Context: A 23-year-old woman is brought to the physician by her father because of strange behavior for the past 6 months. The father reports that his daughter has increasingly isolated herself in college and received poor grades. She has told her father that aliens are trying to infiltrate her mind and that she has to continuously listen to the radio to monitor these activities. She appears anxious. Her vital signs are within normal limits. Physical examination shows no abnormalities. Neurologic examination shows no focal findings. Mental status examination shows psychomotor agitation. She says: “I can describe how the aliens chase me except for my car which is parked in the garage. You know, the sky is beautiful today. Why does my mother have a cat?” Which of the following best describes this patient's thought process?

Question: Why does my mother have a cat?” Which of the following best describes this patient's thought process?

Answer: Loose associations


Context: A 55-year-old man presents to urgent care for weakness and weight loss. He states for the past several months he has felt progressively weaker and has lost 25 pounds. The patient also endorses intermittent abdominal pain. The patient has not seen a physician in 30 years and recalls being current on most of his vaccinations. He says that a few years ago, he went to the emergency department due to abdominal pain and was found to have increased liver enzymes due to excessive alcohol use and incidental gallstones. The patient has a 50 pack-year smoking history. His temperature is 99.5°F (37.5°C), blood pressure is 161/108 mmHg, pulse is 90/min, respirations are 17/min, and oxygen saturation is 95% on room air. Physical exam reveals an emaciated man. The patient has a negative Murphy's sign and his abdomen is non-tender. Cardiopulmonary exam is within normal limits. Which of the following is the next best step in management?

Question: Which of the following is the next best step in management?

Answer: CT scan of the abdomen


Context: A 69-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department by her husband because of a 1-day history of fever, shortness of breath, dizziness, and cough productive of purulent sputum. Six days ago, she developed malaise, headache, sore throat, and myalgias that improved initially. Her temperature is 39.3°C (102.7°F) and blood pressure is 84/56 mm Hg. Examination shows an erythematous, desquamating rash of the distal extremities. A sputum culture grows gram-positive, coagulase-positive cocci in clusters. The most likely causal organism of this patient's current symptoms produces a virulence factor with which of the following functions?

Question: The most likely causal organism of this patient's current symptoms produces a virulence factor with which of the following functions?

Answer: Binding of Fc domain of immunoglobulin G


Context: A man is brought into the emergency department by police. The patient was found somnolent in the park and did not respond to questioning. The patient's past medical history is unknown, and he is poorly kempt. The patient's personal belongings include prescription medications and illicit substances such as alprazolam, diazepam, marijuana, cocaine, alcohol, acetaminophen, and a baggie containing an unknown powder. His temperature is 97.0°F (36.1°C), blood pressure is 117/58 mmHg, pulse is 80/min, respirations are 9/min, and oxygen saturation is 91% on room air. Physical exam reveals pupils that do not respond to light bilaterally, and a somnolent patient who only withdraws his limbs to pain. Which of the following is the best next step in management?

Question: Which of the following is the best next step in management?

Answer: Naloxone


Context:
An investigator inoculates three different broths with one colony-forming unit of Escherichia coli. Broth A contains 100 μmol of lactose, broth B contains 100 μmol of glucose, and broth C contains both 100 μmol of lactose and 100 μmol of glucose. After 24 hours, the amounts of lactose, galactose, and glucose in the three broths are measured. The results of the experiment are shown:
Lactose Galactose Glucose
Broth A 43 μmol 11 μmol 9 μmol
Broth B 0 μmol 0 μmol 39 μmol
Broth C 94 μmol 1 μmol 66 μmol
The observed results are most likely due to which of the following properties of broth A compared to broth C?"

Question:
The results of the experiment are shown:
Lactose Galactose Glucose
Broth A 43 μmol 11 μmol 9 μmol
Broth B 0 μmol 0 μmol 39 μmol
Broth C 94 μmol 1 μmol 66 μmol
The observed results are most likely due to which of the following properties of broth A compared to broth C?"

Answer: Increased activity of adenylate cyclase


Context: A 45-year-old woman presents with a complaint of pain in the metacarpophalangeal joints and proximal interphalangeal joints bilaterally. Serology showed positive anti-CCP antibodies. She has been prescribed infliximab for control of her condition. Which of the following needs to be tested before starting treatment in this patient?

Question: Which of the following needs to be tested before starting treatment in this patient?

Answer: PPD skin test


Context: A 30-year-old African American G1P0 mother gives birth to a male infant at 33 weeks' gestation. The mother had no prenatal care and took no prenatal vitamins. The child’s postnatal period was complicated by neonatal sepsis due to group B Streptococcus. He required a two week stay in the neonatal intensive care unit to receive antibiotics, cardiopulmonary support, and intravenous nutrition. He eventually recovered and was discharged. At a normal follow-up visit to the pediatrician’s office one month later, the mother asks about the child’s skin color and hair color. On examination, the child has white hair and diffusely pale skin. The child’s irises appear translucent. Further questioning of the mother reveals that there is a distant family history of blindness. This child most likely has a defect in an enzyme involved in the metabolism of which of the following molecules?

Question: This child most likely has a defect in an enzyme involved in the metabolism of which of the following molecules?

Answer: DOPA


Context: A pathologist performed an autopsy on an 18-month-old infant boy who died of pneumonia. Clinical notes revealed the infant had repeated respiratory infections that started after he was weaned off of breast-milk. Laboratory investigation revealed hypogammaglobulinemia and an absence of B-cells. T-cell levels were normal. Histological evaluation of an axillary lymph node revealed an absence of germinal centers. Which of the following is the mode of inheritance of the disorder that afflicted this infant?

Question: Which of the following is the mode of inheritance of the disorder that afflicted this infant?

Answer: X-linked recessive


Context: A 62-year-old man is brought to the emergency department for the evaluation of intermittent bloody vomiting for the past 2 hours. He has had similar episodes during the last 6 months that usually stop spontaneously within an hour. The patient is not aware of any medical problems. He has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 30 years but quit 10 years ago. He drinks half a liter of vodka daily. He appears pale and diaphoretic. His temperature is 37.3°C (99.1°F), pulse is 100/min, respirations are 20/min, and blood pressure is 105/68 mm Hg. Cardiac examination shows no murmurs, rubs, or gallops. There is increased abdominal girth. On percussion of the abdomen, the fluid-air level shifts when the patient moves from the supine to the right lateral decubitus position. The edge of the liver is palpated 2 cm below the costal margin. His hemoglobin concentration is 10.3 g/dL, leukocyte count is 4,200/mm3, and platelet count is 124,000/mm3. Intravenous fluids and octreotide are started. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

Question: Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

Answer: Intravenous ceftriaxone


Context: A 33-year-old woman presents with lethargy and neck pain. She says that, for the past 6 months, she has been feeling tired all the time and has noticed a lot of muscle tension around the base of her neck. She also says she finds herself constantly worrying about everything, such as if her registered mail would reach family and friends in time for the holidays or if the children got their nightly bath while she was away or the weekend. She says that this worrying has prevented her from sleeping at night and has made her more irritable and edgy with her family and friends. Which of the following is the best course of treatment for this patient?

Question: Which of the following is the best course of treatment for this patient?

Answer: Buspirone


Context: A 27-year-old woman, gravida 2, para 1, at 26 weeks' gestation comes to the emergency department because of vaginal bleeding and epistaxis for the past 2 days. She missed her last prenatal visit 2 weeks ago. Physical examination shows blood in the posterior pharynx and a uterus consistent in size with 23 weeks' gestation. Her hemoglobin concentration is 7.2 g/dL. Ultrasonography shows an intrauterine pregnancy with a small retroplacental hematoma and absent fetal cardiac activity. Further evaluation is most likely to show which of the following findings?

Question: Further evaluation is most likely to show which of the following findings?

Answer: Decreased fibrinogen concentration


Context: A 62-year-old woman presents to her primary care physician because of fever, fatigue, and shortness of breath. She has noticed that she has a number of bruises, but she attributes this to a hike she went on 1 week ago. She has diabetes and hypertension well controlled on medication and previously had an abdominal surgery but doesn’t remember why. On physical exam, she has some lumps in her neck and a palpable liver edge. Peripheral blood smear shows white blood cells with peroxidase positive eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions. The abnormal protein most likely seen in this disease normally has which of the following functions?

Question: The abnormal protein most likely seen in this disease normally has which of the following functions?

Answer: Recruiting histone acetylase proteins


Context:
A 17-year-old girl is brought to the physician because of amenorrhea for 4 months. Menses previously occurred at regular 28-day intervals and last for 3 to 4 days. There is no family history of serious illness. She receives good grades in school and is on the high school track team. She is sexually active with one male partner and uses condoms consistently. She appears thin. Examination shows bilateral parotid gland enlargement. There is fine hair over the trunk. Serum studies show:
Thyroid-stimulating hormone 3.7 μU/mL
Prolactin 16 ng/mL
Estradiol 23 pg/mL (N > 40)
Follicle-stimulating hormone 1.6 mIU/mL
Luteinizing hormone 2.8 mIU/mL
A urine pregnancy test is negative. Which of the following is the most likely cause of these findings?"

Question: Which of the following is the most likely cause of these findings?"

Answer: Nutritional deficiency


Context: A 52-year-old man with chronic alcoholism presents to an ambulatory medical clinic, where the hepatologist elects to perform comprehensive hepatitis B screening, in addition to several other screening and preventative measures. Given the following choices, which serologic marker, if positive, would indicate the patient has immunity to the hepatitis B virus?

Question: Given the following choices, which serologic marker, if positive, would indicate the patient has immunity to the hepatitis B virus?

Answer: HBsAb


Context: A 65-year-old woman presents with memory problems for the past few weeks. Patient vividly describes how she forgot where she put her car keys this morning and did not remember to wish her grandson a happy birthday last week. Patient denies any cognitive problems, bowel/bladder incontinence, tremors, gait problems, or focal neurologic signs. Patient mentions she wants to take Ginkgo because her friend told her that it can help improve her brain function and prevent memory loss. Past medical history is significant for an acute cardiac event several years ago. Current medications are aspirin, carvedilol, and captopril. Patient denies any history of smoking, alcohol or recreational drug use. Patient is a widow, lives alone, and is able to perform all activities of daily living (ADLs) easily. No significant family history. Patient is afebrile and vital signs are within normal limits. Physical examination is unremarkable. Which of the following would be the most appropriate response to this patient’s request to take Ginkgo?

Question: Which of the following would be the most appropriate response to this patient’s request to take Ginkgo?

Answer: "No, taking ginkgo will increase your risk for bleeding."


Context: A 54-year-old man comes to the physician because of excessive daytime sleepiness for 5 months. He wakes up frequently at night, and his wife says his snoring has become louder. He is 180 cm (5 ft 10 in) tall and weighs 104 kg (230 lb); his BMI is 33 kg/m2. His pulse is 80/min and his respiratory rate is 11/min. His jugular venous pressure is 7 cm H2O. He has 2+ pitting edema of the lower legs and ankles. Arterial blood gas analysis on room air shows a pH of 7.42 and a PCO2 of 41 mm Hg. An x-ray of the chest shows normal findings. Which of the following is the most likely underlying cause of this patient's condition?

Question: Which of the following is the most likely underlying cause of this patient's condition?

Answer: Intermittent collapse of the oropharynx


Context: A 27-year-old woman with a history of a "heart murmur since childhood" presents following a series of syncopal episodes over the past several months. She also complains of worsening fatigue over this time period, and notes that her lips have begun to take on a bluish tinge, for which she has been using a brighter shade of lipstick. You do a careful examination, and detect a right ventricular heave, clubbing of the fingers, and 2+ pitting edema bilaterally to the shins. Despite your patient insisting that every doctor she has ever seen has commented on her murmur, you do not hear one. Transthoracic echocardiography would most likely detect which of the following?

Question: Transthoracic echocardiography would most likely detect which of the following?

Answer: Positive bubble study


Context: A 42-year-old woman comes to the emergency department with gradually worsening pain in the abdomen and right flank. The abdominal pain started one week ago and is accompanied by foul-smelling, lightly-colored diarrhea. The flank pain started two days ago and is now an 8 out of 10 in intensity. It worsens on rapid movement. She has a history of intermittent knee arthralgias. She has refractory acid reflux and antral and duodenal peptic ulcers for which she currently takes omeprazole. She appears fatigued. Her pulse is 89/min and her blood pressure is 110/75 mmHg. Abdominal examination shows both epigastric and right costovertebral angle tenderness. Urine dipstick shows trace red blood cells (5–10/μL). Ultrasonography shows mobile hyperechogenic structures in the right ureteropelvic junction. Further evaluation is most likely going to show which of the following findings?

Question: Further evaluation is most likely going to show which of the following findings?

Answer: Hypercalcemia


Context:
A 53-year-old woman presents to a physician with a cough which she has had for the last 5 years. She mentions that her cough is worse in the morning and is associated with significant expectoration. There is no history of weight loss or constitutional symptoms like fever and malaise. Her past medical records show that she required hospitalization for breathing difficulty on 6 different occasions in the last 3 years. She also mentions that she was never completely free of her respiratory problems during the period between the exacerbations and that she has a cough with sputum most of the months for the last 3 years. She works in a cotton mill and is a non-smoker. Her mother and her maternal grandmother had asthma. Her temperature is 37.1°C (98.8°F), the pulse is 92/min, the blood pressure is 130/86 mm Hg, and her respiratory rate is 22/min. General examination shows obesity and mild cyanosis. Auscultation of her chest reveals bilateral coarse rhonchi. Her lung volumes on pulmonary function test are given below:
  Pre-bronchodilator Post-bronchodilator
FEV1 58% 63%
FVC  90% 92%
FEV1/FVC  0.62 0.63
TLC 98% 98%
The results are valid and repeatable as per standard criteria. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Question: Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer: Chronic bronchitis


Context: A 55-year-old man comes to the physician because of increasing shortness of breath for 1 month. Initially, he was able to climb the 3 flights of stairs to his apartment, but he now needs several breaks to catch his breath. He has no chest pain. He has rheumatic heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. He emigrated from India about 25 years ago. The patient's current medications include carvedilol, torsemide, and insulin. He appears uncomfortable. His temperature is 37.3°C (99.1°F), pulse is 72/min and regular, respirations are 18/min, and blood pressure is 130/80 mm Hg. Pulse oximetry on room air shows an oxygen saturation of 96%. Examination shows bilateral crackles at the lung bases. There is an opening snap followed by a low-pitched diastolic murmur at the fifth left intercostal space at the mid-clavicular line. An x-ray of the chest shows left atrial enlargement, straightening of the left cardiac border and increased vascular markings. Which of the following is the preferred intervention to improve this patient's symptoms?

Question: Which of the following is the preferred intervention to improve this patient's symptoms?

Answer: Percutaneous mitral balloon commissurotomy


Context: A 70-year-old male presents to his primary care physician for complaints of fatigue. The patient reports feeling tired during the day over the past 6 months. Past medical history is significant for moderately controlled type II diabetes. Family history is unremarkable. Thyroid stimulating hormone and testosterone levels are within normal limits. Complete blood cell count reveals the following: WBC 5.0, hemoglobin 9.0, hematocrit 27.0, and platelets 350. Mean corpuscular volume is 76. Iron studies demonstrate a ferritin of 15 ng/ml (nl 30-300). Of the following, which is the next best step?

Question: Of the following, which is the next best step?

Answer: Colonoscopy


Context: A 52-year-old woman presents with involuntary passage of urine and occasional watery vaginal discharge. She associates the onset of these symptoms with her discharge from the hospital for an abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for endometrial carcinoma and a left ovary cyst 2 months ago. The incontinence occurs during both day and night and is not related to physical exertion. She denies urgency, incomplete voiding, painful urination, or any other genitourinary symptoms. She is currently on hormone replacement therapy. Her vital signs are as follows: blood pressure, 120/80 mm Hg; heart rate, 77/min; respiratory rate, 13/min; and temperature, 36.6℃ (97.9℉). On physical examination, there is no costovertebral or suprapubic tenderness. The surgical scar is normal in appearance. The gynecologic examination revealed a small opening in the upper portion of the anterior wall of the vagina. No discharge was noted. How would you confirm the diagnosis?

Question: How would you confirm the diagnosis?

Answer: Voiding cystourethrography


Context: A 73-year-old man noted a rapid onset of severe dizziness and difficulty swallowing while watching TV at home. His wife reports that he had difficulty forming sentences and his gait was unsteady at this time. Symptoms were severe within 1 minute and began to improve spontaneously after 10 minutes. He has had type 2 diabetes mellitus for 25 years and has a 50 pack-year smoking history. On arrival to the emergency department 35 minutes after the initial development of symptoms, his manifestations have largely resolved with the exception of a subtle nystagmus and ataxia. His blood pressure is 132/86 mm Hg, the heart rate is 84/min, and the respiratory rate is 15/min. After 45 minutes, his symptoms are completely resolved, and neurological examination is unremarkable. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient’s condition?

Question: Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient’s condition?

Answer: Vertebral artery occlusion


Context: A 72-year-old man is brought to the emergency department with increasing fever and abdominal pain over the past week. The pain is constant and limited to the lower right part of his abdomen. He has nausea but no vomiting or diarrhea. His past medical history is unremarkable for any serious illnesses. He takes acetaminophen for knee arthritis. He is fully alert and oriented. His temperature is 39.5°C (103.1°F), pulse is 89/min, respirations are 15/min, and blood pressure is 135/70 mm Hg. Abdominal examination shows a tender mass in the right lower quadrant. CT shows obstruction of the appendiceal neck with a fecalith and the appendiceal tip leading to an irregular walled-off fluid collection. Stranding of the surrounding fat planes is also noted. Intravenous hydration is initiated. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

Question: Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

Answer: Antibiotics + CT-guided drainage


Context: A 40-day-old child presents to a physician for the first time for a well-child visit. The mother is a 22-year-old college student who opted for a home birth. Upon examination, the child weighs 4.0 kg (8.8 lbs) and has intact reflexes. The umbilical cord is still attached and looks erythematous and indurated. A complete blood cell count reveals leukocytosis. Immunoglobulin levels are normal. A flow cytometry analysis is performed. Which of the following markers will most likely be deficient in this child?

Question: Which of the following markers will most likely be deficient in this child?

Answer: CD18


Context: A 27-year-old woman presents for her routine annual examination. She has no complaints. She has a 3-year-old child who was born via normal vaginal delivery with no complications. She had a Pap smear during her last pregnancy and the findings were normal. Her remaining past medical history is not significant, and her family history is also not significant. Recently, one of her close friends was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36, and, after reading some online research, she wants to be checked for all types of cancer. Which of the following statements would be the best advice regarding the most appropriate screening tests for this patient?

Question: Which of the following statements would be the best advice regarding the most appropriate screening tests for this patient?

Answer: “We should do a Pap smear now. Blood tests are not recommended for screening purposes.”


Context:
A 59-year-old woman presents to the physician for a 3-month history of progressively worsening shortness of breath on exertion and swelling of her legs. She has a history of breast cancer that was treated with surgery, followed by doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide therapy 4 years ago. Cardiac examination shows an S3 gallop, but there are no murmurs or rubs. Examination of the lower extremities shows pitting edema below the knees. Echocardiography is most likely to show which of the following sets of changes in this patient?
  Aorto-ventricular pressure gradient
Diastolic function Ventricular cavity size Ventricular wall thickness
A Normal ↓ Normal Normal
B Normal Normal ↑ ↑
C Normal ↓ ↑ ↑
D ↑ ↓ ↑ ↑
E Normal Normal ↑ ↓

Question:
Aorto-ventricular pressure gradient
Diastolic function Ventricular cavity size Ventricular wall thickness
A Normal ↓ Normal Normal
B Normal Normal ↑ ↑
C Normal ↓ ↑ ↑
D ↑ ↓ ↑ ↑
E Normal Normal ↑ ↓

Answer: E


Context: A 19-year-old girl with a history of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), managed with systemic corticosteroids, presents with bruising, acne, and weight gain. Patient says that 3 months ago she gradually began to notice significant weight gain and facial and truncal acne. She says these symptoms progressively worsened until she discontinued her corticosteroid therapy 4 weeks ago. This week, she began to notice multiple bruises all over her body. Past medical history is significant for ITP, diagnosed 11 years ago, managed until recently with systemic corticosteroid therapy. The patient is afebrile and vital signs are within normal limits. On physical examination, there are multiple petechiae and superficial bruises on her torso and extremities bilaterally. There is moderate truncal obesity and as well as a mild posterior cervical adipose deposition. Multiple deep comedones are present on the face and upper torso. Which of the following is the best course of treatment in this patient?

Question: Which of the following is the best course of treatment in this patient?

Answer: Splenectomy


Context: A 30-year-old boxer seeks evaluation by his physician after he noticed swelling at the angle of his jaw a few days ago. He recalls a recent boxing match when he was punched in his face. He says that his jaw is very painful. On examination, a firm mass is palpated, measuring 4 x 4 cm. An ultrasound was performed, which shows a thin, encapsulated, well-circumscribed, predominantly solid mass with occasional cystic areas. The mass is surgically excised, after which he develops a hoarse voice for a few days, but recovers within 1 week. The histopathologic evaluation of the surgical specimen reports a pseudocapsule with a hypocellular stromal component consisting of a myxoid background and cartilage arranged in clusters and a hypercellular epithelial component with cells arranged in sheets and trabeculae. From which of the following structures did the mass most likely arise?

Question: From which of the following structures did the mass most likely arise?

Answer: Parotid gland


Context: A 32-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 2-week history of involuntary loss of urine. She loses small amounts of urine in the absence of an urge to urinate and for no apparent reason. She also reports that she has an intermittent urinary stream. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Current medications include glatiramer acetate and a multivitamin. She works as a librarian. She has 2 children who attend middle school. Vital signs are within normal limits. The abdomen is soft and nontender. Pelvic examination shows no abnormalities. Neurologic examination shows a slight hypesthesia in the lower left arm and absent abdominal reflex, but otherwise no abnormalities. Her post-void residual urine volume is 131 mL. Bladder size is normal. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the patient's urinary incontinence?

Question: Which of the following is the most likely cause of the patient's urinary incontinence?

Answer: Detrusor sphincter dyssynergia


Context:
A 55-year-old female comes to see her doctor for a rapidly enlarging abdomen and swelling of both legs. She was hospitalized 2 weeks ago for an upper gastrointestinal bleeding episode. On that occasion, her esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed grade 1 esophageal varices and a 1 cm clean-based antral ulcer. The patient was discharged on omeprazole. Review of symptoms shows that the patient is forgetful, does not sleep well, and is drowsy and fatigued during the day which prevents her from working full-time. She denies abdominal pain. The patient has a 10-year history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia but no history of angina or coronary heart disease. She drank alcohol moderately heavy in her twenties and currently drinks less than 3 drinks per week and does not smoke. Her family history is unremarkable. On physical examination, her blood pressure is 132/82 mm Hg, pulse is 88/min, and her temperature is 37.0°C (98.6°F). She weighs 106.6 kg (235 lb) and her BMI is 33. She is alert, oriented to person, place, year, and month but not to the day. Her sclerae are nonicteric. Her pulmonary and cardiovascular exam are normal but her abdomen is distended with a fluid wave and mild tenderness to palpation. There is no hepatosplenomegaly. There is a 2+ edema to mid-calf and pedal pulses are barely palpable. Her neurological exam is without motor or sensory deficits but she demonstrates flapping tremor of her hands while asked to hold them in front of her for a few seconds and her skin exam shows a few spider telangiectasias on her face and upper chest. After an initial evaluation, lab tests were obtained:
Serum sodium 133 mEq/L
Serum potassium 3.8 mEq/L
BUN 8 mg/dL
Serum creatinine 1.0 mg/dL
Serum albumin 2.5 mg/dL
Aspartate aminotransferase 68 IU/ml
Alanine aminotransferase  46 IU/ml
Alkaline phosphatase  130 IU/ml
Total bilirubin  1.8 mg/dL
 WBC count 4,200/mm3
Platelets 94,000/mm3
Hematocrit 35.5%
Prothrombin time (INR) 1.5
A liver biopsy is performed and the results are pending. The hepatocytes causing her acute issue are predominantly located in which area of the hepatic lobule?

Question: The hepatocytes causing her acute issue are predominantly located in which area of the hepatic lobule?

Answer: The zone closest to the centrolobular vein


Context: A 34-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 6-week history of fever and productive cough with blood-tinged sputum. She has also had a 4-kg (8.8-lb) weight loss during the same time period. Examination shows enlarged cervical lymph nodes. An x-ray of the chest shows a 2.5-cm pulmonary nodule in the right upper lobe. A biopsy specimen of the lung nodule shows caseating granulomas with surrounding multinucleated giant cells. Which of the following is the most likely underlying cause of this patient's pulmonary nodule?

Question: Which of the following is the most likely underlying cause of this patient's pulmonary nodule?

Answer: Delayed T cell-mediated reaction


Context: A 26-year-old man comes to the emergency department because of a 1-week history of fever, throat pain, and difficulty swallowing. Head and neck examination shows an erythematous pharynx with purulent exudates overlying the palatine tonsils. Microscopic examination of a throat culture shows pink, spherical bacteria arranged in chains. Treatment with amoxicillin is initiated. A day later, a physician colleague from another department approaches the physician in the lobby of the hospital and asks about this patient, saying, “Did you see him? What does he have? He’s someone I play football with and he hasn’t come to play for the past 5 days. I’m worried about him.” Which of the following is the most appropriate action by the physician?

Question: I’m worried about him.” Which of the following is the most appropriate action by the physician?

Answer: Inform the colleague that she cannot divulge any information about the patient


Context: A 32-year-old African American woman comes to the physician because of fatigue and difficulty swallowing for 6 weeks. She also complains of painful discoloration in her fingers when exposed to cold weather. She has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 4 years. She appears younger than her stated age. Physical examination shows smooth, swollen fingers with small white calcifications on her fingertips bilaterally. This patient is at increased risk for which of the following complications?

Question: This patient is at increased risk for which of the following complications?

Answer: Pulmonary hypertension


Context:
A 61-year-old man presents to the emergency room with a painful, swollen left leg. He states that his symptoms began that morning after a long flight from Australia. He denies shortness of breath, chest pain, or cough. On review of systems, he notes that he has been constipated recently and had several episodes of bright red blood per rectum. He has not noticed any weight loss, fevers, or night sweats. He has a past medical history of a deep vein thrombosis 4 years ago during a hospitalization for community acquired pneumonia and was treated with warfarin for 3 months afterward. He also has chronic hepatitis C from previous intravenous drug use. The patient has a 30 pack-year smoking history and has never had a colonoscopy. His father is 84-years-old and has chronic kidney disease from diabetes, and his mother passed away from a massive pulmonary embolus when pregnant with his younger sister. In the emergency room, his temperature is 98.7°F (37.1°C), blood pressure is 142/85 mm/Hg, pulse is 79/min, and respirations are 14/min. On exam, he is in no acute distress. His left calf is larger in caliber than the right calf which is red and tender to palpation. Dorsiflexion of the foot worsens the pain. His abdomen is soft, nontender, and nondistended without hepatomegaly. The remainder of the physical exam is unremarkable. Labs are shown below:

Hemoglobin: 13.0 g/dL
Leukocyte count: 6,000/mm^3
Platelets: 160,000/mm^3

Aspartate aminotransferase: 15 U/L
Alanine aminotransferase: 19 U/L
Alkaline phosphatase: 81 IU/L
Hepatitis C antibody: reactive
Hepatitis C titer: 0 copies/mL

Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient’s condition?

Question:
Labs are shown below:

Hemoglobin: 13.0 g/dL
Leukocyte count: 6,000/mm^3
Platelets: 160,000/mm^3

Aspartate aminotransferase: 15 U/L
Alanine aminotransferase: 19 U/L
Alkaline phosphatase: 81 IU/L
Hepatitis C antibody: reactive
Hepatitis C titer: 0 copies/mL

Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient’s condition?

Answer: Resistance of factor V to inactivation by protein C


Context: A 58-year-old woman with breast cancer presents to her primary care physician for referral to a medical oncologist. She denies any personal history of blood clots in her past. Her past medical history is significant for preeclampsia, hypertension, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and hypercholesterolemia. She currently smokes 1 pack of cigarettes per day, drinks a glass of wine per day, and she currently denies any illicit drug use, despite a history of cocaine use. The vital signs include: temperature 36.7°C (98.0°F), blood pressure 126/74 mm Hg, heart rate 111/min and irregular, and respiratory rate 17/min. On physical examination, she has a grade 2/6 holosystolic murmur heard best at the left upper sternal border, bilateral bibasilar crackles on the lungs, and a normal abdominal examination. At her follow-up with the oncologist, they subsequently plan to start the patient on a highly emetic chemotherapeutic regimen. Which of the following regimens for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced emesis is most appropriate for patients on the same day of treatment?

Question: Which of the following regimens for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced emesis is most appropriate for patients on the same day of treatment?

Answer: Aprepitant + dexamethasone + 5-HT3 receptor antagonist


Context: A parent presents to her pediatrician requesting information about immunizations for her newborn. The pediatrician explains about basic principles of immunization, types of vaccines, possible adverse effects, and the immunization schedule. Regarding how immunizations work, the pediatrician explains that there are mainly 2 types of vaccines. The first type of vaccine provides stronger and more lasting immunity as it induces both cellular and humoral immune responses. The second type of vaccine produces mainly a humoral response only, and its overall efficacy is less as compared to the first type. Which of the following vaccines belongs to the first type of vaccine that the pediatrician is talking about?

Question: Which of the following vaccines belongs to the first type of vaccine that the pediatrician is talking about?

Answer: Yellow fever vaccine


Context: A 22-year-old man, accompanied by his brother, presents to the emergency department with palpitations for the past 30 minutes and nausea for the past hour. When the patient meets the physician, he says, “Doctor, I am the happiest person in the world because I have the best brain possible. It’s just that my heart is saying something, so I came to check with you to see what it is”. The brother says the patient was diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 5 years ago. When the doctor asks the patient about his ADHD treatment, he replies, “Doctor, the medicine is wonderful, and I love it very much. I often take one or two tablets extra!” He has no history of a known cardiovascular disorder, alcohol abuse, or smoking. The patient’s temperature is 99.2ºF (37.3ºC), heart rate is 116/minute, respiratory rate is 18/minute, and blood pressure is 138/94 mm Hg. Generalized perspiration is present. Which of the following signs is most likely to be present on ocular examination?

Question: Which of the following signs is most likely to be present on ocular examination?

Answer: Dilated pupils


Context:
A 68-year-old man comes to the emergency department because of a 1-week history of worsening bouts of shortness of breath at night. He has had a cough for 1 month. Occasionally, he has coughed up frothy sputum during this time. He has type 2 diabetes mellitus and long-standing hypertension. Two years ago, he was diagnosed with Paget disease of bone during a routine health maintenance examination. He has smoked a pack of cigarettes daily for 20 years. His temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), pulse is 110/min, respirations are 25/min, and blood pressure is 145/88 mm Hg. Current medications include metformin, alendronate, hydrochlorothiazide, and enalapril. Examination shows bibasilar crackles. Cardiac examination shows a dull, low-pitched sound during late diastole that is best heard at the apex. There is no jugular venous distention or peripheral edema. Arterial blood gas analysis on room air shows:
pH 7.46
PCO2 29 mm Hg
PO2 83 mm Hg
HCO3- 18 mEq/L
Echocardiography shows a left ventricular ejection fraction of 55%. Which of the following is the most likely underlying cause of this patient’s current condition?"

Question: Which of the following is the most likely underlying cause of this patient’s current condition?"

Answer: Impaired myocardial relaxation


Context: A 62-year-old man comes to the physician for hematemesis and progressive heartburn over the past 5 days. Ten days ago, he was started on a medication to treat a condition that causes hearing difficulties and pain of the lower legs. He has no other history of serious illness. He has smoked 1 pack of cigarettes daily for the past 20 years. Physical examination shows bowing of the tibias. Upper endoscopy shows inflammation of the mucosa and a 1-cm punched-out ulcer in the distal esophagus. Which of the following drugs is the most likely cause of the patient's current condition?

Question: Which of the following drugs is the most likely cause of the patient's current condition?

Answer: Risedronate


Context: A 56-year-old male died in a motor vehicle accident. Autopsy reveals extensive atherosclerosis of his left anterior descending artery marked by intimal smooth muscle and collagen proliferation. Which of the following is implicated in recruiting smooth muscle cells from the media to intima in atherosclerotic lesions?

Question: Which of the following is implicated in recruiting smooth muscle cells from the media to intima in atherosclerotic lesions?

Answer: Platelet-derived growth factor


Context: A 29-year-old man presents to the emergency room with severe abdominal pain. He states that for the entire day, he has had pain in his lower right abdomen in addition to a loss of appetite accompanied by nausea and vomiting. His temperature is 101.3°F (38.5°C), blood pressure is 125/98 mmHg, pulse is 78/min, and respirations are 15/min. On physical examination, he exhibits increased abdominal pain in his right lower quadrant upon deep palpation of the left lower quadrant. What is the next step in the management of this patient?

Question: What is the next step in the management of this patient?

Answer: Laparoscopic surgery


Context: A 2400-g (5.29-lb) male newborn is delivered at term to a 26-year-old woman. Physical examination shows a sloping forehead, a flat nasal bridge, increased interocular distance, low-set ears, and a protruding tongue. There is a single palmar crease and an increased gap between the first and second toe. The abdomen is distended. An x-ray of the abdomen shows two large air-filled spaces in the upper quadrant. Karyotype analysis shows 46 chromosomes in all tested cells. Which of the following is the most likely underlying cause of this patient's findings?

Question: Which of the following is the most likely underlying cause of this patient's findings?

Answer: Unbalanced translocation


Context: A 3-year-old boy is brought to his pediatrician for a regular checkup by his mother. The patient’s mother is concerned about a slight deviation of his left eye and she also notes that her child’s left eye looks strange on the photos, especially if there is a flash. The patient is the first child in the family born to a 31-year-old woman. The boy was born at 39 weeks gestation via spontaneous vaginal delivery. He is up to date on all vaccines and is meeting all developmental milestones. Family history is unremarkable. The eye examination shows left eye converging strabismus. The pupillary reflex cannot be elicited from an illumination of the left eye. Fundal examination reveals are shown in the picture. On testing, visual evoked potential cannot be elicited from the left retina but is normal from the right retina. MRI of the orbits shows a retina-derived tumor in the left eye with an initial spread along the intrabulbar part of the optic nerve and vitreous seeding. The other eye is completely intact. Which of the following methods of treatment is indicated for this patient?

Question: Which of the following methods of treatment is indicated for this patient?

Answer: Eye enucleation


Context: A 21-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 3-day history of yellowing of his eyes. He has also noticed a decrease in his exercise capacity and gets quickly exhausted after minor physical activity. Examination shows scleral icterus and pale mucous membranes. He has splenomegaly. His hemoglobin concentration is 7.9 mg/dL, leukocyte is count 8500/mm3, and platelet count is 187,000/mm3. Direct antiglobulin and heterophile antibody tests are positive. Which of the following additional laboratory findings are most likely present in this patient?

Question: Which of the following additional laboratory findings are most likely present in this patient?

Answer: Decreased haptoglobin levels


Context: A previously healthy 24-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 1-day history of painful rash after spending several hours in the sun. Skin examination shows well-demarcated areas of erythema with some scaling on the face, chest, upper back, and arms. The affected areas are hot and sensitive to touch. The oral mucosa appears normal. Which of the following is the most likely underlying mechanism of this patient's skin findings?

Question: Which of the following is the most likely underlying mechanism of this patient's skin findings?

Answer: Apoptosis of keratinocytes in the epidermis


Context: Sixteen hours after delivery, a newborn develops respiratory distress. She was born at 38 weeks' gestation with a birth weight of 3200 g (7 lb 1 oz). Pregnancy was complicated by polyhydramnios. Physical examination shows tachypnea and bluish discoloration of the extremities. Auscultation of the chest shows diffuse crackles in the lung fields and a harsh holosystolic murmur at the left lower sternal border. Abdominal x-ray shows absence of bowel gas. Which of the following best explains the pathogenesis of this newborn's condition?

Question: Which of the following best explains the pathogenesis of this newborn's condition?

Answer: Defect in mesodermal differentiation


Context: A 46-year-old male presents to his dermatologist for routine follow-up of his psoriasis. He was last seen in the office six months prior, at which time he started undergoing ultraviolet light therapy. He reports that he initially noticed an improvement in his symptoms but the effects were transient. He has also started noticing pain and stiffness in his fingers. His past medical history is notable for obesity and diabetes mellitus. He takes metformin. His temperature is 99°F (37.2°C), blood pressure is 130/80 mmHg, pulse is 80/min, and respirations are 16/min. Multiple plaques with scaling are noted on the extensor surfaces of the upper and lower extremities. The patient’s physician suggests stopping the ultraviolet light therapy and starting an injectable medication that acts as a decoy receptor for a pro-inflammatory cytokine. Which of the following is an adverse effect associated with the use of this medication?

Question: Which of the following is an adverse effect associated with the use of this medication?

Answer: Reactivation of latent tuberculosis


Context: A 72-year-old man comes to the physician because of a lesion on his eyelid for 6 months. The lesion is not painful or pruritic. He initially dismissed it as a 'skin tag' but the lesion has increased in size over the past 3 months. He has type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and left hemiplegia from a stroke 3 years ago. Current medications include sitagliptin, metformin, aspirin, and simvastatin. He used to work as a construction contractor and retired 3 years ago. Examination shows a 1-cm (0.4-in) flesh-colored, nodular, nontender lesion with rolled borders. There is no lymphadenopathy. Cardiopulmonary examination shows no abnormalities. Muscle strength is reduced in the left upper and lower extremities. Visual acuity is 20/20. The pupils are equal and reactive to light. A shave biopsy confirms the diagnosis. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

Question: Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

Answer: Mohs micrographic surgery


Context: A 65-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 2-week history of dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. He has noticed increased straining with bowel movements and decreased caliber of his stools over the past 3 months. He has no history of medical illness and takes no medications. He appears pale. Physical examination shows mild tachycardia and conjunctival pallor. Test of the stool for occult blood is positive. His hemoglobin concentration is 6.4 g/dL, and mean corpuscular volume is 74 μm3. A double-contrast barium enema study in this patient is most likely to show which of the following?

Question: A double-contrast barium enema study in this patient is most likely to show which of the following?

Answer: Filling defect of the rectosigmoid colon


Context: A 55-year-old man is brought to the emergency department 30 minutes after the sudden onset of severe, migrating anterior chest pain, shortness of breath, and sweating at rest. He has hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Medications include atorvastatin, hydrochlorothiazide, lisinopril, and metformin. He has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 25 years. He is in severe distress. His pulse is 110/min, respirations are 20/min, and blood pressure is 150/85 mm Hg. Pulse oximetry on room air shows an oxygen saturation of 98%. Cardiac examination shows a grade 3/6, high-pitched, blowing, diastolic murmur heard best over the right sternal border. The lungs are clear to auscultation. Femoral pulses are decreased bilaterally. An ECG shows sinus tachycardia and left ventricular hypertrophy. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Question: Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer: Aortic dissection


Context:
A 19-year-old woman undergoes an laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis. During the procedure, a black, discolored liver is noted. Other than the recent appendicitis, the patient has no history of serious illness and takes no medications. She has no medication allergies. She does not drink alcohol or use illicit drugs. She has an uncomplicated postoperative course. At her follow-up visit 3 weeks later, her vital signs are within normal limits. Examination shows scleral icterus, which the patient states has been present for many years. Abdominal examination shows healing scars without drainage or erythema. Serum studies show:
Aspartate aminotransferase 30 IU/L
Alanine aminotransferase 35 IU/L
Alkaline phosphatase 47 mg/dL
Total bilirubin 5.2 mg/dL
Direct bilirubin 4.0 mg/dL
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?"

Question:
Serum studies show:
Aspartate aminotransferase 30 IU/L
Alanine aminotransferase 35 IU/L
Alkaline phosphatase 47 mg/dL
Total bilirubin 5.2 mg/dL
Direct bilirubin 4.0 mg/dL
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?"

Answer: Dubin-Johnson syndrome


Context: A 55-year-old man with atrial fibrillation is brought to the emergency department by his wife 6 hours after the acute onset of right arm weakness and slurred speech. An MRI of the brain shows a thrombus in the left middle cerebral artery. Twelve hours later, the patient develops ventricular tachycardia. Despite appropriate care, he dies. Which of the following histopathologic changes are most likely to be seen on a biopsy specimen from the affected brain tissue?

Question: Which of the following histopathologic changes are most likely to be seen on a biopsy specimen from the affected brain tissue?

Answer: Eosinophilic neuronal cytoplasm with pyknotic nuclei


Context: A 54-year-old woman is diagnosed with locally-advanced invasive ductal adenocarcinoma of the breast. She undergoes surgical resection, radiation therapy, and is now being started on adjunctive chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin. The patient is scheduled for follow up by her primary care provider. Which of the following tests should be performed regularly to monitor her current treatment regimen?

Question: Which of the following tests should be performed regularly to monitor her current treatment regimen?

Answer: Echocardiography


Context: A 55-year-old man presents to his primary care physician for a new patient appointment. The patient states that he feels well and has no concerns at this time. The patient has a past medical history of hypertension, an elevated fasting blood glucose, and is not currently taking any medications. His blood pressure is 177/118 mmHg, pulse is 90/min, respirations are 16/min, and oxygen saturation is 97% on room air. Physical exam is notable for an obese man with atrophy of his limbs and striae on his abdomen. Laboratory values are notable for a blood glucose of 175 mg/dL. Which of the following is the best initial step in management?

Question: Which of the following is the best initial step in management?

Answer: Dexamethasone suppression test


Context: A 25-year-old man presents with abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. His symptoms have been recurrent for the past few months, and, currently, he says he is having on average four bowel movements daily, often bloody. He describes the pain as cramping and localized to the left side of his abdomen. He also says that he has lost around 4.5 kg (10 lb) over the past 3 months. There is no other significant past medical history and the patient is not on current medications. His temperature is 37.7° C (100.0° F), pulse rate is 100/min, respiratory rate is 18/min, and blood pressure is 123/85 mm Hg. On physical examination, there is mild tenderness to palpation in the lower left quadrant of the abdomen with no rebound or guarding. Laboratory studies show anemia and thrombocytosis. Colonoscopy is performed, which confirms the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (UC). What is the mechanism of action of the recommended first-line medication for the treatment of this patient’s condition?

Question: What is the mechanism of action of the recommended first-line medication for the treatment of this patient’s condition?

Answer: Inhibition of leukotriene synthesis and lipoxygenase


Context: A 5-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department by his mother because of a 2-hour history of word-finding difficulty, speech slurring, and weakness and sensory loss of his right arm and leg. He has not had fever, nausea, headache, or diarrhea. His mother reports an episode of severe pain and soft tissue swelling of the dorsum of his hands and feet when he was 12 months old, which self-resolved after 2 weeks. His temperature is 37.7°C (99.8°F), pulse is 90/min, and blood pressure is 110/80 mm Hg. Pulse oximetry on room air shows an oxygen saturation of 91%. He follows commands but has nonfluent aphasia. Examination shows marked weakness and decreased sensation of the right upper and lower extremities. Deep tendon reflexes are 2+ bilaterally. Babinski sign is present on the right. An MRI scan of the brain shows signs of an evolving cerebral infarction on the patient's left side. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial step in management?

Question: Which of the following is the most appropriate initial step in management?

Answer: Exchange transfusion therapy


Context: A 9-year-old girl presents with dyspnea, palpitations, joint pain, and fever for the past week. She says that her symptoms started 2 weeks ago with bilateral knee pain which has shifted to both ankles over the past week. She says she noticed bilateral leg swelling since yesterday. Past medical history is significant for a severe sore throat, fever, chills, and myalgia 1 month ago which resolved after a week. Her vital signs include: respiratory rate 22/min, temperature 37.7°C (100.0°F), blood pressure 90/60 mm Hg, pulse 90/min, and SpO2 88% on room air. On physical examination, the patient is ill-appearing with pallor and bilateral pitting edema of legs. The apex beat is prominently located in the 5th intercostal space in the mid-axillary line. Crepitus is noted over both lung bases bilaterally. A loud 3/6 pansystolic murmur is heard at the apex radiating towards the axilla. S3 and S4 sounds are noted at the left sternal border and cardiac apex. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis in this patient?

Question: Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis in this patient?

Answer: Acute rheumatic fever


Context:
A 62-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes mellitus comes to the physician because of a 3-month history of fatigue and weakness. Her hemoglobin A1c concentration was 13.5% 12 weeks ago. Her blood pressure is 152/92 mm Hg. Examination shows lower extremity edema. Serum studies show:
K+ 5.1 mEq/L
Phosphorus 5.0 mg/dL
Ca2+ 7.8 mg/dL
Urea nitrogen 60 mg/dL
Creatinine 2.2 mg/dL
Which of the following is the best parameter for early detection of this patient’s renal condition?"

Question:
Serum studies show:
K+ 5.1 mEq/L
Phosphorus 5.0 mg/dL
Ca2+ 7.8 mg/dL
Urea nitrogen 60 mg/dL
Creatinine 2.2 mg/dL
Which of the following is the best parameter for early detection of this patient’s renal condition?"

Answer: Urinary albumin


Context: A 10-year-old boy is brought to the pediatrician by his father because of recent changes in his behavior. His father states that he has noticed that the boy has begun to appear less coordinated than normal and has had frequent falls. On exam, the pediatrician observes pes cavus and hammer toes. The pediatrician makes a presumptive diagnosis based on these findings and recommends a formal echocardiogram. The pediatrician is most likely concerned about which of the following cardiovascular defects?

Question: The pediatrician is most likely concerned about which of the following cardiovascular defects?

Answer: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy


Context: A 3-year-old girl presents to the emergency department with skin desquamation over her hips and buttocks and right arm; she also has conjunctivitis and fever. The patient was previously seen by her pediatrician for symptoms of impetigo around the nasal folds, and she was treated with topical fusidic acid. She was born at 39 weeks’ gestation via spontaneous vaginal delivery, is up to date on all vaccines, and is meeting all developmental milestones. Medical history and family history are unremarkable. She is admitted to the hospital and started on IV antibiotics. Today, her blood pressure is 100/60 mm Hg, heart rate is 100 beats per minute, respiratory rate is 22 breaths per minute, and temperature is 39.4°C (102.9°F). The total area of desquamation exceeds 20%, sparing the mucous membranes. She is transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit. What is the most likely cause of the disease?

Question: What is the most likely cause of the disease?

Answer: Staphylococcus aureus infection


Context: A 22-year-old woman comes to the emergency department because of chest and epigastric pain that started just after vomiting 30 minutes ago. She does not take any medications and does not drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. While in the emergency department, the patient experiences two episodes of forceful, bloody emesis. Her temperature is 99.1°F (37.3°C), pulse is 110/minute, and blood pressure is 105/60 mm Hg. Physical examination shows dental enamel erosion and calluses on the dorsal aspect of her right hand. There is tenderness to palpation in the epigastrium. An x-ray of the chest is normal. Further evaluation of this patient is most likely to show which of the following findings?

Question: Further evaluation of this patient is most likely to show which of the following findings?

Answer: Mucosal lacerations at the gastroesophageal junction


Context: An 86-year-old man is admitted to the hospital for management of pneumonia. His hospital course has been relatively uneventful, and he is progressing well. On morning rounds nearing the end of the patient's hospital stay, the patient's cousin finally arrives to the hospital for the first time after not being present for most of the patient's hospitalization. He asks about the patient's prognosis and potential future discharge date as he is the primary caretaker of the patient and needs to plan for his arrival home. The patient is doing well and can likely be discharged in the next few days. Which of the following is the most appropriate course of action?

Question: Which of the following is the most appropriate course of action?

Answer: Explain that you cannot discuss the patient's care at this time


Context: A 58-year-old man presents with an occasional tremor in his left hand. While the tremor disappears when he moves his hand, he finds it increasingly difficult to type and feels his handwriting has gotten much smaller. He finds the tremor is more pronounced when he is stressed out at work. He also complains of a decrease in his sense of smell, mild constipation, difficulty sleeping, and increased urinary frequency – all of which he feels is him ‘just getting older’. No significant past medical history and no current medications. Vital signs are a pulse of 74/min, a respiratory rate of 14/min, a blood pressure of 130/70 mm Hg, and a temperature of 36.7°C (98.0°F). On physical examination, a resting tremor in the left hand is noted with mild rigidity in the upper limbs and mask-like faces. While performing finger-to-nose and rapid alternating movements, he has some difficulty. All his movements are slow. The sensation is intact. Gait is normal except for a decreased arm swing. Which of the following drugs acts directly on the receptors responsible for this patient’s condition?

Question: Which of the following drugs acts directly on the receptors responsible for this patient’s condition?

Answer: Bromocriptine


Context: A 10-year-old boy is brought to the physician by his father, who is concerned because his son has been less interested in playing soccer with him recently. They used to play every weekend, but his son has started to tire easily and has complained of pain in his lower legs while running around on the soccer field. The boy has no personal or family history of serious illness. Cardiac examination shows a systolic ejection murmur best heard over the left sternal border that radiates to the left paravertebral region. An x-ray of the chest shows erosions of the posterior aspects of the 6th to 8th ribs. If left untreated, this patient is at greatest risk for which of the following?

Question: If left untreated, this patient is at greatest risk for which of the following?

Answer: Intracranial hemorrhage


Context: A 45-year-old woman comes to the physician because of progressive difficulty swallowing solids and liquids over the past 4 months. She has lost 4 kg (9 lb) during this period. There is no history of serious illness. She emigrated to the US from Panama 7 years ago. She does not smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol. Cardiopulmonary examination shows a systolic murmur and an S3 gallop. A barium radiograph of the chest is shown. Endoscopic biopsy of the distal esophagus is most likely to show which of the following?

Question: Endoscopic biopsy of the distal esophagus is most likely to show which of the following?

Answer: Absence of myenteric plexus neurons


Context: A 51-year-old man is admitted to the hospital because of a 2-day history of fever, nausea, and abdominal pain. His temperature is 39.4°C (102.9°F) and pulse is 106/min. Physical examination shows tenderness in the right upper quadrant. Blood cultures grow nonhemolytic, gram-positive cocci that grow in hypertonic saline. Antibiotic sensitivity testing of the isolated organism shows that gentamicin has a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 16 μg/mL. The addition of ampicillin, which has an MIC of 2 μg/mL alone, decreases the MIC of gentamicin to 0.85 μg/mL. The decrease in the MIC of gentamicin with the addition of ampicillin is most likely due to which of the following mechanisms?

Question: The decrease in the MIC of gentamicin with the addition of ampicillin is most likely due to which of the following mechanisms?

Answer: Increase in the intracellular uptake of gentamicin


Context: A 5-year-old boy is brought to the physician because of a painful, burning rash on his left arm for 3 days. Three years ago, he was diagnosed with heart failure due to congenital heart disease and received an allogeneic heart transplantation. He takes cyclosporine to prevent chronic transplant rejection. He has not received any routine childhood vaccinations. A photograph of the rash is shown. Microscopic examination of a skin biopsy specimen is most likely to show which of the following findings?

Question: Microscopic examination of a skin biopsy specimen is most likely to show which of the following findings?

Answer: Multinucleated epidermal giant cells and intranuclear inclusions


Context: A 58-year-old woman with refractory gastrointestinal complaints undergoes a bowel biopsy. On histology, the pathologist observes that submucosal glands of Brunner are present in the specimen. Which portion of the bowel was most likely biopsied?

Question: Which portion of the bowel was most likely biopsied?

Answer: Duodenum


Context:
A 65-year-old man is brought to the emergency department because of a 3-day history of increasing shortness of breath and chest pain. He has had a productive cough with foul-smelling sputum for 1 week. He has gastritis as well as advanced Parkinson disease and currently lives in an assisted-living community. He smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 40 years but quit 5 years ago. He has a 30-year history of alcohol abuse but has not consumed any alcohol in the past 5 years. His temperature is 39.3°C (102.7°F), he is tachycardic and tachypneic and his oxygen saturation is 77% on room air. Auscultation of the lung shows rales and decreased breath sounds over the right upper lung field. Examination shows a resting tremor. Laboratory studies show:
Hematocrit 38%
Leukocyte count 17,000/mm3
Platelet count 210,000/mm3
Lactic acid 4.1 mmol/L (N=0.5–1.5)
A x-ray of the chest shows infiltrates in the right upper lobe. Which of the following is the most significant predisposing factor for this patient's respiratory symptoms?"

Question: Which of the following is the most significant predisposing factor for this patient's respiratory symptoms?"

Answer:
Parkinson disease
"


Context: A 34-year-old man comes to the physician because of palpitations, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps for 2 months. Physical examination shows cutaneous flushing of the face. Auscultation of the chest shows bilateral wheezing. A 24-hour urine collection shows increased 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) concentration. A contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen shows an intestinal tumor with extensive metastasis to the liver. A diagnosis of an inoperable disease is made and the patient is started on treatment with octreotide. Six weeks later, the patient's symptoms have improved except for his abdominal pain and frequent loose stools. The physician suggests enrolling the patient in a trial to test additional treatment with a new drug that has been shown to improve symptoms in other patients with the same condition. The expected beneficial effect of this new drug is most likely caused by inhibition of which of the following?

Question: The expected beneficial effect of this new drug is most likely caused by inhibition of which of the following?

Answer: Tryptophan hydroxylase


Context: A 16-year-old girl is brought to the physician because she has not attained menarche. There is no personal or family history of serious illness. She is 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) tall and weighs 60 kg (132 lb); BMI is 22 kg/m2. Breast development is Tanner stage 4, and pubic hair development is Tanner stage 1. Pelvic examination shows a blind vaginal pouch. This patient is most likely to have which of the following karyotypes?

Question: This patient is most likely to have which of the following karyotypes?

Answer: 46,XY


Context: A 22-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department after being struck by a car while crossing the street. She has major depressive disorder with psychosis. Current medications include sertraline and haloperidol. Vital signs are within normal limits. X-ray of the lower extremity shows a mid-shaft femur fracture. The patient is taken to the operating room for surgical repair of the fracture. As the surgeon begins the internal fixation, the patient shows muscle rigidity and profuse diaphoresis. Her temperature is 39°C (102.2°F), pulse is 130/min, respirations are 24/min, and blood pressure is 146/70 mm Hg. The pupils are equal and reactive to light. The end tidal CO2 is 85 mm Hg. Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment for this patient's condition?

Question: Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment for this patient's condition?

Answer: Dantrolene therapy


Context: A previously healthy 10-year-old girl is brought to the physician because of severe malaise, pink eyes, cough, and a runny nose for 3 days. She recently immigrated from Sudan and immunization records are unavailable. Her temperature is 40.1°C (104.1°F). Examination shows bilateral conjunctival injections. There are multiple bluish-gray lesions on an erythematous buccal mucosa and soft palate. This patient is at increased risk for which of the following complications?

Question: This patient is at increased risk for which of the following complications?

Answer: Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis


Context: A 54-year-old man with known end-stage liver disease from alcoholic cirrhosis presents to the emergency department with decreased urinary output and swelling in his lower extremities. His disease has been complicated by ascites and hepatic encephalopathy in the past. Initial laboratory studies show a creatinine of 1.73 mg/dL up from a previous value of 1.12 one month prior. There have been no new medication changes, and no recent procedures performed. A diagnostic paracentesis is performed that is negative for infection, and he is admitted to the hospital for further management and initiated on albumin. Two days later, his creatinine has risen to 2.34 and he is oliguric. Which of the following is the most definitive treatment for this patient's condition?

Question: Which of the following is the most definitive treatment for this patient's condition?

Answer: Liver transplantation


Context: A 37-year-old machinist presents to his primary care physician with eye problems. The patient states that he has had a mass in his eye that has persisted for the past month. The patient has a past medical history of blepharitis treated with eye cleansing and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin treated with Mohs surgery. His temperature is 99.5°F (37.5°C), blood pressure is 157/102 mmHg, pulse is 90/min, respirations are 17/min, and oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. Physical exam is notable for a firm and rubbery nodule palpable inside the patient's left eyelid. Physical exam does not elicit any pain. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Question: Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer: Chalazion


Context: An 8-year-old boy is brought to the physician for evaluation of developmental delay and recurrent tonic-clonic seizures. There is no family history of seizures or other serious illness. Current medications include risperidone for hyperactivity. He is at the 17th percentile for head circumference. Examination shows protrusion of the mandible, strabismus, and a laughing facial expression. His gait is unsteady. He has a vocabulary of about 200 words and cannot speak in full sentences. Karyotype analysis shows a 46, XY karyotype without chromosomal deletions. Which of the following genetic mechanisms best explains this patient's findings?

Question: Which of the following genetic mechanisms best explains this patient's findings?

Answer: Uniparental disomy of chromosome 15


Context: Twelve days after undergoing a cadaveric renal transplant for adult polycystic kidney disease, a 23-year-old man has pain in the right lower abdomen and generalized fatigue. During the past 4 days, he has had decreasing urinary output. Creatinine concentration was 2.3 mg/dL on the second postoperative day. Current medications include prednisone, cyclosporine, azathioprine, and enalapril. His temperature is 38°C (100.4°F), pulse is 103/min, and blood pressure is 168/98 mm Hg. Examination reveals tenderness to palpation on the graft site. Creatinine concentration is 4.3 mg/dL. A biopsy of the transplanted kidney shows tubulitis. C4d staining is negative. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's findings?

Question: Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's findings?

Answer: Allorecognition with T cell activation


Context:
A 60-year-old man is rushed to the emergency room after he was found unconscious in bed that afternoon. The patient’s wife says he has been confused and irritable for the past several days. She says he has a history of chronic daily alcohol abuse and has been hospitalized multiple times with similar symptoms His temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), the blood pressure is 110/80 mm Hg, the pulse is 90/min, and the respiratory rate is 14/min. On physical examination, the patient is minimally responsive to painful stimuli. His abdomen is distended with positive shifting dullness. Laboratory results are as follows:
Complete blood count
Hematocrit 35%
Platelets 100,000/mm3
White blood cells 5000/mm3
Liver function studies
Serum Albumin 2 g/dL
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) 200 IU/L
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 106 IU/L
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 56 IU/L
The patient is admitted to the hospital and started on the appropriate treatment to improve his mental status. Which of the following best describes the mechanism of action of the drug that is most likely used to treat this patient’s symptoms?

Question: Which of the following best describes the mechanism of action of the drug that is most likely used to treat this patient’s symptoms?

Answer: Decreases pH in the gastrointestinal lumen


Context: A 41-year-old homeless man is brought to the emergency department complaining of severe fever, dizziness, and a persistent cough. The patient has a history of long-standing alcohol abuse and has frequently presented to the emergency department with acute alcohol intoxication. The patient states that his cough produces ‘dark brown stuff’ and he provided a sample for evaluation upon request. The patient denies having any other underlying medical conditions and states that he has no other symptoms. He denies taking any medications, although he states that he knows he has a sulfa allergy. On observation, the patient looks frail and severely fatigued. The vital signs include: blood pressure 102/72 mm Hg, pulse 98/min, respiratory rate 15/min, and temperature 37.1°C (98.8°F). Auscultation reveals crackles in the left upper lobe and chest X-ray reveals an infiltrate in the same area. Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment for this patient?

Question: Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment for this patient?

Answer: Ciprofloxacin


Context: A 28-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by ambulance after developing an altered mental state following blunt trauma to the head. The patient was competing at a local mixed martial arts competition when he was struck in the head and lost consciousness. A few minutes later, upon regaining consciousness, he had a progressive decline in mental status. Past medical history is noncontributory. Upon arrival at the hospital, the temperature is 37.0°C (98.6°F), the blood pressure is 145/89 mm Hg, the pulse is 66/min, the respiratory rate is 14/min, and the oxygen saturation is 99% on room air. He is alert now. A noncontrast CT scan is performed, and the result is provided in the image. Which of the following structures is most likely affected in this patient?

Question: Which of the following structures is most likely affected in this patient?

Answer: Middle Meningeal artery


Context:
An investigator is studying the efficacy of a new bisphosphonate analog in preventing hip fractures in patients above 60 years of age with risk factors for osteoporosis but no confirmed diagnosis. Participating patients were randomized to either pharmacologic therapy with the new bisphosphonate analog or a placebo. The results show:
Hip fracture No hip fracture
Pharmacologic therapy 3 97
No pharmacologic therapy 10 190
Based on this information, which of the following best represents the proportionate reduction in the risk of hip fractures brought about due to pharmacologic therapy, in comparison to the control group?"

Question:
The results show:
Hip fracture No hip fracture
Pharmacologic therapy 3 97
No pharmacologic therapy 10 190
Based on this information, which of the following best represents the proportionate reduction in the risk of hip fractures brought about due to pharmacologic therapy, in comparison to the control group?"

Answer: 40%


Context: A 44-year-old man presents to the emergency department with weakness. He states that he has felt progressively more weak over the past month. He endorses decreased libido, weight gain, and headaches. His temperature is 97.0°F (36.1°C), blood pressure is 177/108 mmHg, pulse is 80/min, respirations are 17/min, and oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. Physical exam is notable for an obese man who appears fatigued. He has abdominal striae, atrophied arms, and limbs with minimal muscle tone. His ECG is notable for a small upward deflection right after the T wave. A fingerstick blood glucose is 225 mg/dL. The patient is treated appropriately and states that he feels much better several hours later. Which of the following treatments could prevent this patient from presenting again with a similar chief complaint?

Question: Which of the following treatments could prevent this patient from presenting again with a similar chief complaint?

Answer: Eplerenone


Context: A 1-year-old boy is brought to the physician for a well-child examination. He has no history of serious illness. His older sister had an eye disease that required removal of one eye at the age of 3 years. Examination shows inward deviation of the right eye. Indirect ophthalmoscopy shows a white reflex in the right eye and a red reflex in the left eye. The patient is at increased risk for which of the following conditions?

Question: The patient is at increased risk for which of the following conditions?

Answer: Osteosarcoma


Context: A 67-year-old Caucasian female presents to her primary care physician after a screening DEXA scan reveals a T-score of -3.0. Laboratory work-up reveals normal serum calcium, phosphate, vitamin D, and PTH levels. She smokes 1-2 cigarettes per day. Which of the following measures would have reduced this patient's risk of developing osteoporosis?

Question: Which of the following measures would have reduced this patient's risk of developing osteoporosis?

Answer: Calcium and vitamin D supplementation


Context: A 43-year-old man is brought to the emergency department 45 minutes after his wife found him on the floor sweating profusely. On arrival, he is lethargic and unable to provide a history. He vomited multiple times on the way to the hospital. His temperature is 37.3°C (99.1°F), pulse is 55/min, respirations are 22/min, and blood pressure is 98/65 mm Hg. Pulse oximetry on room air shows an oxygen saturation of 80%. Examination shows profuse diaphoresis and excessive salivation. He withdraws his extremities sluggishly to pain. The pupils are constricted and reactive. Scattered expiratory wheezing and rhonchi are heard throughout both lung fields. Cardiac examination shows no abnormalities. There are fine fasciculations in the lower extremities bilaterally. Muscle strength is reduced and deep tendon reflexes are 1+ bilaterally. His clothes are soaked with urine and feces. Which of the following is the mechanism of action of the most appropriate initial pharmacotherapy?

Question: Which of the following is the mechanism of action of the most appropriate initial pharmacotherapy?

Answer: Competitive antagonism of mACh receptors


Context: An 82-year-old woman visits her primary care provider complaining of a vague cramping pain on the right side of her abdomen for the past 6 hours. She is also and had an episode of vomiting earlier today and two episodes yesterday. Past medical history includes third-degree heart block, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hypertension, hypothyroidism and chronic cholecystitis with cholelithiasis. She is not a good candidate for cholecystectomy due to cardiac disease and is treated with analgesics and ursodeoxycholic acid. Her medications include chlorthalidone, omeprazole, levothyroxine, and occasional naproxen for pain. Vitals are normal. A supine abdominal X-ray reveals air in the gallbladder and biliary tree (saber sign), small bowel obstruction, and a large a radiolucent gallstone impacted in the small bowel. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Question: What is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer: Gallstone ileus


Context:
A 60-year-old man with a long-standing history of type 2 diabetes and hypertension managed with lisinopril and metformin presents with itchy skin. He also describes moderate nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and fatigue. The vital signs include: temperature 36.8°C (98.2°F), heart rate 98/min, respiratory rate 15/min, blood pressure 135/85 mm Hg, oxygen saturation 100% on room air. Physical exam is notable for pale conjunctivae, pitting edema, and ascites. Laboratory findings are shown below:
BUN 78 mg/dL
pCO2 25 mm Hg
Creatinine 7.2 mg/dL
Glucose 125 mg/dL
Serum chloride 102 mmol/L
Serum potassium 6.3 mEq/L
Serum sodium 130 mEq/L
Total calcium 1.3 mmol/L
Magnesium 1.2 mEq/L
Phosphate 1.9 mmol/L
Hemoglobin 9.5 g/dL
MCV 86 μm3
Bicarbonate (HCO3) 10 mmol/L
Shrunken kidneys are identified on renal ultrasound. The doctor explains to the patient that he will likely need dialysis due to his significant renal failure until a renal transplant can be performed. The patient is concerned because he is very busy and traveling a lot for work. What is a potential complication of the preferred treatment?

Question: What is a potential complication of the preferred treatment?

Answer: Hypertriglyceridemia


Context: A 35-year-old man is brought to the emergency department because of a 2-week history of abdominal cramps, vomiting, and constipation. He also reports having to urinate frequently and occasional leg pain. He has had similar episodes in the past. He has hypertension and peptic ulcer disease. Current medications include captopril and ranitidine. He appears depressed. Physical examination shows weakness in the extremities. Abdominal examination shows mild epigastric tenderness. There is no rebound or guarding. He has a restricted affect. Laboratory studies show elevated serum parathyroid hormone levels; serum calcium is 14.2 mg/dL. Abdominal ultrasonography shows multiple small calculi in the right kidney. Which of the following is most likely to provide rapid relief in this patient?

Question: Which of the following is most likely to provide rapid relief in this patient?

Answer: Normal saline and intravenous calcitonin therapy


Context: An obese 37-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department 2 hours after the onset of weakness in her left arm and leg. She fell from the stairs the day prior but did not have any loss of consciousness or nausea after the fall. She travels to Asia regularly on business; her last trip was 4 days ago. She has no history of serious illness. Her only medication is an oral contraceptive. Her temperature is 37.8°C (100°F), pulse is 113/min and regular, and blood pressure is 162/90 mm Hg. Examination shows decreased muscle strength on the left side. Deep tendon reflexes are 4+ on the left. Babinski sign is present on the left. The right lower leg is swollen, erythematous, and tender to palpation. Further evaluation is most likely to show which of the following?

Question: Further evaluation is most likely to show which of the following?

Answer: Patent foramen ovale


Context: A 21-year-old female was brought to the emergency room after losing large amounts of blood from slicing her wrists longitudinally. A few days later, she was interviewed by the psychiatrist and discussed with him why she had tried to kill herself. "My evil boyfriend of 2 months left me because I never let him leave my side for fear that he would cheat on me and leave me...now I feel so empty without him." Which of the following personality disorders does this female most likely have?

Question: Which of the following personality disorders does this female most likely have?

Answer: Borderline


Context: A 40-year-old man comes to the physician because of weight gain over the past 3 months. During this period, he has gained 10 kg (22 lb) unintentionally. He also reports decreased sexual desire, oily skin, and sleeping difficulties. There is no personal or family history of serious illness. He has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for the past 10 years. The patient appears lethargic. His temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), pulse is 80/min, and blood pressure is 150/90 mm Hg. Physical examination shows central obesity, acne, and thin, easily bruisable skin with stretch marks on the abdomen. There is darkening of the mucous membranes and the skin creases. Examination of the muscles shows atrophy and weakness of proximal muscle groups. His serum glucose concentration is 240 mg/dL. Which of the following findings would most likely be present on imaging?

Question: Which of the following findings would most likely be present on imaging?

Answer: Pituitary microadenoma


Context: A 23-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by the police after attempting to assault a waiter with a broom. The patient states that the FBI has been following him his entire life and that this man was an agent spying on him. The patient has a past medical history of irritable bowel syndrome. His temperature is 98.0°F (36.7°C), blood pressure is 137/68 mmHg, pulse is 110/min, respirations are 15/min, and oxygen saturation is 99% on room air. Physical exam is deferred due to patient combativeness. The patient is given haloperidol and diphenhydramine. The patient is later seen in his room still agitated. Intraosseous access is obtained. Which of the following is the best next step in management?

Question: Which of the following is the best next step in management?

Answer: Urine toxicology


Context: A 58-year-old woman presents to a physician with a painless swelling behind her right ear, which she noticed 1 month ago. She has no other complaint nor does she have any specific medical condition. On physical examination, her vital signs are stable. An examination of the right post-auricular area shows enlarged lymph nodes, which are non-tender and rubbery in consistency, with normal overlying skin. A detailed general examination reveals the presence of one enlarged axillary lymph node on the left side with similar features. Complete blood counts are within normal limits but atypical lymphocytes are present on the peripheral blood smear. The patient’s serum lactate dehydrogenase level is slightly elevated. Excisional biopsy of the lymph node is performed and histopathological examination of the tissue yields a diagnosis of follicular lymphoma. Further cytogenetic studies reveal that the condition is associated with overexpression of the BCL-2 gene. Which of the following cytogenetic abnormalities is most likely to be present?

Question: Which of the following cytogenetic abnormalities is most likely to be present?

Answer: t(14;18)(q32;q21)


Context: A 72-year-old woman is brought in to the emergency department after her husband noticed that she appeared to be choking on her dinner. He performed a Heimlich maneuver but was concerned that she may have aspirated something. The patient reports a lack of pain and temperature on the right half of her face, as well as the same lack of sensation on the left side of her body. She also states that she has been feeling "unsteady" on her feet. On physical exam you note a slight ptosis on the right side. She is sent for an emergent head CT. Where is the most likely location of the neurological lesion?

Question: She is sent for an emergent head CT. Where is the most likely location of the neurological lesion?

Answer: Medulla


Context: A 2300-g (5-lb 1-oz) male newborn is delivered to a 29-year-old primigravid woman. The mother has HIV and received triple antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy. Her HIV viral load was 678 copies/mL 1 week prior to delivery. Labor was uncomplicated. Apgar scores are 7 and 8 at 1 and 5 minutes respectively. Physical examination of the newborn shows no abnormalities. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management of this infant?

Question: Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management of this infant?

Answer: Administer zidovudine


Context: A 33-year-old woman comes to the physician 1 week after noticing a lump in her right breast. Fifteen years ago, she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of her left distal femur. Her father died of an adrenocortical carcinoma at the age of 41 years. Examination shows a 2-cm, firm, immobile mass in the lower outer quadrant of the right breast. A core needle biopsy of the mass shows adenocarcinoma. Genetic analysis in this patient is most likely to show a defect in which of the following genes?

Question: Genetic analysis in this patient is most likely to show a defect in which of the following genes?

Answer: TP53


Context: A 46-year-old African American man presents to the physician with dyspnea on exertion for the past 2 months. He also has occasional episodes of coughing at night. He says that he has been healthy most of his life. He is a non-smoker and a non-alcoholic. He does not have hypercholesterolemia or ischemic heart disease. His father died due to congestive heart failure. On physical examination, the pulse rate was 116/min, the blood pressure was 164/96 mm Hg, and the respiratory rate was 20/min. Chest auscultation reveals bilateral fine crepitations at the lung bases. A complete diagnostic work-up suggests a diagnosis of hypertension with heart failure due to left ventricular dysfunction. Which of the following drug combinations is most likely to benefit the patient?

Question: Which of the following drug combinations is most likely to benefit the patient?

Answer: Isosorbide dinitrate-Hydralazine


Context: A 26-year-old woman comes to the physician for a pre-employment examination. She has no complaints. She has a history of polycystic ovarian syndrome. She exercises daily and plays soccer recreationally on the weekends. Her mother was diagnosed with hypertension at a young age. She does not smoke and drinks 2 glasses of wine on the weekends. Her current medications include an oral contraceptive pill and a daily multivitamin. Her vital signs are within normal limits. Cardiac examination shows a grade 1/6 decrescendo diastolic murmur heard best at the apex. Her lungs are clear to auscultation bilaterally. Peripheral pulses are normal and there is no lower extremity edema. An electrocardiogram shows sinus rhythm with a normal axis. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

Question: Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

Answer: Transthoracic echocardiogram


Context: A 54-year-old man comes to the emergency department because of burning oral mucosal pain, chest pain, and shortness of breath that started one hour ago. He reports that the pain is worse when swallowing. Two years ago, he was diagnosed with major depressive disorder but does not adhere to his medication regimen. He lives alone and works as a farmer. He smokes 1 pack of cigarettes and drinks 6 oz of homemade vodka daily. The patient is oriented to person, place, and time. His pulse is 95/min, respirations are 18/min, and blood pressure is 130/85 mm Hg. Pulse oximetry on room air shows an oxygen saturation of 95%. Examination of the oropharynx shows profuse salivation with mild erythema of the buccal mucosa, tongue, and epiglottis area. This patient has most likely sustained poisoning by which of the following substances?

Question: This patient has most likely sustained poisoning by which of the following substances?

Answer: Potassium hydroxide


Context: A 23-year-old man comes to the emergency department with an open wound on his right hand. He states that he got into a bar fight about an hour ago. He appears heavily intoxicated and does not remember the whole situation, but he does recall lying on the ground in front of the bar after the fight. He does not recall any history of injuries but does remember a tetanus shot he received 6 years ago. His temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), pulse is 77/min, and blood pressure is 132/78 mm Hg. Examination shows a soft, nontender abdomen. His joints have no bony deformities and display full range of motion. There is a 4-cm (1.6-in) lesion on his hand with the skin attached only on the ulnar side. The wound, which appears to be partly covered with soil and dirt, is irrigated and debrided by the hospital staff. Minimal erythema and no purulence is observed in the area surrounding the wound. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

Question: What is the most appropriate next step in management?

Answer: Application of moist sterile dressing + tetanus vaccine


Context: A 55-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 3-week history of intermittent burning epigastric pain. His pain improves with antacid use and eating but returns approximately 2 hours following meals. He has a history of chronic osteoarthritis and takes ibuprofen daily. Upper endoscopy shows a deep ulcer located on the posterior wall of the duodenal bulb. This ulcer is most likely to erode into which of the following structures?

Question: This ulcer is most likely to erode into which of the following structures?

Answer: Gastroduodenal artery


Context: A 29-year-old woman with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome presents to her cardiologist’s office for a follow-up visit. She collapsed at her job and made a trip to the emergency department 1 week ago. At that time, she received a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response and hemodynamic instability. While in the emergency department, she underwent direct-current cardioversion to return her heart to sinus rhythm. Her current medications include procainamide. At the cardiologist’s office, her heart rate is 61/min, respiratory rate is 16/min, the temperature is 36.5°C (97.7°F), and blood pressure is 118/60 mm Hg. Her cardiac examination reveals a regular rhythm and a I/VI systolic ejection murmur best heard at the right upper sternal border. An ECG obtained in the clinic is shown. Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment to prevent further episodes of tachyarrhythmia?

Question: Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment to prevent further episodes of tachyarrhythmia?

Answer: Refer her for electrophysiology (EP) study and ablation


Context: A 43-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department for evaluation of worsening abdominal pain that suddenly started 2 hours ago. The patient also has nausea and has vomited twice. She has hypothyroidism, systemic lupus erythematosus, major depressive disorder, and chronic right knee pain. Current medications include levothyroxine, prednisone, fluoxetine, naproxen, and a chondroitin sulfate supplement. She appears distressed. Her temperature is 37.9°C (100.2°F), pulse is 101/min, and blood pressure is 115/70 mm Hg. Examination shows a rigid abdomen with rebound tenderness; bowel sounds are hypoactive. Laboratory studies show a leukocyte count of 13,300/mm3 and an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 70 mm/h. An x-ray of the chest is shown. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

Question: Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

Answer: Exploratory laparotomy


Context: A 67-year-old man is brought to the emergency department because of severe dyspnea and orthopnea for 6 hours. He has a history of congestive heart disease and an ejection fraction of 40%. The medical history is otherwise unremarkable. He appears confused. At the hospital, his blood pressure is 165/110 mm Hg, the pulse is 135/min, the respirations are 48/min, and the temperature is 36.2°C (97.2°F). Crackles are heard at both lung bases. There is pitting edema from the midtibia to the ankle bilaterally. The patient is intubated and admitted to the critical care unit for mechanical ventilation and treatment. Intravenous morphine, diuretics, and nitroglycerine are initiated. Which of the following is the most effective method to prevent nosocomial infection in this patient?

Question: Which of the following is the most effective method to prevent nosocomial infection in this patient?

Answer: Condom catheter placement


Context: A 24-year-old woman with no past medical history is post operative day 2 from a cesarean section that resulted in the birth of her first child. She begins to cry when she's told that today's lunch will be gluten-free. Although the patient feels "exhausted" and has had trouble sleeping, she deeply desires to return home and take care of her newborn. The patient denies any changes in concentration or suicidal thoughts now or during the pregnancy. What is the diagnosis and likely outcome?

Question: What is the diagnosis and likely outcome?

Answer: Postpartum "blues"; her symptoms are likely self-limited


Context: A 48-year-old man comes to the physician because of a hypopigmented skin lesion on his finger. He first noticed it 4 weeks ago after cutting his finger with a knife while preparing food. He did not feel the cut. For the past week, he has also had fever, fatigue, and malaise. He has not traveled outside the country since he immigrated from India to join his family in the United States 2 years ago. His temperature is 38.7°C (101.7°F). Physical examination shows a small, healing laceration on the dorsal aspect of the left index finger and an overlying well-defined, hypopigmented macule with raised borders. Sensation to pinprick and light touch is decreased over this area. Which of the following is the most likely causal pathogen of this patient's condition?

Question: Which of the following is the most likely causal pathogen of this patient's condition?

Answer: Mycobacterium leprae


Context: A 57-year-old man presents to his primary care provider with progressive right foot swelling, redness, and malaise. He reports seeing a blister on his forefoot several months ago after he started using new work boots. He has dressed the affected area daily with bandages; however, healing has not occurred. He has a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and stage 2 chronic kidney disease. He has smoked 20 to 30 cigarettes daily for the past 25 years. Vital signs are a temperature of 38.1°C (100.58°F), blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg, and pulse of 102/minute. On physical examination, there is a malodorous right foot ulcer overlying the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Fluctuance and erythema extend 3 cm beyond the ulcer border. Moderate pitting edema is notable over the remaining areas of the foot and ankle. Which of the following is the best initial step for this patient?

Question: Which of the following is the best initial step for this patient?

Answer: Antibiotics and supportive care