Specialities PPQ

Question 1

Naegele’s rule

Answer 1

the most common method:

• to the first day of the LMP add 1 year,
• subtract 3 months,
• add 7 days).

This can be imprecise, as it requires accurate recall of LMP dates as well as regular menstruation.

Question 2

complete mole

Answer 2

• 2 sperm fertilise an empty ovum
• these sperm combine genetic material and divide and grow into a tumour
• no fetal material will form

Question 3

partial mole

Answer 3

• 2 sperm fertilise a normal ovum at the same time
• new cell has 3 sets of chromosome
• cell divides and multiples into a tumour
• some fetal material may form

Question 4

dopamine pathways and schizophrenia

Answer 4

• An excess of dopamine and overactivity in the mesolimbic system is believed to cause the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. Dopamine antagonists are therefore used to treat schizophrenia.
• There is also thought to be less dopamine activity in the mesocortical tracts, causing the negative symptoms in schizophrenia. This explains why dopamine antagonists are more successful at treating positive than negative symptoms.
• Psychotic symptoms are seen in people with Parkinson’s disease if they are overtreated with levodopa as this increases the amount of dopamine in the brain. Amphetamines and cocaine also increase dopamine release and lead to psychosis.
• Dopamine is not the only neurotransmitter implicated in schizophrenia. There is also an increase in serotonin activity and a decrease in glutamate activity