of vitamin K which is a cofactor in the synthesis of factors 2, 7, 9 and 10.]
Which of the following routine blood tests is most likely to indicate a cause
of an elderly patient’s acute confusional state?
A Calcium
B C-reactive protein (CRP)
C Liver function tests
D Sodium
E Urea
B- CRP
Infection = most common cause of acute confusional state in elderly.
Which of the following conditions is not associated with HLA-B27? A Crohn’s disease B Psoriasis C Scleritis D Ulcerative colitis E Uveitis
C Scleritis
HLA-B27 Conditions
PEAR
Psoriatic arthritis
Enteropathic arthritis [IBD related]
Ankylosing spomdylitis
Reactive arthritis
[6] A 70-year-old man presents to the emergency department with a cough
productive of blood-stained green sputum and shortness of breath. A chest
X-ray demonstrates a suspicious lesion in the right lower zone associated
with consolidation. On further questioning, he admits to recent weight loss
and back pain. Blood tests show:
Corrected Ca2+ [high]
PO4 0.33 mmol/L {low}
Alk Phos 450 mmol/L
Which of the following is NOT appropriate in the management of this
patient?
A Check patient’s urea and electrolyte level and serum calcium level twice
daily
B Consider starting intravenous bisphosphonate
C Consider starting loop diuretics
D Rehydration with intravenous normal saline
E Urgent isotope bone scan is uncecessary.
Urgent isotope bone scan is uncecessary.
PTH like peptide from squamous cell cancer.
Consider starting loop diuretics - can aid renal clearance.
Intravenous bisphosphonate (e.g. pamidronate) could cause a fall in calcium by causing bone reabsorption.
A 7-year-old boy presents with multiple erythematous patches, over both
sides of his face, head, neck, upper chest and left arm and shoulder, which
appear to be covered in a honey-coloured crust. His mother says that the
lesions have spread, over about a week, starting at the left neck and radiating
outwards. The child appears to be upset and the lesions are itchy. There is
no past medical history and no history of recent infections.
Which of the following diagnoses is most likely?
A Eczema
B Erysipelas
C Impetigo
D Psoriasis
E Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome
impetigo - a sup[erficial infection by Staph Aureus that spreads from an initial starting point.
[21]A 69-year-old man recently diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer
presents with weakness in his legs and urinary retention. He has had back
pain for years but in the last 24 hours this has become very severe in his
lower back. On examination he has a sensory deficit, loss of anal tone and
poor sensation in the skin around the anus. When catheterised he has a
residual volume of 1.5 L.
Which of the following is the most informative initial investigation?
A Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen/pelvis
B Lumbar X-rays
C Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar spine
D Serum calcium
E Ultrasound scan (USS) of the renal tract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar spine - spinal chord compression
[21]A 69-year-old man recently diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer
presents with weakness in his legs and urinary retention. He has had back
pain for years but in the last 24 hours this has become very severe in his
lower back. On examination he has a sensory deficit, loss of anal tone and
poor sensation in the skin around the anus. When catheterised he has a
residual volume of 1.5 L.
Which of the following is the most informative initial investigation?
A Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen/pelvis
B Lumbar X-rays
C Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar spine
D Serum calcium
E Ultrasound scan (USS) of the renal tract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar spine - spinal chord compression.
Spinal chord compression =
lower Back pain with bowel/bladder/motor and sesnory dysfunction
[UMN signs]
[23]A 76-year-old man presents with a vesicular eruption on the left side of his
forehead only. It is severely painful and the vesicles have started to crust
over. On examination, the area affected is well-demarcated. You also note a
red eye with apparent conjunctivitis.
Given the most likely diagnosis, which of the following treatments is the
most appropriate?
A Intravenous aciclovir
B Oral aciclovir
C Topical aciclovir
D Topical antibiotic
E Topical steroids
B Oral aciclovir
Shingles - can affect branches of trigeminal nerve.
Most commonly the ophthalmic, where
it can also cause conjunctivitis, keratitis or iridocyclitis [Zoster opthalmicus]
[27] A 56-year-old man with a long history of alcohol abuse presents to the
emergency department with abdominal pain. On examination he has a
distended abdomen with shifting dullness and has a temperature of 38.2°C.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A Bowel obstruction
B Liver cirrhosis
C Mallory–Weiss syndrome
D Perforated peptic ulcer
E Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP)
E Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP)
Patients with ascites are at risk of developing SBP, which usually presents
with severe generalised abdominal pain, worsening ascites, vomiting, fever
and rigors.
Intestinal luminal bacteria enter the circulation and colonise the ascitic fluid. SBP can lead to rapid decompensation of liver disease causing hepatic encephalopathy
and death.
The diagnosis of SBP is confirmed by paracentesis.
A 59-year-old woman with known polycythaemia vera presents to
the emergency department with right upper quadrant pain, tender
hepatomegaly and gross ascites, which has come on suddenly. There is no
jaundice.
What is the next most appropriate investigation?
A Cytomegalovirus (CMV) screen
B Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels
C Hepatitis serology
D Hepatic vein Doppler ultrasound scan (USS)
E Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing
Hepatic vein Doppler ultrasound scan (USS) -
Budd Chiari [sudden onset ascites, tender hepatomegaly + no jaundice due to blot clot obstructing hepatic portal vein - polycythaemia vera increased thrombosis risk in polycthaemia vera:
= stroke/heart attack/DVT/Budd-Chiari].
A 27-year-old man presents with a 3-month history of cough with
some blood streaking, loss of weight and night sweats. You suspect
tuberculosis.
Which of the following chest X-ray findings is not consistent with
tuberculosis?
A Cavitating lesion
B Consolidation of a lobe
C Diffuse 1–2 mm spots of increased opacity
D Perihilar ground-glass changes
E Pleural effusion
D Perihilar ground-glass changes [pulmonary fibrosis]
A 27-year-old man presents with a 3-month history of cough with
some blood streaking, loss of weight and night sweats. You suspect
tuberculosis.
Which of the following chest X-ray findings is not consistent with
tuberculosis?
A Cavitating lesion
B Consolidation of a lobe
C Diffuse 1–2 mm spots of increased opacity
D Perihilar ground-glass changes
E Pleural effusion
D Perihilar ground-glass changes [pulmonary fibrosis].
A 23-year-old man develops a urethral discharge and dysuria after a recent
change of sexual partner and urethral swabs are positive for Chlamydia.
Which of the following statements about antibiotic treatment is TRUE?
A His partners should be asked about symptoms and tested only if
symptomatic
B His partners should be tested for Chlamydia and treated only if positive
C His partners should be tested for Chlamydia and treated with antibiotics
regardless of outcome
D No antibiotic treatment is necessary provided he abstains from having
sexual intercourse for 2 weeks
E Only the patient who has presented needs antibiotic therapy
Common Sx of chlamydia = urethral discharge +
A 23-year-old man develops a urethral discharge and dysuria after a recent
change of sexual partner and urethral swabs are positive for Chlamydia.
Which of the following statements about antibiotic treatment is TRUE?
A His partners should be asked about symptoms and tested only if
symptomatic
B His partners should be tested for Chlamydia and treated only if positive
C His partners should be tested for Chlamydia and treated with antibiotics
regardless of outcome
D No antibiotic treatment is necessary provided he abstains from having
sexual intercourse for 2 weeks
E Only the patient who has presented needs antibiotic therapy
Common Sx of chlamydia = urethral discharge + dysuria [note same with ghonorrhoea - more discharge and yellow-green colour]
Pt can have absent Sx/mild sx that can resolve spontaneously - still be infectious so important to treat anyway [high likelihood].
RF - Epidymo-orchitis
Reactive arthritis
[Gonorrhoea = Rf for septic arthritis].
Which of the following is NOT a contraindication to renal transplantation?
A Active tuberculosis
B High-pressure urinary tract, e.g. posterior urethral valves
C Malignancy
D Severe arterial disease with stenosed iliac vessels
E Severe ischaemic heart disease with unstable angina and congestive
cardiac failure
Process of ellimination:
High-pressure urinary tract, e.g. posterior urethral valves
Active tuberculosis - Immunosuppression = disseminated TB.
Malignancy = Immunospuression worsen cancer/spread to transplant
Severe arterial disease with stenosed iliac vessels = Hypoperfucion = AKI.
Severe ischaemic heart disease with unstable angina and congestive
cardiac failure = Renal failure