Previous Benchmark MC Questions Flashcards
Drug X is highly protein bound. Your patient’s albumin has decreased acutely due to a septic process. You are concerned since hypoalbuminemia will generally increase the concentration of free/unbound Drug X and increase its volume of distribution (Vd). Which of the following concomitant changes might counter your concern?
a. Increasing free/unbound Drug X will decrease Drug X efficacy.
b. Your patient will lose muscle mass due to catabolism and decrease Vd.
c. An increase in inflammatory mediators/globulins will bind Drug X.
d. Increasing free/unbound Drug X will increase its metabolism and clearance
D
For effective analgesia, it is generally recommended to administer opioids parenterally. Which mechanism of the metabolism of opioids is this recommendation meant to avoid?
a. Metabolism by intestinal epithelial cells
b. First pass metabolism by the liver
c. Metabolism by phase II conjugation
d. Inhibition of cytochrome P450 mediated metabolism
B
Which of the following is a pharmacodynamic factor that explains drug tolerance?
a. Increased renal excretion
b. Increased production of cAMP
c. Decreased drug receptor affinity
d. Decreased drug absorption
C
In systemic inflammation, cytokines trigger coagulation through the binding of which coagulation factor?
a. Factor II
b. Factor VII
c. Factor VIII
d. Factor X
B
Activation of pattern recognition receptor, such as Toll Like Receptors, initiates signaling cascades through which transcription regulator?
a. Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NFkB)
b. Tissue Factor (TF)
c. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)
d. Complement activation
A
Ineffective cellular oxygen utilization is a contributing factor to the development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome by which mechanism?
a. Increased reactive oxygen species through upregulation of eNOS-generated nitric oxide.
b. Interlukin-1 can directly inhibit electron transport chain complexes III, IV and V.
c. Reactive oxygen species damage leads to release of cytochrome c into cytosol triggering apoptotic death.
d. Released mitochondrial DNA, acts as a PAMP, triggering cytokine generation via TLR-9.
C
You have a 40 kg septic patient with an albumin of 1.6 g/dL (16 g/L), and you desire to give a transfusion to raise their albumin to 2.5 g/dL (25 g/L). What is the albumin deficit in grams?
a. = 162 grams
b. = 324 grams
c. = 216 grams
d. = 120 grams
D
Albumin synthesis is under the influence of:
a. thyroxine.
b. insulin.
c. vasopressin.
d. epinephrine.
A
Hypoalbuminemia may potentiate the toxicity of which of the following medications?
a. theophylline
b. salicylates
c. diazepam
d. vancomycin
C
Glycine is a neurotransmitter with both excitatory and inhibitory effects in the central nervous system. Similar to GABA, glycine exerts inhibitory effects by increasing ______________ ion conductance.
a. calcium
b. sodium
c. chloride
d. potassium
C
Which of the following is the mechanism of action of levetiracetam?
a. Enhancement of responsiveness to the inhibitory postsynaptic effects of GABA.
b. Modulating voltage-gated calcium-dependent neurotransmitter release.
c. Inhibit neuronal voltage-dependent sodium and T-type calcium channels.
d. Hyperpolarization of the neuronal cell membrane via the chloride channel.
B
Which of the following statements is NOT a true statement regarding N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors?
a. Glutamate and aspartate are major agonists for the NMDA receptor.
b. Glycine is a co-agonists of NMDA receptors.
c. Activated NMDA channels permit the influx of Na+ and Ca2+ into the cell and K+ out.
d. At normal membrane potentials, the NMDA channels are blocked by extracellular Na+.
D
Increasing severity levels of critical illness can result in what changes to a patient’s volume of distribution. Which of the following statements is the most correct?
a. Increased volume of distribution, resulting in reduced antimicrobial exposure at their site of infection.
b. Decreased volume of distribution, resulting in reduced antimicrobial exposure at their site of infection.
c. Increased volume of distribution, resulting in increased antimicrobial exposure at their site of infection.
d. Decreased volume of distribution, resulting in increased antimicrobial exposure at their site of infection
A
Multi-drug resistance is present when bacteria are resistant to:
a. 1 agent in > 2 separate antimicrobial categories.
b. 1 agent in ≥ 3 separate antimicrobial categories.
c. 3 agents in > 2 separate antimicrobial categories.
d. 3 agents in > 3 separate antimicrobial categories.
B
With concentration-dependent antimicrobials, it has been demonstrated that maximal bacterial killing is achieved when antimicrobial concentrations are maintained at _________ the MIC of the infecting pathogen.
a. 1 - 2 times b. 2 - 4 times c. 4 – 6 times d. 8 - 10 times
D
What is the corticosteroid of choice for critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency?
a. Dexamethasone
b. Fludrocortisone
c. Hydrocortisone
d. Prednisone
C
Under which conditions are corticosteroids recommended in septic shock, by the Surviving Sepsis Campaign International Guidelines published in 2016?
a. Fluid-loaded, vasopressor resistant
b. Severe vasculitis, non-vasopressor dependent
c. Extra-pulmonary sepsis, vasopressor dependent
d. Post fluid resuscitation, prior to use of albumin
A
Which of the following can cause a Type A hyperlactatemia?
a. Hyperthyroidism
b. Muscle tremors
c. Thiamine deficiency
d. Malignancy
B
According to the Stewart approach to acid-base analysis, the following were identified as determinants of acid-base balance:
a. PCO2, HCO3-, and ATOT
b. PCO2, SID, and ATOT
c. SID, HCO3-, and ATOT
d. PCO2, SID, and pH
B
The formula for calculating free water loss in a patient is: Free water deficit = ([Na+]p ÷ normal [Na+]p] – 1) x (0.6 x BWkg). What does the “0.6” in bold represent?
a. Intracellular water
b. Plasma volume
c. Total body water
d. Interstitial water
C
- The duration of local anesthetic action is primarily determined by:
a. Lipid solubility
b. Protein binding
c. High pKa
d. Low pKa
B
The potency of local anesthetics is primarily determined by:
a. Lipid solubility
b. Protein binding
c. High pKa
d. Low pKa
A
Local anesthetics act by binding reversibly to a target receptor in the voltage-gated _____________ channel of nerves, preventing the conduction of the action potential in any nerve fiber.
a. potassium
b. sodium
c. calcium
d. chloride
B
Toxic epidermal necrolysis has been associated with the administration of the following medication:
a. Phenobarbital
b. Morphine
c. Cyclosporine
d. Clindamycin
A
Which of the following is most likely to help prevent infection in the initial management of an accidental traumatic wound?
a. Irrigation of the wound using 0.5% chlorhexidine solution
b. Use of topical antibiotic ointment
c. Application of a cleansing dressing
d. Removal of contamination using tap water
D
Using the Rule of Nines’s, calculate the total body surface area for an animal who has sustained burns to both forelimbs, the head and neck, and thorax.
a. 18%
b. 27%
c. 36%
d. 45%
D
Vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency can lead to a maturation failure of erythropoiesis because they are required:
a. for the development of thymidine triphosphosphate, a component of DNA.
b. to deliver transferrin to the red blood cell mitochondria where heme is synthesized.
c. to prevent oxidative injury to the intracellular proteins of red blood cells.
d. for metabolizing glucose and forming small amounts of adenosine triphosphate.
A
Growth and reproduction of hematopoietic stem cells is under the influence of _______________ produced by marrow stromal cells?
a. Tumor necrosis factor – alpha
b. Interleukin-2
c. Interleukin-3
d. Interleukin-6
C
Glycosides exert their cardiotoxic effects via which primary mechanism?
a. Agonism of voltage-gated Na+ ion channel receptors, causing persistent depolarization
b. Inhibition of Na+/K+-ATPase pumps on myocardial cell membranes
c. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase causing overstimulation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors
d. Inhibition of cytochrome oxidase, causing cellular hypoxia
B
What electrolyte abnormality may be seen following administration of digoxin-specific antibody fragments for the treatment of digoxin or oleander toxicity?
a. Hypercalcemia
b. Hypocalcemia
c. Hyperkalemia
d. Hypokalemia
D
An experimental study evaluating the likelihood of first responder contamination with an inert powder while treating dogs with simulated opioid overdose found which of the following?
a. Intranasal naloxone administration was associated with a higher risk of first responder contamination than intramuscular naloxone.
b. A surgical gown, face mask and gloves were sufficient to prevent possible human exposure.
c. Intramuscular naloxone administration was not associated with a risk of first responder contamination.
d. Intranasal naloxone administration was associated with an increased risk of the first responder being bitten.
A
A retrospective study conducted in 2021 and published in the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care examined the cases of 125 dogs with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) overdose and reported which variable as having been significantly associated with death or euthanasia?
a. Ingestion of human-formulated NSAIDs
b. Maximum dose of NSAIDs ingested
c. Presence of both vomiting and diarrhea
d. Duration of anorexia prior to admission
D
Brown et al. published a study in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2015 evaluating fractional excretion of electrolytes during hospitalization in dogs with acute kidney injury. Which of the following changes observed over 7 days were significantly associated with 30-day survival?
a. Increased fractional excretion of sodium
b. Decreased fractional excretion of sodium
c. Increased fractional excretion of potassium
d. Decreased fractional excretion of potassium
B
- Costa et al. published a randomized controlled clinical study in the American Journal of Veterinary Research in 2021 to assess the frequency of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in dogs undergoing general anesthesia after hydromorphone premedication with or without acepromazine or dexmedetomidine. Which of the following drugs were significantly associated with less frequent GER?
a. Hydromorphone and dexmedetomidine
b. Hydromorphone and acepromazine
c. Only hydromorphone
d. No significant difference between these drug combinations
A
Which one of the following is the equation for pulmonary vascular resistance?
a. (Mean arterial pressure – right atrial pressure)/Cardiac output
b. (Mean pulmonary arterial pressure – left atrial pressure)/Cardiac output
c. (Mean pulmonary arterial pressure – right atrial pressure)/Cardiac output
d. (Mean arterial pressure – left atrial pressure)/Cardiac output
B
Which one of the following is responsible for increase in pulmonary arterial pressure?
a. Nitric oxide
b. Prostacyclin
c. Endothelin
d. Atrial natriuretic peptide
C
Which of the following is the mechanism for developing pulmonary vasodilation in response to nitric oxide?
a. Nitric oxide increases cGMP concentration
b. Nitric oxide decreases cGMP concentration
c. Nitric oxide increases cAMP concentration
d. Nitric oxide decreases cAMP concentration
A
Your patient has a urethral obstruction with severe hyperkalemia. You elect to start calcium gluconate for cardioprotection. What is the mechanism by which calcium gluconate can exert this cardioprotective effect?
a. Decreases the resting membrane potential.
b. Decreases the threshold membrane potential.
c. Increases the resting membrane potential.
d. Increases the threshold membrane potential.
D
A young patient presents with acute abdominal pain and distention. Peritoneal effusion is diagnosed, and serosanguinous fluid is collected. Testing is performed on the fluid, and a diagnosis of uroperitoneum is reached due to
a. effusion BUN > 1.5 x blood BUN.
b. effusion creatinine > 2.0 x blood creatinine.
c. effusion potassium > 3.0 x blood potassium.
d. effusion lactate > 2.0 x blood lactate.
B
The following hormone or autocoid is responsible for constricting afferent and efferent arterioles resulting in a reduction of GFR and renal blood flow:
a. Angiotensinogen
b. Endothelial derived nitric oxide
c. Epinephrine
d. Prostaglandins
C
Binding of ______________ to the platelet surface results in the generation of a procoagulant membrane surface and release of platelet granules.
a. thrombin
b. tissue factor
c. microparticles
d. collagen
A
Although there are several factors that have been linked to acute traumatic coagulopathy (ATC), only _________________________ has been globally accepted as a cause of ATC.
a. systemic inflammation
b. hypothermia
c. ongoing tissue hypoperfusion
d. hemodilution
C
Thrombin limits the advancement of hemostatic plugs into normal vascular endothelium by:
a. inactivating thrombomodulin that is bound to endothelial cells.
b. activating protein S when it is complexed with thrombomodulin.
c. thrombin-thrombomodulin activation of TAFI.
d. activating protein C which upregulates FVa and FVIIIa activity.
C
According the 2019 CURATIVE guidelines published in the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, which of the following patients are at high risk for thrombosis?
a. A dog with severe pancreatitis
b. A cat receiving steroid therapy
c. A dog with adrenal gland carcinoma
d. A cat with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
D
Which of the following drug options are preferred choices for prevention of thrombosis in dogs and cats based on the 2019 CURATIVE guidelines published in the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care?
a. Direct Xa inhibitors and low molecular weight heparin
b. Unfractionated heparin and direct Xa inhibitors
c. Warfarin and low molecular weight heparin
d. Direct Xa inhibitors and warfarin
A
Based on the 2019 CURATIVE guidelines in the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, which anticoagulant should be monitored using anti-Xa levels?
a. Rivaroxiban
b. Unfractionated heparin
c. Low molecular weight heparin
d. Warfarin
B
Which cells are thought to be responsible for generating slow, undulating changes in resting membrane potential in the gastrointestinal tract, also known as “slow waves”?
a. Oxyntic cells
b. Interstitial cells of Cajal
c. Ganglion cells
d. Enterochromaffin-like cells
B
An animal is intubated while undergoing mechanical ventilation and has decreased saliva production. Reduced amounts of which components of saliva predisposes the animal to oral ulceration despite frequent oral rinses?
a. Thiocyanate ions, proteolytic enzymes, and antibodies
b. HCO3-, ptyalin, mucin, and glycoproteins
c. Potassium ions, alpha-amylase, and water
d. Chloride ions, neutrophils, and ferritin
A
By what mechanism may NSAIDs induce gastric ulceration?
a. Increased prostaglandin concentrations
b. Local hyperoxia causing increased free radical production
c. Reduce production of bicarbonate-rich mucous secretions
d. Increased formation of nitric oxide
C
Transport of CO2 in the blood is enhanced
a. due to carbonic anhydrase in red blood cells converting CO2 to HCO3-.
b. when hemoglobin is oxidized allowing more CO2 to bind as carbaminohemoglobin.
c. due to the affinity of CO2 for deoxygenated hemoglobin created by the Bohr effect.
d. when the dissolved fraction carried in the bloodstream increases to 30%.
A
Which of the following accurately characterizes the 5 normal phases of a capnograph?
a. No carbon dioxide should be measured at Phase II.
b. The steep incline in Phase II is when CO2-free gas enters the airway.
c. Inspiration begins in Phase III.
d. End tidal CO2 is measured at the end of the alveolar plateau.
D
The clinical effect of both hyponatremia and hypernatremia are mostly related to their effects on cell volume. By interacting with which of the molecules listed below, does sodium directly mediate this effect?
a. Aldosterone
b. ATP
c. Water
d. Glucose
C
Which of the following is the primary stimulus for vasopressin release from the neurohypophysis.
a. Volume depletion
b. Nausea
c. Hyperkalemia
d. Hypertonicity
D
Which of the following diseases processes causes hypernatremia?
a. Typical hypoadrenocorticism
b. Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
c. Hypoaldosteronism
d. Primary polydipsia
B
Deficiencies in which of the following may cause clinical signs of obtundation, weakness, incoordination, cervical ventroflexion, that may be misinterpreted as hepatic encephalopathy?
a. Potassium and phosphate
b. Cobalamin and thiamine
c. Thiamine and magnesium
d. Thiamine and potassium
D
Amino acid solutions for parenteral administration range from 3% to 15%. Due to the osmolarity, use of a central venous catheter is recommended for administration of solutions greater than ________.
a. 4%
b. 6%
c. 10%
d. 12%
B
The supplementation of arginine may be contraindicated in patients with:
a. pulmonary hypertension.
b. acute kidney injury.
c. severe sepsis.
d. acute lung injury.
C
The mechanism by which staphylococci become resistant to methicillin and related antimicrobials is:
a. decreased number of penicillin-binding proteins in the bacterial cell wall.
b. decreased number of drug receptors in the bacterial cell wall.
c. mutations in the gene structure of the penicillin-binding proteins in the bacterial cell wall.
d. mutations in the gene structure of the drug receptors in the bacterial cell wall.
C
Which of the following antimicrobials is bacteriostatic at clinical concentrations?
a. Animoglycosides
b. Macrolides
c. Beta-lactams
d. Fluroquinolones
B
Which of the following is the ideal dosing of an antibiotic with a concentration-dependent activity?
a. Once daily dosing
b. Total daily dose, divided
c. Continuous infusion
d. Based on the post-antibiotic effect
A
Which of the following make up the Acute Patient Physiology and Laboratory Evaluation (APPLEfast) 5-variable model?
a. Blood glucose concentration, serum albumin, PT, aPTT, and white blood cell count.
b. Plasma lactate concentration, blood glucose concentration, platelet count, white blood cell count, and mentation score.
c. Plasma lactate concentration, mentation score, PT, aPTT, and serum albumin.
d. Blood glucose concentration, platelet count, serum albumin, plasma lactate score, and mentation score.
D
The veterinary trauma score (VetCOT) in canine trauma patients was constructed based on which of the following variable?
a. Plasma lactate and ionized calcium obtained within 2 hours of admission, and the presence or absence of clinical signs consistent with either head or spinal trauma.
b. Plasma lactate and blood glucose concentration obtained within 6 hours of admission to the hospital, and the presence or absence of clinical signs consistent with either head or spinal trauma.
c. Plasma lactate and ionized calcium obtained within 6 hours of admission to the hospital, and the presence or absence of clinical signs consistent with either head or spinal trauma.
d. Plasma lactate and blood glucose concentration obtained within 2 hours of admission to the hospital, and the presence or absence of clinical signs consistent with either head or spinal trauma.
C
The Modified Glasgow Coma Scale (mGCS) is based on a 1-6 scale across 3 categories (motor, brainstem reflexes, and level of consciousness). Alternatively, the Animal Trauma Triage (ATT) Score uses a 0-3 scale across 6 body system categories (perfusion, cardiac, respiratory, eye/muscle/integument, skeletal, and neurologic). Based on your knowledge of these two scoring systems, which of the following patients would give you the greatest concern?
a. A 4 year old MC Golden Retriever that was hit by a car and has a mGCS of 15 and an ATT score of 4.
b. A 1 year of FS DSH that was hit by a car and has a mGCS of 18 and an ATT score of 0.
c. A 4 year old MC Golden Retriever that was hit by a car and has a mGCS of 4 and an ATT score of 15.
d. A 1 year old, FS DSH that was hit by a car and has a mGCS of 4 and an ATT score of 4.
C
A Veterinary Committee on Trauma registry study comparing trauma in toy versus giant breed dogs found which of the following were predictive of non-survival independent of patient size?
a. Animal trauma triage score, base excess, and modified Glasgow Coma Scale
b. Lactate, blunt trauma, and modified Glasgow Coma Scale
c. Penetrating trauma, animal trauma triage score, and packed red cell volume
d. Transfusion requirement, animal trauma triage score, and lactate
A
A retrospective study by Saint Pierre et.al. published in the Journal of Veterinary and Emergency and Critical Care in 2021 on prognostic utility of plasma lactate concentration and serial lactate measurements in dogs and cats presented to the emergency room found that hyperlactatemia was common and associated with mortality. Which of the following is correct?
a. Lactate clearance = [(plasma lactate at T0 – plasma lactate at T1)/plasma lactate at T1] x 100.
b. A delta lactate > 4.5 mmol/L was 100% specific for non-survival in patients with hyperlactatemia measured within 1 hour of admission to the ER.
c. The most common cause of hyperlactatemia was respiratory disease in dogs and shock in cats.
d. Delta lactate was defined as the initial plasma lactate concentration – plasma lactate concentration measured within 6 hours of admission.
B
A retrospective Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care study evaluating the utility of blood cultures in dogs just justified the use of blood cultures because
a. 80% yield positive growth to guide antibiotic therapy.
b. antibiotic therapy guided by culture results improved survival.
c. the proportion of resistance was higher than expected.
d. antibiotic therapy guided by culture results reduced length and cost of stay.
C
Cholesterol desmolase converts cholesterol into what hormone in the rate limiting step common to the synthesis of all adrenal steroid hormones?
a. Pregnenolone
b. Progesterone
c. 17-Hydroxypregnenolone
d. 11-Dexoycorticosterone
A
With regards to patients with septic shock, the 2008 CORTICUS trial found that low-dose hydrocortisone therapy, compared to placebo, was associated with
a. improved survival.
b. more rapid pressor weaning regardless of ACTH results.
c. no change in incidence of superinfection.
d. shorter ICU stays.
B
Physiologic functions of thyroid hormone include:
a. an increase in cellular metabolic activity by increasing the number and size of golgi complexes in the cell.
b. an increase concentration of cholesterol and triglycerides and a decrease concentration of free fatty acids.
c. an increase in the activity of the Na-K-ATPase and an increase in permeability of the cell membrane to K+ ions.
d. increased pulse pressure from increased systolic pressure and decreased diastolic pressure.
D
What is the mechanism of action of albuterol for the treatment of hyperkalemia?
a. Activation of the beta-2 receptor lowers the threshold membrane potential restoring normal membrane excitability.
b. Beta-agonist drugs stimulate the Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter on the luminal surface of the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle.
c. Beta-agonists drugs stimulate the Na+-K+-ATPase pump promoting translocation of extracellular K+ into the cell.
d. Beta-adrenergic stimulation increases the activity of the Na+-Cl- cotransporter, increasing water reabsorption and diluting extracellular K+.
C