SEM - IM Flashcards
On ECG, there were ST depression on leads II, III, and aVF. The patient was hypotensive upon arrival at the ER. The affected wall(s) is/are:
A. Anterolateral wall
B. Lateral wall
C. Inferior wall
D. Septum
C. Inferior wall
HighβYield Rationale:
π Inferior leads: Leads II, III, and aVF correspond to the inferior wall of the heart. ST depression (in the setting of hypotension) is consistent with ischemic changes in the inferior region, sometimes indicating a reciprocal change of a posterior infarct or evolving inferior infarction.
π Hemodynamic compromise: Hypotension can be associated with right ventricular involvement in an inferior MI, further emphasizing the significance of the inferior wall in this context.
The most common form of acute kidney injury is:
A. Postrenal acute kidney injury
B. Prerenal azotemia
C. Intrinsic acute kidney injury
B. Prerenal azotemia
HighβYield Rationale:
π Perfusion issues: Prerenal azotemia accounts for the majority of AKI cases because it is usually due to decreased renal blood flow from conditions such as dehydration, hypotension, or heart failure, which are common clinical scenarios.
The most common cause of heart failure in Asia and Africa is:
A. Chagasβ disease
B. Rheumatic heart disease
C. All of the above
D. Coronary artery disease
B. Rheumatic heart disease
HighβYield Rationale:
π Epidemiology: In many developing regions such as Asia and Africa, rheumatic heart disease remains prevalent due to untreated or recurrent streptococcal infections, leading to valvular damage and subsequent heart failure.
A 50-year-old diabetic patient was brought to the ER due to changes in sensorium. The patient had nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain a few hours prior to consultation. Upon arrival at the ER, the CBG was 280mg/dl and the patient was drowsy with ketones ++. The expected derangement in arterial blood gas is:
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Metabolic acidosis
ST elevation on ECG suggests:
A. Transmural involvement
B. Septal hypertrophy
C. Dilated left atrium
D. Subendocardial involvement
True or false: Diastolic blood pressure decreases after 55 years old, resulting in wide pulse pressure.
A. True
B. False
A. True
HighβYield Rationale:
π Arterial stiffness: With aging, increased arterial stiffness leads to a decrease in diastolic pressure while systolic pressure remains high, thus widening the pulse pressure.
Why Not the Other Choice?
π False (B): Contrary to the statement, the physiological changes in the vasculature in older adults do indeed lead to a decrease in diastolic pressure and wider pulse pressure.
Correction of severe hyperkalemia in chronic kidney disease is done with the following medications:
A. None of the above
B. All of the above
C. 1 ampule Calcium gluconate slow IV push over 5 minutes
D. D50-50 1 vial IV push followed by 10 units of insulin
B. All of the above
(GIC protocol for severe hyperkalemia: Calcium gluconate plus insulin-dextrose)
π High-Yield Rationale:
ββπΈ GIC Protocol Overview:
ββββπ Glucose + Insulin (Option D): Administer D50-50 IV push followed by 10 units of regular insulin to drive serum potassium intracellularly, thereby reducing serum potassium levels rapidly.
ββββπ Calcium (Option C): Give 1 ampule of calcium gluconate slow IV push over 5 minutes to immediately stabilize the myocardial cell membranes and lessen the risk of lethal arrhythmias due to hyperkalemia.
π Why Not the Other Choices?
ββπΉ A. None of the above:
ββββπ Incorrect because effective treatments (both calcium gluconate and insulin/dextrose) exist for severe hyperkalemia.
ββπΉ C. Calcium gluconate slow IV push over 5 minutes (alone):
ββββπ Although critical for myocardial stabilization, it does not reduce potassium levelsβthe shift is achieved by insulin/dextrose.
ββπΉ D. D50-50 IV push followed by 10 units of insulin (alone):
ββββπ While this lowers serum potassium by promoting intracellular uptake, it does not protect the heart from the immediate depolarizing effects of hyperkalemia, which is why calcium is also needed.
Titration of anti-thyroid medications to assess response or improvement is done every:
A. 1-2 weeks
B. 6-8 weeks
C. 4-6 weeks
D. 2-4 weeks
C. 4β6 weeks
βΈ»
β
High-Yield Rationale:
* Antithyroid medications (e.g., Methimazole, PTU) are titrated based on Free T4 levels, not TSH (which remains suppressed for months).
* Dose adjustments should be made every 4β6 weeks during initial therapy until euthyroid state is achieved.
* Monitoring too early (e.g., 1β2 weeks) may not reflect meaningful change, while delaying beyond 6 weeks risks prolonged symptoms or over-treatment.
A patient was brought to the emergency room due to unresponsiveness. He had febrile episodes for 1 week, with nausea and vomiting. Pupils were sluggishly reactive to light, and there was nuchal rigidity (+) Brudzinski (+) Kernigβs. No rashes were noted during examination. This patient most likely has:
A. Meningitis
B. Subdural hematoma
C. Ischemic stroke
D. Intracerebral hemorrhage
Asymptomatic bacteriuria generally is not treated except in pregnancy because of the following EXCEPT:
A. Preterm delivery
B. Low birth weights
C. Maternal pyelonephritis
D. None of the above
D. None of the above
HighβYield Rationale:
π Pregnancy risks: In pregnant women, asymptomatic bacteriuria is treated to prevent complications such as preterm delivery, low birth weights, and maternal pyelonephritis. Each of the reasons listed (preterm delivery, low birth weights, maternal pyelonephritis) is a valid concern; therefore, none are exceptions.
The first-line treatment for acute Gouty arthritis is:
A. Colchicine
B. Febuxostat
C. Warm compress
D. Allopurinol
A. Colchicine
π High-Yield Rationale:
ββπΈ Rapid Anti-inflammatory Action: Colchicine quickly reduces the inflammatory response associated with the deposition of monosodium urate crystals in joints, making it a first-line option when NSAIDs are contraindicated or not tolerated.
π Why Not the Other Choices?
ββπΉ B. Febuxostat: This is a urate-lowering agent used for long-term management and prevention, not for acute attacks.
ββπΉ C. Warm compress: While it may provide symptomatic relief, it is not an evidence-based primary treatment for the acute inflammatory process in gout.
ββπΉ D. Allopurinol: Like febuxostat, allopurinol is a long-term urate-lowering therapy and can worsen acute attacks if initiated during an acute episode.
The indications for dialysis are the following EXCEPT:
A. Elevated creatinine levels
B. Exposure to toxins/poisons
C. Intractable acidosis
D. Uremia
A. Elevated creatinine levels
π High-Yield Rationale:
ββπΈ Clinical Context Is Key: An isolated elevation in creatinine is not sufficient to indicate dialysis. Rather, dialysis is indicated by complications such as severe uremia, intractable acidosis, or exposure to toxins/poisons that lead to life-threatening metabolic disturbances.
In systemic inflammatory response syndrome, the WBC count requirement is:
A. 5000-10000
B. Only <4000 and >12000
C. >12000
D. <4000
B. Only <4000 and >12000
π High-Yield Rationale:
ββπΈ Diagnostic Criteria: SIRS is defined by abnormal WBC counts, specifically leukopenia (<4000/mmΒ³) or leukocytosis (>12,000/mmΒ³), among other parameters. This criterion reflects the systemic inflammatory response.
The most common drug for gout associated with Steven-Johnsonβs syndrome is:
A. Colchicine
B. Allopurinol
C. Febuxostat
D. Diclofenac
Mean arterial pressure is:
A. None of the above
B. All of the above
C. (SBP + 2DBP)/3
D. The product of the cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance
B. All of the above
Rationale:
Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) can be estimated and understood in two valid ways:
1. Formula estimation:
β’ MAP β (SBP + 2 Γ DBP) / 3
β’ This is a clinically useful approximation used because diastole lasts longer than systole.
2. Physiologic definition:
β’ MAP = CO Γ SVR (Cardiac Output Γ Systemic Vascular Resistance)
β’ This is based on the hemodynamic equation derived from Ohmβs law in cardiovascular physiology.
So both C and D are correct, making B (All of the above) the best choice.
A patient underwent TURP for prostatic hypertrophy. He was noted to be persistently hypotensive despite continuous hydration and inotropic support. The patient suddenly complained of chest pains, ECG showed ST elevation in leads V1-V4, and troponin was positive. This patient is category:
A. Type V MI
B. Type II MI
C. Type I MI
D. Type III MI
E. Type IV MI
B. Type II MI
π High-Yield Rationale:
ββπΈ Supply-Demand Imbalance: Type II MI occurs due to an imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand. In this case, persistent hypotension led to decreased coronary perfusion, triggering ischemia.
ββπΈ Context of Non-Coronary Stress: Unlike Type I MI (which results from primary coronary thrombosis), this MI is secondary to systemic stress (prolonged hypotension).
Discoloration of the flanks due to hemoglobin catabolism from severe necrotizing pancreatitis with hemorrhage is called:
A. Quinkeβs sign
B. Waterβs sign
C. Cullenβs sign
D. Turnerβs sign
D. Turnerβs sign
π High-Yield Rationale:
ββπΈ Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis Sign: Turnerβs sign (more commonly termed Grey Turnerβs sign) is the flank discoloration seen in cases of retroperitoneal hemorrhage, such as in severe pancreatitis.
π Why Not the Other Choices?
ββπΉ A. Quinkeβs sign: Typically refers to angioedema, not related to pancreatitis.
ββπΉ B. Waterβs sign: Not a recognized clinical sign in this context.
ββπΉ C. Cullenβs sign: Denotes periumbilical ecchymosis, not flank ecchymosis.
A 35-year-old female call center agent sought consultation due to fever, nausea, and vomiting. PE showed bilateral costovertebral tenderness, more on the right. Ultrasound showed staghorn calculi in both calyces. What does this patient have?
A. Uric acid nephropathy
B. Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis
C. Calcium phosphate crystals in the urine
D. Uncomplicated pyelonephritis
Door to balloon time is:
A. 15 minutes or less
B. 90 minutes or less
C. 30 minutes or less
D. 60 minutes or less
A patient sought consultation due to unilateral facial edema with unilateral periorbital edema. During examination, he had prominent chest wall superficial veins up to the neck. He was previously diagnosed with lymphoma. Chest X-ray was done. What is the expected finding?
A. White out lung
B. Widening of the mediastinum
C. Flattening of the diaphragm, wide intercostal spaces, and elongated heart
D. Pleural effusion
B. Widening of the mediastinum
π High-Yield Rationale:
ββπΈ Mediastinal Mass Effect: In lymphoma, mediastinal lymphadenopathy can compress the superior vena cava, leading to SVC syndrome. This is reflected on chest X-ray as widening of the mediastinum.
π Why Not the Other Choices?
ββπΉ A. White out lung: Suggests extensive pulmonary consolidation or collapse, not typical of SVC syndrome.
ββπΉ C. Flattening of the diaphragm, wide intercostal spaces, and elongated heart: These are signs of conditions such as emphysema, not SVC syndrome.
ββπΉ D. Pleural effusion: While it can accompany lymphoma, it is not the expected primary finding in SVC syndrome.
The normal range for fasting blood glucose is:
A. 60-89
B. 80-120
C. None of the above
D. 70-100
D. 70β100
π High-Yield Rationale:
ββπΈ Accepted Normal Range: Fasting blood glucose is typically defined as 70 to 100β―mg/dL, representing normal glycemic control in a healthy individual.
π Why Not the Other Choices?
ββπΉ A. 60β89: Lower than the standard lower limit; values below 70 are usually considered hypoglycemic.
ββπΉ B. 80β120: The upper limit of 120β―mg/dL exceeds the normal fasting range and would be considered borderline or prediabetic.
ββπΉ C. None of the above: Incorrect because option D accurately reflects the normal range.
True or false: The higher the uric acid, the higher the risk of heart attack, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, or irregular heartbeat.
A. True
B. False
Anti-hypertensive medications recommended for blacks or African-Americans are:
A. CCB and diuretics
B. CCB and ARB
C. BB and ACEI
D. Valsartan and sacubitril
βA. CCB and diuretics
π High-Yield Rationale:
ββπΈ Guideline Recommendations: Current guidelines recommend calcium channel blockers (CCB) and thiazide diuretics as first-line antihypertensive agents for black/African-American patients due to their superior efficacy in reducing blood pressure and cardiovascular risk in this population.
π Why Not the Other Choices?
ββπΉ B. CCB and ARB: Although ARBs are useful, thiazide diuretics are preferred over ARBs in the initial management.
ββπΉ C. BB and ACEI: Beta blockers and ACE inhibitors generally have less antihypertensive efficacy in this demographic when used as monotherapy.
ββπΉ D. Valsartan and sacubitril: This combination (an ARB and neprilysin inhibitor) is used in heart failure, not as first-line antihypertensive therapy for the general hypertensive black population.
Monsoon rains affected the coastal cities in India and the local government units recruited individuals to clean the rivers and canals to decrease flooding. You were asked to head the task force. What prophylaxis should the street sweepers receive?
A. Penicillin
B. Azithromycin
C. Doxycycline
D. Amoxicillin