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Question 1
Correct
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Which of the following is the most likely cause of massive splenomegaly in a 35-year old gentleman?
Your Answer: Myelofibrosis
Explanation:Causes of massive splenomegaly include chronic myelogenous leukaemia, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, lymphoma, hairy cell leukaemia, myelofibrosis, polycythaemia vera, sarcoidosis, Gaucher’s disease and malaria.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 2
Correct
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A 28 year gang member was shot in the chest. The bullet hit a vessel that courses horizontally across the mediastinum. Which of the following vessels is it likely to be?
Your Answer: Left brachiocephalic vein
Explanation:The superior vena cava that empties blood into the right atrium is formed by the right and the left brachiocephalic veins. Hence, the left brachiocephalic has to course across the mediastinum horizontally to join with its right ‘counterpart’. The left subclavian artery and vein being lateral to the mediastinum do not cross the mediastinum while the left jugular and the common carotid artery course vertically.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 3
Incorrect
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A 21 year old intravenous drug abuser is recovering following surgical drainage of a psoas abscess. She is found collapsed and unresponsive in the bathroom with pinpoint pupils. Which of the following is the best step in immediate management?
Your Answer: No further management
Correct Answer: Intravenous naloxone
Explanation:Answer: Intravenous naloxone
Naloxone is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent overdose by opioids such as heroin, morphine, and oxycodone. It blocks opioid receptor sites, reversing the toxic effects of the overdose. Naloxone is administered when a patient is showing signs of opioid overdose. The medication can be given by intranasal spray, intramuscular (into the muscle), subcutaneous (under the skin), or intravenous injection.
Several conditions and drugs can cause pinpoint pupils, including:
Prescription opioids or narcotics
Some medications have opioids or narcotics in them. Opioids, including morphine, are drugs commonly used for pain relief. Opioids can affect a person psychologically and are highly addictive.People often take prescription opioids in pill form to treat severe post-surgical pain, such as from dental surgery, or for long-term pain, as with some cancers.
Prescription opioids that may cause pinpoint pupils include:
oxycodone
morphine
hydrocodone
codeine
methadone -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 4
Incorrect
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A 30-year-old man presents to the A&E department after being shot in the back, in the lumbar region. On examination, he has increased tone and hyperreflexia of his right leg and hemianaesthesia of his left leg. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Transverse myelitis
Correct Answer: Brown-Sequard syndrome
Explanation:This is a case of Brown-Sequard syndrome.
Brown-Sequard syndrome is caused by hemisection of the spinal cord following stab injuries or lateral vertebral fractures. It results in ipsilateral paralysis (pyramidal tract), and also loss of proprioception and fine discrimination(dorsal columns). Pain and temperature sensations are lost on the contralateral side. This is because the fibres of the spinothalamic tract have decussated below the level of the cord transection.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Orthopaedics
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Question 5
Incorrect
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During hysterectomy, the ureter is most likely to be ligated when a surgeon is clamping the?
Your Answer: Broad ligaments
Correct Answer: Uterine arteries
Explanation:The ureter forms the posterior boundary of a shallow depression which lodges the ovary and then runs medially and forward on the lateral aspect of the uterine cervix and upper part of the vagina to reach the fundus of the bladder. It is also situated about 2cm from the side of the cervix of the uterus. The relationship of the ureters and uterine arteries is of clinical significance because the arteries are at risk of iatrogenic injury during hysterectomy.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 6
Correct
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Which of these foramen is located at the base of the skull and transmits the accessory meningeal artery?
Your Answer: Foramen ovale
Explanation:At the base of the skull the foramen ovale is one of the larger of the several holes that transmit nerves through the skull. The following structures pass through foramen ovale: mandibular nerve, motor root of the trigeminal nerve, accessory meningeal artery, lesser petrosal nerve, a branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve, emissary vein connecting the cavernous sinus with the pterygoid plexus of veins and occasionally the anterior trunk of the middle meningeal vein.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 7
Incorrect
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A 10 hour old baby who was born by emergency caesarean section, is being observed for foetal distress. She has a displaced apex beat and decreased air entry on the left side of her chest. A scaphoid abdomen is seen on abdominal examination but all else is unremarkable. What is the probable diagnosis?
Your Answer: Ileal atresia
Correct Answer: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Explanation:Answer: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) occurs when the diaphragm muscle — the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen — fails to close during prenatal development, and the contents from the abdomen (stomach, intestines and/or liver) migrate into the chest through this hole.
Examination in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernias include the following findings:
Scaphoid abdomen
Barrel-shaped chest
Respiratory distress (retractions, cyanosis, grunting respirations)
In left-sided posterolateral hernia: Poor air entry on the left, with a shift of cardiac sounds over the right chest; in patients with severe defects, signs of pneumothorax (poor air entry, poor perfusion) may also be found
Associated anomalies: Dysmorphisms such as craniofacial abnormalities, extremity abnormalities, or spinal dysraphism may suggest syndromic congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Ileal atresia is a congenital abnormality where there is significant stenosis or complete absence of a portion of the ileum. There is an increased incidence in those with chromosomal abnormalities. Ileal atresia results from a vascular accident in utero that leads to decreased intestinal perfusion and subsequent ischemia a segment of bowel. This leads to narrowing, or in the most severe cases, complete obliteration of the intestinal lumen. In the postnatal period, an abdominal radiograph will show air in the dilated loops of proximal bowel. An ileal atresia is often discovered prenatally at a routine prenatal ultrasound scan or following the development of polyhydramnios. On ultrasound, there is frequently a proximal dilated intestinal segment.
Meconium Ileus (MI) is a condition where the content of the baby’s bowel (meconium) is extremely sticky and causes the bowel to be blocked at birth. In most cases the bowel itself is complete and intact but it is just the inside that is blocked.
In some cases there has been a twist of the bowel before birth, which has caused the bowel to be blind ending (an atresia). Most babies with meconium ileus (90%) have Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and it is this that has caused the sticky meconium. Meconium ileus is a rare condition affecting only 1 in 25,000 babies. There is normally a delay in your baby passing meconium (black sticky stool normally passed within 24 hours of delivery) and your baby may also be reluctant to feed and may vomit a green fluid called bile which would normally pass through the bowel.
Your baby may be uncomfortable because of constipation and trapped air in the bowel and the abdomen (tummy) will become distended. Some babies present at delivery with a distended abdomen and may be unwell due to infection around the bowel.
Pyloric stenosis is a problem that affects babies between birth and 6 months of age and causes forceful vomiting that can lead to dehydration. It is the second most common problem requiring surgery in new-borns. The lower portion of the stomach that connects to the small intestine is known as the pylorus. In pyloric stenosis, the muscles in this part of the stomach enlarge, narrowing the opening of the pylorus and eventually preventing food from moving from the stomach to the intestine.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Paediatric Surgery
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Question 8
Incorrect
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A 26 year old female student presents with diarrhoea, bloating and crampy abdominal pain after returning from a student exchange trip in Nigeria. She states that she had been swimming in a public pool in the afternoons after class and she has had bowel movements four to five times per day. She notices that her stools float on top of the toilet water but there is no presence of blood. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
Your Answer: E.coli sp
Correct Answer: Giardia lamblia
Explanation:Giardia is a microscopic parasite that causes the diarrheal illness known as giardiasis. Giardia (also known as Giardia intestinalis, Giardia lamblia, or Giardia duodenalis) is found on surfaces or in soil, food, or water that has been contaminated with faeces from infected humans or animals.
Giardia is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it tolerant to chlorine disinfection. While the parasite can be spread in different ways, water (drinking water and recreational water) is the most common mode of transmission.
Signs and symptoms may vary and can last for 1 to 2 weeks or longer. In some cases, people infected with Giardia have no symptoms.
Acute symptoms include:
Diarrhoea
Gas
Greasy stools that tend to float
Stomach or abdominal cramps
Upset stomach or nausea/vomiting
Dehydration (loss of fluids)
Other, less common symptoms include itchy skin, hives, and swelling of the eye and joints. Sometimes, the symptoms of giardiasis might seem to resolve, only to come back again after several days or weeks. Giardiasis can cause weight loss and failure to absorb fat, lactose, vitamin A and vitamin B12.In children, severe giardiasis might delay physical and mental growth, slow development, and cause malnutrition.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Clinical Microbiology
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 9
Incorrect
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A 60 year old alcoholic man is seen in the A&E department. When asked his reason for being there, he says he is looking for a place to sleep for the night. He is examined by one of the doctors and has no evidence of trauma, a skull x-ray fails to show any evidence of fracture. He is placed on observation and ten hours later, he develops a sudden onset headache, falls into a coma and then dies. What is the most likely cause?
Your Answer: Intraventricular haemorrhage
Correct Answer: Sub arachnoid haemorrhage
Explanation:The classic symptom of subarachnoid haemorrhage is thunderclap headache (a headache described as like being kicked in the head, or the worst ever, developing over seconds to minutes). This headache often pulsates towards the occiput (the back of the head). About one-third of people have no symptoms apart from the characteristic headache, and about one in ten people who seek medical care with this symptom are later diagnosed with a subarachnoid haemorrhage. Vomiting may be present, and 1 in 14 have seizures. Confusion, decreased level of consciousness or coma may be present, as may neck stiffness and other signs of meningism.
In 85 percent of spontaneous cases the cause is a cerebral aneurysm—a weakness in the wall of one of the arteries in the brain that becomes enlarged. They tend to be located in the circle of Willis and its branches. While most cases are due to bleeding from small aneurysms, larger aneurysms (which are less common) are more likely to rupture. Aspirin also appears to increase the risk.
In 15–20 percent of cases of spontaneous SAH, no aneurysm is detected on the first angiogram. About half of these are attributed to non-aneurysmal perimesencephalic haemorrhage, in which the blood is limited to the subarachnoid spaces around the midbrain (i.e. mesencephalon). In these, the origin of the blood is uncertain. The remainder are due to other disorders affecting the blood vessels (such as cerebral arteriovenous malformations), disorders of the blood vessels in the spinal cord, and bleeding into various tumours.
Genetics may play a role in a person’s disposition to SAH; risk is increased three- to fivefold in first-degree relatives of people having had a subarachnoid haemorrhage. But lifestyle factors are more important in determining overall risk. These risk factors are smoking, hypertension (high blood pressure), and excessive alcohol consumption.
The absence of trauma and skull fracture rules out the other types of haemorrhages and haematomas. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Surgical Disorders Of The Brain
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Question 10
Incorrect
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The thyroid gland is a large ductless gland located in which part of the neck?
Your Answer: Digastric triangle
Correct Answer: Visceral space
Explanation:The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland in the neck, consisting of two lobes connected by an isthmus. It is situated at the front and sides of the neck in the visceral space.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 11
Incorrect
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Laboratory findings in a patient with dark urine and yellowish skin revealed a prolonged prothrombin time. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this finding?
Your Answer: Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy
Correct Answer: Liver damage
Explanation:Various conditions may prolong the prothrombin time (PT), including: warfarin use, vitamin K deficiency, liver disease, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, hypofibrinogenemia, heparin infusion, massive blood transfusion and hypothermia. Liver disease causes prolonging of PT due to diminished synthesis of clotting factors. Dark urine colour and jaundice are indicators of the presence of a liver disease in this patient.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 12
Correct
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A 6 year old boy is brought to the ER after being hit by a car. He is hemodynamically unstable with bilateral femoral shaft fractures and a suspicion of splenic rupture. Despite having thoroughly explained the risks, the parents have refused blood transfusions and any invasive measures on account of religious beliefs. What would be the most appropriate response by the physician?
Your Answer: Proceed with treatment
Explanation:In an emergency, where consent cannot be obtained, doctors should provide medical treatment that is in the patient’s best interests and is immediately necessary to save a life or avoid significant deterioration in the patient’s health. There is clearly insufficient time here to apply to a court. The GMC and common law advises that emergency life saving treatment can be given to a child irrespective of the parents views.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Management And Legal Issues In Surgery
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 13
Correct
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A 25 year old man is admitted with a splenic rupture despite not being involved in any trauma. Which of the following infections can cause spontaneous splenic rupture?
Your Answer: Epstein-Barr virus
Explanation:Answer: Epstein-Barr virus
The Epstein–Barr virus is one of eight known human herpesvirus types in the herpes family, and is one of the most common viruses in humans. Infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is common and usually occurs in childhood or early adulthood.
EBV is the cause of infectious mononucleosis, an illness associated with symptoms and signs like:
fever,
fatigue,
swollen tonsils,
headache, and
sweats,
sore throat,
swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and
sometimes an enlarged spleen.Although EBV can cause mononucleosis, not everyone infected with the virus will get mononucleosis. White blood cells called B cells are the primary targets of EBV infection.
Petechiae on the palate are characteristic of streptococcal pharyngitis but also can be seen in Epstein–Barr virus infection, Arcanobacterium haemolyticum pharyngitis, rubella, roseola, viral haemorrhagic fevers, thrombocytopenia, and palatal trauma.
Despite the fact that infectious mononucleosis is a self-limiting disease, it may cause serious and lethal complications. The mechanism of splenic rupture secondary to infectious mononucleosis has been controversial. It is commonly believed that it is caused by an increase in intra-abdominal pressure or contraction of the diaphragm with vigorous cough, vomiting and defecation, leading to a compression of the spleen. However, Patel et al. argue that it is primarily the result of an expanding subcapsular haematoma which subsequently tears the capsule and leads to hemoperitoneum. Traditionally, rupture of spleen is treated by splenectomy. The rationale is to prevent the chance of sudden death as an early complication of splenic rupture and the risk from blood transfusion. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Clinical Microbiology
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 14
Incorrect
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Macrolides are a group of antibiotics commonly used to treat respiratory tract and soft-tissue infections. Which of the following antibiotics is a macrolide?
Your Answer: Ciprofloxacin
Correct Answer: Erythromycin
Explanation:Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic used in the treatment of several bacterial infections, including respiratory tract infections, skin infections, chlamydia infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, and syphilis. It may also be used during pregnancy to prevent Group B streptococcal infection in the new-born.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 15
Incorrect
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A 47-year-old female with breast cancer started a chemotherapy regime containing epirubicin. What is the primary mode of action of this drug?
Your Answer: Antimetabolite
Correct Answer: Intercalation of DNA
Explanation:Epirubicin is an anthracycline; intercalates between DNA base pairs and triggers cleavage by topoisomerase II, which results in cytocidal activity.
Inhibits DNA helicase and generates cytotoxic free radicals.Contraindications:
– Severe hypersensitivity to drug, other anthracyclines, or anthracenediones
– Baseline ANC<1500/mm³
– Cardiomyopathy and/or heart failure, recent MI, or severe arrhythmias
– Severe myocardial insufficiency
– Cumulative dose achieved in previous anthracycline treatment
– Severe persistent drug-induced myelosuppression
– Severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C or serum bilirubin level greater than 5 mg/dL) -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Oncology
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 16
Incorrect
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A 38-year old woman presents to the clinic with a 2 cm eczema-like lesion on the areolar region of her left breast, for 5 months. Biopsy of the lesion showed large cells at the dermal-epidermal junction with positive staining for mucin. What is the likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Nipple discharge
Correct Answer: Paget’s disease of the breast
Explanation:Paget’s disease of the breast or nipple resembles eczema in appearance with an underlying carcinoma typically. The disease is usually unilateral and presents with inflammation, oozing and crusting along with a non-healing ulcer. Treatment is often delayed due to the innocuous appearance but can be fatal. It results due to spread of neoplastic cells from the ducts of the mammary gland to the epithelium.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 17
Incorrect
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A child presents with hypertension. Serum potassium analysis shows hypokalaemia. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Hyperglycaemia
Correct Answer: Liddle syndrome
Explanation:Liddle’s syndrome, is an autosomal dominant disorder, that is characterized by early, and frequently severe, high blood pressure associated with low plasma renin activity, metabolic alkalosis, low blood potassium, and normal to low levels of aldosterone. Liddle syndrome involves abnormal kidney function, with excess reabsorption of sodium and loss of potassium from the renal tubule. Bartter Syndrome also presents with hypokalaemia, however blood pressure of these patients is usually low or normal.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 18
Incorrect
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A 66 year old male, was involved in a MVA. He sustained third degree burns to his abdomen and open bleeding wound to his left leg. The patient complains of dizziness. He is a known hypertensive but during examination was found to be hypotensive. His heart rate is 120/min, with regular rhythm. What is the possible cause of his hypotension?
Your Answer: Transfusion reaction
Correct Answer: Hypovolaemia
Explanation:Hypovolemia can be recognized by tachycardia, diminished blood pressure, and the absence of perfusion as assessed by skin signs (skin turning pale) and/or capillary refill time. The patient may feel dizzy, faint, nauseated, or very thirsty. Common causes of hypovolemia are loss of blood, loss of plasma which occurs in severe burns and lesions discharging fluid, loss of body sodium and consequent intravascular water which may occur in cases of diarrhoea and vomiting. In this case the cause of patients hypotension is due to hypovolemia from both loss of plasma and blood.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 19
Correct
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When a patient that is less than 21 years of age develops a bone tumour. What is the most common benign bone tumour that would be considered in individuals below 21 years?
Your Answer: Osteochondroma
Explanation:Osteochondroma is a benign new bone growth that protrudes from the outer contour of bones and is capped by growing cartilage. Nearly 80% of these lesions are noted before the age of 21 years.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 20
Incorrect
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What Is the mechanism behind rhesus incompatibility in a new born baby?
Your Answer: Type III hypersensitivity
Correct Answer: Type II hypersensitivity
Explanation:In type II hypersensitivity the antibodies that are produced by the immune response bind to the patients own cell surface antigens. These antigens can be intrinsic or extrinsic. Destruction occurs due to antibody dependent cell mediated antibodies. Antibodies bind to the cell and opsonise the cell, activating phagocytes to destroy that cell e.g. autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, Goodpasture syndrome, erythroblastosis fetalis, pernicious anaemia, Graves’ disease, Myasthenia gravis and haemolytic disease of the new-born.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 21
Incorrect
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A CT-scan of the lung shows a tumour crossing the minor (horizontal) fissure. This fissure separates:
Your Answer: The lower lobe from the lingula
Correct Answer: The middle lobe from the upper lobe
Explanation:The horizontal fissure separates the upper lobe from the middle lobe. The oblique fissure on the other hand separates the lower lobe from both the middle and upper lobes. The lingula is found only on the left lung.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 22
Incorrect
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The parasympathetic fibres of the oculomotor nerve was impinged due to a growing tumour. The function of which of the following structures will be affected?
Your Answer: Uvula
Correct Answer: Ciliary muscle
Explanation:The oculomotor nerve is the third cranial nerve (CNIII). It offers motor and parasympathetic innervation to many of the ocular structures. The motor fibres innervate a number of the extraocular muscles. While the parasympathetic fibres supply the sphincter pupillae and the ciliary muscles of the eye, and the sympathetic fibres innervates the superior tarsal muscles.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 23
Correct
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Elevated mean corpuscular volume with hypersegmented neutrophils and low reticulocyte index is seen in on the blood count of a middle-aged lady about to undergo elective surgery. On enquiry, she mentions feeling tired for a few months. Which of the following investigations should be carried out in her to reach a diagnosis?
Your Answer: Serum vitamin B12 and folate
Explanation:Elevated levels of MCV indicates megaloblastic anaemia, which are associated with hypersegmented neutrophils. Likely causes include vitamin B12 or folate deficiency. Megaloblastic anaemia results from defective synthesis of DNA. As RNA production continues, the cells enlarge with a large nucleus. The cytoplasmic maturity becomes greater than nuclear maturity. Megaloblasts are produced initially in the marrow, before blood. Dyspoiesis makes erythropoiesis ineffective, causing direct hyperbilirubinemia and hyperuricemia. As all cell lines are affected, reticulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia and leukopenia develop. Large, oval blood cells (macro-ovalocytes) are released in the circulation, along with presence of hypersegmented neutrophils.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 24
Incorrect
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A 25 year old lady visits her regular doctor to have a skin lesion excised from her thigh. At her 3 month follow-up appointment, the doctor notes that the scar is contracting. Which of the following allows this process to happen?
Your Answer: Granuloma formation
Correct Answer: Myofibroblasts
Explanation:Answer: Myofibroblasts
Fibroblasts are a type of cell which have mesenchymal origin and can exhibit either non-contractile or highly contractile phenotype. Under normal conditions, fibroblasts function to maintain tissue homeostasis by regulating the turnover of extracellular matrix (ECM). When tissues are injured, however, fibroblasts around the injured region differentiate into myofibroblasts, a type of highly contractile cells that produce abundant ECM proteins. While the mechanisms of wound healing are not completely understood, it has become clear that both fibroblasts and myofibroblasts play a critical role in the wound healing process. Specifically, the traction forces of fibroblasts and coordinated contraction of myofibroblasts are believed to be responsible for wound contraction and closure. However, excessive myofibroblast activity, accompanied by elevated levels of mechanical stress in the healing region, often causes scar tissue formation, and in the worst case, contracture of tissues (e.g. Dupuytren’s contracture), leading to local immobilization and loss of function.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Peri-operative Care
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 25
Incorrect
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The orbicularis oculi us a muscle that closes the eyelids. What is the motor innervation of this muscle?
Your Answer: A branch of the same nerve that innervates the temporalis muscle
Correct Answer: A branch of a nerve that exits through the stylomastoid foramen
Explanation:The orbicularis oculi is a muscle in the face that closes the eyelids. It is supplied by zygomatic branch of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), which exits through the stylomastoid foramen.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 26
Incorrect
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Calculate the cardiac output of a patient with the following measurements: oxygen uptake 200 ml/min, oxygen concentration in the peripheral vein 7 vol%, oxygen concentration in the pulmonary artery 10 vol% and oxygen concentration in the aorta 15 vol%.
Your Answer: 2000 ml/min
Correct Answer: 4000 ml/min
Explanation:The Fick’s principle states that the uptake of a substance by an organ equals the arteriovenous difference of the substance multiplied by the blood flowing through the organ. We can thus calculate the pulmonary blood flow with pulmonary arterial (i.e., mixed venous) oxygen content, aortic oxygen content and oxygen uptake. The pulmonary blood flow, systemic blood flow and cardiac output can be considered the same assuming there are no intracardiac shunts. Thus, we can calculate the cardiac output. Cardiac output = oxygen uptake/(aortic − mixed venous oxygen content) = 200 ml/min/(15 ml O2/100 ml − 10 ml O2/100 ml) = 200 ml/min/(5 ml O2/100 ml) = 200 ml/min/0.05 = 4000 ml/min.
It is crucial to remember to use pulmonary arterial oxygen content and not peripheral vein oxygen content, when calculating the cardiac output by Fick’s method. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 27
Incorrect
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A 60-year-old female has sudden onset of high-grade fever associated with cough with productive rusty-coloured sputum. Chest x-ray showed left-sided consolidation. What is the most accurate test for the diagnosis of this patient?
Your Answer: Bronchoscopy
Correct Answer: Sputum culture
Explanation:Sputum culture is used to detect and identify the organism that are infecting the lungs or breathing passages.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 28
Incorrect
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Which structure holds the duodenojejunal flexure in place?
Your Answer: Lienorenal ligament
Correct Answer: Suspensory ligament (of Treitz)
Explanation:The duodenum is connected to the diaphragm by the suspensory ligament called the ligament of Treitz. It is a slip of skeletal muscle from the right crus of the diaphragm and a fibromuscular band of smooth muscle from the 3rd and 4th parts of the duodenum. It is an important landmark, used to divide the gastrointestinal tract into the upper and lower parts. Contraction of this ‘ligament’ leads to opening of the duodenojejunal flexure allowing the flow of chyme.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 29
Incorrect
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A neonate with failure to pass meconium is being evaluated. His abdomen is distended and X-ray films of the abdomen show markedly dilated small bowel and colon loops. The likely diagnosis is:
Your Answer: Multiple polyps in the colon
Correct Answer: Aganglionosis in the rectum
Explanation:Hirschsprung’s disease (also known as aganglionic megacolon) leads to colon enlargement due to bowel obstruction by an aganglionic section of bowel that starts at the anus. A blockage is created by a lack of ganglion cells needed for peristalsis that move the stool. 1 in 5000 children suffer from this disease, with boys affected four times more commonly than girls. It develops in the fetus in early stages of pregnancy. Symptoms include not having a first bowel movement (meconium) within 48 hours of birth, repeated vomiting and a swollen abdomen. Two-third of cases are diagnosed within 3 months of birth. Some children may present with delayed toilet training and some might not show symptoms till early childhood. Diagnosis is by barium enema and rectal biopsy (showing lack of ganglion cells).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 30
Incorrect
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In which of the following situations will fat necrosis occur?
Your Answer: Muscle injury
Correct Answer: Trauma to the breast
Explanation:Fat necrosis is necrosis of adipose tissue with subsequent deposition of calcium, giving it a white chalky appearance. It is seen characteristically in trauma to the breast and the pancreas with subsequent involvement of the peripancreatic fat. In the breast it may present as a palpable mass with is usually painless or as an incidental finding on mammogram. Fatty acids are released from the traumatic tissue which combine with calcium in a process known as saponification, this is an example of dystrophic calcification in which calcium binds to dead tissue. The central focus is surrounded by macrophages and neutrophils initially, followed by proliferation of fibroblasts, neovascularization and lymphocytic migration to the site of the insult.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 31
Incorrect
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The muscle that depresses the glenoid fossa directly is the:
Your Answer: Serratus anterior
Correct Answer: Pectoralis minor
Explanation:Situated at the upper part of the thorax beneath the pectoralis major, is a thin pectoralis minor, triangular muscle. It originates from the third, fourth and fifth ribs, near the cartilage and from the aponeurosis which covers the intercostals. These fibres move upwards and laterally to join and form a flat tendon. This is inserted into the medial border and upper surface of the coracoid process of the scapula. Through this medial anterior thoracic nerve, fibres from the pectoralis minor are received from the eighth cervical and first thoracic nerves. This pectoralis minor pushes down on the point of the shoulder (glenoid fossa), drawing the scapula downward and medially towards the thorax which throws the inferior angle backwards.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 32
Incorrect
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A 75-year old patient is in atrial fibrallation but has never been on anticoagulation therapy. To reduce the risk of future emboli, she would benefit from starting on long-term warfarin. Arterial emboli leading to acute limb ischaemia most commonly lodge at which one of the following sites?
Your Answer: Popliteal artery
Correct Answer: Common femoral artery
Explanation:The common femoral artery is the commonest site of arterial emboli causing acute limb ischemia. The treatment of choice is urgent femoral embolectomy.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 33
Incorrect
-
A 30-year-old male falls onto an outstretched hand. On examination, there is tenderness of the anatomical snuffbox. However, forearm and hand x-rays are normal. What is the most appropriate course of action?
Your Answer: Discharge with reassurance
Correct Answer: Place in futura splint and review in fracture clinic
Explanation:The hallmark of anatomical snuffbox tenderness is highly sensitive for scaphoid fractures but lacks specificity. Due to the lack of specificity, those with snuffbox tenderness should undergo radiographic studies of the wrist. Those with initial negative imaging can be managed with either a thumb spica short-armed splint or advanced imaging by MRI or CT to determine if a fracture exists. Given the unique blood flow to the scaphoid, fracture location is important in determining treatment options to prevent avascular necrosis of the bone.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Orthopaedics
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Question 34
Incorrect
-
Cancer of the testis most likely metastases to which set of lymph nodes?
Your Answer: Internal iliac
Correct Answer: Aortic
Explanation:The lymphatic drainage of an organ is related to its blood supply. The lymphatic drainage of the testis drains along the testicular artery to reach the lymph nodes along the aorta.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 35
Correct
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If a catheter is placed in the main pulmonary artery of a healthy 30-year-old woman, which of the following will be its mean pulmonary arterial pressure?
Your Answer: 15 mmHg
Explanation:The pulmonary artery pressure (PA pressure) is a measure of the blood pressure found in the main pulmonary artery. The hydrostatic pressure of the pulmonary circulation refers to the actual pressure inside pulmonary vessels relative to atmospheric pressure. Hydrostatic (blood pressure) in the pulmonary vascular bed is low compared with that of similar systemic vessels. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure is about 15 mmHg (ranging from about 13 to 19 mmHg) and is much lower than the average systemic arterial pressure of 90 mmHg.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 36
Correct
-
A 26-year-old male presents with intermittent dysphagia to both liquids and solids. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is unremarkable. What is the most appropriate next step?
Your Answer: Oesophageal manometry
Explanation:Oesophageal dysphagia occurs when there is a difficulty with the passage of solid or liquid material through the oesophagus, specifically the region between the upper and lower oesophageal sphincter. It results from either abnormal motility of this segment of the oesophagus or obstruction.
Common causes of dysphagia:
Gastro-oesophageal reflux—waterbrash, regurgitation, due to dysmotility or stricture
Achalasia—classically hold-up relieved by carbonated beverages
Motility disorders—may be associated with central chest pain, systemic disease (scleroderma, dermatomyositis)
Oesophageal cancer—progressive, weight loss
Head and neck cancer—pain, dysphagia, otalgia, >90% smokers, often excess alcohol consumption
Pharyngeal pouch—slowly progressive, regurgitation, gurgling
Web—able to swallow only small amounts, “can’t swallow tablets”
Stroke
Neurodegenerative disorders—parkinsonism, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis
PresbyphagiaEndoscopy has the advantage of potentially yielding a histological diagnosis. The overall rate of oesophageal perforation after flexible endoscopy involving oesophageal instrumentation, biopsy, or dilatation is 2.6%
Oesophageal manometry remains the investigation of choice in suspected motility disorders. Manometry can classify oesophageal dysmotility into rare specific disorders such as achalasia and diffuse oesophageal spasm or more common non-specific motility disorders that do not respond directly to drug treatment but may improve if related reflux or psychiatric disturbances are treated. The symptoms of non-specific motility disorders may have an uncertain relation to the manometric abnormalities
Management is based on the history, findings of the clinical investigations, and prognosis for the individual patient. The underlying disorder is treated, but the impact of dysphagia on nutrition and hydration will compromise any intervention unless managed effectively. Poor physical condition from malnutrition or dehydration will lead to a suboptimal rehabilitation process, in both duration and completeness of recovery and inadequate management of dysphagia contributes to this. A malnourished person is at risk of decompensation of the swallow, leading to dysphagia. The clinical swallow assessment is used to determine safely modified diets that reduce malnutrition and dehydration. This may range from nil by mouth with total enteral support to full oral route or a balance of the two. Enteral feeding is essential to maintain nutritional status when oral feeding is suspended, even if only for a short time. Prompt involvement of a dietitian is thus essential.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery
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Question 37
Incorrect
-
One of the following structures is contained in the anterior compartment of the lower leg. Which is it?
Your Answer: The fibular artery
Correct Answer: Extensor hallucis muscle
Explanation:The lower leg is made up of four fascial compartments separated from one another by septa that contain the muscles of the lower leg. The four compartments are ; anterior, lateral, deep posterior and superficial posterior compartments.
These are the compartments and there contents:
i) Anterior compartment: Tibialis anterior muscle, extensor hallucis longus muscle, extensor digitorum longus muscle, peroneus tertius muscles, deep fibular nerve and anterior tibial blood vessels
ii) Lateral compartment: Fibularis longus muscle, brevis muscles and superficial fibular nerve
iii) Deep posterior compartment: Tibialis posterior m., flexor hallucis longus m., flexor digitorum longus m. ,popliteus m. , tibial nerve, posterior tibial artery and posterior tibial vessels such as the fibular artery.
iv) Superficial posterior compartment: Gastrocnemius m., soleus m., plantaris m., medial sural cutaneous nerve -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 38
Correct
-
A 6 year-old boy is brought to you coughing. He is suspected to have aspirated a Lego piece which he was seen playing with. Where would you expect the piece to be?
Your Answer: Right main bronchus
Explanation:Inhaled objects are more likely to enter the right lung for several reasons. First the right bronchus is shorter, wider and more vertical than the left bronchus. Also, the carina (a ridge-like structure at the point of tracheal bifurcation) is set a little towards the left. The terminal bronchiole is a very small space and impossible for the seed to lodge here.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 39
Incorrect
-
A 54-year-old male presents with central chest pain and vomiting. He has drunk a bottle of vodka. On examination, there is some mild crepitus in the epigastric region. What is the likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Pneumothorax
Correct Answer: Oesophageal perforation
Explanation:Boerhaave syndrome classically presents as the Mackler triad of chest pain, vomiting, and subcutaneous emphysema due to oesophageal rupture, although these symptoms are not always present.
The classic clinical presentation of Boerhaave syndrome usually consists of repeated episodes of retching and vomiting, typically in a middle-aged man with recent excessive dietary and alcohol intake.
These repeated episodes of retching and vomiting are followed by a sudden onset of severe chest pain in the lower thorax and the upper abdomen. The pain may radiate to the back or to the left shoulder. Swallowing often aggravates the pain.
Typically, hematemesis is not seen after oesophageal rupture, which helps to distinguish it from the more common Mallory-Weiss tear.
Swallowing may precipitate coughing because of the communication between the oesophagus and the pleural cavity. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 40
Incorrect
-
A 23-year-old male presents with a persistent and unwanted erection that has been present for the previous 7 hours. On examination, the penis is rigid and tender. Aspiration of blood from the corpus cavernosa shows dark blood. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial management?
Your Answer: Admit the patient to hospital and review in 12 hours
Correct Answer: Aspirate further blood from the corpus cavernosa in an attempt to decompress
Explanation:Priapism is defined as a prolonged penile erection lasting for >4 h in the absence of sexual stimulation and remains despite orgasm.
The classification of priapism is conventionally divided into three main groups. The commonest classification is into non‐ischaemic (high flow), ischaemic (low flow), and stuttering (recurrent) subtypes.
The EAU guidelines refer to the subtypes as ischaemic (low flow, veno‐occlusive) and arterial (high flow, non‐ischaemic). Of these, ischaemic priapism is the commonest, with refractory cases at risk of smooth muscle necrosis in the corpus cavernosum leading to sequelae of corporal fibrosis and erectile dysfunction (ED).
One of the key considerations in the management of priapism is the duration of the erection at presentation.
The EAU guidelines do differentiate the periods such that the intervention varies accordingly, which is particularly important for prolonged episodes that are refractory to pharmacological interventions and allow a step‐wise intervention.Ischaemic priapism is a medical emergency as the progressive ischaemia within the cavernosal tissue is associated with time‐dependent changes in the corporal metabolic environment, which eventually leads to smooth muscle necrosis. As the duration of the penile erection becomes pathologically prolonged, as in the case of low‐flow priapism, the partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) progressively falls as the closed compartment prevents replenishment of stagnant blood with freshly oxygenated arterial blood.
Investigations using corporal blood aspiration, that in itself can be a therapeutic intervention leading to partial or complete penile detumescence, helps to differentiate ischaemic from non‐ischaemic priapism subtypes based on the pO2, pCO2 and pH levels. The AUA guidelines state that typically the blood gas analysis would give a pO2 of <30 mmHg and pCO2 of >60 mmHg and a pH of <7.25 in ischaemic priapism, whereas non‐ischaemic blood gas analysis would show values similar to venous blood. Once the diagnosis of priapism has been made, the initial management involves corporal blood aspiration followed by instillation of α‐agonists directly into the corpus cavernosum.
The EAU guidelines recommend several possible agents for intracavernosal injection, as well as oral terbutaline after intracavernosal injection.
Phenylephrine – 200 μg every 3–5 min to a maximum of 1 mg within 1 h.
Etilephrine – 2.5 mg diluted in 1–2 mL saline.
Adrenaline – 2 mL of 1/100 000 solution given up to 5 times in a 20‐min period.
Methylene blue – 50–100 mg intracavernosal injection followed by aspiration and compression.Shunt surgery allows diversion of blood from the corpus cavernosum into another area such as the corpus spongiosum (glans or urethra) or the venous system (saphenous vein). Both the EAU and AUA guidelines recommend surgical intervention using firstly distal shunts and then proximal shunts in cases where aspiration and instillation of pharmacological agents fails to achieve penile detumescence. The EAU guidelines recommend that distal shunts should be attempted before proximal shunts, although the specific technique is left to the individual surgeon’s preference. The EAU guidelines also define a time point (36 h) when shunt surgery is likely to be ineffective in maintaining long‐term erectile function and may serve to reduce pain only. This is an important consideration when contemplating early penile prosthesis placement.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Urology
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Question 41
Incorrect
-
A histopathological analysis of a specimen showed loss of individual cell structure with karyorrhexis and fragmentation. The overall integrity of the tissue structure is preserved. This is typical of which of the following pathologies?
Your Answer: Renal transplant rejection
Correct Answer: Viral hepatitis
Explanation:Viral infections will cause necrosis of the hepatocytes with characteristic changes of karyorrhexis and cell fragmentation.
Brown atrophy of the heart is due to accumulation of lipofuscin in the myocardium.
Tissue destruction associated with transplant rejection leads to widespread loss of structural integrity.
Single cell necrosis is not characteristically seen in chronic alcoholic liver.
Barbiturate overdose will result in hypertrophy of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum.
Carcinoma insitu will cause dysplastic cells without the overall structural integrity being disrupted.
Atrophy is due to apoptosis with ordered cellular fragmentation and phagocytosis and will not induce an inflammatory process unlike necrosis. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 42
Incorrect
-
A 45-year-old woman was brought to the emergency department due to fever and chills. She has a history of recurrent UTI and complains of dysuria and urinary frequency. Urinary white blood cell count is >200 cell/high power field. If urine culture is performed, what is the most likely organism that will grow?
Your Answer: Staphylococcus aureus
Correct Answer: Escherichia coli
Explanation:The pathogen that most likely causes recurrent urinary tract infection in young women are E. coli, Enterococcus and Staphylococcus saprophyticus.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 43
Correct
-
A 45 year old women has a 4 cm non tender mass in her right breast which is fixed to the chest wall. Another 2cm non-tender mass is palpable in the left axilla. Chest x ray reveals multiple nodules ranging from 0.5 - 0.2 cm in both the lungs. What is the stage of her disease?
Your Answer: T4 N1 M1
Explanation:This woman has an invasive primary tumour mass with axillary node and lung metastases, making this stage T4 N1 M1. Looking at the other stems, T1 N1 M0 signifies a small primary cancer with nodal metastases but no distant metastases; T1 N0 M1 signifies a small primary cancer with no lymph node metastases but with distant metastases; T2 N1 M0 signifies a larger primary cancer with nodal metastases but no distant metastases; and T3 N0 M0 indicates a larger primary cancer with no metastases to either lymph nodes or to distant sites.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 44
Incorrect
-
A 29 year old female bus driver presents to her family doctor with severe retrosternal chest pain and recurrent episodes of dysphagia. She states that these occur at irregular intervals and often resolve spontaneously. There are no physical abnormalities on examination and she seems well. What is her diagnosis?
Your Answer: Boerhaaves syndrome
Correct Answer: Achalasia
Explanation:Answer: Achalasia
Achalasia is a primary oesophageal motility disorder characterized by the absence of oesophageal peristalsis and impaired relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) in response to swallowing. The LES is hypertensive in about 50% of patients. These abnormalities cause a functional obstruction at the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ).
Symptoms of achalasia include the following:Dysphagia (most common)
Regurgitation
Chest pain (behind the sternum)
Heartburn
Weight loss
Physical examination is non-contributory.
Treatment recommendations are as follows:
Initial therapy should be either graded pneumatic dilation (PD) or laparoscopic surgical myotomy with a partial fundoplication in patients fit to undergo surgery
Procedures should be performed in high-volume centres of excellence
Initial therapy choice should be based on patient age, sex, preference, and local institutional expertise
Botulinum toxin therapy is recommended for patients not suited to PD or surgery
Pharmacologic therapy can be used for patients not undergoing PD or myotomy and who have failed botulinum toxin therapy (nitrates and calcium channel blockers most common).
The invasion of the oesophageal neural plexus by the tumour can cause nonrelaxation of the LES, thus mimicking achalasia. This condition is known as malignant pseudo achalasia. Since contrast radiography and endoscopy frequently fail to differentiate these 2 entities, patients with a presumed diagnosis of achalasia but who have a shorter duration of symptoms, greater weight loss, and a more advanced age and who are referred for minimally invasive surgery should undergo additional imaging studies, including endoscopic ultrasound and computed tomography with fine cuts of the gastroesophageal junction, to rule out cancer.
Effort rupture of the oesophagus, or Boerhaave syndrome, is a spontaneous perforation of the oesophagus that results from a sudden increase in intraoesophageally pressure combined with negative intrathoracic pressure (e.g., severe straining or vomiting). The classic clinical presentation of Boerhaave syndrome usually consists of repeated episodes of retching and vomiting, typically in a middle-aged man with recent excessive dietary and alcohol intake.
These repeated episodes of retching and vomiting are followed by a sudden onset of severe chest pain in the lower thorax and the upper abdomen. The pain may radiate to the back or to the left shoulder. Swallowing often aggravates the pain.
Typically, hematemesis is not seen after oesophageal rupture, which helps to distinguish it from the more common Mallory-Weiss tear.
Swallowing may precipitate coughing because of the communication between the oesophagus and the pleural cavity. Shortness of breath is a common complaint and is due to pleuritic pain or pleural effusion.
A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that occurs in the lungs.
It can damage part of the lung due to restricted blood flow, decrease oxygen levels in the blood, and affect other organs as well. Large or multiple blood clots can be fatal.
The most common symptom of a pulmonary embolism is shortness of breath. This may be gradual or sudden.Other symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include:
anxiety
clammy or bluish skin
chest pain that may extend into your arm, jaw, neck, and shoulder
fainting
irregular heartbeat
light-headedness
rapid breathing
rapid heartbeat
restlessness
spitting up blood
weak pulse -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 45
Incorrect
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A 40-year old lady with a flail chest due to trauma was breathing with the help of a mechanical ventilator in the ICU, and was heavily sedated on muscle relaxants. Due to sudden power failure, a nurse began to hand-ventilate the patient with a Ambu bag. What change will occur in the following parameters in the intervening period between power failure and hand ventilation? Arterial p(CO2), pH
Your Answer: Decrease, Decrease
Correct Answer: Increase, Decrease
Explanation:Respiratory acidosis occurs due to alveolar hypoventilation which leads to increased arterial carbon dioxide concentration (p(CO2)). This in turn decreases the HCO3 –/p(CO2) and decreases pH. Respiratory acidosis can be acute or chronic. In acute respiratory acidosis, the p(CO2) is raised above the upper limit of normal (over 45 mm Hg) with low pH. However, in chronic cases, the raised p(CO2) is accompanied with a normal or near-normal pH due to renal compensation and an increased serum bicarbonate (HCO3 – > 30 mmHg). The given problem represents acute respiratory acidosis and thus, will show a increase in arterial p(CO2) and decrease in pH.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 46
Incorrect
-
A 35-year-old ultra marathon runner becomes severely dehydrated and collapses. This patient most likely has:
Your Answer: Low plasma ADH levels
Correct Answer: Decreased baroreceptor firing rate
Explanation:Baroreceptors are sensors located in the blood vessels of all vertebrate animals. They sense the blood pressure and relay the information to the brain, so that a proper blood pressure can be maintained. Acute dehydration results in decreased plasma volume and increased plasma osmolarity, since more water than salt is lost in sweat. The decrease in plasma volume leads to an inhibition of the baroreceptors and a lower firing rate. The increase in plasma osmolarity leads to increased ADH secretion and high plasma ADH levels, which increases water permeability of collecting duct cells. Therefore more water is reabsorbed by the kidneys and renal water excretion is low.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 47
Incorrect
-
A 39 year old hiker slips down a slope and injures her hand on an oak tree. On examination, she is tender in the anatomical snuffbox and on bimanual palpation. X-rays with scaphoid views show no evidence of fracture. What is the most appropriate course of action?
Your Answer: Admission and surgical debridement
Correct Answer: Application of futura splint and fracture clinic review
Explanation:A scaphoid fracture is a break of the scaphoid bone in the wrist. Symptoms generally include pain at the base of the thumb which is worse with use of the hand. The anatomic snuffbox is generally tender and swelling may occur. Complications may include non-union of the fracture, avascular necrosis, and arthritis.
Scaphoid fractures are most commonly caused by a fall on an outstretched hand. Diagnosis is generally based on examination and medical imaging. Some fractures may not be visible on plain X-rays. In such cases a person may be casted with repeat X-rays in two weeks or an MRI or bone scan may be done.
Scaphoid fractures are often diagnosed by PA and lateral X-rays. However, not all fractures are apparent initially. Therefore, people with tenderness over the scaphoid (those who exhibit pain to pressure in the anatomic snuff box) are often splinted in a thumb spica for 7–10 days at which point a second set of X-rays is taken. If there was a hairline fracture, healing may now be apparent. Even then a fracture may not be apparent. A CT Scan can then be used to evaluate the scaphoid with greater resolution. The use of MRI, if available, is preferred over CT and can give one an immediate diagnosis. Bone scintigraphy is also an effective method for diagnosing a fracture which does not appear on x-ray. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Orthopaedics
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Question 48
Incorrect
-
The mandibular nerve, which is the largest of the 3 divisions of the trigeminal nerve, exits the cranial cavity through which foramen?
Your Answer: Foramen hallucidum
Correct Answer: Foramen ovale
Explanation:At the base of the skull the foramen ovale is one of the larger of the several holes that transmit nerves through the skull. The following structures pass through foramen ovale: mandibular nerve, motor root of the trigeminal nerve, accessory meningeal artery, lesser petrosal nerve, a branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve, emissary vein connecting the cavernous sinus with the pterygoid plexus of veins and occasionally the anterior trunk of the middle meningeal vein.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 49
Correct
-
The annular ligament in the forearm:
Your Answer: Encircles the head of the radius
Explanation:The annular ligament forms about four-fifths of the osseofibrous ring and is attached to the anterior and posterior margins of the radial notch. It is a strong band of fibres which encircles the head of the radius retaining it in contact with the radial notch of the ulna. When it comes to its upper border, it blends with the anterior and posterior ligament of the elbow.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 50
Incorrect
-
A premenopausal woman has an ovarian tumour. Which is the most common benign germ-cell tumour that could occur in a premenopausal woman?
Your Answer: Brenner tumour
Correct Answer: Dermoid cyst
Explanation:A dermoid cyst is a teratoma of a cystic nature that contains an array of developmentally mature and solid tissues. Dermoid cysts grow slowly and this type of cystic teratoma is nearly always benign.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 51
Correct
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Which of the following is responsible for the activation of pepsinogen released in the stomach?
Your Answer: Acid pH and pepsin
Explanation:Pepsinogen is the inactive precursor of pepsin. Once secreted, it comes in contact with hydrochloric acid and pepsin, previously formed, and undergoes cleavage to form active pepsin.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 52
Incorrect
-
To reach the oral vestibule, the parotid duct must pierce this muscle:
Your Answer: Levator anguli oris muscle
Correct Answer: Buccinator muscle
Explanation:The parotid duct or Stensen duct is a duct and the route that saliva takes from the major salivary gland, the parotid gland into the mouth. The parotid duct is formed when several interlobular ducts—the largest ducts inside the parotid gland join. It emerges from the gland and runs forward along the lateral side of the masseter muscle. In this course, the duct is surrounded by the buccal fat pad. It takes a steep turn at the border of the masseter and passes through the buccinator muscle, opening into the vestibule of the mouth, between the cheek and the gums, at the parotid papilla, which lies across the second superior molar tooth.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 53
Incorrect
-
Selective destruction of which of the following cells will affect antibody synthesis?
Your Answer: Reticulocytes
Correct Answer: Plasma cells
Explanation:Plasma cell are memory cells. After the antigen Is engulfed by the B cells it is presented to the CD4+ helper cells via the MCH II receptor and this leads to their activation which in turn stimulates the B cells to form antibodies against that specific antigen. Some B cells differentiate into plasma cells also called memory cells that get activated after subsequent infection.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 54
Incorrect
-
A 27-year-old man presents to the A&E department with a headache and odd behaviour after being hit on the side of his head by a bat. Whilst waiting for a CT scan, he becomes drowsy and unresponsive. What is the most likely underlying injury?
Your Answer: Intracerebral haematoma
Correct Answer: Extradural haematoma
Explanation:Extradural haematoma is the most likely cause of this patient’s symptomology. The middle meningeal artery is prone to damage when the temporal side of the head is hit.
Patients who suffer head injuries should be managed according to ATLS principles and extracranial injuries should be managed alongside cranial trauma. Inadequate cardiac output compromises the CNS perfusion, irrespective of the nature of cranial injury.
An extradural haematoma is a collection of blood in the space between the skull and the dura mater. It often results from acceleration-deceleration trauma or a blow to the side of the head. The majority of extradural haematomas occur in the temporal region where skull fractures cause a rupture of the middle meningeal artery. There is often loss of consciousness following a head injury, a brief regaining of consciousness, and then loss of consciousness again—lucid interval. Other symptoms may include headache, confusion, vomiting, and an inability to move parts of the body. Diagnosis is typically by a CT scan or MRI, and treatment is generally by urgent surgery in the form of a craniotomy or burr hole.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 55
Correct
-
A 15-year-old girl was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. Gram staining of the spinal fluid shows numerous polymorphonuclear neutrophils and Gram-positive cocci. Which is the empiric drug of choice to be given to the patient until the antibiotic sensitivity report is available?
Your Answer: Methicillin
Explanation:Bacterial meningitis (including meningococcal meningitis, Haemophilus influenzae meningitis, and staphylococcal meningitis) is a neurologic emergency that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Initiation of empiric antibacterial therapy is therefore essential for better outcomes. The patient appears to be suffering from meningitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Methicillin would be the drug of choice . It is bactericidal and unlike streptomycin and chloramphenicol it is not associated with toxicity
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 56
Incorrect
-
The majority of gallstones are mainly composed of:
Your Answer: Bilirubin
Correct Answer: Cholesterol
Explanation:Bile salts are formed out of cholesterol in the liver cells. Occasionally, precipitation of cholesterol occurs resulting into cholesterol stones developing in the gall bladder.
These cholesterol gallstones are the most common type and account for 80% of all gallstones. Another type, accounting for 20% gallstones is pigment stones which are composed of bilirubin and calcium salts. Occasionally, stones of mixed origin are also seen. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 57
Incorrect
-
A 50-year old, obese gentleman with a compression fracture of T11 vertebra was admitted in the hospital. Examination revealed a raised blood pressure 165/112 mmHg and blood glucose 8.5 mmol/l. His abdomen had the presence of purplish striae. What condition is he likely to be suffering from?
Your Answer: Pheochromocytoma
Correct Answer: Adrenal cortical carcinoma
Explanation:Adrenocortical carcinomas are rare tumours with reported incidence being only two in a million. However, they have a poor prognosis. These are large tumours and range from 4-10 cm in diameter. They arise from the adrenal cortex and 10% cases are bilateral. 50-80% are known to be functional, leading to Cushing syndrome. Even though the tumour affects both sexes equally, functional tumours are slightly commoner in women and non-functional tumours are commoner in men. As compared to women, men also develop this tumour at an older age and seem to have a poorer prognosis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 58
Incorrect
-
Which of the following substances is most likely to cause pulmonary vasodilatation?
Your Answer: Histamine
Correct Answer: Nitric oxide
Explanation:In the body, nitric oxide is synthesised from arginine and oxygen by various nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes and by sequential reduction of inorganic nitrate. The endothelium of blood vessels uses nitric oxide to signal the surrounding smooth muscle to relax, so dilating the artery and increasing blood flow. Nitric oxide/oxygen blends are used in critical care to promote capillary and pulmonary dilation to treat primary pulmonary hypertension in neonatal patients post-meconium aspiration and related to birth defects.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 59
Incorrect
-
A new-born was found to have an undeveloped spiral septum in the heart. This is characteristic of which of the following?
Your Answer: Aortic valve stenosis
Correct Answer: Persistent truncus arteriosus
Explanation:Persistent truncus arteriosus is a congenital heart disease that occurs when the primitive truncus does not divide into the pulmonary artery and aorta, resulting in a single arterial trunk. The spiral septum is created by fusion of a truncal septum and the aorticopulmonary spiral septum. Incomplete development of these septa results in incomplete separation of the common tube of the truncus arteriosus and the aorticopulmonary trunk.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 60
Incorrect
-
The mechanism of action of streptokinase involves:
Your Answer: Activation of factor X
Correct Answer: Direct conversion of plasminogen to plasmin
Explanation:Streptokinase is an enzyme that is produced by group A beta haemolytic streptococcus and is an effective and cost efficient method for the dissolution of a clot used in cases of MI and pulmonary embolism. It works by directly converting plasminogen to plasmin which breaks down the blood components in the clot and fibrin, dissolving the clot. Streptokinase is a bacterial product and thus the body will develop immunity against it.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 61
Incorrect
-
Following a bee sting, a women develops a 2cm red, raised, swollen lesion at the site of the sting . Which of the following findings is likely to be seen in this lesion?
Your Answer: Foreign body reaction
Correct Answer: Vasodilation
Explanation:Inflammation is the immediate response of the body towards infections or irritations. The cardinal signs of inflammation are 1. redness/rubor, 2. tumour/swelling, 3.dolar/pain, 4.calor/heat and organ dysfunction (function laesa). Inflammation has 2 components; vascular and cellular. Blood vessels dilate upstream of the inflamed area leading to the rubor and calor and constrict downstream, increasing pressure and causing fluid to leak out of the capillary, resulting in swelling. The cellular component includes infiltration by neutrophils. Leukocyte arrival and functions include; 1. margination: cells marginated from the centre to the periphery of the vessel, 2. rolling: selectins are upregulated on the vessel walls, 3. adhesion: upregulation of the adhesion molecules ICAM and VCAM on the endothelium interact with integrins on the leukocytes resulting in adhesion, 4. diapedesis and chemotaxis: diapedesis is the transmigration of the leukocyte across the endothelium of the capillary and towards a chemotactic product and 5. phagocytosis: engulfing the offending substance/cell.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 62
Correct
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A 42 year old lawyer is rushed to the emergency room after she was found lying unconscious on her left arm with an empty bottle of Diazepam beside her. Her left arm has red and purple marks and is swollen. Her hand is stiff and insensate. Which of the following substances would be expected to be present in her urine in increased quantities?
Your Answer: Myoglobin
Explanation:Answer: Myoglobin
When muscle is damaged, a protein called myoglobin is released into the bloodstream. It is then filtered out of the body by the kidneys. Myoglobin breaks down into substances that can damage kidney cells.
Compartment syndrome is a painful condition that occurs when pressure within the muscles builds to dangerous levels. This pressure can decrease blood flow, which prevents nourishment and oxygen from reaching nerve and muscle cells.Compartment syndrome can be either acute or chronic.
Acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency. It is usually caused by a severe injury. Without treatment, it can lead to permanent muscle damage.
Chronic compartment syndrome, also known as exertional compartment syndrome, is usually not a medical emergency. It is most often caused by athletic exertion. Compartments are groupings of muscles, nerves, and blood vessels in your arms and legs. Covering these tissues is a tough membrane called a fascia. The role of the fascia is to keep the tissues in place, and, therefore, the fascia does not stretch or expand easily.
Compartment syndrome develops when swelling or bleeding occurs within a compartment. Because the fascia does not stretch, this can cause increased pressure on the capillaries, nerves, and muscles in the compartment. Blood flow to muscle and nerve cells is disrupted. Without a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients, nerve and muscle cells can be damaged.In acute compartment syndrome, unless the pressure is relieved quickly, permanent disability and tissue death may result. This does not usually happen in chronic (exertional) compartment syndrome.
Compartment syndrome most often occurs in the anterior (front) compartment of the lower leg (calf). It can also occur in other compartments in the leg, as well as in the arms, hands, feet, and buttocks.
Acute compartment syndrome usually develops after a severe injury, such as a car accident or a broken bone. Rarely, it develops after a relatively minor injury.
Conditions that may bring on acute compartment syndrome include:
A fracture.
A badly bruised muscle. This type of injury can occur when a motorcycle falls on the leg of the rider, or a football player is hit in the leg with another player’s helmet.
Re-established blood flow after blocked circulation. This may occur after a surgeon repairs a damaged blood vessel that has been blocked for several hours. A blood vessel can also be blocked during sleep. Lying for too long in a position that blocks a blood vessel, then moving or waking up can cause this condition. Most healthy people will naturally move when blood flow to a limb is blocked during sleep. The development of compartment syndrome in this manner usually occurs in people who are neurologically compromised. This can happen after severe intoxication with alcohol or other drugs.
Crush injuries.
Anabolic steroid use. Taking steroids is a possible factor in compartment syndrome.
Constricting bandages. Casts and tight bandages may lead to compartment syndrome. If symptoms of compartment syndrome develop, remove or loosen any constricting bandages. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 63
Incorrect
-
A 13 year old girl presents to the clinic with weight loss and bloody diarrhoea. Examination of the abdomen is unremarkable. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Viral gastroenteritis
Correct Answer: Inflammatory bowel disease
Explanation:Answer: Inflammatory bowel disease
The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease, are chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract most often diagnosed in adolescence and young adulthood, with a rising incidence in paediatric populations. Inflammatory bowel disease is caused by a dysregulated mucosal immune response to the intestinal microflora in genetically predisposed hosts. Although children can present with the classic symptoms of weight loss, abdominal pain, and bloody diarrhoea, many present with nonclassical symptoms of isolated poor growth, anaemia, or other extraintestinal manifestations.
Colorectal Carcinoma (CRC) is rare in patients less than 20 years of age.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Paediatric Surgery
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Question 64
Incorrect
-
Which is the correct superficial to deep order of structures that would be affected following a knife wound to the lateral aspect of the knee?
Your Answer: Skin, tibial collateral ligament, lateral meniscus
Correct Answer: skin, fibular collateral ligament, popliteus muscle tendon, lateral meniscus
Explanation:Skin, fibular collateral ligament, popliteus muscle tendon and lateral meniscus is the correct order of structures covering the lateral aspect of the knee joint from a superficial to deep.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 65
Incorrect
-
A 45 year-old female presents with a drooping eyelid. During examination, the same pupil of the patient is found to be dilated. Which nerve could be involve in this case?
Your Answer: Long ciliary nerve
Correct Answer: Oculomotor nerve
Explanation:The oculomotor nerve controls most of the eye muscles. It also controls the constriction of the pupils and thickening of the lens of the eye. This can be tested in two main ways. By moving a finger toward a person’s face to induce accommodation, their pupils should constrict or shining a light into one eye should result in equal constriction of the other eye. The neurons in the optic nerve decussate in the optic chiasm with some crossing to the contralateral optic nerve tract. This is the basis of the swinging-flashlight test. Loss of accommodation and continued pupillary dilation can indicate the presence of a lesion of the oculomotor nerve.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 66
Correct
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A 45-year-old male is brought to the emergency department having been trapped in a burning house for 20 minutes before rescue. He has sustained burns to his entire back, and left arm, anteriorly and posteriorly and they are red and painful. He does not appear to have airway compromise, in particular, no singing of nasal hairs. His blood pressure and pulse are acceptable. His estimated weight is 80 kg. What is the most appropriate resuscitation plan?
Your Answer: 4.5 L compound crystalloid over 8 hours, and the same again over the next 16 hours
Explanation:Patients with burns of more than 20% – 25% of their body surface should be managed with aggressive IV fluid resuscitation to prevent “burn shock.
Rule of 9’s for Adults: 9% for each arm, 18% for each leg, 9% for head,18% for front torso, 18% for back torso.
A variety of formulas exist, like Brooke, Galveston, Rule of Ten, but the most common formula is the Parkland Formula. This formula estimates the amount of fluid given in the first 24 hours, starting from the time of the burn.
Four mL lactated ringers solution × percentage total body surface area (%TBSA) burned × patient’s weight in kilograms = total amount of fluid given in the first 24 hours.
One-half of this fluid should be given in the first eight hours.
For example, a 75 kg patient with 55% total body surface area burn would need; 4 mL LR × 75kg × 55% TBSA = 16,500 mL in the first 24 hours, with 8,250 mL in the first eight hours or approximately 1 litre/hr for the first eight hours.
For paediatric patients, the Parkland Formula can be used plus the addition of normal maintenance fluids added to the total.
Whichever formula is used, the important point to remember is the fluid amount calculated is just a guideline. Patient’s vital signs, mental status, capillary refill and urine output must be monitored and fluid rates adjusted accordingly. Urine output of 0.5 mL/kg or about 30 – 50 mL/hr in adults and 0.5-1.0 mL/kg/hr in children less than 30kg is a good target for adequate fluid resuscitation.
Other management for severe burns includes nasal gastric tube placement as most patients will develop ileus. Foley catheters should be placed to monitor urine output. Cardiac and pulse oximetry monitoring is indicated. Pain control is best managed with IV medication. Finally, burns are considered tetanus-prone wounds and tetanus prophylaxis are indicated if not given in the past five years. In any severe flame burn, you should always consider possible associated inhalation injury, carbon monoxide or cyanide poisoning. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 67
Incorrect
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A 56-year-old woman complains of back pain, muscle spasms, weakness, and a burning sensation that radiates from her left hip to her toes. What's the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Osteoporosis
Correct Answer: Herniated nucleus pulposus
Explanation:A herniated disk will produce sensory disturbances, causing pain that radiates along the course of the sciatic nerve which is typically burning or stabbing, with or without back pain. The herniation is usually caused by age-related degeneration although trauma, injuries, or straining may also trigger it.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 68
Correct
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Whilst snorkelling, a 30-year old gentleman has the respiratory rate of 10/min, tidal volume of 550 ml and an effective anatomical dead space of 250 ml. Which of the following will bring about a maximum increase in his alveolar ventilation?
Your Answer: A 2x increase in tidal volume and a shorter snorkel
Explanation:Alveolar ventilation = respiratory rate × (tidal volume − anatomical dead space volume). Increase in respiratory rate simply causes movement of air in the anatomical dead space, with no contribution to the alveolar ventilation. By use of a shorter snorkel, the effective anatomical dead space will decrease and will cause a maximum rise in alveolar ventilation along with doubling of tidal volume.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 69
Incorrect
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Which of the following proteins acts as cofactor in the thrombin-induced activation of anticoagulant protein C?
Your Answer: Alpha-2-antiplasmin
Correct Answer: Thrombomodulin
Explanation:Thrombomodulin is a protein cofactor expressed on the surface of endothelial cells. Thrombomodulin binds with thrombin forming a complex which activates protein C, initiating the anticoagulant pathway.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 70
Incorrect
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A 44-year old man, who was euthyroid underwent thyroidectomy following neoplastic cells found on fine-needle aspiration. Frozen section of multiple thyroid masses showed malignant neoplasm of polygonal cells in nests. The neoplasm also showed presence of amyloid which was positive with Congo-red staining. Immunoperoxidase staining for calcitonin was also positive. Chest X-ray revealed no abnormality. However, his blood pressure was found to be raised, and his serum ionised calcium was high. What is the likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Thyroglossal duct cyst
Correct Answer: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIA
Explanation:MEN (Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia) syndromes are a group of three separate familial disease which consists of adenomatous hyperplasia and neoplasia in several endocrine glands. All three conditions are inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, with a single gene producing multiple effects. MEN IIA is characterized by medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, pheochromocytoma and hyperparathyroidism. It should be suspected in patients with bilateral pheochromocytoma, a familial history of MEN, or at least two characteristic endocrine manifestations. Genetic testing is used to confirm the diagnosis. Early diagnosis is crucial to aid in complete excision of the localized tumour. Pheochromocytomas can be detected by plasma free metanephrines and fractionated urinary catecholamines, particularly adrenaline (epinephrine). Imaging studies such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging might also prove useful. Hyperparathyroidism is diagnosed by the standard finding of hypercalcaemia, hypophosphatemia and an increased parathyroid hormone level. Once MEN IIA syndrome is identified in any patient, it is recommended that his or her first-degree relatives and any other symptomatic also undergo genetic testing. Relatives should be subjected to annual screening for hyperparathyroidism and pheochromocytoma beginning in early childhood and continue indefinitely. Serum calcium levels help in screening for hyperparathyroidism. Similarly, screening for pheochromocytoma is by history, measurement of the blood pressure and laboratory testing.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 71
Incorrect
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Which of these HLA alleles is most likely to be present in ankylosing spondylitis?
Your Answer: HLA-DR2
Correct Answer: HLA-B27
Explanation:Ankylosing spondylitis usually appears between the ages of 20-40 years old and is more frequent in men. It is strongly associated with HLA-B27, along with other spondyloarthropathies, which can be remembered through the mnemonic PAIR (Psoriasis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Inflammatory bowel disease, and Reactive arthritis).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 72
Incorrect
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A 35 year old IV drug abuser arrives at the clinic with localized spinal pain. It is worse on movement and has been occurring for the last 2 months. The pain is refractory to analgesic treatment and is felt excruciatingly at rest too. He has no history of tuberculosis. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Transverse myelitis
Correct Answer: Osteomyelitis
Explanation:Complications of intravenous drug abuse, such as subcutaneous abscess, joint infections, osteomyelitis, overdose, hepatitis, and infective endocarditis, account for an increasing number of admissions in accident and emergency departments throughout the UK. The organisms that usually cause chronic osteomyelitis in intravenous drug users are Gram‐negative rods such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram‐positive cocci such as staphylococci. Early treatment is essential to prevent progressive bone destruction. TB tends to affect the thoracic spine and in other causes of osteomyelitis the lumbar spine is affected.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Orthopaedics
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Question 73
Correct
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Choose the most correct answer regarding the common peroneal nerve.
Your Answer: It gives rise to the nerve that supplies the anterior compartment leg muscles
Explanation:The common peroneal nerve divides beneath the peroneus longus muscle and gives off articular and lateral sural cutaneous nerves which supply muscular branches to the muscles of the anterior compartment of the leg which are the tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum, peroneus tertius and extensor hallucis longus.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 74
Incorrect
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A 50-year-old man presents with bright red rectal bleeding that occurs post defecation and is noted on the toilet paper. It is also associated with severe pain. On external anal examination, a skin tag is identified at 6 o'clock position.Which of the following treatment options is most likely to be helpful?
Your Answer: Milligan-Morgan haemorrhoidectomy
Correct Answer: Topical GTN
Explanation:Since the most likely diagnosis is anal fissure, the correct treatment is topical nitrates.
Anal fissures are a common cause of painful, bright red rectal bleeding. Most fissures are idiopathic and present as a painful mucocutaneous defect in the posterior midline (90% cases). Fissures are more likely to be anteriorly located in females, particularly if they are multiparous. Diseases associated with fissure-in-ano include:
1. Crohn’s disease
2. Tuberculosis
3. Internal rectal prolapseDiagnostic options are as follows:
In most cases, the defect can be visualised as a posterior midline epithelial defect. Where symptoms are highly suggestive of the condition and examination findings are unclear, an examination under anaesthesia may be helpful. Atypical disease presentation should be investigated by colonoscopy and EUA, with biopsies of the area.For management of anal fissure:
1. Stool softeners are important as hard stools may tear the epithelium and result in recurrent symptoms. The most effective first-line agents are topically applied GTN (0.2%) or Diltiazem (2%) paste.
2. Resistant cases may benefit from injection of botulinum toxin or lateral internal sphincterotomy. Advancement flaps may be used to treat resistant cases. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Colorectal Surgery
- Generic Surgical Topics
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Question 75
Incorrect
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A pedestrian sustained a left fibula fractured following a hit-and-run. X-rays showed that there was a transverse fracture of the upper end of the fibula. It was manifested clinically by inability to flex his foot at the ankle joint plus weak extension of the phalanges. What nerve is suspected to be injured in such a case?
Your Answer: Superficial peroneal
Correct Answer: Deep peroneal
Explanation:The deep peroneal nerve supplies the muscles allowing for flexion of the foot at the ankle joint, namely the tibialis anterior and peroneus tertius muscles. The peroneus tertius, peroneus brevis, and peroneus longus evert the foot, whereas the tibialis anterior and tibialis posterior invert the foot. Fibres of the deep peroneal nerve originate from L4, L5, and S1.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 76
Correct
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A 76-year-old man with a urinary tract obstruction due to prostatic hyperplasia develops acute renal failure. Which of the following physiological abnormalities of acute renal failure will be most life threatening for this patient?
Your Answer: Acidosis
Explanation:Acute renal failure (ARF) is a rapid loss of renal function due to damage to the kidneys, resulting in retention of nitrogenous (urea and creatinine) and non-nitrogenous waste products that are normally excreted by the kidney. This accumulation may be accompanied by metabolic disturbances, such as metabolic acidosis and hyperkalaemia, changes in body fluid balance and effects on many other organ systems. Metabolic acidosis and hyperkalaemia are the two most serious biochemical manifestations of acute renal failure and may require medical treatment with sodium bicarbonate administration and antihyperkalaemic measures. If not appropriately treated these can be life-threatening. ARF is diagnosed on the basis of characteristic laboratory findings, such as elevated blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, or inability of the kidneys to produce sufficient amounts of urine.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 77
Incorrect
-
Calculate the pulmonary vascular resistance in an adult male with the following parameters: Heart rate 70 beats/min, Arterial [O2] 0.24 ml O2/min, Venous [O2] 0.16 ml O2/min, Whole body O2 consumption 500 ml/min, Pulmonary diastolic pressure 15 mmHg, Pulmonary systolic pressure 25 mmHg, Wedge pressure 5 mmHg.
Your Answer: 2.5 resistance units (mmHg/l per min)
Correct Answer: 2.0 resistance units (mmHg/l per min)
Explanation:Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) = (Mean pulmonary artery pressure – Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure) divided by Cardiac output. To get cardiac output, Fick’s principle needs to be applied which states that VO2 = (CO × CAO2) – (CO × CVO2) where VO2 = oxygen consumption, CO = cardiac output, CA = oxygen concentration of arterial blood and CVO2 = oxygen concentration of venous blood. Thus, CO = VO2/CAO2– CVO2, CO = 500/0.24–0.16, CO = 500/0.8, CO = 6.25 l/min. To calculate mean pulmonary artery pressure, we use the formula: Mean pulmonary artery pressure = Diastolic pressure + 1/3(Systolic pressure – Diastolic pressure). Thus, Mean pulmonary artery pressure = 15 + 1/3(25 – 15) = 15 + 3. 33 = 18.33. Substituting these values in the first formula, PVR = 18.3–5/6.25 = 13.5/5.25 = 2.0 resistance units (mmHg/l per min) approximately.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 78
Incorrect
-
Which of these conditions causes haematuria, hypertension and proteinuria in children, usually after a streptococcal infection?
Your Answer: Drug reaction
Correct Answer: Acute nephritic syndrome
Explanation:Nephritic syndrome (or acute nephritic syndrome) is a syndrome comprising of signs of nephritis. Children between 2 and 12 are most commonly affected, but it may occur at any age. Predisposing factors/causes include:
Infections with group A streptococcal bacteria (acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis).
Primary renal diseases: immunoglobulin A nephropathy, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, idiopathic rapidly progressive crescentic glomerulonephritis.
Secondary renal diseases: subacute bacterial endocarditis, infected ventriculo–peritoneal shunt, glomerulonephritis with visceral abscess, glomerulonephritis with bacterial, viral or parasitic infections.
Multisystem diseases.
By contrast, nephrotic syndrome is characterized by only proteins moving into the urine. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 79
Incorrect
-
A 25-year old man presented to the clinic with swelling of the penis. His uncircumcised penis was erythematous and oedematous. The foreskin could not be retracted over the glans. Which of the following agents is the likely cause of his condition?
Your Answer: Treponema pallidum
Correct Answer: Staphylococcus aureus
Explanation:Inflammation of the glans penis is known as balanitis. Associated involvement of the foreskin is then known as balanoposthitis. More likely to occur in men who have a tight foreskin that is difficult to pull back, or poor hygiene.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 80
Incorrect
-
Injury to the supraspinatus muscle will affect:
Your Answer: Lateral rotation of the humerus
Correct Answer: Initiation of abduction of the humerus
Explanation:This muscle arises from the medial two-thirds of the supraspinatus fossa and from the supraspinatus fascia. It is inserted into the highest impression on the greater tubercle of the humerus after passing over the upper part of the shoulder joint. It works with the deltoid to raise the arm from the side of the trunk and initiate abduction. It also assists in fixation of the head of the humerus in the glenoid cavity.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 81
Incorrect
-
A 39-year-old man is admitted with a tender mass in the right groin, fever, and sweating. He is on multi-drug therapy for HIV infection. On examination, a tender swelling is noted in his right groin. The pain is exacerbated by hip extension. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: AIDS-related lymphadenopathy
Correct Answer: Psoas abscess
Explanation:The patient has a primary psoas abscess.
Psoas (or iliopsoas) abscess is a collection of pus in the iliopsoas muscle compartment. It may arise via contiguous spread from adjacent structures or by the haematogenous route from a distant site. Psoas abscesses may be either primary or secondary. Primary cases often develop in the immunosuppressed and may occur as a result of haematogenous spread. Secondary cases may occur as a complication of intra-abdominal diseases such as Crohn’s disease.
Patients usually present with lower back pain and if the abscess is extensive, a mass that may be localised to the inguinal region or femoral triangle. In most cases, the diagnosis can be made clinically. Where it is not clear, an ultrasound scan is often the most convenient investigation.
Smaller collections may be percutaneously drained. If the collection is larger, or the percutaneous route fails, then surgery (via a retroperitoneal approach) should be performed.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- The Abdomen
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Question 82
Incorrect
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Which of these nerves controls adduction of hand?
Your Answer: Musculocutaneous nerve
Correct Answer: Ulnar nerve
Explanation:The adductors of the fingers are the palmer interossei. They are supplied by the ulnar nerve, which is a branch of the medical cord of the brachial plexus.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 83
Incorrect
-
Myoglobin is released as a result of rhabdomyolysis from damaged skeletal muscles. What function do they perform in the muscle?
Your Answer: Releases O2 only at high ρ(O2)
Correct Answer: Acts like haemoglobin and binds with O2
Explanation:Myoglobin is a pigmented globular protein made up of 153 amino acids with a prosthetic group containing haem around which the apoprotein folds. It is the primary oxygen carrying protein of the muscles. The binding of oxygen to myoglobin is unaffected by the oxygen pressure as it has an instant tendency to bind given its hyperbolic oxygen curve. It releases oxygen at very low pO2 levels.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 84
Incorrect
-
Nephrotic syndrome is a condition that causes proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia and oedema. Which of the following is the cause of the oedema in these patients?
Your Answer: Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
Correct Answer: Decreased oncotic pressure
Explanation:The glomeruli of the kidneys are the parts that normally filter the blood. They consist of capillaries that are fenestrated and allow fluid, salts and other small solutes to flow through, but normally not proteins. In nephrotic syndrome, the glomeruli become damaged allowing small proteins, such as albumin to pass through the kidneys into urine. Oedema usually occurs due to salt and water retention by the diseased kidneys as well as due to the reduced colloid oncotic pressure (because of reduced albumin in the plasma). Lower serum oncotic pressure causes fluid to accumulate in the interstitial tissues.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 85
Incorrect
-
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is likely to be affected by a lesion in the:
Your Answer: Motor cortex
Correct Answer: Pons
Explanation:Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is also known as paradoxical sleep, as the summed activity of the brain’s neurons is quite similar to that during waking hours. Characterised by rapid movements of the eyes, most of the vividly recalled dreams occur during this stage of sleep. The total time of REM sleep for an adult is about 90–120 min per night.
Certain neurones in the brainstem, known as REM sleep-on cells, which are located in the pontine tegmentum, are particularly active during REM sleep and are probably responsible for its occurrence. The eye movements associated with REM are generated by the pontine nucleus with projections to the superior colliculus and are associated with PGO (pons, geniculate, occipital) waves. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 86
Incorrect
-
A 68 year old man who is scheduled for an amputation suddenly presents to the physician with episodes of vertigo and dysarthria. After a while he collapses and his GCS is recorded to be 3. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis of this presentation?
Your Answer: Cerebral haemorrhage in right temporal parietal area
Correct Answer: Basilar artery occlusion
Explanation:The clinical presentation of basilar artery occlusion (BAO) ranges from mild transient symptoms to devastating strokes with high fatality and morbidity. Often, non-specific prodromal symptoms such as vertigo or headaches are indicative of BAO, and are followed by the hallmarks of BAO, including decreased consciousness, quadriparesis, pupillary and oculomotor abnormalities, dysarthria, and dysphagia. When clinical findings suggest an acute brainstem disorder, BAO has to be confirmed or ruled out as a matter of urgency. If BAO is recognised early and confirmed with multimodal CT or MRI, intravenous thrombolysis or endovascular treatment can be undertaken. The goal of thrombolysis is to restore blood flow in the occluded artery and salvage brain tissue; however, the best treatment approach to improve clinical outcome still needs to be ascertained.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 87
Incorrect
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The third branch of the maxillary artery lies in which fossa?
Your Answer: Infratemporal fossa
Correct Answer: Pterygopalatine fossa
Explanation:The maxillary artery supplies deep structures of the face. It branches from the external carotid artery just deep to the neck of the mandible. It is divided into three portions:
– The first or mandibular portion (or bony portion) passes horizontally forward, between the neck of the mandible and the sphenomandibular ligament.
– The second or pterygoid portion (or muscular portion) runs obliquely forward and upward under cover of the ramus of the mandible, on the surface of the lateral pterygoid muscle; it then passes between the two heads of origin of this muscle and enters the fossa.
– The third portion lies in the pterygopalatine fossa in relation to the pterygopalatine ganglion. This is considered the terminal branch of the maxillary artery. Branches from the third portion includes: the sphenopalatine artery, descending palatine artery, infraorbital artery, posterior superior alveolar artery, artery of pterygoid canal, pharyngeal artery, middle superior alveolar artery and anterior superior alveolar artery. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 88
Incorrect
-
Diuretics that act on the ascending limb of the loop of Henle produce:
Your Answer: Reduced passive transport of chloride
Correct Answer: Reduced active transport of sodium
Explanation:The loop of Henlé leads from the proximal convoluted tubule to the distal convoluted tubule. Its primary function uses a counter current multiplier mechanism in the medulla to reabsorb water and ions from the urine. It can be divided into four parts:
1. Descending limb of loop of Henlé – low permeability to ions and urea, while being highly permeable to water 2. Thin ascending limb of loop of Henlé – not permeable to water, but it is permeable to ions
3. Medullary thick ascending limb of loop of Henlé – sodium (Na+), potassium (K+) and chloride (Cl–) ions are reabsorbed by active transport. K+ is passively transported along its concentration gradient through a K+ channel in the basolateral aspect of the cells, back into the lumen of the ascending limb.
4. The cortical thick ascending limb – the site of action where loop diuretics such as furosemide block the K+/Na+/2Cl− co-transporters = reduced active transport. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 89
Incorrect
-
A 54-year-old man is brought to the Emergency Department after being found collapsed in the street. He is known to have a history of alcoholic liver disease. Blood tests reveal the following:
Your Answer: 10ml of 50% calcium gluconate over 10 minutes
Correct Answer: 10ml of 10% calcium chloride over 10 minutes
Explanation:The clinical history combined with parathyroid hormone levels will reveal the cause of hypocalcaemia in the majority of cases
Causes
Vitamin D deficiency (osteomalacia)
Acute pancreatitis
Chronic renal failure
Hypoparathyroidism (e.g. post thyroid/parathyroid surgery)
Pseudohypoparathyroidism (target cells insensitive to PTH)
Rhabdomyolysis (initial stages)
Magnesium deficiency (due to end organ PTH resistance)Management
Acute management of severe hypocalcaemia is with intravenous replacement. The preferred method is with intravenous calcium chloride, 10ml of 10% solution over 10 minutes
ECG monitoring is recommended
Further management depends on the underlying cause
Calcium and bicarbonate should not be administered via the same route -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 90
Incorrect
-
What is the 5-year survival rate of carcinoma of the pancreas?
Your Answer: 15 per cent
Correct Answer: 30 per cent
Explanation:Pancreatic cancer typically has a poor prognosis, partly because the cancer usually initially remains symptomless, leading to locally advanced or metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. Median survival from diagnosis is around 3–6 months. Even in those suitable for resectional surgery, 5-year survival rates are still only 30 per cent.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 91
Incorrect
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A gymnast was admitted to hospital for investigation of a weakness in the extension and adduction of his arm. He had a previous penetrating wound in the area of the posterior axillary fold. Which of these muscles is the likely cause?
Your Answer: Pectoralis major
Correct Answer: Latissimus dorsi
Explanation:All the criteria of this case points towards the latissimus dorsi. This muscle is greatly involved in extension, adduction and medial rotation of the arm and forms the posterior axillary fold which in this case was injured.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 92
Incorrect
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A 30 year old carpenter falls off the roof of a house and lands on his right arm. X-ray and clinical examination show that he has fractured the proximal ulna and associated radial dislocation. Which of the following names would be used to describe this injury?
Your Answer: Smith's
Correct Answer: Monteggia's
Explanation:The Monteggia fracture refers to a dislocation of the proximal radio-ulnar joint (PRUJ) in association with a forearm fracture, most commonly a fracture of the ulna. Depending on the type of fracture and severity, they may experience elbow swelling, deformity, crepitus, and paraesthesia or numbness. Some patients may not have severe pain at rest, but elbow flexion and forearm rotation are limited and painful.
The dislocated radial head may be palpable in the anterior, posterior, or anterolateral position. In Bado type I and IV lesions, the radial head can be palpated in the antecubital fossa. The radial head can be palpated posteriorly in type II lesions and laterally in type III lesions.Colles’ fractures have the following 3 features:
– Transverse fracture of the radius
– 1 inch proximal to the radio-carpal joint
– Dorsal displacement and angulationSmith’s fracture (reverse Colles’ fracture)
– Volar angulation of distal radius fragment (Garden spade deformity)
– Caused by falling backwards onto the palm of an outstretched hand or falling with wrists flexedBennett’s fracture
– Intra-articular fracture of the first carpometacarpal joint
– Impact on flexed metacarpal, caused by fist fights
– X-ray: triangular fragment at ulnar base of metacarpalGaleazzi fracture
– Radial shaft fracture with associated dislocation of the distal radioulnar jointPott’s fracture
– Bimalleolar ankle fracture
– Forced foot eversionBarton’s fracture
– Distal radius fracture (Colles’/Smith’s) with associated radiocarpal dislocation
– Fall onto extended and pronated wrist
– Involvement of the joint is a defining feature -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Orthopaedics
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Question 93
Incorrect
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A 40-year-old motorcyclist is involved in a road traffic accident. A FAST scan in the emergency department shows free intrabdominal fluid. A laparotomy is performed during which there is evidence of small liver laceration that has stopped bleeding and a tear to the inferior pole of the spleen. What is the best course of action?
Your Answer: Ligate the splenic vein alone
Correct Answer: Attempt measures to conserve the spleen
Explanation:Spleen injuries are among the most frequent trauma-related injuries. At present, they are classified according to the anatomy of the injury. The optimal treatment strategy, however, should take into consideration the hemodynamic status, the anatomic derangement, and the associated injuries. The management of splenic trauma patients aims to restore the homeostasis and the normal physiopathology especially considering the modern tools for bleeding management.
The trend in the management of splenic injury continues to favour nonoperative or conservative management. This varies from institution to institution but usually includes patients with stable hemodynamic signs, stable haemoglobin levels over 12-48 hours, minimal transfusion requirements (2 U or less), CT scan injury scale grade of 1 or 2 without a blush, and patients younger than 55 years.
Surgical therapy is usually reserved for patients with signs of ongoing bleeding or hemodynamic instability. In some institutions, CT scan–assessed grade V splenic injuries with stable vitals may be observed closely without operative intervention, but most patients with these injuries will undergo exploratory laparotomy for more precise staging, repair, or removal.A retrospective analysis by Scarborough et al compared the effectiveness of nonoperative management with immediate splenectomy for adult patients with grade IV or V blunt splenic injury. The study found that both approaches had similar rates of in-hospital mortality (11.5% in the splenectomy group vs 10.0%), however, there was a higher incidence of infectious complications in the immediate splenectomy group. The rate of failure in the nonoperative management was 20.1% and symptoms of a bleeding disorder, the need for an early blood transfusion, and grade V injury were all early predictors of nonoperative management failure.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 94
Incorrect
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A terrorist running away from the police was shot in the back. The bullet hit his left lung halfway between its apex and the diaphragmatic surface. Which part of the lung was most likely to be injured?
Your Answer: Middle lobe
Correct Answer: Inferior lobe
Explanation:The oblique fissure of the left lung is so sharp that the posterior surface of the left lung is mostly composed of the inferior lobe so that the point halfway between the apex and the diaphragmatic surface of the lung would result in injury to the inferior lobe.
The hilum is the point on the medial surface of the lung where the structures that form the root of the lung enter and leave the lung.
The lingual on the other hand is part of the superior lobe of the left lung and it is part of the anterior and superior sides of the lung.
The middle lobe is only found on the right lung. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 95
Incorrect
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Where do the seminal vesicles lie?
Your Answer: Ductus deferens and ureter
Correct Answer: Base of the bladder and rectum
Explanation:The seminal vesicles are two lobulated membranous pouches situated between the fundus of the bladder and rectum and act as a reservoir for the semen and secrete a fluid that is added to the seminal fluid. Each sac is pyramidal in shape but they all vary in size not only in different individuals but also in the same individuals. The anterior surface is in contact with the fundus of the bladder, extending from near the termination of the ureter to the base of the prostate. Each vesicle consist of single tube, which gives off several irregular caecal diverticula. These separate coils and the diverticula are connected by fibrous tissue.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 96
Incorrect
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After surgery, a patient developed a stitch granuloma . Which leukocyte in the peripheral blood will become an activated macrophage in this granuloma?
Your Answer: Lymphocyte
Correct Answer: Monocyte
Explanation:Monocytes are leukocytes that protect the body against infections and move to the site of infection within 8-12 hours to deal with it. They are produced in the bone marrow and shortly after being produced are released into the blood stream where they circulate until an infection is detected. When called upon they leave the circulation and transform into macrophages within the tissue fluid and thus gain the capability to phagocytose the offending substance. Monocyte count is part of a complete blood picture. Monocytosis is the state of excess monocytes in the peripheral blood and may be indicative of various disease states. Examples of processes that can increase a monocyte count include: • chronic inflammation • stress response • hyperadrenocorticism • immune-mediated disease • pyogranulomatous disease • necrosis • red cell regeneration.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 97
Incorrect
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A chest x ray of a patient reveals loculated fluid in the right chest, which can be easily aspirated if the needle is inserted through the body wall just above the 9th rib in the midaxillary line. Where is this fluid located?
Your Answer: Costomediastinal recess
Correct Answer: Costodiaphragmatic recess
Explanation:The costodiaphragmatic recess is the lowest point of the pleural sac where the costal pleura becomes the diaphragmatic pleura. At the midclavicular line, this is found between ribs 6 and 8; at the paravertebral lines, between ribs 10 and 12 and between ribs 8 and 10 at the midaxillary line.
The cardiac notch: is an indentation of the heart on the left lung, located on the anterior surface of the lung.
Cupola: part of the parietal pleura that extends above the first rib.
Oblique pericardial sinus: part of the pericardial sac located posterior to the heart behind the left atrium.
Costomediastinal recess: a reflection of the pleura from the costal surface to the mediastinal surface, is on the anterior surface of the chest.
The inferior mediastinum: is the space in the chest occupied by the heart. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 98
Incorrect
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A 20 year old army recruit injures her ankle during a training course. On examination, she is seen with a severely swollen ankle, as well as tenderness over the medial malleolus and proximal fibula. X-rays demonstrate a medial malleolar fracture, spiral fracture of the proximal fibula and widening of the syndesmosis. Which of the following is the most appropriate definitive management?
Your Answer: Application of external fixation device
Correct Answer: Surgical fixation
Explanation:Surgical fixation is recommended in this type of fracture. The Maisonneuve fracture is a spiral fracture of the proximal third of the fibula associated with a tear of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis and the interosseous membrane. There is an associated fracture of the medial malleolus or rupture of the deep deltoid ligament. Ankle views may either show a fracture of the medial malleolus or widening of the ankle joint due to disruption of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis (lateral talar shift) or deltoid ligament complex.
Although management is variable depending on complexity of injuries, this type of fracture pattern is generally managed by operative treatment. Specific aims generally include:
1) internal fixation of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis
commonly achieved by trans-syndesmotic screws.
2) reduction and stabilization of medial malleolus fracture and/or ligamentous injuries
3) reduction and stabilization of fibular fracture- fracture involving distal 2/3 of fibula may compromise ankle mortise, and so may benefit from surgery, fracture involving proximal 1/3 fibula often managed non-operatively -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Orthopaedics
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Question 99
Incorrect
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A 55-year-old male has a mass on the right lung with involvement of the right mediastinal lymph nodes. What is the nodal staging according to the TNM staging?
Your Answer: N3
Correct Answer: N2
Explanation:The N stages for lung cancer are from NO to N3 : NO, there is no lung cancer in any lymph nodes: N1, there is lung cancer in the proximal lymph nodes: N2, there is lung cancer in the mediastinal hilar lymph nodes, but on the same side as the affected lung or there is lung cancer in the carinal lymph nodes: N3, there is metastatic lung cancer in lymph nodes on the opposite side of the chest, in the cervical or apical lymph nodes. In this patient the ipsilateral mediastinal node is involved, thus it is classified as N2.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 100
Incorrect
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Where do the cells belonging to the mononuclear phagocyte system originate?
Your Answer: Spleen
Correct Answer: Bone marrow
Explanation:The macrophage originates from a committed bone marrow stem cell. It is called the pluripotent hematopoietic stem cell. This differentiates into a monoblast and then into a promonocyte and finally matures into a monocyte. When called upon they leave the bone marrow and enter into the circulation. Upon entering the tissue they transform into macrophages. Tissue macrophages include: Kupffer cells (liver), alveolar macrophages (lung), osteoclasts (bone), Langerhans cells (skin), microglial cells (central nervous system), and possibly the dendritic immunocytes of the dermis, spleen and lymph nodes.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 101
Incorrect
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A group of surgeons in the colorectal unit wish to identify if there is a significant difference in their individual leak rates for anterior resection of the rectum. Which investigation would be appropriate?
Your Answer: Paired T Test
Correct Answer: Kruskall Wallis test
Explanation:Answer: Kruskall Wallis test
Kruskall Wallis test is a non-parametric method for testing whether samples originate from the same distribution. It is used for comparing two or more independent samples of equal or different sample sizes. It extends the Mann–Whitney U test, which is used for comparing only two groups. The parametric equivalent of the Kruskal–Wallis test is the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
T-tests are useful for comparing the means of two samples. There are two types: paired and unpaired.Paired means that both samples consist of the same test subjects. A paired t-test is equivalent to a one-sample t-test.
Unpaired means that both samples consist of distinct test subjects. An unpaired t-test is equivalent to a two-sample t-test.
A chi-squared test, also written as χ2 test, is any statistical hypothesis test where the sampling distribution of the test statistic is a chi-squared distribution when the null hypothesis is true. The chi-squared test is used to determine whether there is a significant difference between the expected frequencies and the observed frequencies in one or more categories.Fisher’s exact test is a statistical test used to determine if there are non-random associations between two categorical variables.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Management And Legal Issues In Surgery
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 102
Incorrect
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A young lady is taken to the doctor with diarrhoea and crampy abdominal pain after attending a large wedding in the morning. Other individuals who attended the wedding are also affected with the same illness. Which organism would be most likely accountable for this illness?
Your Answer: Campylobacter
Correct Answer: Clostridium perfringens
Explanation:Answer: Clostridium perfringens
Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) is a spore-forming gram-positive bacterium that is found in many environmental sources as well as in the intestines of humans and animals. C. perfringens is commonly found on raw meat and poultry. It prefers to grow in conditions with very little or no oxygen, and under ideal conditions can multiply very rapidly. Some strains of C. perfringens produce a toxin in the intestine that causes illness.
Beef, poultry, gravies, and dried or pre-cooked foods are common sources of C. perfringens infections. C. perfringens infection often occurs when foods are prepared in large quantities and kept warm for a long time before serving. Outbreaks often happen in institutions, such as hospitals, school cafeterias, prisons, and nursing homes, or at events with catered food.
People infected with C. perfringens develop diarrhoea and abdominal cramps within 6 to 24 hours (typically 8 to 12 hours). The illness usually begins suddenly and lasts for less than 24 hours. People infected with C. perfringens usually do not have fever or vomiting. The illness is not passed from one person to another.
Although C. perfringens may live normally in the human intestine, illness is caused by eating food contaminated with large numbers of C. perfringens bacteria that produce enough toxin in the intestines to cause illness.C. perfringens can survive high temperatures. During cooling and holding of food at temperatures from 54°F–140°F (12°C–60°C), the bacteria grows. It can grow very rapidly between 109°F–117°F (43°C–47°C). If the food is served without reheating to kill the bacteria, live bacteria may be eaten. The bacteria produce a toxin inside the intestine that causes illness.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Clinical Microbiology
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 103
Incorrect
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A 23 year old woman is Rh -ve and she delivered a baby with a Rh+ blood group. What measure can be performed to prevent Rh incompatibility in the next pregnancy?
Your Answer: Corticosteroids
Correct Answer: Immunoglobulin D
Explanation:Rh disease is also known as erythroblastosis fetalis and is a disease of the new-born. In mild states it can cause anaemia with reticulocytosis and in severe forms causes severe anaemia, morbus hemolytcus new-born and hydrops fetalis. RBCs of the Rh+ baby can cross the placenta and enter into the maternal blood. As she is Rh- her body will form antibodies against the D antigen which will pass through the placenta in subsequent pregnancies.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 104
Correct
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A 34-year old gentleman presented with acute pancreatitis to the emergency department. On enquiry, there was found to be a history of recurrent pancreatitis, eruptive xanthomas and raised plasma triglyceride levels associated with chylomicrons. Which of the following will be found deficient in this patient?
Your Answer: Lipoprotein lipase
Explanation:The clinical features mentioned here suggest the diagnosis of hypertriglyceridemia due to lipoprotein lipase (LPL) deficiency. LPL aids in hydrolysing the lipids in lipoproteins into free fatty acids and glycerol. Apo-CII acts as a co-factor. Deficiency of this enzyme leads to hypertriglyceridemia.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 105
Incorrect
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A 35 year old patient presenting with haematemesis, heart burn and bloody stool was diagnosed with a duodenal ulcer that had eroded the gastroduodenal artery. The patient was then rushed into theatre for an emergency procedure to control the haemorrhage. If the surgeon decided to ligate the gastroduodenal artery at its origin, which of the following arteries would most likely experience retrograde blood flow from collateral sources as a result of the ligation?
Your Answer: Left gastric
Correct Answer: Right gastroepiploic
Explanation:In the stomach and around the duodenum, there are many arterial anastomoses. Ligation of the gastroduodenal artery would result in the retrograde flow of blood from the left gastroepiploic artery to the right gastroepiploic artery. The blood flows into the right gastroepiploic artery, a branch of the gastroduodenal artery from the left gastroepiploic artery that branches from the splenic artery. This retrograde blood flow is aimed at providing alternate blood flow to the greater curvature of the stomach.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 106
Incorrect
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An anatomy instructor is giving a demonstration of the right lung. Which of the statements about the right lung made by the demonstrator is correct?
Your Answer: It is slightly smaller than the left lung
Correct Answer: Its upper lobar bronchus lies behind and above the right pulmonary artery
Explanation:The root of the lungs on both sides are similar in that the pulmonary veins are anterior and inferior while the bronchus is posterior. However, on the right side, the pulmonary arteries are anterior to the bronchus while on the left side the pulmonary arteries are superior to the bronchus. The lingual is only found on the left lung. The mediastinum is the space in the thorax between the two pleural sacs and does not contain any lung. The right lung, having three lobes, is slightly larger than the left lung. On both sides, the phrenic nerves passes in front of the root of the lung.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 107
Incorrect
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A 29-year-old lady who is a known case of Graves' disease presents with a relapse on stopping the antithyroid drugs. Radioiodine is offered as the next treatment by the endocrinologists. Which of the following statements regarding such treatment is false?
Your Answer: Close contact with children is not permitted for up to four weeks following treatment
Correct Answer: It increases the risk of parathyroid carcinoma
Explanation:All of the listed options are true regarding radioiodine therapy, except for the first option. Treatment with radioiodine does not increase the risk of parathyroid carcinoma.
Recurrence of Graves’ disease is treated similar to normal Graves’ disease. However, some patients may need definitive treatment with radioiodine or thyroidectomy. These patients are usually hypothyroid post treatment and are treated with L-thyroxine until their TSH values are within normal parameters.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Breast And Endocrine Surgery
- Generic Surgical Topics
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Question 108
Incorrect
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What class of drugs does buspirone belong to?
Your Answer: Beta-blocker
Correct Answer: Anxiolytic
Explanation:Buspirone is an anxiolytic agent and a serotonin-receptor agonist that belongs to the azaspirodecanedione class of compounds. It shows no potential for addiction compared with other drugs commonly prescribed for anxiety, especially the benzodiazepines. The development of tolerance has not been noted. It is primarily used to treat generalized anxiety disorders. It is also commonly used to augment antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive disorder.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 109
Correct
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A 39-year-old woman who is a known case of acute myeloid leukaemia requires venous access for chemotherapy. Which of the following is the best option?
Your Answer: Groshong line
Explanation:Chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) requires long-term therapy and multiple blood tests. Therefore, an indwelling device, such as Groshong line, is preferable.
Tunnelled lines such as Groshong and Hickman lines are popular devices for patients with long-term therapeutic requirements. These devices are usually inserted, using ultrasound guidance, into the internal jugular vein and then tunnelled under the skin. A cuff of woven material is sited near the end and helps to anchor the device into the tissues. These cuffs require formal dissection to allow the device to be removed.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Peri-operative Care
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 110
Incorrect
-
A 23-year-old male is involved in a road traffic accident. He is thrown from his motorbike onto the pavement and sustains a haemopneumothorax and flail segment of the right chest. What should be the most appropriate course of action?
Your Answer: CT angiogram of the thorax
Correct Answer: Insertion of intercostal chest tube
Explanation:This patient requires immediate insertion of an intercostal chest tube and analgesia. In general, all cases of haemopneumothorax should be managed by intercostal chest drain insertion as it can develop into tension pneumothorax until the lung laceration has sealed.
Haemopneumothorax is most frequently caused by a trauma or blunt or penetrating injury to the chest followed by laceration of the lung with air leakage, or injury to the intercostal vessels or internal mammary artery. The main treatment for haemopneumothorax is chest tube thoracostomy (chest tube insertion). Surgical exploration is warranted if >1500ml blood is drained immediately.
Flail chest occurs when the chest wall disconnects from the thoracic cage. It usually follows multiple rib fractures (at least two fractures per rib in at least two ribs) and is associated with pulmonary contusion. Overhydration and fluid overload is avoided in such patients.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 111
Incorrect
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During an exploratory laparotomy in a 22 year-old man shot in the abdomen, the operating doctor discovers the large bowel is perforated. Which of the following characteristics of the bowel enabled the surgeon to identify it as the large bowel?
Your Answer: Circular folds
Correct Answer: Epiploic appendages
Explanation:The large intestine doesn’t have a continuous layer of longitudinal muscle. Instead, it has three strips of longitudinal muscle called taenia coli. The large intestine is covered with omental appendages that are fat filled. It is also folded into sacculations called haustrations. Serosa is a general term for the outermost coat or serous layer of a visceral structure that lies in the body cavities of the abdomen or thorax.
Complete circular folds are only found in the small intestine.
Valvulae conniventes or valves of Kerckring are the circular folds which are large valvular flaps projecting into the lumen of the small bowel. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 112
Incorrect
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A 37 year old female is admitted after she vomited blood. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is performed and a large ulcer in the first part of the duodenum is noted. Attempts are made to endoscopically clip and inject the ulcer which is bleeding profusely but they are unsuccessful. What is the most appropriate management option?
Your Answer: Therapeutic angiogram
Correct Answer: Laparotomy and underrunning of the ulcer
Explanation:Ulcer bleeding stops spontaneously in about 80% of patients. Only a small percentage require specific measures to stop bleeding. surgery remains the most definitive method of controlling ulcer haemorrhage, and is indicated when endoscopic haemostasis fails to control the bleeding, or when rebleeding occurs. The morbidity and mortality of emergency surgery for ulcer bleeding is high. In principle, the operation performed should be the minimum compatible with permanent haemostasis. The choice of operations is determined by the site and size of the ulcer as well as the experience and preference of the surgeon. Most bleeding duodenal ulcers may be managed by underrunning the bleeding vessel together with vagotomy and pyloroplasty.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery
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Question 113
Incorrect
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A 34-year-old Asian male presents with cervical lymphadenopathy. The patient is suspected to have tuberculous lymphadenopathy. Excision biopsy of one of the nodes showed granulomatous inflammation. Which histopathologic feature is most likely consistent with the diagnosis of tuberculosis?
Your Answer: Liquefactive necrosis
Correct Answer: Caseation necrosis
Explanation:The granulomas of tuberculosis tend to contain necrosis (caseating tubercles), but non-necrotizing granulomas may also be present. Multinucleated giant cells with nuclei arranged like a horseshoe (Langhans giant cells) and foreign body giant cells are often present, but are not specific for tuberculosis. A definitive diagnosis of tuberculosis requires identification of the causative organism by microbiological cultures.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 114
Correct
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A 65 year old man develops persistent pyrexia on his 2nd postoperative day. He has undergone an open extended right hemicolectomy for carcinoma of the colonic-splenic flexure. What is the least likely cause?
Your Answer: Ileus
Explanation:Pyrexia is a very common post operative finding and can most likely result from an infection. However, it is highly unlikely to occur as a result of ileus. Anastomotic leaks are uncommon after right sided colonic surgery. In this scenario atelectasis would be the most likely underlying cause, as open extended right hemicolectomies will necessitate a long midline incision.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Peri-operative Care
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 115
Correct
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A patient gives a history of dull discomfort in her abdomen associated with pain that she points to be on her right shoulder and right scapula. The following organs are most likely to be source of her pain:
Your Answer: Liver, duodenum and gallbladder
Explanation:Referred pain is felt at a point away from the source of the pain or the unpleasant sensation. It arises when a nerve is damaged or compressed at a point but the pain is felt at another site that is the territory of that nerve. Common abdominal causes of referred pain to the shoulder and the shoulder blade are the liver, duodenum and gall bladder.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 116
Incorrect
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What is the 5 year survival rate of a patient who is diagnosed with stage III colon cancer, who underwent successful resection and completed the prescribed session of adjuvant chemotherapy?
Your Answer: 90%
Correct Answer: 30%–60%
Explanation:In this patient who has stage III colon cancer, the survival rate is 30-60%. For stage I or Dukes’ stage A disease, the 5-year survival rate after surgical resection exceeds 90%. For stage II or Dukes’ stage B disease, the 5-year survival rate is 70%–85% after resection, with or without adjuvant therapy. For stage III or Dukes’ stage C disease, the 5-year survival rate is 30%– 60% after resection and adjuvant chemotherapy and for stage IV or Dukes’ stage D disease, the 5-year survival rate is poor (approximately 5%).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 117
Incorrect
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A 39 year old woman was taken to the surgical clinic for symptoms related to varicose veins. She has noticed that these first developed when she was pregnant. A truncal varicosity of the medial leg was seen on examination but there are no ulcers or skin changes. A hand held Doppler examination demonstrates sapheno-popliteal junction reflux. Which of the following is the best course of action?
Your Answer: Offer the patient foam sclerotherapy of the sapheno-popliteal junction
Correct Answer: Arrange a duplex scan
Explanation:Saphenopopliteal (SPJ) reflux may be present in 20–25% of patients with primary varicose veins. Pre-operative colour duplex marking increases the accuracy of localisation of the SPJ at operation and is considered to be the gold standard for this purpose. A prospective study of 50 consecutive primary SSV ligations was undertaken and it showed that duplex was highly accurate in correctly locating the SPJ to within an accuracy of 20 mm in 98% of cases. The comparative figure for short saphenous vein (SSV) palpation was 48%. Palpation alone therefore cannot be recommended as a means of determining the site of SPJ and duplex continues to remain the gold standard for the preoperative localisation of the SPJ.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Vascular
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Question 118
Incorrect
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Which of these structures is most likely to be damaged if a patient loses consciousness days or weeks after an otherwise insignificant head trauma, especially in elderly patients?
Your Answer: Cavernous sinus
Correct Answer: Dural bridging vein
Explanation:A subdural haematoma is a type of hematoma, usually associated with traumatic brain injury, in which blood collects between the dura mater and the pia-arachnoid mater. Symptoms of subdural haemorrhage have a slower onset than those of epidural haemorrhages because the lower pressure veins bleed more slowly than arteries. These injuries are more common in elderly patients, especially those taking antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs. Oedema and increased intracranial pressure are unusual.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 119
Incorrect
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The gastrosplenic ligament also known as the gastrolienal ligament is the structure that connects the greater curvature of the stomach to the hilum of the spleen. Which of the following arteries would most likely be injured if a surgeon accidentally tore this ligament?
Your Answer: Left gastric
Correct Answer: Short gastric
Explanation:The short gastric arteries arise from the end of the splenic arteries and form five to seven branches. The short gastric arteries inside the gastrosplenic ligament from the left to the right, supply the greater curvature of the stomach. The hepatic artery proper runs inside the hepatoduodenal ligament. The right gastric artery and the left gastric artery are contained in the hepatogastric ligament. The caudal pancreatic artery branches off from the splenic artery and supplies the tail of the pancreas. The middle colic artery supplies the transverse colon. The splenic artery does not travel in the gastrosplenic ligament and so it would not be damaged by a tear to this ligament.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 120
Incorrect
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Which of the following morphological characteristic is a salient feature of a pure apoptotic cell?
Your Answer: Phagocytosby neutrophils
Correct Answer: Chromatin condensation
Explanation:Apoptosis is the programmed death of cells which occurs as a normal and controlled part of an organism’s growth or development. The changes which occur in this process include blebbing, cell shrinkage, nuclear fragmentation, chromatin condensation, chromosomal DNA fragmentation, and global mRNA decay. The cell membrane however remains intact and the dead cells are phagocytosed prior to any content leakage and thus inflammatory response.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 121
Correct
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A 45-year-old female underwent an acute cholecystectomy for cholecystitis. A drain is left during the procedure. Over the next 5 days, the drain has been accumulating between 100-200ml of bile per 24 hour period. What is the most appropriate course of action?
Your Answer: Arrange an ERCP
Explanation:Bile leak may be classified into a minor leak with low output drainage (<300 ml of bile/24 hours) or leaks due to major bile duct injury with high output drainage (>300 ml/24 hours).
The majority of minor bile leak results from Strasberg type A injuries with intact biliary-enteric continuity and includes leaks from cystic duct (CD) stump (55%-71%) or small (less than 3 mm) subsegmental duct in gall bladder (GB) bed (16%) and minor ducts like cholecystohepatic duct or supravesicular duct of Luschka (6%). An injury to the supravesicular duct occurs if the surgeon dissects into the liver bed while separating the gall bladder. This duct does not drain the liver parenchyma.
A leak from the cystic duct stump may occur from clip failure due to necrosis of the stump secondary to thermal injury/pressure necrosis or when clips are used in situations where ties are appropriate (acute cholecystitis) and in a significant majority from distal bile duct obstruction caused by a retained stone and resultant blow out of the cystic stump.
Strasberg type C and type D injuries usually present with a minor leak as well. The former results when an aberrant right hepatic duct (RHD) or right posterior sectoral duct (RPSD) is misidentified as the CD and divided because of the anomalous insertion of CD into either of these ducts.
Type D injuries are lateral injuries to the extrahepatic ducts (EHD) caused by cautery, scissors or clips.High output biliary fistulas are the result of major transactional injury of EHD (Strasberg type E). Here the common bile duct (CBD) is misidentified as the CD and is clipped, divided and excised. This not only results in a segmental loss of the EHD but often associated with injury or ligation of right hepatic artery as well. Such devastating injuries are peculiar to LC and have been described by Davidoff as “classic laparoscopic biliary injury”.
Early recognition is the most important part of the management of bile leak due to iatrogenic injuries.
Unfortunately, most of the bile duct injuries are not recognized preoperatively. Optimal management of BDI detected postoperatively requires good coordination between the radiologist, endoscopists and an experienced hepatobiliary surgeon.There is a scope of re-laparoscopy, within 24 hours of surgery, in situations where a low output fistula (<300 ml/day) is confirmed (by reviewing the operative video), to be because of a slipped CD clip. Through lavage, clipping or tying the CD stump with an endoloop may be a simple solution. Such an approach is not useful after 24 hours as inflammatory adhesions and oedema will make the job difficult. If low output controlled biliary fistula is detected after 24 hours, a wait and watch policy should be followed as many of the minor leaks will close within 5 to 7 days. If the leak fails to resolve or if the drainage amount is >300 ml/day (high output), an ERCP should be performed both to delineate the biliary tree and some therapeutic interventions if indicated.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
- Surgical Technique And Technology
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Question 122
Incorrect
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The following joint has an anastomotic circulation that is provided by branches of the brachial artery:
Your Answer: Head of the humerus
Correct Answer: Elbow joint
Explanation:The arterial anastomoses of the elbow joint is contributed by branches of the brachial artery and the Profunda brachii artery. The brachial artery gives off the superior ulnar collateral artery and the inferior collateral artery. On the other hand, the Profunda brachii gives off the radial and medial recurrent arteries.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 123
Incorrect
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A textbook of cardiac surgery explains that while doing a left pneumonectomy, a surgeon must be careful to avoid injury to a vital structure that leaves an impression on the mediastinal surface of the left lung. Which structure is it referring to?
Your Answer: Inferior vena cava
Correct Answer: Aortic arch
Explanation:Structures that leave an impression on the mediastinal surface of the left lung include: the oesophagus, subclavian artery, brachiocephalic vein, first rib, thymus, the heart, the diaphragm, descending aorta and arch of the aorta. The other structures form an impression on the mediastinal aspect of the right lung.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 124
Incorrect
-
An 8 month old baby girl presents with a spiral fracture of her left humerus. Her father states that he grabbed her arm because she was falling off the park slide. He noticed that something was wrong and he rushed to the hospital with her. Which of the following is the most likely issue?
Your Answer: Osteogenesis imperfecta
Correct Answer: Accidental fracture
Explanation:In this case, there is no delay in treatment and the mechanism by which the fracture occurred fits accidental fracture.
A statement from the parent or guardian and any witnesses regarding how the child sustained the injury will help determine whether the injury is accidental or abusive. A statement from the parent or guardian explaining why he or she delayed in seeking medical treatment is important to the investigation because caretakers often postpone medical treatment or fail to provide treatment for an injured child to hide physical abuse. The abusing parent or caregiver may also put a child in oversized clothing or keep the child inside a residence for extended periods of time in an attempt to conceal the child’s injuries.
Parents who inflict fractures on their children tend to minimize the severity of the accident purported to cause the fracture, whereas many parents of children with accidental fractures will relate a history of high-energy events.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Orthopaedics
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Question 125
Incorrect
-
When a penile tumour invades the subepithelial connective tissue of the penis, what is its stage?
Your Answer: Ta
Correct Answer: T1
Explanation:The TNM staging used for penile cancer is as follows:
TX: primary tumour cannot be assessed
T0: primary tumour is not evident
Tis: carcinoma in situ is present
Ta: non-invasive verrucous carcinoma is present
T1: tumour is invading subepithelial connective tissue
T2: tumour is invading the corpora spongiosum or cavernosum
T3: tumour invading the urethra or prostate
T4: tumour invading other adjacent structures.
In this case, the patient has a T1 tumour. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 126
Incorrect
-
A 24 year old man hits his head during a fall whilst he is intoxicated. He is taken to the doctor and is disorientated despite opening his eyes in response to speech and being able to talk. He is also able to obey motor commands. What would be his Glasgow coma score?
Your Answer: 11
Correct Answer: 13
Explanation:Answer: 13
Eye Opening Response
Spontaneous–open with blinking at baseline – 4 points
Opens to verbal command, speech, or shout – 3 points
Opens to pain, not applied to face – 2 point
None – 1 pointVerbal Response
Oriented – 5 points
Confused conversation, but able to answer questions – 4 points
Inappropriate responses, words discernible – 3 points
Incomprehensible speech – 2 points
None – 1 pointMotor Response
Obeys commands for movement – 6 points
Purposeful movement to painful stimulus – 5 points
Withdraws from pain – 4 points
Abnormal (spastic) flexion, decorticate posture – 3 points
Extensor (rigid) response, decerebrate posture – 2 points
None – 1 pointHe is seen to be disorientated despite opening his eyes in response to speech and being able to talk. He is also able to obey motor commands. His score is therefore 13: 3 for eye opening response, 4 for verbal response and 6 for motor response.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 127
Incorrect
-
When inserting a chest drain anteriorly into the second intercostal space, one must identify the second costal cartilage by palpating which landmark?
Your Answer: Sternal notch
Correct Answer: Sternal angle
Explanation:The sternal angle is the site for identification of the second rib as the second rib is attached to the sternum at this point.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 128
Incorrect
-
The principal motor and sensory nerve of the perineum is the?
Your Answer: Superior gluteal
Correct Answer: Pudendal
Explanation:The pudendal nerve is formed by S1,2,4 anterior branches. It gives off the inferior haemorrhoid nerve before dividing terminally into the perineal nerve and the dorsal nerve of the clitoris or the penis. Thus, it is the principal motor and sensory nerve of the perineum.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 129
Incorrect
-
An 18 year old man is admitted to the intensive care unit with severe meningococcal sepsis. He is on maximal inotropic support and a CT scan of his chest and abdomen is performed. The adrenal glands show evidence of diffuse haemorrhage. Which of the following is the best explanation?
Your Answer: Walker - Warburg syndrome
Correct Answer: Waterhouse- Friderichsen syndrome
Explanation:Answer: Waterhouse- Friderichsen syndrome
Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome is a condition characterized by the abrupt onset of fever, petechiae, arthralgia, weakness, and myalgias, followed by acute haemorrhagic necrosis of the adrenal glands and severe cardiovascular dysfunction. The syndrome is most often associated with meningococcal septicaemia but may occur as a complication of sepsis caused by other organisms, including certain streptococcal species. This disorder may be associated with a history of splenectomy.
Fulminant infection from meningococcal bacteria in the bloodstream is a medical emergency and requires emergent treatment with vasopressors, fluid resuscitation, and appropriate antibiotics. Benzylpenicillin was once the drug of choice with chloramphenicol as a good alternative in allergic patients. Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic commonly employed today. Hydrocortisone can sometimes reverse the adrenal insufficiency. Amputations, reconstructive surgery, and tissue grafting are sometimes needed as a result of tissue necrosis (typically of the extremities) caused by the infection.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Breast And Endocrine Surgery
- Generic Surgical Topics
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Question 130
Correct
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A 43-year-old female with liver cirrhosis is recovering following an emergency paraumbilical hernia repair. She has been slow to resume oral intake and has been receiving regular boluses of normal saline for oliguria. Which of the following intravenous fluids should be considered?
Your Answer: Human albumin solution 4.5%
Explanation:In a surgical patient, hepatic dysfunction translates into an increased risk of infection, haemorrhage, thrombosis, and a prolonged half-life of numerous drugs (e.g., opioids and benzodiazepines). The associated imbalance of neuroendocrine mediators (e.g., vasopressin, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and nitric oxide) also potentiates sodium and fluid retention, resulting in a background hyperdynamic circulation with splanchnic venous congestion and systemic vasodilation.
In emergency surgery, stress response to the underlying condition, anaesthesia, and surgical trauma increase the risk of hepatic decompensation and associated multi-system failure. Changes in hepatic perfusion with shock and fluid shifts further compromise hepatocellular synthetic and excretory functions. In addition, endotoxemia from gram-negative sepsis potentiates platelet aggregation and creates a state of low-grade disseminated intravascular coagulation.
Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system with hypersecretion of vasopressin acts as compensatory mechanisms to preserve arterial pressure and replenish effective circulating volume when blood is pooled in the splanchnic territory. With the progression of cirrhosis, avidity for water and sodium increases, and dilutional hyponatremia results from water retention. In advanced cases, exacerbation of these abnormalities leads to hepatorenal syndrome (HRS). HRS is characterized by a rapid decline in renal function with low urinary excretion of sodium due to severe renal vasoconstriction and diminished or absent cortical perfusion. This syndrome is potentially reversible but carries an extremely poor prognosis.Owing to raised intra-abdominal pressure due to ascites and muscle weakness from decreased muscle mass and malnutrition, umbilical and inguinal hernia incidence is higher in patients with cirrhosis.
If the patient with cirrhosis has umbilical hernia with obstructive symptoms such as intermittent incarceration or trophic skin changes, surgical repair should be considered.Euvolemia and electrolyte homeostasis should be maintained under strict clinical and laboratory monitoring. Acute kidney injury in the absence of hemodynamic instability, use of nephrotoxic drugs, or parenchymal renal disease suggests the diagnosis of hepatorenal syndrome. Additional diagnostic criteria include no improvement in renal function after volume expansion with albumin and diuretic withdrawal. Treatment of hepatorenal syndrome requires the use of splanchnic vasoconstrictors (terlipressin, noradrenalin, or midodrine) and albumin infusion. Improved renal function has been demonstrated with medical treatment, but a mortality benefit is only ultimately achieved with liver transplantation. TIPS placement and renal and hepatic replacement therapies can be indicated as bridging strategies.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Post-operative Management And Critical Care
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 131
Incorrect
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A 34-year-old woman with severe burns, presented to casualty with a blood pressure of 75/40 mmHg and pulse of 172/minute. Obviously the patient is in shock. Which type of shock is it more likely to be?
Your Answer: Cardiogenic shock
Correct Answer: Hypovolaemic shock
Explanation:Shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the organs and tissues of the body are not receiving a sufficient flow of blood. Lack of blood flow, oxygen and nutrients results in the inability to function properly and damage to many organs. Shock requires immediate treatment because, if left untreated the impaired tissue perfusion and cellular hypoxia can cause irreversible tissue injury, collapse, coma or even death. There are various types of physiological shock, including: cardiogenic (due to heart damage), hypovolaemic (due to low total volume of blood or plasma), neurogenic (due to nervous system damage), septic (due to infections) and anaphylactic shock (due to allergic reactions). Hypovolaemic shock can be caused by blood loss due to trauma, internal bleeding or other fluid loss due to severe burns, prolonged diarrhoea, vomiting and sweating.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 132
Incorrect
-
Which of the following arteries branches from the deep femoral artery and courses between the pectineus and iliopsoas muscles?
Your Answer: Obturator
Correct Answer: Medical femoral circumflex
Explanation:The medial femoral circumflex artery is an artery in the upper thigh that supplies blood to the head and neck of the femur. It arises from the deep femoral artery and winds around the medial side of the femur. It passes first between pectineus and psoas major, and then between obturator externus and adductor brevis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 133
Incorrect
-
Which of the following is a landmark to identify the site of the 2nd costal cartilage?
Your Answer: Sternal notch
Correct Answer: Sternal angle
Explanation:The sternal angle is an important part where the second costal cartilage attaches to the sternum. Finding the sternal angle will help in finding the second costal cartilage and intercostal space.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 134
Correct
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A 60 year old man receives a cadaveric renal transplant for treatment of end stage renal failure. The organ is ABO group matched only. On completion of the vascular anastomoses the surgeons remove the clamps. Over the course of the next fifteen minutes, the donated kidney becomes dusky and swollen and appears non viable. Which of the following is the most likely process that has caused this event?
Your Answer: IgG anti HLA Class I antibodies in the recipient
Explanation:Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is defined as allograft rejection caused by antibodies of the recipient directed against donor-specific HLA molecules and blood group antigens. Although the mechanism by which HLA I antibodies promote inflammation and proliferation has been revealed by experimental models, the pathogenesis of HLA II antibodies is less defined. Antibodies to HLA II frequently accompany chronic rejection in renal transplants. AMR has been recognized as the leading cause of graft loss after kidney transplant if there is a donor-host antigenic disparity. Antibodies can be produced against epitopes of the antigen that differ from self by as little as one amino acid. Pre-existing antibodies or the development of de novo antibodies after transplantation has become a biomarker for AMR graft loss. HLA antibodies are risk factors for hyperacute, acute, and chronic allograft rejections.
The specificity of HLA antibodies can be determined using single-antigen luminex beads that consist of fluorescent microbeads conjugated to single recombinant HLA class I and class II molecules. Complement-fixing ability would be assessed by the binding of C1q to HLA antibodies present in the serum. In several studies, C1q-positive DSA had associated with antibody-mediated rejection in renal transplantation compared with antibodies identified only by IgG. Complement-fixing ability is relevant to hyperacute and acute rejections. Hyperacute rejection is predominantly complement-mediated severe allograft injury occurring within hours of transplantation. It is caused by high titre of pre-existing HLA or non-HLA antibodies in presensitized patients. But the incidence of hyperacute rejection is reduced due to improved DSA detection methods and desensitization protocols.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Organ Transplantation
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Question 135
Incorrect
-
What is the nerve supply to the muscles of the lateral compartment of the leg ?
Your Answer: Common peroneal nerve
Correct Answer: Superficial peroneal nerve
Explanation:The peroneus longus and peroneus brevis in the lateral compartment of the leg take nerve supply from the superficial peroneal nerve.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 136
Correct
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Question 137
Incorrect
-
During a procedure to treat an ulcer in the first part of the duodenum, the most appropriate site to make the incision on the anterior abdominal wall to approach this ulcer would be the:
Your Answer: Left inguinal region
Correct Answer: Epigastric region
Explanation:The abdomen is divided into nine regions for descriptive purposes. The epigastric region contains the first part of the duodenum, part of the stomach, part of the liver and pancreas. This would be the region that the surgeon would need to enter to access the ulcer.
The left inguinal region contains the sigmoid colon.
The left lumbar region contains the descending colon and kidney.
The right lumbar region contains the right kidney and descending colon.
The right hypochondrial region contains part of the liver and gall bladder.
The hypogastric region contains the urinary bladder and the rectum. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 138
Incorrect
-
Out of the following options, which malignancy has the highest potential for multicentricity?
Your Answer: Wilms’ tumour of the kidney
Correct Answer: Transitional cell carcinoma
Explanation:Transitional cell carcinomas can arise anywhere in the urothelium lining the urinary tract; and hence are known to be multicentric and recur commonly. Prostatic adenocarcinoma most commonly involves the posterior lobe of the prostate gland. Although renal cell carcinomas occasionally show multicentricity, it is not common. Penile carcinomas are usually locally infiltrative lesions. Wilm’s tumours are usually solitary, but can be bilateral or multicentric in 10% cases. Small cell carcinoma of lung and teratomas are usually solitary.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 139
Incorrect
-
In relation to the muscles of facial expression, It is true to say:
Your Answer: The digastric muscle is a muscle of facial expression
Correct Answer: They are in the same subcutaneous plane as the platysma muscle
Explanation:The facial muscles generally originate from the facial bones and attach to the skin, in the same plane as the platysma muscle. They are all innervated by cranial nerve VII (the facial nerve). The occipitofrontalis muscle consists of two parts: The occipital belly, near the occipital bone, and the frontal belly, near the frontal bone.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 140
Incorrect
-
During gastrectomy, the operating surgeon ligates the short gastric arteries along the greater curvature of the stomach. Where do the short gastric arteries branch from?
Your Answer: Superior mesenteric artery
Correct Answer: Splenic artery
Explanation:Short gastric arteries arise from the splenic artery at the end or from its terminal divisions. They are about 5 or 7 in number, passing from the left to the right in between the layers of the gastrosplenic ligament to be distributed along the greater curvature of the stomach.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 141
Incorrect
-
The tensor villi palatini muscle is a broad thin, ribbon-like muscle in the head that tenses the soft palate. Which of the following structures is associated with the tensor villi palatini muscle?
Your Answer: The middle pharyngeal constrictor
Correct Answer: The hamulus of the medial pterygoid plate
Explanation:The pterygoid hamulus is a hook-like process at the lower extremity of the medial pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone around which the tendon of the tensor veli palatini passes.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 142
Incorrect
-
A patient in the intensive care unit developed hyperphosphatemia. The phosphate level is 160 mmol/L. Which of the following is most likely responsible for this abnormality?
Your Answer: Acute alcoholism
Correct Answer: Renal insufficiency
Explanation:Hyperphosphatemia is an electrolyte disturbance in which there is an abnormally elevated level of phosphate in the blood. It is caused by conditions that impair renal phosphate excretion (ex: renal insufficiency, hypoparathyroidism, parathyroid suppression) and conditions with massive extracellular fluid phosphate loads (ex: rapid administration of exogenous phosphate, extensive cellular injury or necrosis, transcellular phosphate shifts).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 143
Incorrect
-
Which of these laboratory findings will indicate a fetal neural tube defect when done between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy?
Your Answer: Decreased human chorionic gonadotrophin
Correct Answer: Increased alpha-fetoprotein
Explanation:Maternal serum screening during the second trimester is a non-invasive way of identifying women at increased risk of having children with a neural tube defect and should be offered to all pregnant women. The results are most accurate when the sample is taken between 15 and 20 weeks of gestation. Elevated levels of alpha-fetoprotein suggest open spina bifida, anencephaly, risk of pregnancy complications, or multiple pregnancy.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 144
Incorrect
-
Which of the following brings about a reduction in gastric blood flow?
Your Answer: Gastrin
Correct Answer: Vasopressin
Explanation:Gastric blood flow is increased by vagal stimulation, gastrin, histamine and acetylcholine as they stimulate gastric section and the production of vasodilator metabolites. Acetylcholine and histamine also have a direct action on the gastric arterioles. Similarly, gastric blood flow is reduced by inhibitors of secretion – catecholamines, secretin and vasopressin.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 145
Incorrect
-
A 62-year-old male smoker, presented with shortness of breath, chronic cough and haemoptysis over the last three months. He has developed a fat pad in the base of his neck, rounded face, acne and osteoporosis. Which of the following is the most likely pulmonary disease that is causing these symptoms and findings?
Your Answer: Pulmonary adenocarcinoma
Correct Answer: Small-cell anaplastic carcinoma
Explanation:Small cell lung cancer is a highly aggressive form of lung cancer. It is thought to originate from neuroendocrine cells in the bronchus called Feyrter cells and is often associated to ectopic production of hormones like ADH and ACTH that result in paraneoplastic syndromes and Cushing’s syndrome.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 146
Incorrect
-
A man in his sixties underwent surgery to remove a lump from his axilla. During removal, a nerve originating from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus was damaged. Which nerve is this referring to?
Your Answer: Thoracodorsal
Correct Answer: Lateral pectoral
Explanation:The only branch of the lateral cord of brachial plexus in the options given, is the lateral pectoral nerve. It supplies the pectoralis major muscle and sends a branch to join the medial pectoral nerve forming a loop in front of the first part of the axillary artery.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 147
Incorrect
-
A glycogen storage disorder is characterised by increased liver glycogen with a normal structure and no increase in serum glucose after oral intake of a protein-rich diet. Deficiency of which of the following enzymes is responsible for this disorder?
Your Answer: UDPG–glycogen transglucosylase
Correct Answer: Glucose-6-phosphatase
Explanation:The most common glycogen storage disorder is von Gierke’s disease or glycogen storage disease type I. It results from a deficiency of enzyme glucose-6-phosphatase which affects the ability of liver to produce free glucose from glycogen and gluconeogenesis; leading to severe hypoglycaemia. There is also increased glycogen storage in the liver and kidneys causing enlargement and various problems in their functioning. The disease also causes lactic acidosis and hyperlipidaemia. The main treatment includes frequent or continuous feedings of corn-starch or other carbohydrates.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 148
Incorrect
-
A 70 year old women, died suddenly. She had a history of hypertension and aortic stenosis. On autopsy her heart weighed 550g. What is the most likely cause of this pathology?
Your Answer: Fatty infiltration
Correct Answer: Hypertrophy
Explanation:Due to increased pressure on the heart as a result of hypertension and aortic stenosis, the myocardial fibres hypertrophied to adapt to the increased pressure and to effectively circulate blood around the body. Hyperplasia could not occur, as myocardial fibres are stable cells and cannot divide further.
Fat does not deposit in the heart due to volume overload.
Myocardial oedema is not characteristic of a myocardial injury.
Metaplasia is a change in the type of epithelium.
Atrophy would result in a decreased heart size and inability to function. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 149
Correct
-
A 57 year old male is diagnosed with carcinoma of the caecum. A CT scan is performed and it shows a tumour invading the muscularis propria with some regional lymphadenopathy. What is the best initial treatment?
Your Answer: Right hemicolectomy
Explanation:Open right hemicolectomy (open right colectomy) is a procedure that involves removing the caecum, the ascending colon, the hepatic flexure (where the ascending colon joins the transverse colon), the first third of the transverse colon, and part of the terminal ileum, along with fat and lymph nodes. It is the standard surgical treatment for malignant neoplasms of the right colon; the effectiveness of other techniques are measured by the effectiveness of this technique.
The caecum is a short, pouch-like region of the large intestine between the ascending colon and vermiform appendix. It is located in the lower right quadrant of the abdominal cavity, inferior and lateral to the ileum.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Colorectal Surgery
- Generic Surgical Topics
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Question 150
Correct
-
After a cerebral infarction, which of these histopathogical findings is most likely to be found?
Your Answer: Liquefactive necrosis
Explanation:The brain has a high lipid content and typically undergoes liquefaction with ischaemic injury, because it contains little connective tissue but high amounts of digestive enzymes.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 151
Incorrect
-
The lateral thoracic artery:
Your Answer: Emerges through the triangular space
Correct Answer: Accompanies the long thoracic nerve to the serratus anterior muscle
Explanation:The thoracic nerve, along with the lateral thoracic artery, follow the pectoralis minor to the side of the chest which supplies the serratus anterior and the pectoralis. It then sends branches across the axilla to the axillary glands and subscapularis. The pectoral branch of the thoraco-acromial anastomoses with the internal mammary, subscapular and intercostal arteries, which in women, supply an external mammary branch.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 152
Incorrect
-
A 55 year old man undergoes a live donor related renal transplant. He has noticed that over the past few years following the transplant, his renal function has progressively deteriorated. What is the most likely underlying explanation?
Your Answer: Type II hypersensitivity reaction
Correct Answer: Type IV hypersensitivity reaction
Explanation:Transplantation is a process by which cells, tissues, or organs (a graft) from the donor are transplanted into a host (or recipient). The immune system’s ability to recognize and respond to foreign antigens bring challenges to transplantation.
Type IV hypersensitivity is characterized by cell-mediated response rather than antibodies as in other types of hypersensitivity reactions. Specifically, the T lymphocytes are involved in the development of the sensitivity, hence called cell-mediated hypersensitivity.
After exposure to antigens, through a series of biochemical events, the T-cells will be activated. By releasing some chemicals, the T-cells activate other white blood cells to mount an immune response.
Rejection of transplant occurs months to years later. In chronic rejection, there is intimal fibrosis with vascular thickening, leading to ischemic changes. Mononuclear infiltrates with prominent plasma cells are present. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Organ Transplantation
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Question 153
Incorrect
-
A 32 year old man is suffering from recurrent bouts of severe pain that is localized to the anus. The pain lasts momentarily for a few seconds and completely resolves between attacks. Which of the following would be the most suitable approach to this patient's management?
Your Answer: CT of abdomen and pelvis
Correct Answer: Reassurance
Explanation:Proctalgia fugax (PF) is a benign painful rectal condition that is defined as intermittent, recurring, and self-limiting pain in the anorectal region in the absence of organic pathology. The pain of proctalgia fugax is sharp or gripping and severe. Similar to other urogenital focal pain syndromes, such as vulvodynia and proctodynia, the causes remain obscure. Stress and sitting for prolonged periods often increase the frequency and intensity of attacks of proctalgia fugax. Patients often feel an urge to defecate with the onset of the paroxysms of pain . Depression often accompanies the pain of proctalgia fugax but is not thought to be the primary cause. The symptoms of proctalgia fugax can be so severe as to limit the patient’s ability to perform activities of daily living. Reassurance has proven to help in many cases as the condition has been linked to stress.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Colorectal Surgery
- Generic Surgical Topics
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Question 154
Incorrect
-
Which of the following is a potential cause of a positive D-dimer assay?
Your Answer: Warfarin therapy
Correct Answer: Deep venous thrombosis
Explanation:A D-dimer test is performed to detect and diagnose thrombotic conditions and thrombosis. A negative result would rule out thrombosis and a positive result although not diagnostic, is highly suspicious of thrombotic conditions like a deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism as well as DIC.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 155
Correct
-
Difficulty in retracting the foreskin of the penis in an uncircumcised male is known as:
Your Answer: Phimosis
Explanation:Phimosis is the inability to fully retract the foreskin of the penis in an uncircumcised male. It can be physiological in infancy, in which it could be referred to as ‘developmental non-retractility of the foreskin. However, it is almost always pathological in older children and men. Causes include chronic inflammation (e.g. balanoposthitis), multiple catheterisations, or forceful foreskin retraction. One of the causes is chronic balanitis xerotica obliterans. It leads to development of a ring of indurated tissue near the tip of the prepuce, which prevents retraction. Contributory factors include infections, hormonal and inflammatory factors. The recommended treatment includes circumcision.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 156
Incorrect
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A 23 year old woman falls from the roof of her house while putting up Christmas lights and hits the right side of her head. She is rushed to the A&E department and she has a GCS of 7. After eleven hours of observation, she develops an increasing headache and becomes confused. A crescent shaped collection of fluid between her brain and dura with associated midline shift is seen on the CT scan. What is her diagnosis?
Your Answer: Chronic sub dural haematoma
Correct Answer:
Explanation:Answer: Acute subdural haematoma
An acute subdural haematoma (SDH) is a clot of blood that develops between the surface of the brain and the dura mater, the brain’s tough outer covering, usually due to stretching and tearing of veins on the brain’s surface. These veins rupture when a head injury suddenly jolts or shakes the brain.
Traumatic acute SDHs are among the most lethal of all head injuries. Associated with more severe generalized brain injury, they often occur with cerebral contusions.
SDHs are seen in 10 percent to 20 percent of all traumatic brain injury cases and occur in up to 30 percent of fatal injuries.
Diagnosis:SDHs are best diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) scan. They appear as a dense, crescent-shaped mass over a portion of the brain’s surface.
Most patients with acute SDHs have low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores on admission to the hospital.Acute traumatic subdural haematoma often results from falls, violence, or motor vehicle accidents. Suspect acute subdural haematoma whenever the patient has experienced moderately severe to severe blunt head trauma. The clinical presentation depends on the location of the lesion and the rate at which it develops. Often, patients are rendered comatose at the time of the injury. A subset of patients remain conscious; others deteriorate in a delayed fashion as the haematoma expands.
A GCS score less than 15 after blunt head trauma in a patient with no intoxicating substance use (or impaired mental status baseline) warrants consideration of an urgent CT scan. Search for any focal neurologic deficits or signs of increased ICP. Any abnormality of mental status that cannot be explained completely by alcohol intoxication or the presence of another mind-altering substance should increase suspicion of subdural hematoma in the patient with blunt head trauma.The clinical presentation of a patient with an acute subdural haematoma depends on the size of the hematoma and the degree of any associated parenchymal brain injury. Symptoms associated with acute subdural haematoma include the following:
Headache
Nausea
Confusion
Personality change
Decreased level of consciousness
Speech difficulties
Other change in mental status
Impaired vision or double vision
Weakness
On noncontrast CT scan, an acute subdural haematoma appears as a hyperdense (white), crescent-shaped mass between the inner table of the skull and the surface of the cerebral hemisphere.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Surgical Disorders Of The Brain
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Question 157
Correct
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A patient is suspected to have a chromosomal abnormality. Which tumour and chromosomal association is correct?
Your Answer: Neuroblastoma – chromosome 1
Explanation:Neuroblastoma is associated with a deletion on chromosome 1 and inactivation of a suppressor gene. Neurofibromas and osteogenic sarcoma are associated with an abnormality on chromosome 17. Retinoblastoma (Rb) is associated with an abnormality on chromosome 13. Wilms’ tumours of the kidney are associated with an abnormality on chromosome 11.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 158
Correct
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A 3 year old boy is awaiting surgery for a ruptured appendix and the nurse wants to give him an infusion of intravenous fluid whilst waiting for theatre. Given that his electrolytes are normal, which of the following infusion fluid would be appropriate?
Your Answer: 0.9% Saline solution
Explanation:Indications for IV fluids include:
– Resuscitation and circulatory support
– Replacing on-going fluid losses
– Maintenance fluids for children for whom oral fluids are not appropriate
– Correction of electrolyte disturbancesAccording to the NICE guidelines, if children and young people need IV fluid resuscitation, use glucose‑free crystalloids that contain sodium in the range 131–154 mmol/litre, with a bolus of 20 ml/kg over less than 10 minutes. Take into account pre‑existing conditions (for example, cardiac disease or kidney disease), as smaller fluid volumes may be needed.
All the others are contraindicated according to the guidelines as they are either made of glucose or are colloids.
Gelofusine is a 4% w/v solution of succinylated gelatine (also known as modified fluid gelatine) used as an intravenous colloid, and behaves much like blood filled with albumins.
Dextrose solution is a mixture of dextrose (glucose) and water. It is used to treat low blood sugar or water loss without electrolyte loss. Intravenous sugar solutions are in the crystalloid family of medications. They come in a number of strengths including 5%, 10%, and 50% dextrose.
0.45% saline/ 5% glucose solution also contains glucose hence it is contraindicated. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Paediatric Surgery
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Question 159
Correct
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A surgical registrar performing an adrenalectomy procedure on the left suprarenal gland of a 25 - year old male patient, accidentally jabbed and injured a vital structure that lies anterior to the left suprarenal organ. Which of the following was the structure most likely injured?
Your Answer: Pancreas
Explanation:The adrenal (suprarenal) glands are organs of the endocrine system located on top of each of the kidneys. The left suprarenal gland, in question, is crescent in shape and slightly larger than the right suprarenal gland. It is posteriorly located to the lateral aspect of the head of the pancreas which is thus the most likely to be injured. The other organs like the duodenum, liver and the inferior vena cava are related to the right suprarenal gland. The spleen and the colon are not in close proximity with the left suprarenal gland and are not likely to be the organs injured.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 160
Correct
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A 10 year old child presents with enlarged tonsils that meet in the midline. Oropharyngeal examination confirms this finding and you also notice petechial haemorrhages affecting the oropharynx. On systemic examination he is noted to have splenomegaly. What is the most likely cause?
Your Answer: Acute Epstein Barr virus infection
Explanation:Answer: Acute Epstein Barr virus infection
The Epstein–Barr virus is one of eight known human herpesvirus types in the herpes family, and is one of the most common viruses in humans. Infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is common and usually occurs in childhood or early adulthood.
EBV is the cause of infectious mononucleosis, an illness associated with symptoms and signs like:
fever,
fatigue,
swollen tonsils,
headache, and
sweats,
sore throat,
swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and
sometimes an enlarged spleen.
Although EBV can cause mononucleosis, not everyone infected with the virus will get mononucleosis. White blood cells called B cells are the primary targets of EBV infection. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Head And Neck Surgery
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Question 161
Incorrect
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Which of the given options best describes the metabolic changes which occur following a severe soft tissue injury sustained after a PVA?
Your Answer: Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: Mobilisation of fat stores
Explanation:The following metabolic responses occur following trauma as part of a coping mechanism for the additional stress. These include acid base changes (metabolic acidosis or alkalosis), decrease urine output and osmolality, reduced basal metabolic rate (BMR), gluconeogenesis with amino acid breakdown and shunting, hyponatraemia as a result of impaired functioning of sodium pumps, hypoxic injury, coagulopathies, decreased immunity, increase extracellular fluid and hypovolemic shock, increase permeability leading to oedema, break down and mobilization of fat reserves, pyrexia and reduced circulating levels of albumin.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 162
Incorrect
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A 45-year old lady underwent biopsy of a soft, fleshy mass involving her left breast. The biopsy showed lymphoid stroma with minimal fibrosis, surrounding sheets of large vesicular cells with frequent mitoses. Which condition is she most likely suffering from?
Your Answer: Infiltrating ductal carcinoma
Correct Answer: Medullary carcinoma of breast
Explanation:Medullary carcinoma is a malignant tumour of the breast with well-defined boundaries and accounts for 5% of all breast cancers. Other special features include a larger size of the neoplastic cells and presence of lymphoid cells at tumour edge. Differential diagnosis includes invasive ductal carcinoma. Prognosis is usually good.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 163
Incorrect
-
Which tumour occurs in young adults, affecting the epiphyses of the bones and sometimes extending to the soft tissues?
Your Answer: Chondroma
Correct Answer: Benign giant-cell tumour
Explanation:Benign giant-cell tumours tend to affect adults in their twenties and thirties, occur in the epiphyses and can erode the bone and extend into the soft tissues. These tumours have a strong tendency to recur.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 164
Incorrect
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A 40 year old male presents with jaundice and is diagnosed as having a carcinoma of the head of the pancreas. Despite being deeply jaundiced, his staging investigations are negative for metastatic disease. What is the best method of biliary decompression in this case?
Your Answer: ERCP alone
Correct Answer: ERCP and placement of stent
Explanation:ERCP is a highly sensitive means of detecting pancreatic and/or biliary ductal abnormalities in pancreatic carcinoma. Among patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, 90-95% have abnormalities on ERCP findings.
ERCP is more invasive than the other diagnostic imaging modalities available for pancreatic carcinoma. ERCP also carries a 5-10% risk of significant complications. Because of this morbidity, it is usually reserved as a therapeutic procedure for biliary obstruction or for the diagnosis of unusual pancreatic neoplasms, such as intraductal pancreatic mucinous neoplasms (IPMN).
ERCP findings provide only limited staging information, but ERCP does have the advantage of allowing for therapeutic palliation of obstructive jaundice with either a plastic or metal biliary stent. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Hepatobiliary And Pancreatic Surgery
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Question 165
Incorrect
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A 56 year old man presenting with acute appendicitis undergoes an appendicectomy through a lower midline laparotomy incision. Which of the following would be the best option for providing post operative analgesia?
Your Answer: Oral NSAID's alone
Correct Answer: Patient controlled analgesic infusion
Explanation:Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is a delivery system with which patients self-administer predetermined doses of analgesic medication to relieve their pain. The use of PCA in hospitals has been increasing because of its proven advantages over conventional intramuscular injections. These include improved pain relief, greater patient satisfaction, less sedation and fewer postoperative complications.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Peri-operative Care
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 166
Incorrect
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The bronchial circulation is a part of the circulatory system that supplies nutrients and oxygen to the pulmonary parenchyma. What percentage of cardiac output is received by bronchial circulation?
Your Answer: 12%
Correct Answer: 2%
Explanation:The bronchial circulation is part of the systemic circulation and receives about 2% of the cardiac output from the left heart. Bronchial arteries arise from branches of the aorta, intercostal, subclavian or internal mammary arteries. The bronchial arteries supply the tracheobronchial tree with both nutrients and O2. It is complementary to the pulmonary circulation that brings deoxygenated blood to the lungs and carries oxygenated blood away from them in order to oxygenate the rest of the body.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 167
Incorrect
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A 34 year old man is undergoing an inguinal hernia repair as a day case procedure and is being given sevoflurane. Which of the following is the best option for maintaining his airway during the procedure?
Your Answer: Use of Guedel airway
Correct Answer: Insertion of laryngeal mask
Explanation:The laryngeal airway mask (LAM) is a device for anaesthetic air way management. The primary advantage of the laryngeal airway mask (LAM) over the face mask during general anaesthesia includes the ability to obtain, secure, and maintain a patent airway. The laryngeal mask airway is passed beyond the tongue, forming a seal with the laryngeal inlet and eliminating the most common cause of upper airway obstruction in the non-intubated patient.
Maintenance of a patent airway with fewer episodes of oxygen desaturation has been demonstrated for the LAM as compared with the face mask. Environmental inhalational gas exposure values associated with the use of a LAM have been shown to be less than those achieved with a face mask and comparable to those with the use of an endotracheal tube. Ocular and facial nerve injuries associated with prolonged face mask use are also avoided. The advantages of the laryngeal mask airway include anaesthetic management, induction, maintenance, and emergence.
The placement of the LMA can be accomplished without muscle relaxants and laryngoscopy. The avoidance of succinylcholine may decrease the incidence of post-operative myalgias. Significant and potentially detrimental hemodynamic changes associated with both laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation are also attenuated and are of shorter duration with the use of the laryngeal mask airway. Compared with an endotracheal tube, the anaesthetic requirement for tolerance of the LAM has also been reported to be less. Differences in the response to the LAM are also seen during emergence from anaesthesia. The LAM is well tolerated, with a lower reported incidence of hyperactive respiratory occurrences (e.g., coughing, laryngospasm, breath holding) than with an endotracheal tube. The anatomic placement of the LAM, with its lack of impingement on the trachea and vocal cords, minimizes complications that are potentially associated with intubation. According to Swann et al. incidence of postoperative sore throat as well as hoarseness is less with the LAM compared with the endotracheal tube.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Post-operative Management And Critical Care
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 168
Correct
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Out of the given options, which of the following is the most likely diagnosis in a 25-year old gentleman presenting with a testicular germ cell tumour?
Your Answer: Embryonal carcinoma
Explanation:Embryonal carcinoma is a non-seminomatous germ cell tumour of the testis, accounting for 25% testicular tumours. Other germ cell tumours include seminoma, teratoma and choriocarcinoma. Embryonal carcinomas are known to occur in men aged 25-35 years, and occasionally in teens. They are rarely seen in ovaries of females. It can spread to the vas deferens and also to the aortic lymph nodes. Embryonal carcinomas are known to have elements of fetal origin such as cartilage. Usually, the main tumour is about 2.5cm long, with an extension of 8-9cm along the testicular cord. Contiguous spread to the testicle is seen in less than 1% cases.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 169
Incorrect
-
Dicloxacillin is an antibiotic; the subclass that dicloxacillin belongs to is:
Your Answer: Macrolide
Correct Answer: Penicillin
Explanation:Dicloxacillin is a narrow-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotic. It is used to treat infections caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria and most effective against beta-lactamase-producing organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus. To decrease the development of resistance, dicloxacillin is recommended to treat infections that are suspected or proven to be caused by beta-lactamase-producing bacteria.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 170
Incorrect
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A 37 year old woman presents to the clinic with signs of lymphoedema that has occurred after a block dissection of the groin for malignant melanoma several years ago. She has persistent lower limb swelling despite having used pressure stockings. This has impaired her daily life activities. Currently there is no evidence of a recurrent malignancy. Lymphoscintigraphy shows significant occlusion of the groin lymphatics. However, examination reveals the distal lymphatic system to be healthy. Which of the following options would be most helpful in this case?
Your Answer: Amputation
Correct Answer: Lymphovenous anastomosis
Explanation:Lymphovenous anastomosis – Identifiable lymphatics are anastomosed to sub dermal venules. Usually indicated in 2% of patients with proximal lymphatic obstruction and normal distal lymphatics.
Causes of lymphoedema:
Primary:
Sporadic, Milroy’s disease, Meige’s disease
Secondary:
Bacterial/fungal/parasitic infection (filariasis)
Lymphatic malignancy
Radiotherapy to lymph nodes
Surgical resection of lymph nodes
DVT
ThrombophlebitisOther options given:
Homans operation – Reduction procedure with preservation of overlying skin (which must be in good condition). Skin flaps are raised and the underlying tissue excised. Limb circumference typically reduced by a third.Charles operation – All skin and subcutaneous tissue around the calf are excised down to the deep fascia. Split skin grafts are placed over the site. May be performed if overlying skin is not in good condition. Larger reduction in size than with Homans procedure.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Vascular
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Question 171
Incorrect
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A 25 year old male patient who had sustained a stab wound in the middle of the posterior aspect of the left thigh, was discharged from hospital after dressing and antibiotic prophylaxis. Later on the patient developed bleeding through the wound and upon review, the source was discovered to be an artery that is the direct source of the medial and lateral circumflex arteries. Which is this artery that was injured?
Your Answer: First perforating artery
Correct Answer: Profunda femoris artery
Explanation:The medial and lateral circumflex arteries are direct branches of the Profunda femoris artery otherwise also known as the deep artery of the thigh. The Profunda femoris artery arises from the femoral artery just below the inguinal ligament (approximately 2-5cm below it).
The following are the branches of the deep artery of the thigh:
Lateral circumflex femoral artery
Medial circumflex femoral artery
Perforating arteries -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 172
Incorrect
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Which of the following statements regarding the femoral artery is CORRECT?
Your Answer: It can be surface-marked at the midpoint of inguinal ligament
Correct Answer: It has the femoral nerve lying lateral to it
Explanation:The femoral artery begins immediately behind the inguinal ligament, midway between the anterior superior spine of the ilium and the symphysis pubis. The first 4 cm of the vessel is enclosed, together with the femoral vein, in a fibrous sheath (the femoral sheath). The femoral nerve lies lateral to this.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 173
Incorrect
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Which is the site of action of the drug omeprazole?
Your Answer: Na+/K+ pump
Correct Answer: H+/K+ ATPase
Explanation:H+/K+-ATPase or ‘proton pump’ located in the canalicular membrane plays a major role in acid secretion. The ATPase here is magnesium-dependent. Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor and blocks H+/K+- ATPase.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 174
Incorrect
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For calculation of cardiac output by Fick's principle, which of the following vessels is the best source of venous blood to determine the arterial-to-venous oxygen tension difference?
Your Answer: Pulmonary vein
Correct Answer: Pulmonary artery
Explanation:Fick’s principle states that the total uptake (or release) of a substance by peripheral tissues is equal to the product of the blood flow to the peripheral tissues and the arterial– venous concentration difference (gradient) of the substance. It is used to measure the cardiac output, and the formula is Cardiac output = oxygen consumption divided by arteriovenous oxygen difference. Assuming there are no shunts across the pulmonary system, the pulmonary blood flow equals the systemic blood flow. The arterial and venous blood oxygen content is measured by sampling from the pulmonary artery (low oxygen content) and pulmonary vein (high oxygen content). Peripheral arterial blood is used as a surrogate for the pulmonary vein.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 175
Incorrect
-
A 26-year-old female patient had the following blood report: RBC count = 4. 0 × 106/μl, haematocrit = 27% and haemoglobin = 11 g/dl, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) = 90 fl, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) = 41 g/dl. Further examination of blood sample revealed increased osmotic fragility of the erythrocytes. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient’s findings?
Your Answer: Liver disease
Correct Answer: Spherocytosis
Explanation:Spherocytes are small rounded RBCs. It is due to an inherited defect of the RBC cytoskeleton membrane tethering proteins. Membrane blebs form that are lost over time and cells become round instead of biconcave. As it is a normochromic anaemia, the MCV is normal. it is diagnosed by osmotic fragility test which reveals increased fragility in a hypotonic solution.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 176
Incorrect
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When at rest, which of the following will be higher in a marathon runner compared to an untrained individual?
Your Answer: Respiratory rate
Correct Answer: Cardiac stroke volume
Explanation:Cardiac muscle hypertrophy is seen in trained athletes as compared to the normal population. This hypertrophy results in higher stroke volume at rest and increased cardiac reserve (maximum cardiac output during exercise). However, the cardiac output at rest is almost the same in both trained and untrained people. This is because in trained athletes, the heart rate is slower, even up to 40-50 beats/min. There is minimal affect of athletic training on oxygen consumption and respiratory rate.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 177
Incorrect
-
A 60-year old woman who has a left sided post-pneumonic effusion, was to have some pleural fluid aspirated for culture and sensitivity. If the medical intern in charge of the procedure decided to aspirate while the patient is sitting up on her bed, where in the pleural cavity would the fluid tend to accumulate?
Your Answer: Cupola
Correct Answer: Costodiaphragmatic recess
Explanation:The lowest part of the pleural cavity is the costodiaphragmatic recess and it the space in which the pleural fluid will accumulate when the patient sits up.
The cupola is part of the pleural cavity that extends into the root of the neck above the first rib.
The costomediastinal recess is the junction at which the costal pleura becomes the mediastinal pleura.
The middle mediastinum is the part of the mediastinum that is occupied by the heart.
The hilar reflection is the point where the mediastinal pleura is reflected to continue on as the visceral pleura. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 178
Incorrect
-
A 55 year old man presented with a 4 day history of cough and fever. His sputum culture showed the presence of Strep pneumoniae. Which of the following substances produced by the inflammatory cells will result in effective clearance of this organism from the lung parenchyma?
Your Answer: Leukotriene
Correct Answer: Hydrogen peroxide
Explanation:Hydrogen peroxide is produced by myeloperoxidase to form a potent oxidant that eliminates bacteria, but is not effective in chronic granulomatous diseases.
Platelet activating factor will lead to the activation, adhesion and aggregation of platelets but will not directly kill bacteria.
Prostaglandins cause vasodilation but do not activate neutrophils.
Kallikrein promotes formation of bradykinin that leads to vasodilation.
Leukreines increase vascular permeability.
Cytokines are communicating molecules between immune cells but directly will not kill bacteria.
Interleukins will regulate the immune response. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 179
Incorrect
-
A teenager presents with pain and swelling in a limb which increases after activity. X-rays reveal an expansible, eccentric, lytic lesion in the metaphysis distally in the affected bone surrounded by new bone. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Chondrosarcoma
Correct Answer: Aneurysmal bone cyst
Explanation:Aneurysmal bone cysts tend to develop in patients younger than 20 years old. They usually occur in the metaphyseal region of long bones, and are cystic lesions composed of numerous blood filled channels that grow slowly. In X-rays, they show up as circumscribed lesions, sometimes surrounded by new bone.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 180
Correct
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On exploration of an axillary wound, a branch from the third part of the axillary artery was found to be transected. Which of the following arteries would have been likely injured?
Your Answer: Anterior humeral circumflex
Explanation:The axillary artery gives off many branches from the first, second, or third parts along its course. The third part of the axillary artery gives off two branches: the anterior humeral circumflex artery and the posterior humeral circumflex artery.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 181
Correct
-
A 39 year old lady presents with a mass in the upper outer quadrant of her left breast. Imaging, histology and clinical examination confirm a 1.4cm malignant mass lesion with no clinical evidence of axillary nodal disease. Which treatment would be the most appropriate?
Your Answer: Wide local excision and sentinel node biopsy
Explanation:Sentinel lymph node biopsy has become the gold standard for axillary staging for patients with clinically and radiologically node negative axilla. The recommended technique is the dual technique of blue dye/radioisotope and this is associated with high sentinel node identification rates (> 95 %). However, in centres where radioisotope is not available, blue dye guided four node sampling appears to be a reasonable alternative. Sentinel node biopsy was shown to be an accurate technique for axillary node staging in the ALMANAC Trial with less associated morbidity and strong health economic arguments for its use.
The tumour in this patient is small so a wide local excision should be done.
Lumpectomy or breast wide local excision is a surgical removal of a discrete portion or lump of breast tissue, usually in the treatment of a malignant tumour or breast cancer. It is considered a viable breast conservation therapy, as the amount of tissue removed is limited compared to a full-breast mastectomy, and thus may have physical and emotional advantages over more disfiguring treatment. Sometimes a lumpectomy may be used to either confirm or rule out that cancer has actually been detected. A lumpectomy is usually recommended to patients whose cancer has been detected early and who do not have enlarged tumours. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Breast And Endocrine Surgery
- Generic Surgical Topics
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Question 182
Incorrect
-
Which of the following structure forms the floor of the posterior triangle of the neck:
Your Answer: Retropharyngeal fascia
Correct Answer: Prevertebral fascia
Explanation:The posterior triangle (or lateral cervical region) is a region of the neck which has the following boundaries:
Apex: Union of the sternocleidomastoid and the trapezius muscles at the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone
Anterior: Posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle
Posterior: Anterior border of the trapezius
Base: Middle one third of the clavicle
Roof: Investing layer of the deep cervical fascia
Floor: The anterolateral portion of prevertebral fascia -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 183
Incorrect
-
An 8 year old boy presents with a history of repeated bacterial/pyogenic infections. He had a normal recovery from chickenpox and measles and shows normal antibody response. A decrease in which of the cell types can best explain this history of repeated pyogenic infections?
Your Answer: Eosinophils
Correct Answer: Neutrophils
Explanation:A decrease in the number of granulocytes, particularly neutrophils is known as agranulocytosis and it increases the susceptibility of an individual towards recurrent infections. Neutropenia can be either due to decreased production or increased elimination of neutrophils.
Ineffective agranulopoiesis is seen in: 1. myeloid stem cell suppression, 2. disease conditions associated with granulopoiesis such as megaloblastic anaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes, 3. rare genetic diseases, 4. splenic sequestration and 5. increased peripheral utilization. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 184
Incorrect
-
A 21 year old lady notices a non-tender, mobile breast lump while doing her breast self-examination. The lump is smooth and not tethered to her skin. What is the diagnosis?
Your Answer: Lipoma
Correct Answer: Fibroadenoma
Explanation:Answer: Fibroadenoma
A fibroadenoma is a painless, unilateral, benign (non-cancerous) breast tumour that is a solid, not fluid-filled, lump. It occurs most commonly in women between the age of 14 to 35 years but can be found at any age. Fibroadenomas shrink after menopause, and therefore, are less common in post-menopausal women. Fibroadenomas are often referred to as a breast mouse due to their high mobility. Fibroadenomas are a marble-like mass comprising both epithelial and stromal tissues located under the skin of the breast. These firm, rubbery masses with regular borders are often variable in size.
Fibroadenoma tends to occur in early age. It is most commonly found in adolescents and less commonly found in postmenopausal women. The incidence of fibroadenoma decreases with increasing age and generally found before 30 years of age in females in the general population. It is estimated that 10% of the world’s female population suffers from fibroadenoma once in a lifetime.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Breast And Endocrine Surgery
- Generic Surgical Topics
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Question 185
Incorrect
-
Gastric acid secretion is stimulated by which of the following?
Your Answer: The glossopharyngeal nerve
Correct Answer: Gastrin
Explanation:Gastric acid secretion is stimulated by three factors:
– Acetylcholine, from parasympathetic neurones of the vagus nerve that innervate parietal cells directly
– Gastrin, produced by pyloric G-cells
– Histamine, produced by mast cells.
Gastric acid is inhibited by three factors:
– Somatostatin
– Secretin
– Cholecystokinin -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 186
Incorrect
-
A computer tomography guided needle biopsy is done on a patient with a cystic swelling in the left chest. The radiologist inserted the biopsy needle into the 9th intercostal space along the mid axillary line to aspirate the swelling and obtain tissue for histological diagnosis. In which space is the swelling most likely to be?
Your Answer: Oblique pericardial sinus
Correct Answer: Costodiaphragmatic recess
Explanation:The costodiaphragmatic recess is the lowest point of the pleural sac where the costal pleura becomes the diaphragmatic pleura. At the midclavicular line, this is found between ribs 6 and 8; at the paravertebral lines, between ribs 10 and 12 and between ribs 8 and 10 at the midaxillary line.
The cardiac notch: is an indentation of the heart on the left lung, located on the anterior surface of the lung.
Cupola: part of the parietal pleura that extends above the first rib.
Oblique pericardial sinus: part of the pericardial sac located posterior to the heart behind the left atrium.
Costomediastinal recess: a reflection of the pleura from the costal surface to the mediastinal surface, is on the anterior surface of the chest.
The inferior mediastinum: is the space in the chest occupied by the heart. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 187
Incorrect
-
A 42 year old women presents with end stage renal failure and is prepared to receive a kidney from her husband. HLA testing showed that they are not a 100% match and she is given immunosuppressant therapy for this. Three months later when her renal function tests were performed she showed signs of deteriorating renal function, with decreased renal output, proteinuria of +++ and RBCs in the urine. She was given antilymphocyte globulins and her condition reversed. What type of graft did this patient receive?
Your Answer: Xenograft
Correct Answer: Allograft
Explanation:Allograft describes a graft between two of the same species. As the donor and the recipients are history-incompatible, rejection of the graft is common and is controlled by immunosuppressive drug therapy. Isograft and syngraft are synonymous and referred to a graft transferred between genetically identical individuals e.g. identical twins. In this case rejection is rare as they are history-compatible.
Autograft refers to transfer of one part of the body to another location.
Xenograft is transfer of tissue from another species e.g. pig to human in valve replacement surgeries and rejection is very high. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 188
Incorrect
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A 66 year old retired judge has recently undergone a wide local excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer. Which of the factors listed below will provide the most important prognostic information?
Your Answer: Grade
Correct Answer: Nodal status
Explanation:Even in the era of gene-expression profiling, the nodal status still remains the primary prognostic discriminant in breast cancer patients. The exclusion of node involvement using non-invasive methods could reduce the rate of axillary surgery, thereby preventing from suffering complications.
Lymph node status is highly related to prognosis (chances for survival).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Breast And Endocrine Surgery
- Generic Surgical Topics
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Question 189
Incorrect
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A 40 year old man is currently recovering after a live donor related liver transplant. He has been given a daily dose of corticosteroids to decrease the risk of graft rejection. Which of the following will not occur as a result of their administration?
Your Answer: Reduction in the proliferation of lymphocytes
Correct Answer: Necrosis of activated lymphocytes
Explanation:Corticosteroids are responsible for an array of side effects. However, necrosis has a different pathophysiology and is not usually linked with corticosteroid usage.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Organ Transplantation
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Question 190
Incorrect
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Regarding innervation to the peroneus brevis muscle:
Your Answer: Is by a nerve that is accompanied by an artery in the same compartment
Correct Answer: Could be damaged by a fracture of the neck of the fibula
Explanation:The peroneus brevis is supplied by the fourth and fifth lumbar and first sacral nerves through the superficial peroneal nerve which is one of the two terminal branches of the common peroneal nerve. The common peroneal nerve winds around the neck of the fibula and can be injured in cases of fractured neck of fibula.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Basic Sciences
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Question 191
Correct
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A 56 year old man is scheduled for flexible sigmoidoscopy to investigate bright red rectal bleeding. Which of the following would be the most appropriate preparation for this procedure?
Your Answer: Single phosphate enema 30 minutes pre procedure
Explanation:Bowel preparation is a significant aspect of the flexible sigmoidoscopy procedure. Clear visibility of the bowel mucosa is critical for a thorough examination. The combination of a light breakfast in the morning and the application of 1 or 2 phosphate enemas a few hours before the examination is a safe and commonly used method of preparing a patient for a flexible sigmoidoscopy procedure.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Peri-operative Care
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 192
Incorrect
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The pleural cavity is the space between the two pulmonary pleurae which cover the lungs. What is the normal amount of pleural fluid?
Your Answer: 35 ml
Correct Answer: 10 ml
Explanation:Pleural fluid is a serous fluid produced by the serous membrane covering normal pleurae. Most fluid is produced by the parietal circulation (intercostal arteries) via bulk flow and reabsorbed by the lymphatic system. The total volume of fluid present in the intrapleural space is estimated to be only 2–10 ml. A small amount of protein is present in intrapleural fluid. Normally, the rate of reabsorption increases as a physiological response to accumulating fluid.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 193
Incorrect
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A 72-year-old male presents with dysuria and chronic haematuria. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer and tumour invasion of the perivesical fat. What is the stage of the patient's bladder cancer?
Your Answer: T1
Correct Answer: T3
Explanation:Bladder cancer is the growth of abnormal or cancerous cells on the inner lining of the bladder wall. The staging is as follows; stage 0is (Tis, N0, M0): Cancerous cells in the inner lining tissue of the bladder only, stage I (T1, N0, M0): tumour has spread onto the bladder wall, stage II (T2, N0, M0): tumour has penetrated the inner wall and is present in muscle of the bladder wall, stage III (T3, N0, M0): tumour has spread through the bladder to fat around the bladder and stage IV: (T4, N0, M0): tumour has grown through the bladder wall and into the pelvic or abdominal wall. The stage of cancer in the case presented is T3 because of the invasion of perivesical fat.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 194
Incorrect
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A TRUE statement regarding abolition of the cephalic phase of pancreatic secretion is that it:
Your Answer: Will mainly affect enzymatic secretion
Correct Answer: Will result after vagotomy
Explanation:Recognition and integration of the sight, smell and taste of food triggers the cephalic phase of pancreatic secretion, causing an increase in pancreatic HCO3- and enzyme secretion. The degree of enzyme secretion in this phase is about 50% of the maximal response seen with exogenous CCK and secretin. The vagus nerve regulates the secretion through the cholinergic fibres innervating the acinar cells of the pancreas, and through peptidergic nerve fibres, which innervate ductal cells.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 195
Correct
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Some substances, such as Chromium-51 and Technetium-99, are freely filtered but not secreted or absorbed by the kidney. In these cases, their clearance rate is equal to:
Your Answer: Glomerular filtration rate
Explanation:If a substance passes through the glomerular membrane with perfect ease, the glomerular filtrate contains virtually the same concentration of the substance as does the plasma and if the substance is neither secreted nor reabsorbed by the tubules, all of the filtered substance continues on into the urine. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) describes the flow rate of filtered fluid through the kidney.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Physiology
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Question 196
Correct
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A 39 year old male is identified as having gallstones after presenting with colicky right upper quadrant pain. An abdominal ultrasound scan was done. Which of the following is the best course of action?
Your Answer: Liver function tests
Explanation:In patients with suspected gallstone complications, blood tests should include a complete blood cell (CBC) count with differential, liver function panel, and amylase and lipase. Up to 24% of women and 12% of men may have gallstones. Of these up to 30% may develop local infection and cholecystitis.
Acute cholecystitis is associated with polymorphonuclear leucocytosis. However, up to one third of the patients with cholecystitis may not manifest leucocytosis. In severe cases, mild elevations of liver enzymes may be caused by inflammatory injury of the adjacent liver.
Patients with cholangitis and pancreatitis have abnormal laboratory test values. Importantly, a single abnormal laboratory value does not confirm the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis, cholangitis, or pancreatitis; rather, a coherent set of laboratory studies leads to the correct diagnosis.
Choledocholithiasis with acute common bile duct (CBD) obstruction initially produces an acute increase in the level of liver transaminases (alanine and aspartate aminotransferases), followed within hours by a rising serum bilirubin level. The higher the bilirubin level, the greater the predictive value for CBD obstruction. CBD stones are present in approximately 60% of patients with serum bilirubin levels greater than 3 mg/dL.
If obstruction persists, a progressive decline in the level of transaminases with rising alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels may be noted over several days. Prothrombin time may be elevated in patients with prolonged CBD obstruction, secondary to depletion of vitamin K (the absorption of which is bile-dependent). Concurrent obstruction of the pancreatic duct by a stone in the ampulla of Vater may be accompanied by increases in serum lipase and amylase levels.
Repeated testing over hours to days may be useful in evaluating patients with gallstone complications. Improvement of the levels of bilirubin and liver enzymes may indicate spontaneous passage of an obstructing stone. Conversely, rising levels of bilirubin and transaminases with progression of leucocytosis in the face of antibiotic therapy may indicate ascending cholangitis with the need for urgent intervention. Blood culture results are positive in 30%-60% of patients with cholangitis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Hepatobiliary And Pancreatic Surgery
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Question 197
Incorrect
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A 53 year old construction worker who had fallen from a ladder and fractured multiple ribs is admitted in the hospital 36 hours later. On examination, he is confused and agitated and has clinical evidence of lateralising signs. He deteriorates further and then dies with no response to resuscitation. What is the most likely explanation?
Your Answer: Extra dural haematoma
Correct Answer: Acute sub dural haemorrhage
Explanation:Acute subdural hematoma is usually caused by external trauma that creates tension in the wall of a bridging vein as it passes between the arachnoid and dural layers of the brain’s lining—i.e., the subdural space. The circumferential arrangement of collagen surrounding the vein makes it susceptible to such tearing.
Acute bleeds often develop after high-speed acceleration or deceleration injuries. They are most severe if associated with cerebral contusions. Though much faster than chronic subdural bleeds, acute subdural bleeding is usually venous and therefore slower than the arterial bleeding of an epidural haemorrhage. Acute subdural hematomas due to trauma are the most lethal of all head injuries and have a high mortality rate if they are not rapidly treated with surgical decompression. The mortality rate is higher than that of epidural hematomas and diffuse brain injuries because the force required to cause subdural hematomas tends to cause other severe injuries as well.
Generally, acute subdural hematomas are less than 72 hours old and are hyperdense compared with the brain on computed tomography scans. The subacute phase begins 3-7 days after acute injury. Chronic subdural hematomas develop over the course of weeks and are hypodense compared with the brain. However, subdural hematomas may be mixed in nature, such as when acute bleeding has occurred into a chronic subdural hematoma.
Lateralizing findings include ipsilateral pupillary dilatation with impaired reaction and motor deficit. Usually the pupillary dilatation will be ipsilateral and motor deficit (hemiparesis or hemiplegia) will be contralateral to the site of subdural hematoma. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Generic Surgical Topics
- Surgical Disorders Of The Brain
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Question 198
Incorrect
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A 27-year-old woman has chronic low serum calcium levels. Which of the following conditions may be responsible for the hypocalcaemia in this patient?
Your Answer: Primary hyperparathyroidism
Correct Answer: Hypoparathyroidism
Explanation:Chronic hypocalcaemia is mostly seen in patients with hypoparathyroidism as a result of accidental removal or damage to parathyroid glands during thyroidectomy.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 199
Correct
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A 68-year-old woman complains of headaches, dizziness, and memory loss. About a month ago, she fell from a staircase but only suffered mild head trauma. What is the most likely diagnosis in this case?
Your Answer: Chronic subdural haematoma
Explanation:A quarter to a half of patients with chronic subdural haematoma have no identifiable history of head trauma. If a patient does have a history of head trauma, it usually is mild. The average time between head trauma and chronic subdural haematoma diagnosis is 4–5 weeks. Symptoms include decreased level of consciousness, balance problems, cognitive dysfunction and memory loss, motor deficit (e.g. hemiparesis), headache or aphasia. Some patients present acutely. They usually result from tears in bridging veins which cross the subdural space, and may cause an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Basic Sciences
- Pathology
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Question 200
Incorrect
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A 33 year old man is diagnosed with CA caecum. Thorough history taking reveals that his mother developed uterine cancer at 39 years of age and his maternal uncle died at 38 due to colonic cancer. Which of the following operative options would be the most suitable for this patient?
Your Answer: Right hemicolectomy
Correct Answer: Panproctocolectomy
Explanation:Lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), is a type of inherited cancer syndrome associated with a genetic predisposition to different cancer types. People who have Lynch syndrome have a significantly increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. There is also an increased risk of developing other types of cancers, such as endometrial (uterine), stomach, breast, ovarian, small bowel (intestinal), pancreatic, prostate, urinary tract, liver, kidney, and bile duct cancers. Alterations in several genes involved in DNA mismatch repair that have been linked to Lynch syndrome. They include the genes of MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and EPCAM. A mutation (alteration) in any of these genes gives a person an increased lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer and other related cancers.
Women also have an increased risk of developing endometrial and ovarian cancers. The safest operative strategy is a pancolectomy and end ileostomy.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Colorectal Surgery
- Generic Surgical Topics
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
