Block 1 part 1

1. 56-year-old man comes with vague right-sided flank pain and 7-lb weight loss
over past 6 weeks. No recent trauma or back strain. Urine is darker than usual over
2 weeks. Renal ultrasound shows 1.5-cm solid mass in upper portion of right kidney.
Urine shows 50 erythrocytes, 6 leukocytes, no bacteria. Dx?
- Renal cell carcinoma

2. 22-year-old man who is a professional cyclist undergoes extensive physiologic

testing as part of his training regimen. His resting pulse is 33/min, and blood
pressure is110/62 mm Hg. Echocardiography shows dilated ventricles with normal
function and a left ventricular ejection fraction of 75%. Which of the following
best describes the findings in this patient?
- Eccentric hypertrophy

3. During a clinical study of calcium and phosphorus metabolism, a 50-year-old man

undergoes series of lab studies. His serum Ca, PO4 and PTH are normal. He is given
infusion 2 g Calcium chloride over 2 hours. His serum Ca concentration now is
11.5mg/dl. Compared with pre infusion levels, the serum concentration of which of
the following substances is likely to be increased at this time?
- 24,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol

4. 70-year-old man comes with skin blistering for 1 week. No oral lesions. Physical
shows tense bullae in joint folds of upper and lower extremities. Biopsy shows
subepidermal blister formation. Immunofluorescence microscopy shows antibodies
against proteins at the dermal-epidermal junction. Target by antibodies?
- Hemidesmosome

5. 63-year-old man with abnormal blood pressure. 6 months ago, bp was 135/85. Today
bp 170/98. Bruit heard over left renal artery. CT angio shows left arterial
stenosis. Labs?
- Total peripheral resistance increased, plasma renin activity increased, serum
aldosterone concentration increased

6. 35-year-old woman with 3-month progressive shortness of breath with exertion. RR

26. Physical shows jvd and prominent a wave. Lungs clear. Cardiac exam shows loud
pulmonic component of S2 and right-sided S4 gallop. Increased pulmonary expression
of what?
- Endothelin-1

7. 30-year-old woman with 2-years of numbness, blanching, and bluish color to ears,
fingers and toes after emotional upset or cold exposure. Vitals and PE normal.
Avoid taking which drug?
- Phenylephrine

8. 35-year-old woman with 2-day history of blistering lesions on sun-exposed face,

arms and hands. Recurrent episodes of skin lesions over several years. Taking oral
contraceptives for 15y. PE shows fluid-filled vesicles and bullae. Labs: AST
increased, ALT increased, total porphyrin increased, urine uroporphyrin III
increased. Precursor to uroporphyrin?
- Succinyl CoA

9. 65-year-old with sudden onset generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Personality

change last 6 months; used to be mild mannered and now verbally abusive. CT shows
single mass enhances with contrast in right frontal lobe and crosses to left
hemisphere through corpus callosum. Dx?
- High-grade fibrillary astrocytoma

10. 3-week-old male newborn with recurrent vomiting after feeding since birth, and
eager to feed after vomiting. Abdominal exam shows firm, mobile mass in epigastrum
to right of midline. Dx description?
- Single primary development defect

11. 39-year-old man with 1-week of red spots on shins, joint pain and fatigue. PE
shows purpura over lower extremities. Liver palpated 4 cm below costal margin.
Labs: WBC 10,000, AST 142, ALT 154, hepatitis C virus RNA positive, anti-hepatitis
C virus antibody positive, cryoglobulins positive, C4 120 (N=350-600), urine
protein 4+, urine RBC numerous. Hypersensitivity reaction?
- Type III (immune complex-mediated)

12. 45-year-old man with hypertension not compliant with medications. bp 160/100.
Cardiac exam shows apical impulse displaced laterally, loud S2 and S4 gallop. Echo
shows thickening of left ventricular wall. Mechanism of change in cardiac muscle?
- Transcription factor c-Jun: increased, beta-myosin heave chain: increased,
endothelin: increased

13. 70-year-old man with early morning awakening, decreased energy, difficulty
concentrating, anhedonia, psychomotor retardation, depressed mood for 3 months. He
had myocardial infarction and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia 2 years ago. Tx?
- Paroxetine

14. 5-year-old boy with motion sickness. Planning vacation to Australia, and wants
diphenhydramine for motion sickness. Mechanism of action for motion sickness?
- Antagonist at muscarinic-3 (M3) receptors

15. Newborn is found to have a cervical rib. Transformation of seventh cervical

segment to thoracic identity. Which is true of HOX gene alteration?
- Expression of a HOX gene normally expressed only caudal to C7

16. 28-year-old man with ulcerative colitis, history of partial colectomy, and
improved rectal bleeding and diarrhea since then. Meds include mesalamine,
hydrocodone and acetaminophen. He says, "I've been taking so much of my opiate
prescription that I ran out and stole some from my job." Next step?
- Discuss treatment options and a referral for detoxification program

17. 66-year-old man dies 7 days after myocardial infarction. Gross of heart shown
(perforated interventricular wall). Histology?
- Erythrocytes, cellular debris, macrophages, and early granulation tissue

18. 16-year-old boy who frequently thinks about sex, daydreams about girls before
going to sleep, and masturbates one to two times daily. After counseling about safe
sex, best next step?
- Schedule next routine examination

19. 18-year-old man comes with cracked lips and peeling sunburned skin. Works as
lifeguard. PE shows desquamation of sunburned skin. Lips are dry and cracked.
Petrolatum to lips may reduce lip symptoms by which of following effects of the
compound?
- Barrier

20. 29-year-old woman comes to the physician because of irregular menstrual periods
since menarche at the age of 12. She is 5.3Ft and weighs 86kgs. BMI 34. She is
evaluated and a diagnosis of PCOS is made. After explaining the diagnosis, the
physician discusses behavioral changes, including dietary modification and exercise
as part of her treatment. Which of the following will ensure adherence?
- Provide follow ups to monitor progress in attaining her goal

21. 30-year-old man in bicycle collision and hits right shoulder forcefully. Unable
to flex right elbow with decreased sensation to pinprick over right lateral
forearm. Brachial plexus lesion?
- E (musculocutaneous nerve)

22. 67-year-old man with 1 year progressive difficulty writing and walking. Pt is
stooped and talks slowly. PE shows bland facial expression, fine resting tremor in
both hands, no tremor when moves, walks with difficulty starting and stopping,
cogwheel rigidity. Brain tissue histology shown as well as gross cross sections of
midbrain both normal and diseased. Substance referred to by arrow?
- Alpha-synuclein

23. 25-year-old woman with polycystic kidneys and 3-month history of weakness,
fatigue, headaches, hypertension, loss of appetite and itching. Cr 4. Labs?
- bicarb (HCO3-) decreased, inorganic phosphorous (PO4) increased, parathyroid
hormone increased

24. 32-year-old woman brought in after 10-foot fall from ladder. PE suggests severe
hemorrhage and shock. Xray shows fracture of left ninth and tenth ribs. Organ
injured?
- Spleen

25. 26-year-old man comes in 2 hours after injuring arm skiing. Sensation to
pinprick absent over lateral aspect of shoulder. Xray of right shoulder shown
(fracture of surgical neck of humerus). Nerve damaged?
- Axillary

Block 1 Part

26. 50-year-old woman with COPD comes with 3 months of progressive shortness of
breath. Physical shows JVD, loud pulmonary component of S2. Pulmonary function
tests show FEV1:FVC ratio of 20% and decreased diffusing capacity for carbon
monoxide. Which is decreased in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle?
- Endothelial nitric oxide synthase production

27. An experimental animal is created that has a defect in an innate

gastrointestinal defense mechanism. Organism is found to have decreased HCl prod.
After 2 months on biopsy gastric fundus and body show decreased mucosal thickness
and hyperplasia of enterochromaffin like cells. This closely resembles?
- Chronic gastritis

28. 63-year-old woman with 2-week history of daily episodes of severe, lancinating,
left-sided facial pain. Pain lasts 30 to 60 seconds and shoots down ear along
jawline. Precipitated by chewing or brushing teeth. Dx?
- Trigeminal neuralgia

29. 45-year-old homeless man found unconscious. Breath smells of alcohol. Vitals
stable. PE shows bronzed skin and spider angiomata on chest. Labs: hemoglobin 10,
hematocrit 30%, MCV 110, WBC 9000, platelets 160,000, ferritin 200, b12 500, folate
20. Blood smear shows hypersegmented neutrophils and 3+ oval macrocytes. Labs?
- Methylmalonic acid: normal, Homocysteine: increased

30. 68-year-old man with creatinine 2.3 due to chronically increased hydrostatic
pressure in Bowman space. Cause?
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia

31. 70-year-old woman comes to the physician because of increasingly severe pain in
the right knee over the past 3 months. She has fallen repeatedly. She has a 10 year
history of symptomatic osteitis deformans. She has bowed tibia and tenderness of
the proximal right tibia. an X ray shows a fracture of the proximal tibia with
elevated periostium and sunburst pattern. an xray of lungs shows pulmonary nodules
of various sizes. which of the following findings is most likely on biopsy.
- Pleomorphic neoplastic cells producing new woven bone

32. 30-year-old woman with a long-standing history of pelvic inflammatory disease

has surgical resection of a scarred segment of a fallopian tube. Which of the
following inflammatory cells is most likely to be found in the resected specimen?
- Macrophages

33. 67-year-old woman with atrial fibrillation with sudden onset severe abdominal
pain. Ex-lap shows embolus in superior mesenteric artery with complete occlusion of
middle colic artery. Ischemic changes where?
- Small intestine, ascending colon, and part of the transverse colon

34. 68-year-old man with alcoholism comes for fever, chills and productive cough of
purulent sputum for 3 days. Blood cultures positive. Gram stain: gram-positive,
lancet-shaped diplococci. Vaccine is against which bacterial component?
- Capsular polysaccharide

35. Patient making sexual advances towards physician. Appropriate measure?

- Have a chaperone join them

36. Cholera toxin catalyzes transfer of ADP-ribose to an arginine residue in

stimulatory G protein resulting in inhibition of GTPase activity. Which increases
in cells as a result?
- Concentration of cAMP

37. 8-year-old boy with pain on back and head since he fell off swing. Tender 2.5cm
swollen mass over right occiput. CT shows osteolytic and soft-tissue mass in skull
with inward displacement of dura. Biopsy shows sheet-like infiltrate of pale
eosinophilic cells with bean-shaped nuclei. Cells positive for CD1a. Electron
microscopy of cells shows Birbeck granules. Abnormal cell type?
- Langerhans cells

38. 60-year-old man 1 day of fever, chills, confusion and memory loss. Returned
from Gulf coast where he walked barefoot. Hx of severe cirrhosis and portal
hypertension. T 39C (102.2 F), RR 22, bp 90/48. Physical shows early blister
formation on right lower extremity. Blood culture: gram-negative, lactose-
fermenting organism. Bug?
- Vibrio vulnificus

39. 20-year-old woman at 27 weeks' gestation is admitted to the hospital because of

a 12-hour history of intense uterine contractions occurring every 8 minutes. Her
membranes ruptured 32 hours ago. Her temperature is 39.1C(102.4F), and pulse is
115/min. Physical examination shows tenderness of the uterus. Pelvic examination
shows a closed cervix that is not effaced. The fetal heart rate is 210/min. Which
of the following is the primary stimulus for her uterine muscle contractions?
- Inflamed maternal decidua release of prostaglandin

40. Child with XXY karyotype, genetic studies showed he received the extra "x" from
his father. An error of chromosome segregation occurred during anaphase at which of
the following stages of spermatogenesis in the patient's father?
- Primary spermatocyte

41. 10-year-old boy with 4 days nosebleeds and easy bruising. Three weeks ago,
upper respiratory tract infection. PE ecchymoses on upper and lower extremities.
Labs shows hemoglobin and leukocyte count normal, and decreased platelet count.
Bone marrow smear shows increased megakaryocytes. Mechanism of dz?
- Antibodies against glycoprotein (Gp) IIb/IIIa complex

42. 34-year-old man with a 3 month history of a progressive rash on his feet. Rash
is not itchy or painful. A photograph of feet is shown. HIV+. In addition to HAART,
which of the following pharmacotherapy is most appropriate?
- Antineoplastic

43. 55-year-old man with elevated LDL cholesterol is prescribed lovastatin. This
treatment would result in which adaptive responses at the cellular level?
- Increased transcription of HMG-CoA reductase

44. A new antiplatelet agent is developed for the prevention of recurrence of

stroke. In a large randomized clinical trial with equal numbers of men and women,
the rates of stroke are lower in patients receiving the new agent than in patients
receiving the standard treatment. Results are shown:
Recurrent Stroke Rates per 1000 Person-Years
Standard Treatment vs. New Antiplatelet Drug
Women .12 .04
Men .24 .08
Overall .18 .06
Based on these results, which of the following is the relative risk reduction in
women?
- 67%

45. 52 yo man is brought to er 30min after the onset of chest pain and shortness of
breath. He had played tennis all day and he does not remember how much fluid he had
consumed. His temperature is 36.7 oC, pulse 122min, respirations 28min and BP 90/50
mmHg. PE shows dry skin and decreased capillary refill. An ECG and evaluation of
cardiac enzymes show no abnormalities. Which of the following findings in the
nephron best describes the tubular osmolarity, compared with serum in this patient?
PT //macula densa //medullary collection duct
- Isotonic, hypotonic, hypertonic (?)

46. Persons are at risk of influenza are vaccination every year because of
antigenic variation, which can be drift (minor) or shift (major). Mechanism of
antigenic shift?
- Reassortment

47. 63 yo man with mild emphysema has smoked 1 pack for 45 years sudden headache,
myalgia and rising temperature. A dry cough develops, with chill and chest pain.
Examination of gram stain of sputum disclose neutrophils, but bacteria are not
evident. An X-ray of the chest is consistent with severe pneumonia. A culture of
sputum is negative, but culture of bronchoscopy specimen on a highly specialized
bacteriologic medium yields gram negative rods. The identity of these bacteria is
confirmed by staining with specific fluoroscent antibodies. The patient respond
therapy with macrolide Ab. Mechanism?
- Inhalation of aerosol from an environmental source (Legionella)

48. A sexually active 32-year-old woman has vaginal pain with urination. Pelvic
examination show bilateral vesicoulcerative lesions of introitus. Tx?
- Acyclovir

49. 4-day-old boy with vomiting after breastfeeding. PE shows lethargy and dry
mucous membranes. Labs: Na 139, Cl 90, K 7, HCO3 17, Glucose 42, BUN 25, Cr 0.4,
17-hydroxyprogesterone increased. Enzyme deficiency?
- 21-hydroxylase

50. 7-year-old boy is about undergo an appendectomy. An intravenous catheter needs

to be inserted, but the patient is fearful of being stuck with needle. The most
appropriate anesthesia administered by mask to anesthetize this patient quickly
would have which of the following characteristics?
- Low blood solubility

Block 2 Part 1

1. 23-year-old woman g1p1, not felt well since delivery 2 weeks ago; ongoing
fatigue, inability to breast-feed, light-headedness in upright position. Pregnancy
complicated by preeclampsia and required cesarean delivery, after she required
blood transfusions because of hypotension. PE appears lethargic. HR 80, BP 100/50,
HR standing 85, BP standing 86/44. Hb 11.6, hct 36%. Serum hormone concentrations?
Prolactin/ACTH/TSH/Aldosterone
- decreased, decreased, decreased, increased

2. 21-year-old woman with 2-days history of urinary frequency and pain with
urination. T 39 C (102.2 F), pulse 125, bp 96/60. Urine grows gram-negative
bacteria. Virulence factor for adherence to bladder?
- Fimbriae

3. Man comes to doc for cast removal. Fracture of left humerus that required open
reduction, internal fixation, cast immobilization. Muscle strength is 2/5 with
extension of elbow and 1/5 with extension of wrist and fingers. Patient most likely
sustained a fracture at (which location in humerus)?
- Radial groove (radial N. is the extensors of arm, wrist and fingers)

4. 36-year-old F with 2 week history of fatigue, bleeding of the gums, and bone
pain. Physical examination shows pallor, hepatosplenomegaly, and ecchymotic lesions
over extremities. Labs:
Hb 8g/dl
Ht 25%
Leukocytes: 36,000
segm neutr 4%
eosinophils 4%
lymph 6%
mono 6%
promyelo 80%
platelets 25,000
Polymerase chain reaction test shows an mRNA corresponding to the retinoic acid
receptor- alfa/promyelocytic leukemia fusion gene resulting from a reciprocal
translocation of chromosomes 15 and 17. Treatment w/ all-trans retinoic acid is
started. In response to the therapy, the fusion protein will most likely attract
which of the following proteins to form a pre-transcriptional complex?
- Histone acetylase

5. 98-year-old woman who lives with daughter and grandson comes for routine exam
with type 2 diabetes and hypertension but no complaints. She has had 14-lb weight
loss since last visit 3 months ago. BMI 15. PE shows multiple ecchymoses in various
stages of healing upper extremities and torso. Physician should ask?
- "Are you safe at home?"

6. 18-year-old woman comes 12 hours after ingesting 100 aspirin tablets in suicide
attempt. PE shows tachypnea. Labs?
pH/pCO2/HCO3-
- 7.32/15/8

7. 10-day-old male newborn 1-day history red eyes with discharge. Pregnancy
uncomplicated but no prenatal care in third trimester. PE bilateral conjunctival
injection with water discharge. Cause?
- Chlamydia trachomatis (gonorrhea occurs earlier and is more purulent)

8. 14-year-old girl with 4 months of heavy menstrual flow. Menarche at 13 with

regular intervals. History of frequent nosebleeds and easy bruisability. Father has
problems with nosebleeds and clotting. PE shows mild gum bleeding and ecchymoses.
Labs: hb 8.2, hct 24.6, platelet 250,000, bleeding time 10, PT 14 (INR 1.5), PTT
60. Dx?
- von Willebrand disease

9. Prevalence of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in unscreened

population is 5%. Prevalence in population with negative Pap smear results is as
high 0.2%. Prevalence decreases, which also decreases?
- Predictive value of a positive test result

10. 57-year-old man with alcoholism dies of klebsiella pneumonia. Abscess cavities
filled with purulent exudate on autopsy. Pattern of necrosis in lung tissue?
- Liquefaction

11. 35-year old man w several episodes of squeezing chest pain gets angiogram...
gets IV NE. Question shows a graph of coronary blood flow with a drop after the NE
and then a rise. Which substance causes increased total coronary blood flow 1-2
mins after NE?
- Adenosine

12. 24-year-old woman overdose on drug X and has serum concentration of 32. Drug X
follows first-order kinetics. 6 hours later, the serum concentration is 16. Cannot
be moved from intensive care unit until concentration 1.1 or lower. Which is
minimum number of hours from first blood sample (32) that patient must remain in
icu?
- 30 hours (5 half lives)

13. 4-year-old boy with fatigue and irritability for 2 months. Family visited rural
Louisiana 5 months ago and ran around barefoot. Conjunctivae are pale. Labs shows
normal wbc with 15% eosinophils. Stool prep shows parasite egg (picture). Cause of
fatigue?
- Microcytic anemia (strongyloides)

14. 35yo F has congestive cardiomyopathy and pitting edema. Her serum urea nitrogen
concentration is 25mg/dl and serum creatinine is 1.8mg/dl. Furosemide therapy is
started. After 5 days, labs show:
Na 130
K 4.5
Cl 90
HCO 30
BUN 85
Creatinine 2.2
Albumin 3
Urine specific gravity 1.023, rbc 0 wbc0 sediment none
Urinary fractional excretion of sodium is less than 1%. Explanation?
- Prerenal azotemia

15. Investigator studying immune response to fungi. Fungi express beta-glucans on

cell surface and that triggers innate immune response. Which tx decreases glucan
expression?
- Caspofungin

16. 72-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 6-month history of

increased bruising on her forearms. She appears alert and well nourished. Physical
examination shows extensive wrinkling, scaly erythematous patches on the face, and
irregularly shaped brown macules on the face and forearms. There are ecchymoses in
various stages of healing on both forearms; the ecchymoses are more numerous on the
right side. Laboratory studies, including a complete blood count and coagulation
studies, are within the reference ranges. She has noticed no bleeding from her gums
after brushing her teeth. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the
ecchymoses in this patient?
- Extensive solar elastosis

17. Heart of 76-year-old woman shows concentric enlargement of left ventricle.

Micro exam shows enlarged myocardial cells with large nuclei. Dx that causes this
cardiac enlargement?
- Hypertension

18. 45-year-old woman dx with cholelithiasis. She asks why abdominal pain is
intermittent and not constant. Pain is produced when gallbladder contracts against
gallstone obstructing cystic duct. Where is hormone released from that causes
gallbladder contraction?
- Enteroendocrine cells of the small intestine (CCK)

19. 73-year-old man has poor appetite and lost 25 lb over 4 months. Labs show
normochromatic normocytic anemia. Xray of chest shows 2-cm perihilar mass. Biopsy
shows small cell carcinoma of lung. Which is responsible for weight loss?
- Cytokine effect

20. 34-year-old man burned hands firing pots 3 months ago. He has no pain during or
after burn. PE shows mild atrophy of arms and hands, absence of deep tendon
reflexes in upper extremities, and decreased pain and temperature sensations in C4
to T1 dermatomes. Touch is preserved. Dx?
- Syringomyelia

21. 2-year-old girl with febrile seizure. PE shows nuchal rigidity and bacterial
meningitis suspected. LP and immediate abx therapy planned, but parents unavailable
for consent. Next step?
- Initiate the procedure and treatment without consent

22. 51-year-old with Graves disease develops ulcerating pharyngitis after 6 months
of propylthiouracil. What's the underlying cause of ulcerative pharyngeal disease?
- Agranulocytosis

23. 54-year-old man with normal renal functions gets a heart transplantation. One
year later, bp 170/110 and serum creatinine 2.1. Which drug caused these findings?
- Cyclosporine

24. 44-year-old woman 15 weeks' gestation with uterus consistent size with
gestational age. Amniocentesis shows increased alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Fetus at
greatest risk for which defect?
- Spina bifida

25. 28-year-old man infertility, weight lifter and takes anabolic steroids.
Mechanism of infertility?
- Suppression of gonadotropins

Block 2 Part 2

26. 34-year-old man with herniated lumbar intervertebral disc. Laminectomy and
removal of hernia scheduled. CT scan of vertebrae shown, which is surgical entrance
location into neural canal?
- D (the lamina - called a laminectomy)
27. 68-year-old man with 3 days of increasingly severe chest pain, shortness of
breath, stridor, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing and nonproductive cough. Long-
standing hx of hypertension. Smokes 2 packs of cigarettes for 45 years. T 99 F,
pulse 80, rr 15, bp 160/94. PE shows visible pulsation above the manubrium of the
sternum and displacement of the trachea to the right. Murmur second right
intercostal space. Dx?
- Aortic aneurysm

28. 35-year-old with Chagas disease and 2-hour history of moderate chest pain. 4.4
lb weight loss in 2 months. Vitals stable. Barium swallow shows dilated esophagus
with beak-like narrowing at lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Biopsy shows?
- Loss of neurons in myenteric plexus

29. 62-year-old woman with 3-day hx of fever, shaking chills, and left flank pain.
Dx acute pyelonephritis and treated with ciprofloxacin. Five days after, sudden
onset watery diarrhea and lower abdominal cramps. T 100.9 F, pulse 80, rr 18, bp
124/88. PE moderate tenderness to palpation in lower quadrants especially on right
and increased bowel sounds. Stool is brown and occult blood negative. Next step?
- Test of the stool for Clostridium difficile toxin

30. 33-year-old woman who three weeks ago, underwent oophorectomy for epithelial
ovarian cancer. Recommends adjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel. Mechanism?
- Inhibits microtubule disassembly

31. 45-year-old man comes to physician for follow up after appendectomy. There is
mild scleral icterus and well healing surgical incision. Lab values show
Total bilirubin 3.2
Direct: 0.2
Indirect 3 mg/dL
Dx?
- Gilbert

32. 3-year-old boy 7 days after dx with severe chronic diarrhea due to Giardia.
Immunological studies show peripheral leukocytes that express both CD3 and CD4 and
fail to express CD40 ligand. Based on this, the immunoglobulin isotype that
predominates has which biological properties?
- Complement activation

33. 18-year-old woman get general anesthesia for wisdom teeth extraction. After 5
minutes, gets hypertonicity of skeletal muscles and increased body temperature. The
treatment is a drug that decreases?
- Sarcoplasmic Ca release

34. 22-year-old nulligravid woman has menses that occur at irregular 26- to 32-day
intervals. Height 5 ft 4 in and weighs 187 lb. BMI 32. PE shows mild hirsutism and
velvety brown, thickened skin at the base of the neck and around axillae. Patient
has which condition?
- Hyperinsulinemia

35. 5-year-old girls with severe leg pain 1 day after fell off sled. Immigrate to
USA from Iceland. Has had three bone fractures since birth. Parents are vegan and
don't give diary products. PE shows tenderness, swelling, and limited range of
motion of left lower extremity. Xray shows fracture of fibula. Pt has vitamin
deficiency that affects which of the following?
- Intestinal calcium absorption

36. 36-year-old woman diagnosed with HIV. Two months ago, started antiretroviral
therapy with efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir. Labs: CD4 352 and
undetectable HIV viral load. Two months ago, CD4 count was 158 and plasma HIV viral
load was 5500. Next step?
- Continue efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir with no changes

37. 35-year-old man with several episodes of dizziness and fainting during the past
2 months. Father and several paternal uncles died suddenly. PE and lipid studies
normal. Angiography shows no coronary artery blockage. ECG shows prolonged QT.
Decreased activity in which of following causes this?
- Outward (delayed) rectifying potassium channel

38. 4-month-old boy with 1-day respiratory distress. Has progressive weakness and
difficulty feeding for a month. RR 50/min. PE shows enlarged tongue and generalized
hypotonia. Increased lactate, pyruvate, glucose, and uric acid. CXR shows
cardiomegaly. Biopsy of skeletal muscle shows increased glycogen. Enzyme impaired?
- alpha-1,4-Glucosidase

39. 50-year-old man with pulmonary embolus. Treated with intravenous heparin. 24
hours later, warfarin added. Day 2, partial thromboplastin time is 52 seconds
(control 26 sec), and prothrombin time is 12 seconds (control 12.1 sec; INR = 1).
Best explanation for normal prothrombin time and INR?
- Long half-life of factor II (prothrombin) (?)

40. An investigator conducts a meta-analysis of three genome-wide association

studies of Crohn Disease. The studies encompassed 3200 cases and 4800 controls, all
of European descent. The initial studies identified 11 significant loci with odds
ratios above 1.3 and 1.5; the combined meta-analysis identified an additional 21
loci with odd ratio of 1.1 to 1.3. It is estimated that the 32 loci identified
explain about 10% of the variance in disease risk with 2 loci accounting for 2% of
the variance. Previous studies of twins indicated a 50% heretability rate for
Crohn's disease. Which of the following best explains these results?
- The identified loci account for a relatively small part of the variance

41. 6-year-old boy with 5-day history of intermittent vomiting and 3-month hx of
progressive clumsiness. Can no longer ride bicycle and difficulty getting out of
car. Funduscopic exam shows bilateral papilledema. Neuro exam shows impaired upward
gaze and pupil response to light. Walks shuffling gait. CT shows enlarged lateral
and third ventricles and a 2-cm mass. Location of mass?
- Pineal gland

42. 67-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 1-month history of low
back pain. She has hypertension well controlled with a thiazide diuretic. Her pulse
is 140/min, and blood pressure is 140/85 mm Hg. Physical examination shows
tenderness to palpation over the L2-3 vertebrae. Laboratory studies show:
Hemoglobin 13.5 g/dL
Hematocrit 41%
Leukocyte count 10,500/mm3
Segmented neutrophils 65%
Eosinophils 1%
Basophils 1%
Lymphocytes 30%
Monocytes 3%
Platelet count 250,000/mm3
Serum electrophoresis shows a monoclonal spike of IgG kappa. A chest x-ray shows
cardiomegaly with bilateral pleural and pericardial effusions. An x-ray of the
spine shows a lytic lesion. Echocardiography shows an echodense thickened left
ventricle and poor diastolic compliance. A photomicrograph of a specimen obtained
on myocardial biopsy is shown. Which of the following is the most likely cause of
the cardiac findings in this patient?
- Amyloid infiltration
43. 45-year-old woman with joint pain due to rheumatoid arthritis comes for
infective treatment with over-the-counter agents. Initiate disease-modifying
antirheumatic drug (DMARD). Delayed onset of action of DMARD, so physician
prescribes another until DMARD is effective. Drug?
- Prednisone

44. 8-year-old boy with persistent disruptive behavior. Teacher says he's in
"constant motion" and never completes assignments. Treated in ER several times
because of skateboarding injuries. Tx?
- Methylphenidate

45. A transcription factor that activates expression of HMG coA reductase is

identified, this TF is initially synthetized as a large precursor protein, with 2
membrane spanning domains. The transcriptional domain is released by proteolysis
when the membrane has a decreased cholesterol concentration. The precursor protein
is mot likely initially produced in which of the following labeled area on this
labeled diagram of a hepatocyte?
- F, Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
Labeled organelle is the rough endoplasmic reticulum, site of protein synthesis

46. 3-year-old boy with progressive fever and skin lesions during 24 hours. T 102.9
F, pulse 120, RR 20, bp 110/60. PE shows large, flaccid, bullous lesions over trunk
and abdomen. Another finding in pt?
- Positive nares culture for toxin-producing Staphylococcus aureus

47. A study is conducted to compare the incidence of myocardial infarction in

patients undergoing two different types of angioplasty or an operative procedure to
manage single-vessel coronary artery disease. A total of 1000 patients are
enrolled. Through a chance process, 500 are assigned to undergo the operative
procedure, 250 are assigned to undergo one type of angioplasty, and 250 are
assigned to undergo a second type of angioplasty. All patients are followed for 3
years to determine the incidence of myocardial infarction. Which of the following
best describes this study design?
- Randomized clinical trial

48. 48yo man with possible hypertension. based on 20 measurements, his average
diastolic pressure is 94mmHg, SD is 8mmHg. If only four measurements were made
rather than 20, which of the following statements would best describe the width of
the 95% CI with regard the mean blood pressure?
- Larger

49. 66-year-old man with 1-month hx of nonproductive cough and 6 months shortness
of breath. Bilateral end-inspiratory crackles heard. CT chest shows diffuse
reticular opacities at periphery and bases of lungs. Micro exam of biopsy shows
patchy interstitial fibrosis, several fibroblastic foci and no granulomas. Dx?
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

50. 65-year-ld man with cancer of cecum found to have metastatic lesion to liver.
Venous route of mets?
- Ileocolic --> superior mesenteric --> portal --> right hepatic branch of portal

Block 3 Part 1

1. 60-year-old man for routine health examination. Has had normal blood pressure
measurements. BP today 170/95mmHg. Physical examination shows no other
abnormalities. Serum show hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis. Plasma renin
activity and serum aldosterone concentrations are increased. Following the
administration of captopril, there is a marked increase in plasma renin activity.
Which of the following is the most likely cause of the findings in this patient?
- Renal artery stenosis

2. 8-year-old girl is brought to the physician by her mother because of a 3 week

history of poor feeding chronic diarrhea and pale foul smelling stools. Mother says
the symptoms began with colicky abdominal pain following introduction of solid food
to the infant's diet. History of gluten sensitivity. 60th percentile for length and
25th percentile for weight. Which cell is dysfunctional?
- Enterocyte

3. 25-year-old woman comes for counseling prior to conception. Has seizure disorder
on valproic acid. Fetus at greatest risk for drug-related adverse effect during
which pregnancy stage?
- 3 to 8 weeks

4. Study designed to test the effectiveness of a new drug in the treatment of

endometriosis, 100 women randomly assigned to one of two groups. 48 of women
receive new drug, 52 receive standard therapy. The primary purpose of this method
of assigning patients to different groups is to create which of the following ?
- Two groups with similar underlying characteristics

5. 65-year-old woman with 6 hour Hx fever and shaking chills. 4 hours ago, she took
325 mg aspirine tablets. Temp 39.4 C, pulse 96/m, respiration 18/m and blood
pressure 102/60 mmHg. Physical examination shows marked tenderness bilaterally in
the costovertebral areas. Lab studies show :

Hb 13 g/dl
Ht 39%
Leukocyte count 32.000/mm3
Urine ph 6
Nitrites 4+
Leukocyte esterase 4+
A photograph of wright stained peripheral blood smear, which the most likely cause
this patient leukocytosis ?
- Leukemoid reaction

6. 68-year-old man with a 10-month history of shortness of breath and swelling of

his feet, family history of cardiovascular disease. He smoked 2 packs of cigarettes
daily for 50 years. Pulse 80/min, rr 24/min, BP 150/80. PE: 3+pitting edema of
lower extremities. Diffuse, scattered wheezes are heard bilaterally on auscultation
of the chest. Grade 2/6 pansystolic mumur heard best at lower left sternal border,
which increases on inspiration. Maximal impulse palpated in sub-xiphoid area. S1
and S2 sounds are distant. Liver span 14 cm. Diagnosis?
- Cor pulmonale

7. 48-year-old woman with gradual onset back pain past 2 weeks. No trauma. Doesn't
smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol or use drugs. Hemogram, serologic studies and
urinalysis unremarkable. Xray of spine shows two lytic lesions, in T-10 and L-1.
Dx?
- Metastatic carcinoma of the breast

8. 17-year-old boy brought by mother with concern that puberty is delayed. When
mother leaves room, patient states, "I'm fine. I don't know what's the matter with
her. She wants me to be tall like my dad." Patient is 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) tall and
weighs 70 kg (155 lb); BMI 23. Sex development is Tanner stage 4. Most appropriate
next statement to mother?
- "Tell me more about your concerns about your son's height."
9. 35-year-old from group home comes for worsening behavior for 2 weeks. He
believes CIA is spying on him through television set. Reports hearing voices in
hall outside and that CIA now plans to kill him. Appears disheveled with unkempt
hair and poor hygiene, difficulty answering questions because listening to internal
stimuli. Mental status exam will show which?
- Flattened affect

10. 17-year-old boy in septic shock unresponsive to ADH (vasopressin). Treat is

discontinued, and high-dose dopamine in started. Which receptors are stimulated?
- alpha1-adrenoreceptors

11. After operation, 65-year-old patient has lung region that is underventilated
but well perfused. Which increases?
- Physiologic shunt

12. 32-year-old man with X-linked recessive disease has deafness, hematuria and
progressive renal failure. Protein abnormality?
- Type IV collagen

13. 52-year-old with chronic pancreatitis is deficient in which enzymes that causes
inability to digest triglycerides?
- Colipase

14. 47-year-old woman with irregular, raised, multicolored dark lesion on left
forearm with frequent sunlight exposure. Biopsy shows malignant pigmented cells.
Worst prognosis with involvement of which layer?
- Subcutaneous tissue

15. 33-year-old man dx with epilepsy age 10 years. Most recent generalized tonic-
clonic was 5 years ago. Medication was adjusted. Current meds include
carbamazepine. He's never had any collisions while driving his motor vehicle.
Patient's status with respect to driving?
- He is medically qualified to drive

16. 45-year-old woman with 4-month joint pain, muscles aches and fatigue. Had a
renal calculus 6 months ago and had cholecystectomy 1 year ago. Appears fatigue,
depressed, there is mucosal pallor. No masses palpated in neck. Labs: erythrocyte
count 3 million, K+ 4, Cl- 106, Ca2+ 13, phosphorous 2.7, alk phos 125. Technetium-
99m scan shows 1.2 cm nodule in neck. Mutation?
- MEN1

17. 25-year-old man just returned from work as worker from Africa begins oral
chloroquine therapy for malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax. His initial therapeutic
response is good, but he develops recurrent parasitemia 2 months later. Which of
the following best explains the recurrence ?
- Chloroquine is ineffective on the exoerythrocytic malaria tissue stages

18. 32-year-old man with HIV infection follow up examination, has been treated with
HAART for the past 6 years HIV plasma viral load has been undetectable. HIV viral
load now increase, antiretroviral resistance suspected. HIV genotype analysis
confirms that the virus has resistance mutations, which of the following most
likely mutated?
- Reverse transcriptase and protease (the two targets of HAART therapy, therefore
if therapy stopped working, must be these two target proteins of virus mutated)

19. 58-year-old woman with 6-month shortness of breath and chronic nonproductive
cough. 2-year history difficulty swallowing, joint stiffness, diffuse tightening of
skin on face, neck, shoulders, arms, fingers. Sensitivity to cold weather, turn
white. Hx of esophageal reflux. Biopsy showed atrophy of epidermis and deposition
of collagen throughout dermis with loss of dermal appendages. PE cutaneous
ulceration, clawlike flexion deformity, decreased joint mobility. At risk for which
pulmonary disorder?
- Pulmonary hypertension (dx: systemic sclerosis/CREST)

20. Workbench wiped down with alcohol, successfully inactivates viruses with which
characteristic?
- Enveloped virion

21. 35-year-old woman pain in left leg 2 days. PE shows deep venous thrombosis.
Labs: platelet 200,000, PT 12 (INR 1), PTT 37. Heparin started. Five days later,
platelet 120,000. Reason for decreased platelets?
- Drug-related antibodies

22. 6-year-old girl with 15-minute history of severe shortness of breath. Diagnosed
with throat tumor 3 years ago. RR 32. PE nasal flaring. Laryngoscopy shows multiple
raised, finger-shaped lesions from vocal cords and epiglottis. Lesions excised and
shows finger-shaped fibrovascular cores lined with benign squamous epithelium.
Causal virus?
- Human papillomavirus, type 6

23. A 68-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 1-month history of light-
headedness and tightness in his chest with exertion. He adds that the pain is worse
after arguing with his wife, and the symptoms resolve with rest. He has a past
history of lower gastrointestinal bleeding; evaluation at that time was negative on
upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. His temperature is 37C (98.6F), pulse is 85/min,
respirations are 15/min, and blood pressure is 110/75 mm Hg. Physical examination
shows no abnormalities. His hemoglobin concentration is 8.2 g/dL, and hematocrit is
24%. Test of the stool for occult blood is positive. An ECG shows no abnormalities.
Repeat colonoscopy shows no abnormalities. Which of the following is the most
likely cause of this patient's gastrointestinal symptoms?
- Angiodysplasia

24. A 25-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 2-year history of

intermittent, diffuse, cramping lower abdominal pain. The pain is usually
associated with2 to 6 days of loose, watery stools, and is typically relieved with
defecation. Between these episodes, her stools are normal. Her vital signs are
within normal limits. Physical examination shows no abnormalities. Laboratory
studies, including complete blood count, metabolic panel, and thyroid function
tests show no abnormalities. A drug targeting which of the following mechanisms of
action is most appropriate for this patient?
- Accentuation of -opioid myenteric plexus receptor

25. 69-year-old woman with 3-week history of muscle cramps, weakness, abdominal
pain, and constipation. Hypertension treated with metoprolol and
hydrochlorothiazide for past 4 months. Labs show hypokalemia. Which drug should be
added?
- Triamterene (potassium-sparing)

Block 3 Part 2

26. A 70-year-old woman comes to the physician for a routine pelvic examination.
During speculum examination of the vagina and cervix, the Valsalva maneuver causes
a bulge of the anterior vaginal wall. Which of the following is the most likely
cause of this finding?
- Cystocele

27. 2-month-old boy well child exam, mother with no concerns. 25th percentile for
length and 30th percentile for weight. Cardiac exam shows blowing holosystolic
murmur best heard at lower left sternal border. Cause?
- Ventricular septal defect

28. 2-year-old boy 2-day history of fever, sore throat, rash. T 101.7 F (38.7 C).
Widespread, red, sandpaper-like rash on extremities. Purulent exudate over tonsils.
Dx streptococcus pyogenes (group A) infection. Cause of skin findings?
- Erythrogenic toxin

29. 1-year-old boy with rash for 2 weeks. 10th percentile for height and weight. PE
scaly, seborrheic eruption over scalp, palms, back, diaper region and soles of
feet. Generalized lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. Xray of skull shows
osteolytic lesions. EM biopsy of skin shows tennis racket-shaped bilamellar granule
in cytoplasm. Immuno studies show CD1a antigen expression. Abnormal cells in
patient are derived from which cell?
- Dendritic cells

30. 21-year-old man loses 15% total blood volume 2 minute after motor vehicle
collision. Finding most likely?
- Increased sympathetic nerve traffic to sinoatrial node

31. 58-year-old man comes to physician for benzodiazepine prescription for

situation at work. Feels anxious and thinks he can complete last 2 years of work if
anxiety decreases. Gives 1-month regimen of benzodiazepine. Wife calls, "My husband
got fired! I know it was because he was taking too much of that drug you gave him.
Didn't you know he had history of alcoholism?" Initial action?
- Contact the patient to discuss the situation

32. 32-year-old woman has operation for hyperparathyroidism. Three parathyroid

glands found but one does not appear in normal superior location on right side.
Embryologic event that led to this?
- Abnormal migration of endoderm from fourth pharyngeal pouch

33. 52-year-old female with a history of breast cancer who received 4week course of
radiations 6 months ago comes for followup. Exam shows no cancer recurrence. rr
26/min. CT chest shows b/l atelectasis in upper lung fields. Primary
pathophysiological cause?
- Contraction (secondary to radiation)

34. 4-year-old boy (pedigree shown) has clumsy gait for past year. Exam calf
hypertrophy and proximal muscle weakness. Creatine kinase increased. Muscle biopsy
shows loss of muscle tissue, regenerating muscles fibers and fibrosis. Maternal
uncle had similar findings and died at 15 years. Patient's sister is pregnant.
Ultrasound identifies male fetus. Probability fetus has disorder?
- 1/4

35. 55-year-old man northern European descent with 2-month weakness, altered skin
color, bilateral knee pain. Siblings have type 2 diabetes and cirrhosis. PE bronzed
skin, hepatomegaly, arthritis. Increased saturation of transferrin and ferritin.
Liver biopsy increased iron content and cirrhosis Greatest risk?
- Hepatocellular carcinoma

36. 35-year-old woman with infertile, receive injection of contrast material into
cervix. On hysterosalpingogram (shown), contrast material (indicated by arrows)
also seen in peritoneal cavity, which explain this finding?
- Spillage of contrast which normal

37. 27-year-old man for psychiatric eval sent by employer because he is "very odd."
Is a computer repair specialist and lives alone. Refuses to socialize and has no
friends. Extremely preoccupied with science fiction, occult, afterlife. Personality
disorder?
- Schizotypal

38. 46-year-old woman with 1-week low-grade fever and joint pain. Has chronic
headaches and takes ibuprofen several times. PE diffuse maculopapular rash. UA 2+
protein, 10-20 WBC and eosinophils. Renal biopsy would show what?
- Inflammatory infiltrates in the interstitium

39. 19-year-old woman 2-day history of pain in left index finger. Injured it when
catching a ball. PE shows erythema of left index finger. Unable to flex the distal
phalanx when proximal interphalangeal joint metacarpophalangeal joints restratined.
Xray normal. Injured structure?
- Flexor digitorum profundus tendon

40. 25-year-old-man who has a history of facial flushing and rapid heart rate each
time he consumes a small amount of alcohol participates in study of alcohol
intolerance. Molecular analysis shows presence of a lysine (K487, oriental variant)
for glutamate (E487, native variant) substitution in aldehyde dehydrogenase.
Kinetic characteristics of the enzyme variants shown:
Enzyme Km (NAD+) microM Kcat (min-1)
E487 37 180
K487 5600 9.5
based on these findings, which of the following is the most likely cause of this
man's condition?
- Decreased catalytic efficiency of K487

41. 45-year-old man bmi 26, total cholesterol 200, HDL 50, triglycerides 550. Which
drug to prescribe?
- Fenofibrate

42. 21-year-old woman with 10-days difficulty walking. Two years ago had loss of
vision in left eye which improved. Neuro exam shows decreased visual acuity in left
eye with pallor of optic disc. Has past-pointing on a finger-nose test. Broad-based
gait. MRI shows brain lesions in white matter of cerebellum. Pathogenesis?
- CD4+ T lymphocytes are activated by myelin basic protein

43. 63-year-old man 2-week sensation of fullness in left upper quadrant. Has
lethargy and shortness of breath. 20-lb weight loss during 3 months. PE shows
pallor. Spleen tip palpated. Labs: hb 9, hct 27%, wbc 4000, serum uric acid 15.
Peripheral blood smear numerous erythrocytes with abnormal shapes and sizes,
nucleated erythrocytes and myelocytes. Aspiration of bone marrow dry tap. Biopry
shows thickened bony trabeculae with increased reticulum. Dx?
- Myelofibrosis

44. 1-year-old has numerous infection of skin and oral mucosa since birth.
Infections slow to respond to antibiotic therapy. T 100.4F. PE multiple
erythematous lesions of skin some with superficial ulceration. WBC 21,000 77%
segmented neutrophils, 6% bands, 14% lymphocytes and 3% monocytes. Biopsy shows no
neutrophils in dermis or epidermis. Culture of lesion grows Staphylococcus aureus.
Defective
- An integrin

45. 45 yr old man with SOB on exertion x 6 months, nosebleeds since adolescence, 2
pics: clubbing + hemorrhagic lesions in tongue, inhaled albuterol doesn't improve
his symptoms. Cause of symptoms?
- Pulmonary AV shunting
Disease is osler weber rendu
46. 27-year-old primigravid woman at 18 weeks gestation comes to physician for
routine prenatal examination. The uterus consistent in size with 18 week gestation.
Ultrasonography shows a male fetus. The collecting system and pelvis of the left
kidney is dilated and the renal cortex appears compressed. The left and right
ureters are not dilated. The right kidney appears normal. Amniotic fluid volume is
normal. Which causing renal finding in this fetus ?
- Incomplete recanalization of proximal ureter

47. 24-year-old man with 3-day progressive numbness of both feet ascended to
thighs. Last 24 hours, numbness and tingling of hands. PE ataxic gait. Deep tendon
reflexes diminished in upper extremities and absent in knees and ankles. Vibration
and joint position absent in fingertips and feet bilaterally. Mild weakness distal
upper extremities ad moderate weakness of lower extremities. Structure involved?
- Myelinated primary afferents

48. 82-year-old woman comes to the physician because of constant severe lower
abdominal pain and fever for 24 hours. Laproscopic examination shows severe
diverticulosis and perforated diverticulitis. In spite of appropriate therapy she
dies 2 days later. Liver autopsy shown. Which of the following is the primary
component of the material shown on the hepatic surface?
- Fibrin

49. 28-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 4-day history of

palpitations, severe neck pain, fatigue, and malaise. Her pulse is 120/min and
regular. Physical examination shows a diffusely tender, mildly enlarged thyroid
gland. There is no exophthalmos. Serum studies show a thyroid-stimulating hormone
concentration of 0.01 U/mL. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
- Subacute granulomatous thyroiditis

50. 35-year-old primigravid woman 36 weeks' gestation with 6-hour history of heavy
vaginal bleeding. No prenatal care. Ultrasound shows placenta over cervical os.
Can't stop bleeding and has cesarean. Dx?
- Placenta previa

Block 4 Part 1

1. 39-year-old man with polycystic kidney disease has 6-month history intermittent
blood in urine. T 98.6 F HR 100 RR 24 BP 160/90. Urea nitrogen 100, creatinine 8.
UA shows blood. Arterial blood gas shows?
pH/pCO2/HCO3-
- 7.22/28/11

2. 48-year-old man 2-month increasing abdominal girth and inability to achieve

erection. Smoked 1 pack cigarettes for 20 years and drug 1 pint of liquor daily.
Vitals normal. PE shows scleral icterus, spider angiomata, gynecomastia, ascites
and prominent umbilical venous pattern. Tests small. Cause of gynecomastia?
- Failure of liver to degrade estrogen

3. 19-year-old woman is admitted to the hospital for antibiotic treatment of

meningococcal meningitis. She is stabilized. Three days later, her pulse is
120/min, and blood pressure is 60/30 mm Hg. Physical examination shows bilateral
flank tenderness. Serum studies show a sodium concentration of128 mEq/L, potassium
of 5.4 mEq/L, and bicarbonate of 20 mEq/L. Which of the following is the most
appropriate next step to determine the cause of this patient's hypotension?
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test

4. 50-year-old man undergoes operative repair of inguinal hernia. Surgeon has

received written informed consent from patient. After epidural received, patient
decides he does not want to have surgery. Best response?
- "Tell me about your concerns and why you want to cancel the operation."

5. A 25-year-old man is admitted to the hospital because of severe crush injuries

to the chest and extensive burns over 30% of his body surface area. Three hours
later, he develops tachypnea and dyspnea. Arterial blood gas analysis on room air
shows a decreased Po2 and Pco2. A chest x-ray shows bilateral interstitial and
alveolar infiltrates. The patient is intubated and mechanically ventilated. Damage
to which of the following is most likely to preclude restoration of normal tissue
architecture and pulmonary function in this patient?
- Basement membranes

6. Studying epithelial repair of small intestine in experimental animal. Wants to

identify most active cell division location. Where is this cell activity found?
- Base of the crypt

7. 16-year-old girl calls the physician on a Friday night 2 hours after a condom
broke during sexual intercourse with her boyfriend. She asks the physician to
prescribe an emergency oral contraceptive. The physician on call is not the
patient's regular physician and does not dispense emergency contraception for moral
reasons. After the physician respectfully informs the patient that he does not
prescribe this contraceptive, it is most appropriate for the physician to state
which of the following?
- "I can have one of my colleagues call you back to further discuss your concerns."

8. 20-year-old woman with 2-week fever, shaking chills, headaches, fatigue, and
joint and muscle pain. Spent summer workin as lifeguard in Long Island, New York.
Has splenectomy for motor vehicle collision 6 years ago. T 102.4 F. Peripheral
blood smear shows small intraerythrocytic rings. Polymerase chain reaction for
Plasmodium is negative. Causal organism from bite of?
- Tick

9. 67-year-old man who eight months ago dx with primary lung carcinoma involving
adrenal glands, liver, and bone. Had 17.6-lb weight loss during 3 months. PE shows
cachexia and significant muscle wasting. Intracellular components increased in
patient's muscle cells?
- Autophagic vacuoles

10. 2-month-old female with T 102F, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration. Exam of stool
shows viral particles with wheel-like shape. Properties of virus?
Type of nucleic acid/envelop/capsid symmetry
- Double-stranded RNA, segmented/no/icosahedral

11. 14-year-old girl with type 1 diabetes mellitus and 4-hour history of lethargy,
confusion, disorientation. Symptoms gradually developed and she did not take her
usual insulin dose during a sleepover. HR 110, RR 24 deep and rapid, bp 95/75.
Labs: glucose 450, arterial pH 7.15. ABG?
pCO2/HCO3-/Anion gap
- decreased/decreased/increased

12. Investigator studying vancomycin-resistant strain of Enterococcus faecalis. Ten

generations created. Culture inoculated and resulting bacterial colonies are
screened for vancomycin resistance. Vancomycin-sensitive colonies observed at
frequency of one per 100 cells. Mechanism of decreased vancomycin resistance?
- Plasmid loss

13. Male newborn delivered at 28 weeks, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, ABG
shows decreased pH, decreased Po2 increased PCO2. A deficiency in which of the
following most likely caused the disorder?
- Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine
14. 65-year-old man with 4-hour history of intermittent severe pain in flank area
radiating to genital region. History of hypercalciuria and renal calculi. Drug
decrease the urinary excretion of calcium?
- Hydrochlorothiazide

15. 45-year-old man comes to the physician because of an enlarging face shoulders
and trunk and thinning of his arms and legs. Physical examination shows a large
plethoric face, fat pad over the upper thoracic spine and purple striae on the
abdomen. Serum studies show undetectable ACTH and an increased cortisol
concentration. Administration of low dose dexamethasone would most likely result in
which of the following sets of serum findings?
- ACTH no change, cortisol no change

16. 12-year-old boy with mother concerned about enlarged left breast and family
history of breast cancer. Left breast is slightly larger than right, nipple mildly
tender. Penis slightly enlarged and pubic hair curling and beginning to darken at
base. Best next step?
- Reassure the mother that physical findings are not uncommon for his age

17. 55-year-old woman who is a physician has fractured femur during motor vehicle
collision. 2 days after admission, has tachycardia, restlessness, diaphoresis,
anxiety, seeing "vague shapes" on walls. Dx?
- Alcohol withdrawal

18. 35-year-old woman with fever and sharp chest pain for 3 days. T 101.3F.
Friction rub heard. All cuases of secondary pericarditis ruled out. Cause of
primary pericarditis?
- Virus

19. 35-year-old man with severe back pain, gained 8 kg in the past 6 months,
decreased peripheral vision, compression fracture spine at T10 and L1, healing left
rib fracture at T6, imaging shows pituitary macroadenoma. This tumor produces
which?
- ACTH

20. 35-year-old woman passed out while washing dishes. Began to feel weak and
dizzy, husband shares with nursing staff history of bulimia nervosa, and has been
binging more frequently. Suspected she has been vomiting. Labs of patient?
K+/HCO3-/Anion Gap/pH
- decreased/increased/normal/increased

21. 67-year-old man with 3 months fatigue and shortness of breath. Vitals HR 90, RR
15, bp 150/98. PE conjunctival pallor. Labs: hb 8.5, hct 26%, MCV 90, RDW 14.4%
(N=13-15%), Cr 2.9, Ferritin 144, Iron 24, Transferrin saturation 23% (N=20-50%).
Besides iron supplementation, most appropriate tx?
- Erythropoietin

22. 15-year-old girl comes with lack of improvement of facial acne. Tried topical
clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide PE severe acne vulgaris. Says, "Please help me."
She has never been sexually active. Tx?
- Isotretinoin

23. 18-month-old girl with 2 day progressive cough and hoarseness. T 102.2F, HR 88,
RR 24, bp 100/70. Oxygen saturation 95%. PE mild erythema of oropharyngeal and
laryngeal mucosa no exudate, harsh, barking cough heard. Improves within 4 days.
Cause?
- Parainfluenza
24. 38-year-old man 1-week shortness of breath with exertion, light palpation of
carotid artery shows upstroke is abnormally brisk and downstroke falls
precipitously. Cause of finding?
- Aortic Regurgitation

25. Retrospective study of incidence and outcome of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Incidence is 15 per 100,000 people, mortality is 6 per 100,000 people. Incidence
remains constant, case fatality rate?
- 40%

Block 4 Part 2

26. 64-year-old with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and 3-day history of abdominal pain and
nausea. T 99.7F, HR 100, bp 130/80. Abdominal exam tenderness of flanks and lower
quadrants. BUN 34 and creatinine 3.8. CT shows bilateral hydronephrosis and
lymphadenopathy compressing ureters. Tx to improve renal function?
- Bilateral stents in the ureters

27. 71-year old woman with coronary disease and well-controlled hypertension is
brought to the physician 2 hours after sudden onset of weakness of her left leg.
Her BP 145/85 mmHg. Neurologic exam: weakness and decreased sensation over the left
lower extremity. There are no other sensory or motor deficits. Which labeled
structure is site of injury?
- A (Pre/postcentral gyrus; motor/sensory cortex)

28. Girl has chronic cough with thick sputum, abdominal cramps in RLQ, and frequent
resp infections. Clubbing of fingers, hyperresonance on chest percussion. Diffuse
crackles and scattered wheezes. On xray - diffuse hyperinflation of the right upper
lobe. She has a healthy brother. What's the likelihood he is a carrier for the
condition?
- 2/3

29. 4-year-old male with recurrent UTIs, left kidney found small and non
functional; right is normal. Nephrectomy is done, and the picture shown (dilated
ureter and renal calyx). Microscopic exam of kidney will show which?
- Tubular atrophy

30. Patient with orthostatic hypotension, loose stools for 1 year, and history of
type 1 DM. Stool studies are normal. What is the pathophysiological mechanism of
the diarrhea?
- Motility disorder

31. In a 25-year-old patient who underwent splenectomy, target cells are seen on
peripheral smear. These cells are seen due to loss of function of which portion of
spleen?
- Red pulp

32. 58-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 4-year history of recurrent
cough productive of increased sputum. Use of over-the-counter cough suppressants
has not resolved his symptoms. He has smoked 2 packs of cigarettes daily for 35
years. He has no family history of lung disease. His temperature is 37C (98.6F),
pulse is 72/min, and respirations are 18/min. Physical examination shows cyanosis.
Diffuse wheezing is heard on auscultation. Which of the following pulmonary cell
types is most likely to be abnormal in this patient?
- Pseudostratified columnar epithelial cells

33. Researching new cancer drug, effective at killing rapidly dividing cells, in
mice caused profound myelosuppression. In patients, most appropriate to follow
which when at risk for infectious complications?
- Neutrophil counts

34. 48-year-old recently diagnosed with lupus and difficulty working as

schoolteacher because of severe pain and swelling of joints. Current meds include
prednisone, hydroxychloroquine, and oxycodone for pain. Best action to adapt to
illness?
- Encourage the patient to participate in a support group for persons with her
condition

35. 19-year-old man with gastrointestinal bleeding. Laparotomy done and 5-cm blind
outpouching on antimesenteric side of terminal ileum 15 cm from ileocecal valve
resected. Pathology shows?
- Heterotopic gastric mucosa

36. 17-year-old boy with syncopal episode, fever, nausea, muscle aches, progressive
confusion. T 103.5F, palpable bp 80. PE rash on lower extremities. WBC 26,000.
Blood and CSF cultures grow oxidase positive, gram negative diplococcus. Brother
with similar infection at same age. Immune disorder?
- Late component of complement deficiency

37. Randomized controlled trial evaluating tx of acute otitis media. No

statistically significant differences found between infants receiving the
antibiotic and those with standard tx. Which aspect results in type II error?
- Number of subjects in the study

38. 17-year-old boy whose mother concerned about physical development. 10th
percentile for height and 25th for weight. FSH is 5, testosterone 8 (N=10-35).
Physical finding on patient?
- Gynecomastia

39. To decrease risk for cv disease 24 yo man begins diet. 1.53 95 kg BMI 32,
Intends to lose 16 kg by limiting caloric intake to 2000 cal. to maintain the
recommended protein intake (56g day); a balanced decreased in carbs and fat is
required (caloric radio of fat and carbs is 30:55). which best describes number of
calories that should be provided by fat in this its diet each day?
- 630

40. 20-year-old woman with palpable lump in right breast 4 months, no pain,
swelling or nipple discharge. Lump is smooth, firm, round, mobile, nontender, well
delineated. No skin change. Dx?
- Fibroadenoma

41. 65-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 1-week history of a

swollen, painful left knee. Her temperature is 38C (100.4F), and blood pressure
is 110/65 mm Hg. Examination of the left knee shows erythema and swelling of the
joint and decreased range of motion. A photomicrograph of synovial fluid obtained
by arthrocentesis is shown. This patient's synovial fluid most likely contains
which of the following?
- Uric acid

42. 56-year-old exposed to possible chemical attack. Respirations labored,

diaphoresis, excessive lacrimation, increased salivation, muscle strength 2/5,
urinary and fecal incontinence. Besides atropine, another tx?
- Pralidoxime

43. 71-year-old man admitted for prostatic resection. Normal mental status. 2 days
after surgery, confused and restless. Cannot sleep and restless, seeing little men
coming through window. Dx?
- Delirium

44. 32-year-old woman has new neuro finding while being tx for acute infection of
sphenoid sinus. Imaging shows cavernous sinus thrombosis on left. Additional
finding most likely?
- Inability to abduct the eye

45. 66-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department by her daughter

because of a 2-day history of fever, flank pain, pain with urination, and nausea.
Ten days ago, she was admitted to the hospital for similar symptoms and was
diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis. She was discharged with instructions to take
oral ciprofloxacin after a 3-day course of intravenous ciprofloxacin resulted in
improvement. She also has hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and osteoporosis. Current
medications also include alendronate, calcium carbonate, ezetimibe,
hydrochlorothiazide, and simvastatin. Her temperature is 39.1C (102.4F), and
blood pressure is130/80 mm Hg. The most likely cause of this patients current
condition is an interaction between her current oral antibiotic and which of the
following medications?
- Calcium carbonate

46. 34-year old man is brought to the ER semiconscious and combative. In addition
to sedation , a short-acting neuromuscular blocking agent is administered for
intubation to prevent aspiration. Within a few seconds after admin of the drug, he
has transient muscle fasciculations in his face ; he develops generalized paralysis
within 1 minute. Forty five minutes after completion of the procedure , he is still
paralyzed. A genetic abnormality of which of the following enzymes is the most
likely cause of his unusually slow recovery from paralysis?
- Pseudocholinesterase

47. Full-term newborn in respiratory distress. Imaging shows abdominal contents in

left pleural cavity. Maldevelopment of which structure led to diaphragm defect?
- Left pleuroperitoneal membrane

48. 83-year-old with arteriosclerosis undergoes repair of infrarenal abdominal

aortic aneurysm. Graft extends just below the renal arteries to the bifurcation of
the aorta. Which organ will lose primary blood supply and rely on collateral
circulation?
- Descending colon

49. 62-year-old with angina pectoris is referred for cardiac catheterization.

Patient worried about hospital-associated infection. Studies show 30% of patients
require admission after procedure, and 2 percent of admitted patients acquire
hospital infection. Patient's risk for infection overall?
- 6/1000

50. 25-year-old woman with fatigue for 3 wks and intermittent fever for 7 days, had
teeth cleaned a month ago, no abx for prophylaxis, and had rheumatic fever as child
and endocarditis 4 y ago. PE shows 2/6 murmur, ultrasound shows abnormal mitral
valve. Photo of growth from blood cultures shown (GP cocci in chains).
Characteristic of causal organism?
- Greening reaction on blood agar

1. 56-year-old man comes with vague right-sided flank pain and 7-lb weight loss
over past 6 weeks. No recent trauma or back strain. Urine is darker than usual over
2 weeks. Renal ultrasound shows 1.5-cm solid mass in upper portion of right kidney.
Urine shows 50 erythrocytes, 6 leukocytes, no bacteria. Dx?
- Renal cell carcinoma
Why its right: This is a patient with recent weight loss, flank pain and
hematuria, which at his age, is 100% renal cell carcinoma (RCC) until proven
otherwise. The typical triad is the latter two symptoms (flank pain, hematuria)
plus palpable mass. But the triad doesnt always need to be completed, and they
even further support the dx of RCC by sharing the ultrasound results a solid
mass. Cystic mass is more favorable for a benign process, and here the word solid
directs the test-taker towards malignancy.

Why the others are wrong: Metastasis from another cancer wound not have such
prominent urinary findings, and they would have to give other signs/symptoms (s/s)
of another malignancy elsewhere in the body. An abscess is less likely to be a
solid mass similarly, a hematoma would also not be a solid mass, but a
combination of cysts, fluid, etc. An abscess would also present with fever and have
an acute onset with bacteria and WBCs (more than just 6, which is borderline
normal) in the urine. Finally, transitional cell carcinoma is referring to cancer
of the ureter or pelvis, located either in the ureter or in the inner portion of
the kidney (the pelvis). The cancer described is not only typical of RCC but also
is located on the upper portion of the kidney, or in the cortex, and therefore must
derive from the renal cortex parenchyma itself.

Take home point: Patient >50 YO with weight loss, hematuria, and flank pain is RCC
until proven otherwise.

2. 22-year-old man who is a professional cyclist undergoes extensive physiologic

testing as part of his training regimen. His resting pulse is 33/min, and blood
pressure is110/62 mm Hg. Echocardiography shows dilated ventricles with normal
function and a left ventricular ejection fraction of 75%. Which of the following
best describes the findings in this patient?
- Eccentric hypertrophy

Why its the right answer: Dilated ventricles is the key phrase in the stem. A
dilated heart is built from eccentric hypertrophy, or in-line (or in-series)
building and enlargements of muscle cells/fibers. In contrast, a thick heart of
normal size (not dilated) is built from concentric hypertrophy, or parallel
building and enlargement of muscle cells. This is a key concept for the boards that
is repeatedly tested. Furthermore, this patient doesnt necessarily have anything
wrong with him. He is a professional athlete and works his heart to the max, so
much so that it has become big, and not in a pathological way, since his EF is
still preserved and actually more than it should be at 75% (normal is ~55-65%).

Why the others are wrong: All of the other choices are suggestive of a pathological
process. Congestive cardiomyopathy would have a decreased EF. Diastolic dysfunction
is incorrect because although in diastolic dysfunction there is preserved EF with
impaired relaxation, the ventricles are not dilated but usually hypertrophied and
thicker; the same reason why also hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and increased
myocardial stiffness are incorrect both may have a normal to increased EF, but
the ventricles would be thick not dilated.

Take home point: Eccentric hypertrophy results in dilation, concentric hypertrophy

results in thickening.
3. During a clinical study of calcium and phosphorus metabolism, a 50-year-old man
undergoes series of lab studies. His serum Ca, PO4 and PTH are normal. He is given
infusion 2 g Calcium chloride over 2 hours. His serum Ca concentration now is
11.5mg/dl. Compared with pre infusion levels, the serum concentration of which of
the following substances is likely to be increased at this time?
- 24,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol

Why its the right answer: First off, it is important to know the sequence of
vitamin D metabolism for step 1 because this concept incorporates not only
physiology, biochemistry, and nutrition, but also high-yield diseases like kidney
disease (problem with alpha-1-hydroxylase), crohns colitis (issue with vitD
absorption), and sarcoidosis (elevated Ca++). So lets take a look:

1) So we start with Vitamin D3 (AKA cholecalciferol, from diet like fortified dairy
products and fish oils; or synthesized from 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin when
exposed to UV rays) (via the liver)

2) 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (via the kidney)

3) (a) 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (by enzyme 1-alpha-hydroxylase located in the

kidney and gets positive feedback from PTH)

(b) 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (by enzyme 24-alph-hydroxylase also in the kidney)

Now, the question is asking about negative feedback. When there is a high level of
calcium, there is negative feedback on the amount of PTH released (because PTH
leads to increased calcium). PTH increases the enzymatic activity of 1-alpha-
hydroxylase, an enzymes that converts 25-Vitamin D3 to 1,25-
Dihydroxycholecalciferol. Conversely, low PTH does not activate 1-alpha-hydroxylase
when calcium levels are high (such as in the clinical scenario above). So 25-
Vitamin D3 is shunted to the other pathway and converted to 24,25-Dihydroxylase (by
another enzyme that is not important for purposes of the boards). The other choices
are ruled out based on the above explanation. This is one of the most difficult
questions on NBME 18 because it requires that you not only know the metabolism of
vitamin D as well as the back of your hand, but it also requires that you know the
concept of enzyme kinetics, positive and negative feedback, and specifically where
Vitamin D3 goes if its not being converted to 1,25-Vitamin D and shunted to the
other pathway.

Take home point: PTH gets positive feedback from low Ca++ and negative feedback
from high Ca+. PTH increases Ca++, and does so in part by increasing the activity
of enzyme 1-alpha-hydroxylase, which converts vitamin D3 to 1,25-Vitamin D, the
active form of vitamin D that increases Ca++ absorption from the gut. When vitamin
D3 isnt being converted to 1,25-Vitamin D, its being shunted to its other pathway
that forms 24,25-Vitamin D.

For more information, and a great schematic on what I said above in words regarding
vit D metabolism, follow this link:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2879391/

4. 70-year-old man comes with skin blistering for 1 week. No oral lesions. Physical
shows tense bullae in joint folds of upper and lower extremities. Biopsy shows
subepidermal blister formation. Immunofluorescence microscopy shows antibodies
against proteins at the dermal-epidermal junction. Target by antibodies?
- Hemidesmosome

Why its the right answer: This is a pretty basic question on bullous pemphigoid,
which is the dx presented in the vignette. In this autoimmune disease, antibodies
are directed against the hemidesmosomes, which link the dermis to the overlying
epidermis. You either know this one or you dont, basically.

Take home point: Bullous pemphigoid is a disease of the hemidesmosomes and

characterized by a linear immunofluorescent pattern that highlights the dermal and
epidermal junction. Conversely, pemphigus vulgaris, the other high-yield autoimmune
skin disease thats tested on the boards, is a disease in which autoantibodies
target desmosomes, creating a circular immunofluorescence pattern INTRAdermally.

Bullous pemphigoid: Layer - deep, age - elderly, blisters - tense/firm, oral

lesions - rare, Nikolsky's sign - negative, Immunofluorescence - Basement membrane,
target antigen - hemidesmosome, blister content - hemorrhagic

Pemphigus vulgaris: Layer - superficial, age - middle-age (not always), blisters -

flaccid, easily rupture, oral lesions - common, Nikolsky's sign - positive,
Immunofluorescence - intraepidermal, circular, target antigen - desmosome, blister
content - fluid-filled

5. 63-year-old man with abnormal blood pressure. 6 months ago, bp was 135/85. Today
bp 170/98. Bruit heard over left renal artery. CT angioshows left arterial
stenosis. Labs?
- Total peripheral resistance increased, plasma renin activity increased, serum
aldosterone concentration increased

Why its the right answer: The board examiners love these up and down arrow
questions, and they are not something to be intimidated by because they are usually
pretty straight forward as long as youre able to break down the clinical vignette.
Here, theres a guy that had good, well-controlled blood pressure 6 months ago, but
now has very high blood pressure that is a result of gradual onset renal artery
stenosis. When there is a blockage of one or two renal arteries, the kidney(s) are
starved by blood. In reaction the kidneys think blood pressure is low, so they
release factors to increase the pressure in the form of the RAAS cascade (silly
little kidneys). One factor/hormone they release is renin (from the juxtaglomerular
cells) Renin then causes a cascade of other hormones to be released, including
aldosterone, which increases blood pressure so the kidneys are happy and no longer
starved. In other words, total peripheral resistance (TPR) is increased. The other
important thing to remember is the columns do not go in order necessarily they
should really in fact be reversed to show first increases renin, which increases
aldosterone, which increases TPR so dont be fooled by that.

Take home point: Low kidney perfusion (from things like renal artery stenosis or
fibromuscular dysplasia) leads to activation of the RAAS cascade and an overall
increase in BP/TPR.

6. 35-year-old woman with 3-month progressive shortness of breath with exertion. RR

26. Physical shows jvd and prominent a wave. Lungs clear. Cardiac exam shows loud
pulmonic component of S2 and right-sided S4 gallop. Increased pulmonary expression
of what?
- Endothelin-1
Why its the right answer: Dx is pulmonary hypertension secondary to pulmonary
fibrosis. An important point I want to bring up here is that the boards dont
always follow the demographic rules we know and love i.e. a middle-aged woman is
the classic demographic category for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. However, the
board examiners know that everyone is going to get the answers right if they put
that there, so they try to make the question harder (sometimes) by changing it up
and maybe giving you a 40-50-year-old MAN with pulmonary fibrosis. So again, dont
be tripped up. This clinical vignette is still pretty obvious sans the demographics
of the patient based on physical exam alone. And one of the factors that is
upregulated in pulmonary fibrosis is endothelin-1. Another KEY point is that the
lungs is the ONLY organ system, that when starved for blood, vasoconstricts instead
of vasodilating. Vasodilation is a normal response to decreased blood flow to let
more blood flow in!! However, the vessels in the lungs CONSTRICT and mainly do so
through endothelin-1. And the reason they constrict? To not promote further
deoxygenation through a V/Q or shunt defect. Finally, know the drug to treat this
condition, which decreases pulmonary hypertension by antagonizing the endothelin
receptor: Bosentan. It could be on your test (wink wink).

Take home point: Pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) results from increase in
release of endothelin-1. PAH is a consequent of pulmonary fibrosis. Bosentan is a
medication frequently used to treat PAH through antagonization of the endothelin
receptor.

7. 30-year-old woman with 2-years of numbness, blanching, and bluish color to ears,
fingers and toes after emotional upset or cold exposure. Vitals and PE normal.
Avoid taking which drug?
- Phenylephrine

Why its the right answer: Dx is Raynauds phenomenon, which is vasospasm of

arteries and arterioles, impairing circulation and resulting in color changes in
extremities, commonly the hands. The mechanism of vasoconstriction is alpha
agonism, so you would absolutely at all costs avoid drugs that act as agonists on
alpha receptors. The only drug listed that is an alpha agonist is phenylephrine,
specifically a selective alpha1-adrenergic receptor agonist.

Take home point: Avoid alpha agonists in Raynauds phenomenon.

8. 35-year-old woman with 2-day history of blistering lesions on sun-exposed face,

arms and hands. Recurrent episodes of skin lesions over several years. Taking oral
contraceptives for 15y. PE shows fluid-filled vesicles and bullae. Labs: AST
increased, ALT increased, total porphyrin increased, urine uroporphyrin III
increased. Precursor to uroporphyrin?
- Succinyl CoA

Why its the right answer: Dx is porphyria, which describes a group of disorders,
resulting in defective heme synthesis. The most common type of porphyria is
porphyria cutanea tarda. The deficient or defective enzyme is uroporphyrinogen
decarboxylase. At the start of heme synthesis, succinyl CoA and glycine combine to
form ALA (via ALA synthase), the very start of heme synthesis.

Take home point: Porphyria is a group of disorders that result in defective heme
synthesis and the buildup of uroporphyrin, an intermediate compound. The very
beginning of heme synthesis starts with succinyl CoA and glycine.

9. 65-year-old with sudden onset generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Personality

change last 6 months; used to be mild mannered and now verbally abusive. CT shows
single mass enhances with contrast in right frontal lobe and crosses to left
hemisphere through corpus callosum. Dx?
- High-grade fibrillary astrocytoma

Why its the right answer: It is pretty clear from the question that this is
cancer, and that is why the rest of the answer choices are also all cancers, and we
need to figure out which type of cancer this patient has. The key tip-offs to
knowing this is an astrocytoma are the location and characteristic crossover from
one hemisphere to the other. Astrocytomas love the supretentorial region,
specifically the frontal lobe, and therefore present with personality changes.
Furthermore, the classic butterfly lesion that goes from one hemisphere to the
other is also characteristic of astrocytomas.

Why the others are wrong: A meningioma usually presents with localized neurological
deficits since it normally has a mass effect and pushes on the cerebral
hemispheres. It also is described on imaging as a mass with a tail, since it is
sprouting from the meninges (or at least thats how I remember it). A schwannoma
is classically located in the cerebellar-pontine junction (know where this is on
imaging), and therefore intratentorial, and also will come with other s/s of
hearing loss, tinnitus, ect. Metastasis is typically 2+ lesions, not just the one,
but this could have easily been mets as well, its just that astrocytoma is a better
fit for the clinical picture presented.

Take home point: Astrocytomas are single lesions that are often in the frontal
lobe, presenting with personality changes therefore, and butterfly from lobe to
the other through the corpus callosum.