OSCE

Question 1

Causes of microcytic anaemia

Answer 1

SIT

Sideroblastic anaemia
IDA
Thalassameia

Question 2

Causes of normocytic anaemia

Answer 2

acute blood loss
haemolytic anaemia
sickle cell anaemia
anaemia of chronic disease

Question 3

Causes of macrocytic anaemia

Answer 3

FAT RBC:

Fetus (pregnancy)
Alcohol
Thyroid disease (i.e. hypothyroidism)
Reticulocytosis
B12 and folate deficiency
Cirrhosis and chronic liver disease

Question 4

Causes of IDA

Answer 4

 Chronic blood loss (1. Menstrual loss; 2. GI tract loss e.g. malignancy, any ‘-itis’, ulcers, varices; 3. Urinary
tract loss)

 ↑demand (pregnancy, growth)
 ↓absorption (coeliacs, gastrectomy)
 Poor intake

Question 5

IDA iron binding studies

Answer 5

iron ↓
TIBC ↑
ferritin ↓

Question 6

Anaemia of chronic disease iron binding studies

Answer 6

iron ↓
TIBC ↓
ferritin normal

Question 7

Causes of high neutrophil count

Answer 7

Bacterial infection
Inflammation
Necrosis
Corticosteroids
Malignancy/ myeloproliferative disorder
Stress (trauma, surgery, burns)

Question 8

Causes of high lymphocyte count

Answer 8

Viral infection
Chronic infections
CLL/ lymphoma

Question 9

Causes of high eosinophil count

Answer 9

Allergy 
Parasitic infection
Drug reactions
Hypereosinophilic syndrome
Skin diseases
Malignancy e.g. Hodgkin’s disease

Question 10

Causes of high basophil count

Answer 10

Some leukaemias/ lymphomas
IgE mediated hypersensitivity
Inflammatory disorders
Myeloproliferative disorders
Viral infection

Question 11

Which murmur radiates to the carotids?

Answer 11

aortic stenosis

Question 12

which murmur radiates to the axilla?

Answer 12

mitral regurgitation

Question 13

which murmur radiates to the left sternal edge?

Answer 13

aortic regurgitation

Question 14

Which valve defects are accentuated by sitting forwards?

Answer 14

aortic

Question 15

which valve defects are louder on inspiration?

Answer 15

right sided

Question 16

which valve defects are louder on expiration?

Answer 16

left-sided