USLME medecine interne

A 35-year-old man presents with gastrointestinal complaints for the last 4 months. He currently has fever, bloody diarrhea, nausea, and severe abdominal cramps. He has lost 20 lb (9kg), and has also been feeling fatigued and anorexic. His temperature is 37.3°C (99.1° F), blood pressure is 110/74 mm Hg, pulse is 98/min, and respirations are 22/min. Physical examination reveals tenderness in the right lower quadrant. Digital rectal examination is positive for occult blood. His blood work shows: WBC 11,600 /mm3, Hemoglobin 9.6 g/dl, Hematocrit 30%, Platelets 214,000 /mm3. Flexible sigmoidoscopy reveals larger areas of ulceration within the colon. What is the best next step in the management of this patient?

A 34-year-old man presents to your office for a routine check-up. He has no current complaints except for being "a little stressed out." He works as an executive officer and travels a lot within the country. He does not smoke and consumes alcohol occasionally. He currently takes no medications. His family history is insignificant. His blood pressure is 130/80 mmHg and heart rate is 80/min. Chest examination is unremarkable. The liver span is 8 cm and the spleen is not palpable. There is no cervical lymphadenopathy. Laboratory studies show: Erythrocyte count 5 million/mm3, Hemoglobin 14.0 g/dL, Leukocyte count 8,000/mm3, Platelet count 80,000/mm3. Which of the following is the best initial test for this patient?

A 25-year-old female presents to your office complaining of exertional dyspnea and fatigue. Her past medical history is insignificant. She does not smoke or consume alcohol. Her blood pressure is 110/70 mmHg and heart rate is 90/min. Physical examination reveals pale conjunctiva. The laboratory values are: ESR 15 mm/hr, Hemoglobin 7.5 g/dL, MCV 70 fl, MCHC 29%, Leukocyte count 7,000/cmm, Segmented Neutrophils 55%, Bands 3%, Eosinophils 3%, Basophils 0%, Lymphocytes 32%, Monocytes 7%. What is the best next step in the management of this patient?

A 40-year-old male comes to the office because of progressive knee and shoulder pain, which he describes as 5/10 in intensity and started 6 months ago. He has no other medical problems, except for newly diagnosed diabetes. He admits to "chain smoking" for "all his life" and drinks 1-2 bottles of beer a night. He is faithful to his wife. His mother died of "blood cancer" when he was 3-years-old. His father also has diabetes mellitus. His temperature is 37°C (98.6° F), pulse is 86/min, blood pressure is 134/86 mmHg, and respirations are 16/min. Physical examination reveals slightly swollen and tender knee joints. Mild hepatomegaly is present on abdominal examination. What is the best next step in the management of this patient?

A 42-year-old male presents to your office complaining of fatigue. His past medical history is insignificant. He does not smoke or consume alcohol. His blood pressure is 120/70 mmHg and heart rate is 85/min. Physical examination is insignificant. Laboratory values are: Hemoglobin 7.7 g/dL, MCV 72 fL, MCHC 28%, Leukocyte count 8,000/cmm, ESR 15 mm/hr. Serum iron and ferritin levels are decreased. What is the next best step in the management of this patient?

A 35-year-old male is brought to the emergency room with headaches and confusion for the past 2 days. He denies any focal weakness or sensory symptoms. His past medical history is significant for HIV and hepatitis C infections for which he is not receiving therapy. The remainder of his medical history is unobtainable due to his mental status. On physical exam, he has a temperature of 37.9°C (100.2°F), a blood pressure of 140/86 mm Hg, a pulse of 96/min, and respirations of 16/min. Mild icterus is present. The patient's oropharynx is clear and his neck is supple and without rigidity. Examination of his chest and abdomen are unremarkable. Neurologic examination reveals no focal deficits. Laboratory studies show: Complete blood count:Hemoglobin 7.6 g/L, MCV 85 fl, Reticulocytes 8.1%, Platelet count 80,000/mm3, Leukocyte count 3,500/mm3. Chemistry panel: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 30 mg/dL, Serum creatinine 2.2 mg/dL, Serum calcium 10.0 mg/dL, Blood glucose 98 mg/dL. Liver studies:Total bilirubin 3.6 mg/dL, Direct bilirubin 1.0 mg/dL, Alkaline phosphatase 120 U/L, Aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT) 178 U/L, Alanine aminotransferase (SGPT) 255 U/L. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A 46-year-old woman comes to the office and says, "I can't believe I've lost so much weight in the last 2 months because I seem to be eating much more than ever. I also find it odd that I drink lemonade all the time, and I have to rush to the bathroom regularly. It seems like everything in me is vanishing."Her temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), blood pressure is 110/70mm Hg, pulse is 98/min, and respirations are 14/min .Physical examination reveals a lean woman with an erythematous, scaly plaques on her face, and on her buttocks. The laboratory studies reveal: WBC 6,400 /mm3, Hemoglobin 8.7 g/dL, Hematocrit 29%, Platelets 193,000/mm3, Sodium 144 mEq/L, Potassium 3.6 mEq/L, Bicarbonate 21 mEq/L, Blood urea nitrogen 16 mg/dl, Creatinine 0.6 mg/dL, Glucose 245 mg/dL. Which of the following is expected in this patient?

A 56-year-old woman comes to the office for the evaluation of an ulcer on her left elbow. The ulcer is a persistent, scaly red patch with irregular borders, and it sometimes crusts or bleeds. She recalls the time when she badly burned her left elbow while learning how to cook pasta at thirteen years of age. She works as a public relations officer in a large marketing company. She is a social smoker, and does not like drinking alcohol. Physical examination of the left elbow reveals a big scar with a firm, nontender, reddened, non-healing indolent, 3cm ulcer in the center. What is the best next step in the management of this patient?

A 64-year-old woman comes to the hospital due to an "irritating sore throat for 3 months." She admits to smoking 1 pack of cigarettes daily for the past 29 years, and continues to smoke. She was jailed twice for driving under the influence of alcohol, and went to Alcohol Rehabilitation last year. She currently denies any alcohol intake. She has no fever or any other complaints. She had a complete hysterectomy several years ago for symptomatic fibroids. Her vital signs are stable. Physical examination reveals a 1.5-cm right cervical lymph node. The rest of the examination is normal. Biopsy of the lymph node reveals metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. The CT scan of the chest is negative. What is the best next step in the management of this patient?

A 45-year-old white male comes to the emergency room with "all sorts of things going wrong with him", for the last few months. He has a severe headache, chest and abdominal pain. He is sweating profusely. He has lost weight recently, has diarrhea and palpitations. He is feeling hot all the time. Vital signs reveal BP: 190/100mm of Hg; PR 124/min; RR 18/min; Temperature 37.7° C (99.8°F). On physical examination he has enlarged cervical lymph nodes. Examination of the thyroid reveals multiple thyroid nodules. FNA biopsy reveals thyroid C-cell hyperplasia. Which of the following can also be found on laboratory results?

A 24-month-old pale child is brought to the office by his mother, who says, "Doc, I think he is under some weird spell. He acts bizarre and always seems tired. He likes to eat wooden, painted toys." The child and her mother live in a relatively poor neighborhood. CBC reveals:WBC 8,600 /mm3, Hemoglobin 7.1 g/dl, Hematocrit 25%, Platelets 166,000 /mm3. His blood lead levels are elevated. Which of the following is most likely seen in this child's peripheral blood smear?

A 42-year-old white female, who has a long history of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, presented with exertional shortness of breath. On examination, she appears very pale and there is a pulmonic flow murmur heard over the second intercostal space. Her vitals are: BP: 130/80mm of Hg; HR: 80/min and regular; RR: 16/min; Temperature 36.7°C (98°F).Initial evaluation reveals hemoglobin of 8.2 gm/dL. WBC count is within normal limits. You are suspecting an iron deficiency anemia secondary to excessive bleeding. Which one of the following studies is most definite for the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia?

A 60-year-old Hispanic laboratory technician presents with increasing fatigue and generalized weakness for the last 2 months. He also has chronic pain in the lower back and legs when he walks. He has been smoking 2-3 packs of cigarettes daily for 30 years, and drinks alcohol almost daily. His mother has diabetes, while his father died of a stroke. Physical examination reveals pallor. There is mild hepatomegaly. The neurological examination is completely normal. Complete work-up reveals: CBC: Hemoglobin 9.8 g/L, MCV 85 fl, Platelets 226,000/mm3, Leukocyte count 6,500/mm3, Neutrophils 60%, Eosinophils 1%, Lymphocytes 29%, Lvlonocytes 10%. Chemistry panel: Serum sodium 138 mEq/L, Serum potassium 4.0 mEq/L, Bicarbonate 24 mEq/L, Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 28 mg/dL, Serum creatinine 2.1 mg/dL, Calcium 11.2 mg/dL, Blood glucose 98 mg/dL. Liver studies: Albumin 4.0 mg/dL, Total protein, serum 9.5 g/dL, Total bilirubin 1.0 mg/dL, Direct bilirubin 0.8 mg/dL, Alkaline phosphatase 110 U/L, Aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT) 58 U/L, Alanine aminotransferase (SGPT) 25 U/L. ESR is 100 mm/h. What is the best next step in the management of this patient?

A 57-year-old man comes to the office and complains of long-standing heartburn and chest pain. He describes the pain as burning in nature, and unrelated to eating. For the past week, his interest in things has decreased, and he has been more tired than usual. He has lost almost 40 lbs (18kg) in the last 6 months. He used to smoke 6-10 cigarettes daily, but he quit 4 years ago. He drinks alcohol occasionally. He takes ranitidine for his heartburn. His father died at the age of 67 from lung cancer. His vital signs are stable. Physical examination is unremarkable. The chest x-ray result is within normal limits. What is the best next step in the management of this patient?

A 50-year-old woman comes to the office and complains of right shoulder pain which radiates to her hand. She has had cough for many weeks, and feels "more tired than the usual." In addition, her fingers are always swollen, and she now finds it difficult to walk because her knees give way. She has had rheumatoid arthritis for the past 10 years and is used to having pain in her joints; however, she believes that this pain is not due to her arthritis. She takes celecoxib for rheumatoid arthritis. She admits to smoking one pack of cigarettes daily for the past 25 years and to drinking one odd beer every night. All her family members have crippling rheumatoid arthritis. Her vital signs are stable. She is afebrile. Physical examination reveals drooping of the right eyelid and miosis. What is the best next step in the management of this patient?

A 54-year-old patient walks into a blood donation camp at a community hospital. His blood report shows an ELISA positive for HIV and HBsAg. He is notified of this finding, and a subsequent western blot test is also positive for HIV. Considering this new diagnosis of HIV, which of the following is indicated in this patient?

A 25-year-old female presents to her physician with a painful ulcerative lesion on her labia for the past 2 days. She also complains of dysuria. She admits to having sexual intercourse with multiple partners for the last 6 years. Tzanck preparations of one of her lesions reveal multi-nucleated giant cells. She is encouraged to undergo testing for HIV and other STDs. Which of the following is the most appropriate screening test for HIV infection?

A 27-year-old, HIV-positive man comes to his physician with a two-day history of fever, profuse watery diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. He has been taking zidovudine, didanosine, and indinavir for the past eight months. His temperature is 37.9°C (100.2°F), pulse is 102/min, respirations are 14/min, and blood pressure is 105/70 mm Hg. He is started on fluid and electrolyte support. What is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A 49-year-old man presents with a three-week history of fever, weight loss, and anorexia. He also reports muscle aches. He has no cough or shortness of breath. He has a thirty pack-year history of cigarette smoking. His temperature is 38.9°C (102°F), blood pressure is 120/76mm Hg, pulse is 90/min, and respirations are 16/min. Lungs are clear to auscultation. The rest of the physical examination is unremarkable. Blood cultures reveal Streptococcus bovis. Echocardiogram reveals vegetations on the mitral valve. Other than antibiotic treatment, what further step is recommended in this patient?

A 43-year-old male presents to a physician with an ulcer on the shaft of his penis. The ulcer is non-tender, with a raised border and a smooth base. There is bilateral inguinal adenopathy. The rest of the examination is unremarkable. Dark field microscopy of a specimen from the ulcer base reveals spirochetes. Which of the following additional screening studies should be performed on this patient?

A 19-year-old man presents to your office with a one-week history of fever, fatigue, and sore throat. He denies diarrhea or rash. He has no significant past medical history. His brother died of cystic fibrosis at 14 years of age. He admits to occasional cigarette use and alcohol consumption. He has smoked marijuana several times but has never used injectable drugs. He is sexually active with one partner and uses condoms occasionally. Physical examination reveals enlarged tonsils with a whitish exudate and enlarged, slightly tender lymph nodes deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle bilaterally. The exam is otherwise unremarkable. Which of the following is the best initial test in this patient?

A 17-year-old man presents with new symptoms of fatigue, malaise, fever, and a sore throat. He has no significant past medical history and is not on any medications. Physical examination is entirely normal except for enlarged, palpable cervical, lymph nodes. He reports no weight loss or night sweats. Laboratory investigations include a normal chest x-ray, negative throat swab, but abnormal blood film with atypical lymphocytes. The hemoglobin is 15.5 g/dL; hematocrit 42%; platelets 290,000/mL; WBC 10500/mL, with 45% segmented neutrophils, 1% eosinophils, and 54% lymphocytes, of which 36% were atypical. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial diagnostic test?

A 30-year-old male presents with right upper quadrant pain. He has been well except for an episode of diarrhea that occurred 4 months ago, just after he returned from a missionary trip to Mexico. He has lost 7 pounds. He is not having diarrhea. His blood pressure is 140/70, pulse 80, and temperature 37.5°C (99.5°F). On physical examination there is right upper-quadrant tenderness without rebound. There is some radiation of the pain to the shoulder. The liver is percussed at 14 cm. There is no lower-quadrant tenderness. Bowel sounds are normal and active. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in evaluation of the patient?

A 30-year-old male with sickle cell anemia is admitted with cough, rusty sputum, and a single shaking chill. Physical examination reveals increased tactile fremitus and bronchial breath sounds in the left posterior chest. The patient is able to expectorate a purulent sample. Which of the following best describes the role of sputum Gram stain and culture?

A 25-year-old male student presents with the chief complaint of rash. He denies headache, fever, or myalgia. A slightly pruritic maculopapular rash is noted over the abdomen, trunk, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet. Inguinal, occipital, and cervical lymphadenopathy is also noted. Hypertrophic, flat, wartlike lesions are noted around the anal area. Laboratory studies show the following: Hct: 40%, Hgb: 14 g/dL, WBC: 13,000/μL, Diff: 50% segmented neutrophils, 50% lymphocytes. Which of the following is the most useful laboratory test in this patient?

A previously healthy 19-year-old female university student develops myalgia, headache, fever, and malaise. Blood tests reveal lymphocytosis, with 20% of the lymphocytes being atypical. She remains tired and unwell for 6 weeks, but repeated tests for heterophil antibody are negative. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 20-year-old female college student presents with a 5-day history of cough, low-grade fever (temperature 37.8°C [100°F]), sore throat, and coryza. On examination, there is mild conjunctivitis and pharyngitis. Tympanic membranes are inflamed, and one bullous lesion is seen. Chest examination shows a few basilar rales. Sputum Gram stain shows white blood cells without organisms. Laboratory findings are as follows: Hct: 31, WBC: 12,000/μL, Lymphocytes: 50%, Mean corpuscular volume (MCV): 94 nL, Reticulocytes: 9% of red cells, CXR: bilateral patchy lower lobe infiltrates. Which of the following is the best method for confirmation of the diagnosis?

A 20-year-old woman complains of headache and discomfort in both sides of her jaw. Physical examination reveals enlarged parotid glands that are slightly tender on palpation. There is reddening of the orifice of Stensen’s duct on intra oral examination; her temperature is 38.3°C, and the pulse rate is 80/min. Laboratory data show hemoglobin 14 g/dL; hematocrit 40%; WBC 11000/mL, with 33% segmented neutrophils, 7% monocytes, and 60% lymphocytes. Which of the following diagnostic tests will help to confirm the diagnosis of epidemic parotitis?

A 19-year-old male presents with a 1-week history of malaise and anorexia followed by fever and sore throat. On physical examination, the throat is inflamed without exudate. There are a few palatal petechiae. Cervical adenopathy is present. The liver span is 12 cm and the spleen is palpable. Throat culture: negative for group A streptococci, Hgb: 12.5, Hct: 38%, Reticulocytes: 4%, WBC: 14, 000/μL, Segmented: 30%, Lymphocytes: 60%, Monocytes: 10%, Bilirubin total: 2.0 mg/dL (normal 0.2 to 1.2), Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) serum: 260 IU/L (normal 20 to 220), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST): 40 U/L (normal 8 to 20 U/L), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT): 35 U/L (normal 8 to 20 U/L), Alkaline phosphatase: 40 IU/L (normal 35 to 125). Which of the following is the most important initial test combination to order?

A 27-year-old man presents with diarrhea. He returned 3 weeks ago from a trip to rural South America. Over the past few days, he has gradually developed lower abdominal pain and diarrhea. Now the symptoms are much worse with eight stools a day consisting mostly of mucus and blood. He is afebrile, the abdomen is tender in left lower quadrant, and the remaining examination is normal. His stool is mostly comprised of blood and mucus. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial diagnostic test?

A 60-year-old male complains of low back pain, which has intensified over the past 3 months. He had experienced some fever at the onset of the pain. He was treated for acute pyelonephritis about 4 months ago. Physical examination shows tenderness over the L2-3 vertebra and paraspinal muscle spasm. Laboratory data show an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 80 mm/h and elevated C-reactive protein. Which of the following statements is correct?

A 40-year-old school teacher develops nausea and vomiting at the beginning of the fall semester. Over the summer she had taught preschool children in a small town in Mexico. She is sexually active, but has not used intravenous drugs and has not received blood products. Physical examination reveals scleral icterus, right upper quadrant tenderness, and a palpable liver. Liver function tests show aspartate aminotransferase of 750 U/L (normal < 40) and alanine aminotransferase of 1020 U/L (normal < 45). The bilirubin is 13 mg/dL (normal < 1.4) and the alkaline phosphatase is normal. What further diagnostic test is most likely to be helpful?

A 24-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 24-hour history of right flank pain, burning micturition and high-grade fever with chills. Her temperature is 102°F (38.9°C), blood pressure is 90/60 mm Hg, pulse is 130/min, and respirations are 20/min. Physical examination shows costovertebral angle tenderness. Which of the following is the most likely urine dipstick finding in this patient?

A 27-year-old woman complains of fatigue, low-grade fevers, anorexia, headaches and skin rash over the past several weeks. She also notes new exertional dyspnea and an unintentional 5-pound weight gain over the past two weeks. On physical examination, her blood pressure is 190/110 mmHg and her heart rate is 90/min. Which of the following is the most likely finding on this patient's urinary tests?

A 70-year-old man comes to the physician because of nocturia. He states that over the past two years his urinary frequency has increased and he has to strain while passing urine. He also notes dribbling of a few drops of urine at the end of voiding. Sometimes he has to void again within two hours. He has no other symptoms. He has no history of diabetes mellitus, stroke or trauma. He does not take any medication. His father had surgery of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia. He has a 15-pack-years history of cigarette smoking. Rectal examination shows smooth, firm enlargement of the prostate with no induration. Neurological examination shows no abnormalities. Laboratory study shows a serum creatinine of 0.7 mg/dl. Which of the following studies is indicated at this time?

A 65-year-old man comes to the physician because of increased urinary frequency and urgency, as well as suprapubic discomfort His temperature is 37C(98.6F), blood pressure is 130/75 mm Hg, pulse is 76/min, and respirations are 14/min. Rectal examination shows prostatic induration; physical examination otherwise shows no abnormalities. Urinalysis shows no abnormalities. Expressed prostatic secretions show a leukocyte count of 20 WBCs/HPF (normal is less than 10 WBCs/HPF). They are sent for culture and sensitivity, and fail to grow any bacteria. Serum prostatic specific antigen is 2 ng/ml (normal value is less than 4ng/ml). A diagnosis of nonbacterial prostatitis is suggested. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 33-year-old woman comes to the emergency department due to a 4-day history of left-sided flank pain, nausea, vomiting, fevers and chills. Her temperature is 39°C (102°F) and blood pressure is 100/60 mm Hg. Examination shows significant left costovertebral angle tenderness. Urinalysis shows positive nitrites, many WBC and bacteria. Laboratory studies show a WBC count of 17,000/cmm with 8% bands. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 14-year-old boy comes to the physician because of a 2-day history of fever and nasal discharge. He has also had malaise, fatigue and myalgia. His temperature is 38.8°C (101.9°F), blood pressure is 130/70mm Hg, pulse is 90/min, and respirations are 15/min. Examination shows no abnormalities. Urine dipstick testing shows proteinuria but there is no hematuria or pyuria; urinalysis otherwise shows no abnormalities. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 57-year-old man comes to the physician because of 2 episodes of hematuria. He also complains of cough fatigue and fever for several days. He has smoked two packs of cigarettes daily for 25 years. He does not use alcohol or drugs. Vital signs are stable. Examination shows a left-sided varicocele which fails to empty when the patient is recumbent; examination otherwise shows no abnormalities. Laboratory studies show Hb of 16.2 g/dl and platelets of 480,000/cmm. Which of the following is the most appropriate diagnostic step in management?

A patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia has moderately severe symptoms and is started on finasteride. After six months of treatment with finasteride, his symptoms improve remarkably and his prostate has regressed in size. Which of the following histological patterns was most likely present at the time of initiation of treatment?

A 65-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a two-month history of fatigue and weight gain. She has rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension. She takes hydrochlorothiazide and naproxen. She does not use tobacco, alcohol, or drugs. Her blood pressure is 120/70 mm Hg, pulse is 80/min, and respirations are 14/min. Physical examination shows generalized edema; liver is palpated 2 cm below the costal margin. Urinalysis shows 4+ proteinuria. Ultrasound of the kidneys shows slight enlargement. Renal biopsy was performed. Which of the following is the most likely finding on renal specimen analysis?

A 73-year-old man comes to the physician because of a one-year history of progressively worsening urinary urgency, hesitancy, nocturia, and weak urinary stream. He has no fever, abdominal pain, hematuria, malaise or weight loss. He takes atenolol for essential hypertension. He has no history of diabetes mellitus or ischemic heart disease. He does not use tobacco, alcohol, or drugs. Rectal examination shows a smooth, firm enlargement of the prostate with no induration or asymmetry. Neurological examination shows no abnormalities. Urinalysis shows no abnormalities. Laboratory studies show serum creatinine of 2.1 mg/dl. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 57 -year-old woman is admitted to the ICU after being involved in a highway motor vehicle accident. She was hypotensive at the scene and received 7 litters of fluids, which included crystalloids, blood, and fresh frozen plasma. She apparently had significant external blood loss from multiple fractures and skin loss. She undergoes surgery, after which she is transferred to the ICU and receives continuous IV fluids and vasopressors. Her laboratory studies 24 hours after the accident show the following: Hb 9.5 g/dl, WBC 15,000/cmm, Platelets 130,000/cmm, BUN 34 mg/dl, Serum Creatinine 2.2 mg/dl. Which of the following is the most likely microscopic finding on urinalysis?

A 46-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 2-day history of fever and chills. His fever was gradual in onset. He also complains of perineal and back pain, which is worse towards the sacral area. He has repeated urges to urinate, along with pain on micturition. Rectal examination shows a boggy, exquisitely tender prostate. Laboratory studies show: Hb 13 g/dl, Hct 40%, WBC 12,000/cmm, Platelets 329,000/cmm, Dipstick urinalysis:, Esterase +++, PH 5.0, Nitrite +++, WBC 50+, Protein +, Blood ++. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 19-year-old man presents with malaise, nausea, and decreased urine output. He was previously well, and his physical examination is normal except for an elevated jugular venous pressure (JVP) and a pericardial rub. His electrolytes reveal acute renal failure (ARF). Which of the following findings on the urinalysis is most likely in keeping with acute glomerulonephritis (GN)?

A 24-year-old woman presents with nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and gross hematuria. She had a sore throat 2 weeks ago that resolved on its own. On examination, her blood pressure is 160/90 mm Hg, pulse 90/min, JVP is 7 cm, heart sounds are normal, there is 1+ pedal edema, and the lungs are clear. She has a renal biopsy. Which of the following electron microscopy findings on the renal biopsy is most likely in keeping with poststreptococcal GN?

A 74-year-old man is brought to hospital because of urinary retention. He has a Foley catheter inserted to relieve the obstruction, and 1500 cc of urine is emptied from his bladder. Over the next few hours, he has 200cc/h of urine output. Which of the following urine electrolyte values is most likely in keeping with his diagnosis?

An 85-year-old man who resides in a nursing home presents with a 3-day history of lower abdominal pain and increasing fatigue and lethargy. He is afebrile, his BP is 160/92 mm Hg, and RR 16/min. His lungs are clear and his heart examination normal. There is diffuse abdominal tenderness on palpation and a large area of fullness and dullness to percussion starting just below the umbilicus and extending to the suprapubic area. His serum sodium is 130 mEq/L, potassium 4.9 mEq/L, BUN 75 mg/dL, and creatinine is 3.5 mg/dL. His baseline BUN and creatinine were 25 and 1.3 respectively as recently as 1 month ago. A Foley catheter is placed and 1200 cc of urine is obtained. What will be the likely clinical course for this patient with regard to his renal function?

A 64-year-old man presents with symptoms of malaise, shortness of breath, edema, and no urine output for 24 hours. His past medical history is not significant, and his only medication is daily aspirin. On examination his JVP is 4 cm, heart sounds are normal, lungs are clear, and the abdomen is soft. A Foley catheter is inserted into his bladder for 200 cc of urine, which is sent for urinalysis. His urine output still remains low. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial diagnostic test?

A 46-year-old woman with nausea and vomiting presents to hospital because of light- headedness when standing and decreased urine output. She looks unwell; the blood pressure supine is 90/60 mm Hg and 80/60 mm Hg when standing. Her abdominal, heart, and lung examinations are normal. Which of the following laboratory values suggests prerenal azotemia in this patient?

A 20-year-old man presents with obtundation. Past medical history is unobtainable. Blood pressure is 120/70 mm Hg without orthostatic change, and he is well perfused peripherally. The neurological examination is nonfocal. His laboratory values are as follows: Na: 138 mEq/L, K: 4.2 mEq/L, HCO3: 5 mEq/L, Cl: 104 mEq/L, Creatinine: 1.0 mg/dL, BUN: 14 mg/dL, Ca: 10 mg/dL. Arterial blood gas on room air: PO2 96, PCO2 15, pH 7.02 Blood glucose: 90 mg/dL. Urinalysis: normal, without blood, protein, or crystals. Which of the following is the most likely acid-base disorder?

A 17-year-old woman presents with peripheral and periorbital edema. She has previously been healthy and takes no medications. Her blood pressure is 146/92 mm Hg; she is afebrile. The patient has mild basilar dullness on lung examination; her cardiac examination is normal. She has periorbital edema and soft, doughy 3+ edema in her legs. Her serum creatinine is 0.6 mg/dL and her serum albumin is 2.1 g/L. Urinalysis shows 3+ protein, no RBC or WBC, and some oval fat bodies. What is the next best step to take in evaluating this patient?

A 56-year-old man is involved in a severe motor vehicle accident. He develops ARF after admission to hospital. One of the possibilities for his ARF is posttraumatic renal vein thrombosis. Which of the following findings is most likely to suggest renal vein thrombosis?

A 60-year-old male who emigrated from Russia comes to you with complaints of dizziness, fatigue and weight loss. A review of systems reveals that the patient experiences daily fevers and cough. He does not use tobacco, alcohol or drugs. He does not take any medication. His blood pressure is 108/64 mmHg while standing. His respiratory rate is 14/min and is unlabored. Laboratory studies reveal the following: Chemistry panel: Serum sodium 130 mEq/L, Serum potassium 5.9 mEq/L, Chloride 102 mEq/L, Serum creatinine 0.8 mg/dL, Blood glucose 58 mg/dL. Complete blood count: Hemoglobin 10.0g/L, Platelets 430,000/mm3, Leukocyte count 4,500/mm3, NeutrophiIs 46%, Lymphocytes 45%, Eosinophils 9%. Chest x-ray shows a right upper lobe cavity. Which of the following acid-base disturbances is expected in this patient?

A 20-year-old white male is found to have an elevated calcium level on routine pre-employment screening blood tests. He denies any polyuria, polydipsia or constipation. He has no significant past medical history and does not take any medication. He does not use tobacco, alcohol or drugs. His pulse rate is 82/min, blood pressure is 110/70 mmHg, temperature is 37.0°C (99°F) and respirations are 14/min. Complete physical examination is unremarkable. Laboratory studies show the following: Serum sodium 140 mEq/L, Serum potassium 4.0 mEq/L, Chloride 103 mEq/L, Bicarbonate 24 mEq/L, Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 18 mg/dl, Serum creatinine 0.8 mg/dl, Calcium 11.2 mg/dl, Blood glucose 98 mg/dl, Serum PTH level 55 pg/ml (normal 10-65 pg/ml), Urine calcium/creatinine clearance ratio < 0.01. Which of the following conditions is most consistent with this patient's findings?

A four-week-old male infant is brought to the emergency department because of persistent vomiting immediately after feeding for the past several days. Examination shows an emaciated infant with dry mucus membranes. An olive-shaped mass is palpated in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. Which of the following acid-base abnormalities is most likely in this patient? pH, PaCO2 (mm Hg), HCO3- (mEq/L)

A 35-year-old male with severe persistent bronchial asthma requiring multiple medications presents complaining of weight gain over the past several months despite no changes in appetite, diet, or activity level. He denies alcohol, tobacco, and drug use and has no other significant past medical history. On physical examination, he has a blood pressure of 143/92 mm Hg, a heart rate of 65/min, a temperature of 98.7°F, and a respiratory rate of 16/min. There is moderate supraclavicular fullness, and his skin is thin with areas of bruising and acne. Neurologic exam reveals decreased proximal muscle strength. Which of the following findings is most likely to also be present in this patient?

A 42-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with multiple complaints. She reports that she had been feeling well until approximately one month ago, when she began to feel increasingly fatigued and weak. For the past two weeks, she has had anorexia, nausea, and abdominal pain. In the past three days, she has had two syncopal episodes. Her medical history is unremarkable and she takes no medications. She denies tobacco and drug use and drinks wine only occasionally. Physical exam reveals a temperature of 36.7°C (98°F), blood pressure of 86/52 mmHg, heart rate of 90/min, and respiratory rate of 18/min. Her cardiac exam is normal and her lungs are clear to auscultation bilaterally. You note hyperpigmentation of the skin in the palmar creases. Which of the following additional findings is most likely to be present in this patient?

A 42-year-old male is found unconscious in a subway station. He is brought to the emergency department where cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is done and IV glucose and thiamine are given. His lab profile shows: Blood pH 7.20, PaO2 90mmHg, PaCO2 30mmHg, HCO3 12 mEq/L. Which of the following is the best next step in the diagnosis of this patient's acid-base status?

A 43-year-old woman presents to the emergency department complaining of confusion. Her other complaints include increased thirst and "using the bathroom more frequently." She denies any fever, chills, headache, chest pain, shortness of breath, or cough. Her past medical history is significant for bipolar disorder that is well-controlled by medication. She does not drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or use illicit drugs. Her vital signs are stable, and physical exam is unremarkable. Laboratory studies reveal the following: Sodium 154 mEq/L, Potassium 4.1 mEq/L, Chloride 116 mEq/L, Bicarbonate 28 mEq/L, Glucose 95 mg/dl, Urine osmolality 250 mOsm/L, Plasma osmolality 326 mOsm/L. What is the most likely cause of this patient's symptoms and laboratory findings?

An 87-year-old female is brought to the emergency department for evaluation of altered mental status. Her medical history is significant for multi-infarct dementia, hypertension, stroke, coronary artery disease, severe degenerative joint disease, chronic atrial fibrillation, constipation and urinary incontinence. Her medications include aspirin, acetaminophen, atenolol, nitroglycerin, multivitamins, pravastatin, docusate, senna, digoxin and glucosamine. She lives in a local nursing home, and the people who brought her to the ED deny any history of new symptoms. Her blood pressure is 110/70 mmHg, pulse is 98/min, respirations are 16/min and temperature is 36.1°C (97°F). Physical examination reveals dry mucus membranes and decreased skin turgor. There are no new focal neurologic deficits. Which of the following is most likely to be present in this patient?

A 56-year-old diabetic male is brought to the emergency department due to nausea and vomiting. While you are examining the patient, a nurse asks if determination of the patient's acid-base status will help ascertain the etiology and subsequent management of the patient's primary problem. Which of the following pairs of laboratory values will help get the best picture of the patient's acid-base status?

A 45-year-old female with severe depression, migraine and rheumatoid arthritis is brought in after she was found to have nausea, fever and upper abdominal discomfort. The patient describes severe tinnitus and vertigo. She admits that she overdosed on one of her medications. Her temperature is 38.5°C (101.3°F), blood pressure is 120/76 mm Hg, pulse is 90/min and respirations are 24/min. Physical examination is unremarkable. Which of the following acid-base statuses is most likely in this patient? pH, PaCO2 (mm Hg), HCO3- (mEq/L)

As you are walking across the hospital lobby, you stumble upon the arterial blood gas (ABG) results of a patient. The ABG (on room air) results are shown below: Blood pH 7.43, PaO2 100 mm Hg, PaCO2 25 mm Hg, HCO3- 16 mEq/L. Which of the following patients is most likely to have these laboratory values?

A 27-year-old man complains of difficulty in walking. He noticed leg weakness several days ago, and now he is barely able to walk. He also complains of mild back pain and foot numbness. Two weeks ago, he had an upper respiratory tract infection. Physical examination reveals lower extremity muscle weakness, absent knee and ankle reflexes, and minimal sensory loss. Spinal MRI shows no abnormalities. Which of the following findings would you expect on CSF analysis in this patient? (Protein, WBC, count RBC, count Glucose)

A 27-year-old man complains of poor appetite, loss of interest in his daily activities, and impaired sleep. He has lost 10 pounds over the last two months. He says that he feels regretful about IV drug abuse in his past, but denies having suicidal or homicidal thoughts. He drinks alcohol occasionally but denies regular alcohol consumption or early morning drinking. He is sexually active with one partner and she uses oral contraceptives. On physical examination, his pulse is 76/min and his blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg. His heart and lung exams are unremarkable and his abdomen is soft and non-tender. The liver span is 9 cm and the spleen is not palpable. He is fully oriented to person, place and time but performs poorly on memory tests. Which of the following is the best next step in managing this patient?

A 23-year-old white man is brought to the emergency department (ED) by an ambulance due to an epileptic seizure. He fell on the sidewalk while going home from a pub, where he had two beers. A witness noted tonic-clonic movements of all four extremities for about one minute. This seizure was his first episode, and lasted 30 minutes. In the ED, he is in a state of partial confusion and disoriented to time, place and person. The physical examination does not reveal any focal neurologic pathology. His eye exam does not show any papilledema. His airway is secured, and his breathing is normal. CBC, serum electrolytes, EKG and chest x-ray are normal. Urine toxicology screen is ordered, and lorazepam is given. What is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A 35-year-old bank executive is brought to the emergency department after the sudden onset of a severe (10/10) headache, followed by a brief period of unconsciousness. His headache started while he was at a meeting and shortly thereafter, he vomited and lost consciousness. He regained consciousness soon afterwards, but was quite confused and irritable. His blood pressure is 160/100 mm Hg, pulse is 90/min, temperature is 37.2°C (99°F), and respirations are 16/min. The physical examination reveals a normal pupil size, no congestion or inflammation of the eye, and no focal neurological deficits. The ECG reveals nonspecific ST and T wave changes. The CT scan shows a subarachnoid hemorrhage. What is the most likely expected electrolyte abnormality with the patient's disease?

68-year-old white male comes to the emergency department due to a sudden onset of right-sided hemiplegia, headache and impaired consciousness. There is no prior history of transient ischemic attacks. His medical problems include hypertension, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, tobacco abuse, benign essential tremor, gout, and benign prostatic hyperplasia. His medications include amlodipine, simvastatin, colchicine, propranolol, and doxazosin. The neurological exam shows right-sided weakness and hemi-sensory loss. There is a carotid bruit on his left side. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 76-year-old male with a history of mild dementia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus is brought to the emergency department by his daughter because of two days of confusion, disorientation and decreased oral intake. She says that he has been talking to people who are not there and wandering around the house in the middle of the night. His current medications are metoprolol, valsartan and metformin. On physical examination, his blood pressure is 100/60 mmHg and his heart rate is 70/min. Which of the following initial evaluations is most important for this patient?

A 69-year-old patient is brought to the office by his daughter because his behavior changed progressively for the past several months. He roams in the apartment at night, and forgets his grandchildren's names. Three days ago, he was found by the doorman urinating by the building's gates. His wife died three years ago. He insists that there is nothing wrong with him, and tries to give excuses for what his daughter is reporting. He does not feel particularly fatigued and has a good appetite. He does not smoke, has no history of alcohol abuse, and no history of diabetes. His blood pressure is 155/85 mm Hg, pulse is 90 /min, and respirations are 15/min. Although the neurologic exam was difficult to assess, there were no abnormalities found. The Babinski sign is negative bilaterally. There is no evidence of rectal or bladder incontinence. The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score is 15/30 (normal > 24). The laboratory studies show: Hb 13.5 g/dl, RBC 4.5 million/mm3, Hct 45%, Leukocyte count 4,500/mm3, Platelet count 230,000/mm3, MCV 83 um3, MCHC 32% Hb/cell, S. calcium 9.0 mg/dl, S. sodium 137 mEq/dL, S. potassium 4.0 mEq/dL, S. creatinine 1.1 mg/dl, S. glucose 100 mg/dl, TSH 3 uU/mL, Total cholesterol 180 mg/dl. CT scan is done. Which of the following abnormalities would you expect to see on the CT scan?

A 34-year-old Caucasian man presents to your office with a several day history of difficulty walking. He also describes some "funny" sensations in his feet. He denies any recent skin rash, diarrhea, or joint pain. His past medical history is significant only for a recent mild respiratory infection. He visited his friends in Connecticut one month ago. He smokes one pack of cigarettes a day and admits to occasional IV drug use. He is not sexually active. His temperature is 36°C (98°F), heart rate is 90/min, respirations are 20/min, and blood pressure is 160/100 mmHg. Chest examination is unremarkable. Abdomen is soft and non-tender. The liver span is 8 cm and the spleen is not palpable. Cranial nerves II-XII are intact. Muscle strength is reduced in the lower extremities but well preserved in the upper extremities. Lower extremity sensation is decreased. Stroking the soles of the feet elicits extension of the great toe. Which of the following is most likely to diagnose this patient's condition?

An 18-year-old girl comes to the office due to a three-week history of headaches that has been disturbing her daily activities, including her sleep. She describes these headaches as pulsatile, diffuse, and occasionally results in vomiting. Her school grades have deteriorated over the past 3 months. She complains of double vision when she looks sideways. Her family history is significant for migraine. She is afebrile. Her neurologic examination is significant for sixth cranial nerve palsy. The pupils are equal, and reactive to light and accommodation. There is no sinus tenderness. Fundoscopy reveals bilateral papilledema. MRI of the brain reveals an empty sella. What is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A 30-year-old white female presents with an attack of common migraine. This is her fourth attack of migraine over the last 4 months. Her attacks previously responded well to aspirin and ibuprofen; however, her current headache is very severe and not relieved by NSAIDs. She has been trying to conceive for the past 2 months. Six years ago, she was treated with isoniazid due to a positive PPD test. Her father died at the age of 45 from an acute myocardial infarction. Before starting therapy with serotonin agonists (e.g., sumatriptan), which of the following tests should be performed in this patient?

A 72-year-old male comes to the emergency department (ED) due to a sudden onset of right-sided weakness, aphasia and incontinence. He did not lose consciousness. All his symptoms started suddenly, 1 hour ago. He was previously diagnosed with hyperlipidemia, and is on simvastatin. He is a known smoker and alcoholic. He is taking aspirin as prophylaxis for heart attacks and strokes. His family history is not significant. His blood pressure is 160/88 mm Hg, pulse is 78/min, respirations are 18/min, and temperature is 37.8°C (100°F). He is admitted to the ED, and a patent airway is secured. The cardiac examination and EKG findings are normal. CT of the brain shows no acute hemorrhage. Which of the following interventions will result in the best outcome in this patient?

A 17-year-old girl is brought to the office by her mother due to weakness of her hands and legs. The weakness has been progressively worsening over the past 24 hours, and she now feels that the weakness is affecting her hips. Her mother says she was a bit unwell a couple of weeks ago, but otherwise her past medical history is unremarkable. The physical examination reveals 1/5 power in ankle and knee flexion/extension and 2/5 power in hip flexion. Reflexes are absent in her lower extremities bilaterally. She is admitted to the hospital. Spinal fluid analysis shows albumino-cytologic dissociation. Which of the following tests is the most appropriate for monitoring her respiratory function?

A 29-year-old female is brought to the emergency department due to paraplegia, urinary incontinence and urgency. She denies any trauma. She has a history of trigeminal neuralgia. The neurological examination shows spasticity and hyperreflexia in the lower extremities, and impaired vibration and proprioception in her left forearm. Which of the following is the most likely finding in this patient's cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination?

A 28-year-old Caucasian female presents to the emergency department (ED) appearing very anxious. She is accompanied by her boyfriend. She woke up this morning with severe weakness over the right side of her body. The weakness came on all of a sudden, but gradually resolved during the day. She denies any sensory symptoms. Her boyfriend reports that her speech was "weird, almost as if she was stuttering or struggling to get her words out." This too has resolved. The patient denies any other symptoms. The only other history of note is that she returned from a holiday in Italy 2 days ago. Vitals signs are unremarkable. The neurological examination is normal. Her chest x-ray is within normal limits. EKG shows normal sinus rhythm with a rate of 82/min. An urgent head CT scan is within normal limits. Which of the following investigations is most likely to reveal the underlying cause of this episode?

A 76-year-old Caucasian female is brought to the hospital with a one-hour history of confusion. Her husband says that she started to complain of occipital headaches two hours ago and took some acetaminophen; an hour later, he found her confused on the couch and called an ambulance. She has no recent history of fever, chills, ear pain, or upper respiratory infection. Her past medical history is significant for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and atrial fibrillation. She had triple vessel coronary artery bypass five years ago. Her current medications include warfarin, metoprolol, diltiazem and lisinopril, plus 25 units of long-acting insulin at bedtime. She lives with her husband and is independent in her activities of daily living. On examination, her blood pressure is 160/90 mmHg and her heart rate is 80/min and irregular. She is unable to follow simple commands or speak. She moves all four extremities. Deep tendon reflexes are symmetric and Babinski reflexes are downgoing bilaterally. Which of the following is the best next step in evaluating this patient?

A 26-year-old white female presents with worsening weakness of her right upper extremity, left lower extremity and ataxia. She also complains of unilateral eye pain and visual loss. The eye pain is worsened by ocular movements. On eye examination, there is a central visual field defect in her right eye. Fundoscopy is normal. Neurological examination shows spastic paraparesis in the right upper extremity and the left lower extremity. What is the most appropriate next step in this patient's management?

A 52-year-old male comes to the office due to a sudden onset of photophobia, redness around the eye and pain in his right eye. He also has nausea and a terrible headache, which has not responded to ibuprofen. He denies any trauma, and has never had such an episode before. He was watching TV when the event started. The physical examination reveals a non-reactive mid-dilated pupil. The eye appears red with conjunctival flushing. What is the best diagnostic test for this patient's condition?

A 32-year-old female is brought to the clinic by her husband because he believes she is a malingerer and is "just being difficult." Sometimes, she appears confused and disoriented. Over the past year, she has complained of visual loss, eye pain and inability to do any household chores. Two months ago, she claimed to have lost control of her bladder. Interestingly, she is "her normal self" when it is time to go for summer trips. The wife insists that she does not understand what is happening to her, and adds that she occasionally loses the ability to move her right hand. The physical examination is basically normal. The patient appears, alert, oriented, and is in no distress. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 45-year-old Caucasian male presents in the office with a movement disorder and behavioral disturbance. For the past month, he has been having frequent, sudden, jerky and irregular movements of his upper extremities. He has become irritable, and does not visit his family or friends. He is a business executive, and co-workers have commented on the serious decline in his performance. His father had similar problems and died in a nursing home CT scan is ordered. Which of the following is a typical CT finding in such patients?

A 69-year-old comatose man is brought to the emergency department by an ambulance. His wife says that he has been hypertensive for the past twenty years, and he is not compliant with his medication. His pulse is 80/min and blood pressure is 240/140 mm Hg. The physical examination reveals reactive pupils, no oculocephalic reflexes, no nystagmus, positive conjugate gaze deviation to the left, and reflexes of 3/4 on the right and 2/4 on the left side. Which of the following is most likely to be seen on computed tomography?

A 75-year-old male comes to the office for the evaluation of a two-month history of intermittent right eye visual loss. Each episode is "painless, lasts a few seconds, and feels like a curtain coming over the eye." He denies any other symptoms. He has never had any trauma to his eye, and does not use any medications. His past medical history is significant for hypertension. He quit smoking 20 years ago, but had smoked for 25 years. On examination, the patient is alert and without neurologic findings. His blood work and chest x-ray are normal. What is the best next step in the management of this patient?

A 60-year-old, obese, diabetic woman comes to the office and complains of "balance problems while walking." She also has tingling and paresthesias in her feet, decreased sensation below the knees, and burning and aching sensations in both legs. She has been very fatigued lately. The neurological examination reveals diminished proprioception peripherally on her feet, "stocking" distribution of hypesthesia from her knees distally, and positive signs of spinal ataxia. What is the best diagnostic test for this patient's condition?

A 12-year-old male child comes to the office after being referred for a medical evaluation. His schoolteacher says that he has a problem concentrating during class. He stares in space for a few seconds several times a day, and appears totally absorbed in his thoughts. He is not disruptive in class, but appears forgetful. There is no history of trauma, infection or problems at birth. On examination, the child is alert with stable vital signs. There is no loss of motor or sensory perception. Which of the following can confirm the patient's diagnosis?

A 22-year-old white male comes to the office and complains of a noise in his right ear. The noise has been intermittently present for several months, but recently became "very annoying." He also complains of decreased hearing on his right side while using the telephone. His past medical history is insignificant. The physical examination reveals numerous cafe-au-lait spots. What is the best next step in the management of this patient?

A 30-year-old male comes to the emergency department screaming, "Something blew into my right eye while I was drilling I' He complains of a foreign body sensation in the right eye, photophobia, and excessive lacrimation. Gross examination of the right eye with a penlight after the application of a topical anesthetic is insignificant. What is the best next step in the management of this patient?

A 60-year-old man with a history of hypertension and migraine headaches presents to the ED with a headache. He describes left-sided headache and eye pain that is associated with nausea and vomiting. The patient has a long history of migraines, but says his migraines do not usually include eye pain. On examination, his temperature is 97.6°F, HR 84 beats per minute, RR 12 breaths per minute, and BP 134/80 mm Hg. His neurologic examination is normal. His left eye is mid-dilated and nonreactive. His cornea is cloudy. His corrected visual acuity is 20/50 in the left eye and 20/20 in the right eye. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 65-year-old man presents to your office complaining of progressive breathing difficulty. His past medical history is significant for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and myocardial infarction experienced two years ago. His current medications are hydrochlorothiazide, atenolol, glipizide, and aspirin. He does not smoke or consume alcohol. His vital signs are BP 156/96 mmHg, PR 65/min, RR 18/min, T 36.7°C (98°F). Physical examination shows mild symmetric edema of the lower extremities. Hepatojugular reflex is positive. Point of maximal impulse is displaced downward and to the left. Soft blowing systolic murmur is heard on the apex. Breath sounds are diminished on the right side. Serum protein level is 6.5 g/dl and serum LDH is 200 mg/ml. After taking a chest radiograph, you suspect pleural effusion on the right and decide to perform diagnostic thoracocentesis. Which of the following findings, on pleural fluid analysis, is most consistent with this patient's condition?

A 68-year-old female is admitted with a broken hip after a fall. She undergoes a left hip replacement, which was uneventful. After spending two days in bed, she undergoes partial non-weight bearing physiotherapy. Five days later, she has developed shortness of breath and a swollen leg. A deep vein thrombosis is discovered. An arterial blood gas evaluation is done for suspected pulmonary embolism. What is the most consistent finding of pulmonary embolism?

A 45-year-old man presents with two days of bilateral hand pain that is most severe in his wrists. Physical examination reveals bilateral wrist tenderness, thickening of the distal fingers, and convex nail beds. There is nicotine staining of the right index and middle fingers. He states that he has been smoking 2 packs of cigarettes a day for the past 25 years. Chest examination reveals decreased breath sounds and a prolonged expiratory phase. The patient relates the pain's onset to a data entry job he recently started. He notes that his boss believes he is fabricating his pain to get off work. His job records reveal numerous sick leaves. Which of the following is the most appropriate course of action?

A 45-year-old man presents to the emergency department with a two-day history of fever, chills and productive cough. He reports having had two episodes of pneumonia over the past six months, both of which resolved completely with levofloxacin therapy. He smoked cigarettes for twenty years, but quit recently with the second bout of pneumonia. Today, his temperature is 38.9°C (102°F), pulse is 98/minute, blood pressure is 110/80 mm Hg, and respirations are 18/min. On physical examination, there are crackles and bronchial breath sounds over the right lower lobe of the lung. Chest x-ray shows right lower lobe consolidation; previous x-rays also show consolidation in this area. What is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A 45-year-old female with a past medical history of rheumatoid arthritis presents to the emergency department with right calf pain and swelling of sudden onset. She denies fever, chills, dyspnea, chest pain, or history of trauma to the leg. She has smoked a half pack of cigarettes daily for 20 years. Her only medicine is methotrexate for her rheumatoid arthritis. On physical examination, her temperature is 37.0°C (98.6°F), pulse is 70/min, blood pressure is 140/80 mmHg, and respirations are 14/min. Her BMI is 30 kg/m2. Examination of the right calf reveals mild redness, warmth and tenderness. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A 53-year-old white male comes to your office with long history of cough, periodic shortness of breath, and wheezing. His family history is significant for asthma in his mother and hypertension and diabetes in his father. He is not taking any medications. He smokes two packs a day ever since he was 16 years of age and consumes alcohol occasionally. Physical examination reveals bilateral scattered expiratory wheezes. Which of the following tests can help you most in differentiating asthma from emphysema in this patient?

A 65-year-old female undergoes total right hip replacement after fracturing the neck of her femur. There are no surgical complications, and afterwards she is started on enoxaparin (low molecular weight heparin) for deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis. On the third postoperative day, she suddenly becomes anxious and complains of right sided chest pain and shortness of breath. She has a history of hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. She has a 20 pack-year smoking history, but quit 10 years ago. On exam, her temperature is 37.2°C (98.9°F), blood pressure is 126/76 mm Hg, pulse is 110/min and respirations are 30/min. Her oxygen saturation is 88% on room air. She is diaphoretic but her chest is clear to auscultation. A portable chest x-ray shows no abnormalities. EKG reveals sinus tachycardia and non-specific ST/T-wave changes. Which of the following studies would most likely reveal the diagnosis?

A 29-year-old woman presents with chest pain and exertional dyspnea of 10days duration. Her medical history is significant for a normal spontaneous vaginal delivery three months ago, after which she has had frequent episodes of dark bloody vaginal discharge. The most recent bleeding episode was 6 days ago. The patient denies fever, chills, hemoptysis, orthopnea, or leg pain. She does not smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, or use illicit drugs. Her temperature is 37.7°C (98.9°F), pulse is 80/min, blood pressure is 110/68 mmHg and respirations are 16/min. Examination shows clear lungs. Pelvic examination shows an enlarged uterus. Complete blood count and serum electrolytes are within normal limits. Chest radiographs reveal multiple bilateral infiltrates of various shapes. Which of the following investigations will be most helpful in establishing the diagnosis?

A 55-year-old male presents with face and arm swelling that he says is worst when he wakes in the morning. He also notes a 10-pound unintentional weight loss over the past three months, plus new-onset exertional dyspnea. His past medical history is significant for hypertension, for which he takes hydrochlorothiazide. He has smoked cigarettes for the past 40 years and drinks alcohol occasionally. On physical examination, he is afebrile and his vital signs are within normal limits. His face is plethoric and darkappearing. The veins on the anterior chest wall appear engorged. His abdomen is soft, non-tender, and nondistended, and there is no organomegaly. The lower extremities are non-edematous. What is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A 34-year-old male is recovering from head trauma sustained in a motor vehicle accident. He is currently in the intensive care unit on mechanical ventilation. His most recent arterial blood gas analysis shows: pH 7.54, PaO2 124 mmHg, PaCO2 20 mmHg, Bicarbonate 17 mEq/L. Which of the following additional findings do you most expect in this patient?