USMLE_Management XIV

A couple consults you because each has neurofibromatosis and wish to know what their reproductive possibilities are. You should tell them which of the following?

A female infant is born by vaginal delivery at 39 weeks' gestational age without any significant complications. There is no history of any genetic diseases in the family. She is noted to have a port-wine stain on the right side of her face that is 4 cm in length and 3 cm in width. Which of the following treatment modalities offers the best palliation for cosmetic purposes?

A female infant is born full-term to a 24-year-old Caucasian primigravida. The delivery was uncomplicated. The Apgar scores were 7 and 8 at 1 and 5 minutes, respectively. The prenatal course was complicated with asymptomatic bacteriuria that was treated with an antibiotic. The mother took multivitamins during her last trimester, occasionally took acetaminophen for back pain throughout the pregnancy, and denies smoking and alcohol consumption. Physical examination of the infant reveals a blood-tinged vaginal discharge and bilaterally enlarged mammary glands. What is the best next step in the management of this patient?

A few weeks after a presumed viral respiratory infection, a 4-year-old girl presents with bruising and petechiae. Bone marrow examination reveals increased numbers of megakaryocytes but is otherwise normal. Hb is 13.5 g/100 mL. Platelet count is 30,000/mm3. Which of the following would be appropriate for this child at this time?

A fourth-year medical student develops a new onset headache that he describes as "excruciating." He denies any fever or vomiting. He requests the emergency department physician to order a CT scan of his head, as he is certain that he has developed an intracranial hemorrhage. A complete workup, including an ophthalmologic evaluation, is negative. In spite of reassurance from the physician, the student continues to be excessively worried and is unable to focus on his studies due to persistent thoughts about having a "brain bleed." Which of these would be the most effective step in resolving this patient's symptoms?

A frantic mother telephones the pediatric office. She reports that her 10-year-old boy accidentally splashed Drano (a strongly corrosive, alkaline drain cleaner) on his face, and he is screaming in pain complaining that his right eye hurts terribly. Which of the following is the best advice to give to the mother?

A full-term 6-day-old boy presents to a physician’s office for routine care. He is tolerating breast milk well. He is urinating, defecating, and sleeping normally. Physical examination reveals an alert new-born with mild eczema, good skin turgor, normal reflexes, and a musty odor. His newborn laboratory screen is notable for phenylketones in the urine. What is the best advice to give his parents regarding the boy’s diet?

A generally healthy 74-year-old woman who recently moved into the area visits the physician’s office for her first well-visit. She states that her previous doctor had been treating her with propylthiouracil (PTU) for subclinical hyperthyroidism, but that her prescription ran out several months ago. Laboratory studies reveal that her free thyroxine and triiodothyronine levels are normal, but her thyroid-stimulating hormone is depressed. PTU therapy is most important in this patient to prevent the development of which disorder?

A group of illegal immigrants is smuggled across the border in a closed metal truck in the middle of summer. When apprised by radio that the border patrol is on their trail, the smugglers abandon their charges in the middle of the desert, in the locked truck, with little water to drink. The victims are found and rescued 5 days later. One of them is brought to the emergency department, awake and alert, with obvious clinical signs of severe dehydration and a serum sodium concentration of 155mEq/L. Which of the following would be the best choice and rate of IV fluid administration?

A healthy 23-year-old G1P0 has had an uncomplicated pregnancy to date. She is disappointed because she is 40 weeks gestational age by good dates and a first-trimester ultrasound. She feels like she has been pregnant forever, and wants to have her baby now. The patient reports good fetal movement; she has been doing kick counts for the past several days and reports that the baby moves about eight times an hour on average. On physical examination, her cervix is firm, posterior, 50% effaced, and 1 cm dilated, and the vertex is at a-1 station. As her obstetrician, which of the following should you recommend to the patient?

A healthy 25-year-old G1P0 at 40 weeks gestational age comes to your office to see you for a routine obstetric (OB) visit. The patient complains to you that on several occasions she has experienced dizziness, light-headedness, and feeling as if she is going to pass out when she lies down on her back to take a nap. What is the most appropriate plan of management for this patient?

A healthy 28-year-old woman comes to the physician for an annual physical examination. Her past medical history is unremarkable. Menses occur every 28 days and last 4-5 days. Her last menstrual period was 2 weeks ago. She became sexually active at age 18 and has had 3 sexual partners since then. The patient is in a relationship with her boyfriend of one year and uses oral contraceptives. She does not use tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs. Vital signs and general physical examination are within normal limits. Pelvic examination shows no cervical motion tenderness, adnexal masses, or cervical discharge. Pap smear is performed in the office. The results show adequate cellularity with transformation zone present and atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management of this patient?

A healthy 30-year-old G1P0 at 41 weeks gestational age presents to labor and delivery at 11:00 PM because she is concerned that her baby has not been moving as much as normal for the past 24 hours. She denies any complications during the pregnancy. She denies any rupture of membranes, regular uterine contractions, or vaginal bleeding. On arrival to labor and delivery, her blood pressure is initially 140/90 but decreases with rest to 120/75. Her prenatal chart indicates that her baseline blood pressures are 100 to 120/60 to 70 mm Hg. The patient is placed on an external fetal monitor. The fetal heart rate baseline is 180 beats per minute with absent variability. There are uterine contractions every 3 minutes accompanied by late fetal heart rate decelerations. Physical examination indicates that the cervix is long/closed/-2. Which of the following is the appropriate plan of management for this patient?

A healthy 30-year-old G2P1001 presents to the obstetrician’s office at 34 weeks for a routine prenatal visit. She has a history of a cesarean section (low transverse) performed secondary to fetal malpresentation (footling breech). This pregnancy, the patient has had an uncomplicated prenatal course. She tells her physician that she would like to undergo a trial of labor during this pregnancy. However, the patient is interested in permanent sterilization and wonders if it would be better to undergo another scheduled cesarean section so she can have a bilateral tubal ligation performed at the same time. Which of the following statements is true and should be relayed to the patient?

A healthy 31-year-old G3P2002 patient presents to the obstetrician’s office at 34 weeks gestational age for a routine return visit. She has had an uneventful pregnancy to date. Her baseline blood pressures were 100 to 110/60 to70, and she has gained a total of 20 lb so far. During the visit, the patient complains of bilateral pedal edema that sometimes causes her feet to ache at the end of the day. Her urine dip indicates trace protein, and her blood pressure in the office is currently 115/75. She denies any other symptoms or complaints. On physical examination, there is pitting edema of both legs without any calf tenderness. Which of the following is the most appropriate response to the patient’s concern?

A healthy 32-year-old primigravid woman at 12 weeks' gestation comes for a routine prenatal visit. She has no complaints. She does not smoke or consume alcohol. She has blood group 0, Rh+ and her husband has blood group AB, Rh+. She is concerned about the risk of alloimmunization because her mother had that problem during her second pregnancy. You respond that although the child will have a blood group different from hers, alloimmunization is of little concern because?

A healthy 32-year-old woman vaginally delivers a healthy full-term baby boy. You are called to consult postpartum because the patient has difficulty with voiding. The delivery was the patient’s third child and was uncomplicated. However, by the end of her second day of hospitalization she is able to urinate only 25 cc at a time. Straight catheterization by the nurse reveals postvoid residuals of more than 300 cc. The patient denies any history of urinary tract infection, kidney stones, or prior voiding difficulties. She has no neurologic complaints. She has no significant past medical history. Surgical history is significant for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy 5 years ago. Her only medications are prenatal vitamins. She does not smoke or drink. On physical examination, she is in no distress but appears fatigued. She is afebrile and vital signs are normal. Heart and lung examination is within normal limits. Abdomen is appropriate for her recent delivery, soft and nontender. It is difficult to elicit any suprapubic distention. Rectal examination shows good sphincter tone. There are no gross neurologic deficits of the extremities. All of her laboratory studies are normal as well, and urinalysis does not show any leukocyte esterase, nitrites, or white blood cells. You prescribe bethanechol to help with her current urologic condition. As the prescribing physician, about which of the following side effects must you inform this patient?

A healthy 34-year-old G1P0 patient comes to see you in your office for a routine OB visit at 12 weeks gestational age. She tells you that she has stopped taking her prenatal vitamins with iron supplements because they make her sick and she has trouble remembering to take a pill every day. A review of her prenatal labs reveals that her hematocrit is 39%. Which of the following statements is the best way to counsel this patient?

A kidney transplant recipient presents with severe acute rejection that does not respond to steroid treatment. Administration of which of the following agents is the best step in her management?

A male infant is born to a primigravid woman whose pregnancy was uneventful. The delivery was uncomplicated. Physical examination of the newborn reveals deformity of the feet, specifically adduction of the anterior aspect of the foot with a convex lateral border and concave medial border. The ankle movements are normal, and passive and active movement of the foot overcorrects the deformity into abduction. AP radiographs reveal mild adduction of the metatarsals at the tarsometatarsal articulation, and an increased angle between the 1st and 2nd metatarsals. What is the best next step in the management of this patient?

A male infant, born to a 32-year-old white female, develops a bluish discoloration of the extremities and oral mucous membranes at 30 minutes of life. On examination, the infant is found to have tachypnea, nasal flaring and respiratory grunting. Auscultation reveals poor air entry on the left with a shift of cardiac sounds to the right. The abdomen has a scaphoid shape. The antenatal history is significant for polyhydramnios in the mother. The neonatologist on call suspects a diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. What is the most appropriate next step in the management of this neonate?

A man involved in a high-speed, head-on automobile collision arrives at the emergency department in a deep coma. His pupils react poorly to light but are of equal size. An airway is placed, and the patient is sent for CT scan of the head with extension to the neck. The study shows no cervical spine fractures, but does reveal a small, crescent-shaped hematoma on the right side, with no deviation of the midline structures. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A man who weighs 65 kg sustains second and third degree burns over both of his lower extremities when his pants catch on fire. When examined shortly thereafter, it is ascertained that virtually all of the skin from both groins to the tip of the toes, front and back, has been burned. According to the modified Parkland formula, which of the following is the approximate total amount of IV fluid that he can be expected to require during the first 24 hours post-burn?

A middle-aged Asian American married couple comes to clinic for a routine examination. Both the husband and wife have been known patients of yours for many years. The husband is being treated for coronary artery disease and tension headaches. Today, he mentions that he "cannot get an erection" even when he feels sexual desire. He adds that he still finds his wife physically attractive and that they are mutually compatible in every respect. This recent development has been causing him significant anxiety and has been a source of concern for his wife. After ruling out medical and psychological causes for his erectile dysfunction by taking a detailed history and pursuing a thorough workup, you agree to his request that he be started on sildenafil. One week later, his wife places an urgent call to your office, reporting that her husband developed severe chest pain "after taking the new medication you prescribed." An EKG done in the emergency department reveals new inferior wall ischemia. You immediately realize that you should not have written him the prescription for sildenafil because he was already using a nitroglycerin patch for his coronary artery disease. What is the most appropriate next step?

A middle-aged homeless man is brought to the emergency department because of very severe pain in his forearm. He had passed out after drinking a bottle of cheap wine, and then slept on a park bench for an indeterminate time, probably more than 12 hours. Shortly after he woke up and began to walk, the pain began. There are no signs of trauma, but the muscles in his forearm are very firm and tender to palpation and passive motion of his fingers and wrist elicits excruciating pain. Pulses at the wrist are normal. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A middle-aged man was recently diagnosed with hypertension. The antihypertensive medication prescribed to him enhances natriuresis, decreases serum angiotensin II concentration, and decreases aldosterone production. This medication most likely belongs to which of the following drug classes?

A middle-aged married couple brings their 10-year-old daughter to the pediatrician because "she just is too tired to play nowadays and sleeps all the time." The parents say that their daughter is winded with minimal exertion. Further inquiry reveals that for the past two weeks, the girl has had bleeding gums when she brushes her teeth. Physical examination demonstrates pallor and hepatosplenomegaly. An extensive workup indicates that the girl is suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and her parents are informed that chemotherapy will be necessary. The parents firmly refuse to comply with this treatment plan, however, because they are convinced that the side effects will be too severe. Despite a lengthy discussion about the benefits of treatment and the likely consequences for their daughter if therapy is withheld, the girl’s parents insist upon taking her home. What is the most appropriate next step?

A middle-aged woman is found wandering the streets with an abnormal gait. Police officers bring her to the hospital. She mumbles when asked for her name and age. She is not oriented to time or place. Her blood pressure is 160/100 mmHg and her heart rate is 100/min. She is afebrile. Mucous membranes are moist and the pupils are dilated and reactive to light. She moves all of her extremities, and her deep tendon reflexes are symmetric. Which of the following is the best initial treatment for this patient?

A mother brings her 12-year-old daughter to the physician because the mother is concerned that her child has delayed physical development. In particular, the mother is concerned because her daughter has not yet had a menstrual period. The daughter began developing breasts at age 10, but has not had her first period. The daughter has no medical problems and takes no medications. Examination shows developing breasts and normal external female genitalia. Which of the following is the most appropriate response to the mother??

A mother brings her 14-year-old daughter in to the office for consultation. The mother says her daughter should have started her period by now. She is also concerned that she is shorter than her friends. On physical examination, the girl is 4-ft 10 in tall. She shows evidence of breast development at Tanner stage 2. She has no axillary or pubic hair. You reassure the mother that her daughter seems to be developing normally. Educating the mother and daughter, your best advice is to tell them which of the following?

A mother brings her 4-year-old son to see you. She seems to be very concerned about her child's bedwetting. As you explore the history, the mother tells you that she started his toilet training when he was 2 years old. The child responded to his mother's efforts and slowly was able to reduce the frequency of bedwetting. However, he did not completely succeed and still occasionally wets his bed. She has become so concerned that she demands you to order tests and prescribe some drugs to resolve the problem. What is your best next step in the management of this boy?

A mother calls you frantic because she has just been diagnosed with chicken pox. She delivered 7 days ago a term infant that appears to be eating, stooling, and urinating well. The child has been afebrile and seems to be doing well. Which of the following is the most appropriate step in management?

A mother calls you on the telephone and says that your 4-year-old son bit the hand of her 2-year-old son 48 hours previously. The area around the injury has become red, indurated, and swollen, and he has a temperature of 39.4°C (103°F). Which of the following is the most appropriate response?

A multiple trauma patient receives 14 units of packed red cells and several liters of Ringer's lactate solution during a laparotomy for multiple intra-abdominal injuries. The surgeons note that blood is oozing from all dissected raw surfaces, as well as from his TV line sites. His core temperature is normal. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A neonate does not pass any meconium during the first day of life. On day 2 he is brought for evaluation because of repeated green vomiting and progressive abdominal distention. X-ray films of the abdomen show multiple dilated loops of small bowel and no gas in the colon. A contrast enema shows a normally positioned microcolon, and the contrast material refluxes freely into the small bowel, filling some of the more distal distended loops. Exploratory laparotomy is done. There is no malrotation, the small bowel does not have any atretic or obstructed segments, and there is no inspissated meconium in it. Which of the following is most appropriate next step in management?

A neonate is examined in the nursery and found to have no anal orifice; only a small perineal fistulous opening is visualized. A complete workup is negative for any cardiac, esophageal, genitourinary, or musculoskeletal anomalies. Which of the following is the best next step in the management of this patient?

A new born infant is in respiratory distress and requires several attempts at resuscitation in the delivery room because of difficulty breathing and frequent cyanosis. The neonatologist notes that during crying, her breathing improves and breath and heart sounds are normal. Direct laryngoscopy is unremarkable as well. Deep inspirations by the neonate are ineffective. Which of the following is the most effective intervention?

A new mother complains that her 6-week-old infant frequently regurgitates small volumes of formula during and after feedings. Physical examination demonstrates a happy baby who has gained half a pound since his last visit. No abdominal masses are noted. Which of the following is the best next step in management?

A new patient presents to your office for her first prenatal visit. By her last menstrual period she is 11 weeks pregnant. This is the first pregnancy for this 36-year-old woman. She has no medical problems. At this visit you observe that her uterus is palpable midway between the pubic symphysis and the umbilicus. No fetal heart tones are audible with the Doppler stethoscope. Which of the following is the best next step in the management of this patient?

A newborn girl is noted to be drooling saliva, and she chokes violently when she is first fed. On physical examination, she is found to have abdominal distention and an imperforate anus. There is no fistula to the perineum or vagina. Examination of the urine reveals no meconium in it. Echocardiogram and renal sonogram are reported as negative for other congenital defects. X-ray films show abundant gas in the gastrointestinal tract. Pictures taken with a metal marker taped to the anus, and the baby hanging upside down, show that there is a significant distance (2.5 cm) between the blind end of the rectum and the anal marker. Before a diverting colostomy is performed, which of the following steps should be taken?

A newborn infant is found to have a scrotal mass. The mass is cystic and transilluminated with light. He is born without any other complications. The vital signs are with in normal limits. Other physical examination is unremarkable. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A newborn infant requires repeated resuscitation in the delivery room because of failure to breathe and cyanosis. During spells of crying, which appear to alleviate the cyanosis, his breath and heart sounds are normal, as is direct laryngoscopy. Vigorous respiratory movements appear ineffectual. Immediate management of this infant consists of which of the following?

A newborn presents with signs and symptoms of distal intestinal obstruction. Abdominal x-rays reveal dilated loops of small bowel, absence of air-fluid levels, and a mass of meconium within the right side of the abdomen mixed with gas to give a ground-glass appearance. Which of the following should be performed as the initial management of the patient?

A nurse called to report a low grade temperature in a 20-year-old woman who delivered a healthy baby 12 hours earlier. She had a normal vaginal delivery, and the placenta was delivered spontaneously. She had shaking chills during and ten minutes following the delivery. She continues to have bloody vaginal discharge. Her temperature is 38.0 C (100.4 F), blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg, pulse is 76/min and respirations are 14/min. Pelvic examination shows bloody discharge along with small blood clots on the introitus and vaginal walls. Her uterus is firm and non-tender. Laboratory studies show a WBC of 11,000/mm3 with 78% neutrophils. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A nurse called to report a low grade temperature in a 20-year-old woman who delivered a healthy baby 12 hours earlier. She had a normal vaginal delivery, and the placenta was delivered spontaneously. She had shaking chills during and ten minutes following the delivery. She continues to have bloody vaginal discharge. Her temperature is 38.0C (100.4F), blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg, pulse is 76/min and respirations are 14/min. Pelvic examination shows bloody discharge along with small blood clots on the introitus and vaginal walls. Her uterus is soft and non-tender. Laboratory studies show a WBC of 11 ,000/mm3 with 78% neutrophils. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A one-month-old child is brought to the office due to persistent vomiting for the last six days. His mother complains of increasing episodes of projectile vomiting. These episodes occur every time she attempts to feed him, and have persisted despite changing formulas. On physical examination, peristaltic waves are seen over the upper abdomen, and an olive-sized mass is palpated. Laboratory studies reveal a potassium level of 3.0mEq/mL. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A one-month-old child is brought to the office due to persistent vomiting for the last six days. His mother complains of increasing episodes of projectile vomiting. These episodes occur every time she attempts to feed him, and have persisted despite changing formulas. On physical examination, peristaltic waves are seen over the upper abdomen, and an olive-sized mass is palpated. Laboratory studies reveal a potassium level of 3 mEq/mL. What is the most appropriate management for this patient?

A one-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department with scalds on both the buttocks and thighs. His mother states that the child was burned because she accidentally drew a bath for the child with water that was too hot. She states the injury occurred 2 days ago. On examination, the child is irritable. Second-degree burns are noted on the buttocks, genitalia, waist, proximal thighs and feet. There is an abrupt demarcation between the burned and unaffected skin. A faint yellow patch of discoloration is noted on the left thorax with a slight violaceous hue. The child has not yet had his 1-year vaccinations. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A parent brings in a 5-year-old boy being treated for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). He states a friend who is staying with them at their home has just come down with chicken pox. Your patient has not had chicken pox or received immunization with varicella vaccine. What is the appropriate treatment?

A patient comes to your office for a hospital follow-up. You had sent him to the hospital 3 weeks earlier for persistent fevers but no other symptoms; he was diagnosed with endocarditis and is currently being treated appropriately. Advice to this family should now include which of the following?

A patient comes to your office for a new-patient visit. He has moved recently to your city due to a job promotion. His last annual examination was 1 month prior to his move. He received a letter from his primary physician stating that laboratory workup had revealed an elevated alkaline phosphatase and that he needed to have this evaluated by a physician in his new location. On questioning, his only complaint is pain below the knee that has not improved with over-the-counter medications. The pain increases with standing. He denies trauma to the area. On examination you note slight warmth just below the knee, no deformity or effusion of the knee joint, and full ROM of the knee without pain. You order an x-ray, which shows cortical thickening of the superior fibula and sclerotic changes. Laboratory evaluation shows an elevated alkaline phosphatase of 297 mg/dL with an otherwise normal metabolic panel. Which of the following is the treatment of choice for this patient?

A patient who has been taking tamoxifen to prevent breast cancer for the past 6 months presents complaining of irregular vaginal bleeding. An endometrial biopsy is performed that demonstrates atypical hyperplasia. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A patient with a nonobstructing carcinoma of the sigmoid colon is being prepared for elective resection. Which of the following reduces the risk of postoperative infectious complications?

A patient with mild skin pigmentation is admitted emergently to your service because of sudden abdominal pain, fever, and a rigid abdomen. Her blood work indicates a marked leukocytosis, a blood sugar of 55 mg/dL, a sodium value of 119 mEq/dL, and a potassium value of 6.2 mEq/dL. Her blood pressure is 88/58-mmHg. She undergoes an exploratory laparotomy. Which of the following is the definitive treatment for her primary condition?

A pedestrian is hit by a car. Physical examination shows the leg to be angulated midpoint between the knee and the ankle. X-ray films confirm fractures of the shaft of the tibia and fibula. Satisfactory alignment is achieved by external manipulation, and a long leg cast applied. In the ensuing 8 hours, the patient complains of increasing pain. When the cast is removed, the pain persists, the muscle compartments feel tight, and there is excruciating pain with passive extension of the toes. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A pedestrian is hit by a speeding car. Radiologic studies obtained in the emergency room, including a retrograde urethrogram (RUG), are consistent with a pelvic fracture with a rupture of the urethra superior to the urogenital diaphragm. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in this patient’s management?

A pediatrician's office gets a phone call from a frantic mother. Her 7-year-old daughter was playing under the sink and accidentally spilled Liquid Plumber (a strong, corrosive alkaline drain cleaner) all over her arms and legs. The nurse on the phone can hear the girl screaming in the background. Which of the following are the most appropriate instructions to give the mother?

A pharmaceutical company sponsors a physician lecture concerning thrombotic complications of the oral contraceptive pill (OCP). At the start of the presentation, the company's representative makes a short presentation regarding their particular brand of OCP. He then proceeds to announce that his company would like to award a gift to the physician in the group who gives the largest number of prescriptions for this pill. Which of the following is the most appropriate action?

A pregnant woman has been taking phenytoin (Dilantin) for a seizure disorder. She is concerned that the drug will cause fetal abnormalities. Which of the following defects is the most common anomaly associated with phenytoin?

A pregnant woman is discovered to be an asymptomatic carrier of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. A year ago, she was treated with penicillin for a gonococcal infection and developed a severe allergic reaction. Which of the following is the treatment of choice at this time?

A previously healthy 12-year-old boy is brought to the physician the day after a nocturnal crisis of difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and cough. He has a history of atopic dermatitis that resolved around 6 years of age. He now has no apparent respiratory distress. His breathing is regular, and his respirations are 12/min. Blood pressure, pulse, and temperature are normal. Chest examination reveals only a few crackles that quickly clear after coughing and mild end-expiratory wheezes. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in diagnosis?

A previously healthy 15-year-old boy is brought to the emergency room with complaints of about 12 hours of progressive anorexia, nausea, and pain of the right lower quadrant. On physical examination, he is found to have a rectal temperature of 38.18°C (100.72°F) and direct and rebound abdominal tenderness localizing to McBurney point as well as involuntary guarding in the right lower quadrant. At operation through a McBurney-type incision, the appendix and cecum are found to be normal, but the surgeon is impressed by the marked edema of the terminal ileum, which also has an overlying fibrinopurulent exudate. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?

A previously healthy 16-year-old girl presents to the emergency center with the complaint of “falling out.” She was with her friends at a local fast food restaurant when she felt faint and, according to her friends, lost consciousness for about a minute. There was no seizure activity noted, but the friends did notice her arms twitching irregularly. She is now acting normally. She denies chest pain or palpitations, and her electrocardiogram (ECG) is normal. Further management of this patient should include which of the following?

A previously healthy 19-year-old man presents to the emergency department with a penetrating wound to the right neck. There were reports of bleeding at the scene. The patient is talking, complaining of pain at the injury site and pain with swallowing. On examination, he has a normal respiratory rate, clear air entry on auscultation, blood pressure of 120/70 mmHg, and heart rate of 95 beats/min. There is a penetrating right neck wound in zone 2 (between the clavicle and the lower part of the mandible), with a surrounding hematoma. On probing, there is violation of the platysma. Which of the following is the best next step in the management of this patient?

A previously healthy 2-year-old black child has developed a chronic cough during the previous 6 weeks. He has been seen in different emergency rooms on two occasions during this period and has been placed on antibiotics for pneumonia. Upon auscultation, you hear normal breath sounds on the left. On the right side, you hear decreased air movement during inspiration but none upon expiration. Inspiratory (Image A) and expiratory (Image B) radiographs of the chest are shown below. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in making the diagnosis in this patient?

A previously healthy 2-year-old male is brought to the emergency department after experiencing a seizure-like episode. His parents report that he has been healthy with the exception of mild upper respiratory symptoms for the past 24 hours. During the episode, his parents state that he fell down and had rhythmic, jerking movements of his arms and legs. The episode lasted about three minutes. The patient was sleepy when the emergency personnel arrived. Vital signs are temperature 39.2 c (102.5 F), pulse 120/min, and respiratory rate 25/min. The patient is alert and oriented in the emergency department. On examination, there is mild rhinorrhea and the left tympanic membrane is erythematous, bulging, and poorly mobile. The neck is supple. A complete neurological exam is unremarkable. After treating this patient's fever, which of the following is the next best step in the management of this patient?

A previously healthy 20-year-old man is admitted to the hospital with acute onset of left-sided chest pain. Electrocardiographic findings are normal, but CXR shows a 40% left pneumothorax. Appropriate treatment consists of which of the following procedures?

A previously healthy 3-year-old boy brought in by his parents for help with potty training. The boy refuses to use the toilet. If his parents try to place him on the toilet, he becomes upset and cries. He has regular urination in his diaper. He has 1-2 soft bowel movements a day. In the office, you note that the child speaks in short sentences that are mostly understandable. He runs well and can climb up on the examination table without help. His physical examination is unremarkable. Which of the following is the next best step in the management of this patient?

A previously healthy 4-year-old girl is brought to the office due to a 12-day history of persistent, thick, nasal discharge, nasal congestion, headache, cough, and intermittent low-grade fever. The cough is worse at night, but there is no wheezing. Her temperature is 37.2C (99F), pulse is 90/min, and respirations are 15/min. Examination shows an alert, interactive child breathing comfortably. She has clear tympanic membranes, congested posterior nasal pharynx with thick and purulent mucus, and red, swollen nasal turbinates. Her maxillary sinuses are mildly tender. Her lungs are clear on auscultation. What is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A previously healthy 45-year-old man presents with a 9-month history of a slow-growing, painless right neck mass. He is a nonsmoker and has no significant past medical history. On examination, there is a nontender, discrete, 3-cm mass over the angle of the right mandible. Facial muscle function and sensation are normal. An oropharyngeal examination is normal. Which of the following is the best next step in the management of this patient?

A previously healthy 5-month-old boy has been irritable and has had a decreased oral intake for 2 days. His rectal temperature is 37.4 C (99.3 F), pulse is 220/min, and respirations are 50/min. The radial and posterior tibial pulses are diminished with good brachial and femoral pulses. ECG shows tachycardia; QRS complexes are narrow without preceding P waves. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial step in management?

A previously healthy one-year-old child is brought to the physician for a routine wellness visit. Her parents report that she drinks six glasses of whole milk a day, but is a very picky eater. She is developmentally appropriate. Her parents are concerned that she might be anemic because she frequently eats ice and sometimes dirt. On examination, her temperature is 88.6F (37 C), pulse is 118/min, and respiratory rate is 21 /min. Her height and weight are both at the 50th percentile for her age. She appears well nourished and her physical examination is unremarkable. Laboratory findings include the following. Complete blood count: Hemoglobin 10.5 g/dL, MCV 70 fl, Reticulocytes 1.0%, Platelets 250,000/mm3, Leukocyte count 6,500/mm3, Neutrophils 56%, Lymphocytes 33%, Monocytes 10%. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management of this child?

A previously normal newborn infant in a community hospital nursery is noted to be cyanotic at 14 hours of life. She is placed on a face mask with oxygen flowing at 10 L/min. She remains cyanotic, and her pulse oximetry reading does not change. An arterial blood gas shows her PaO2 to be 23 mm Hg. Bilateral breath sounds are present, and she has no murmur. She is breathing deeply and quickly, but she is not retracting. While you are waiting for the transport team from the nearby children’s hospital, you should initiate which of the following?

A primipara is in labor and an episiotomy is about to be cut. Compared with a midline episiotomy, which of the following is an advantage of mediolateral episiotomy?

A routine prenatal ultrasound reveals a male fetus with meningomyelocele. The 24-year-old primigravid mother is told the infant will require surgery shortly after birth. You counsel her about the etiology of this defect and the risk of further pregnancies being similarly affected, and state which of the following?

A septuagenarian woman undergoes an uncomplicated resection of an abdominal aneurysm. Four days after surgery the patient presents with sudden onset of abdominal pain and distention. An abdominal radiograph demonstrates an air-filled, kidney-bean–shaped structure in the left upper quadrant. Which of the following is the most appropriate management at this time?

A SO-year-old woman with no PMH presents f or a routine physical examination. The patient states that she has been pregnant three times. She has two children who were born fullterm and delivered vaginally. She had one miscarriage. She has been with her husband for the past 23 years. The patient started her menstruation at 15 years old and is currently going through perimenopause. Her LMP was 3 months ago. The patient states that she last had a Pap smear 2 years ago. All of her Pap smears have been normal. Vital sign: BP, 120/80 mm Hg; P, 80 beats/min; R, 17 breaths/min; T, 98.7 F. Review of system: Denies any complaints. Physical examination: Thyroid: Normal to palpation, Breast: Symmetric, nontender, no lesions felt, no nipple inversion, Cervix: Appears normal, no lesions seen. Which of the following is the next best step in the management of this patient?

A stockbroker in his mid-40s presents with complaints of episodes of severe, often incapacitating chest pain on swallowing. Diagnostic studies on the esophagus yield the following results: endoscopic examination and biopsy mild inflammation distally; manometry—prolonged high-amplitude contractions from the arch of the aorta distally, lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure 20 mm Hg with relaxation on swallowing; barium swallow 2 cm epiphrenic diverticulum. Which of the following is the best management option for this patient?

A teenage boy falls from his bicycle and is run over by a truck. On arrival in the emergency room (ER), he is awake and alert and appears frightened but in no distress. The chest radiograph suggests an air-fluid level in the left lower lung field and the nasogastric tube seems to coil upward into the left chest. Which of the following is the next best step in his management?

A term infant is born to a known HIV-positive mother. She has been taking antiretroviral medications for the weeks prior to the delivery of her infant. Routine management of the healthy infant should include which of the following?

A toddler is brought to the emergency department with burns on both of his buttocks. The areas are moist, have blisters, and are exquisitely painful to touch. The parents explain that the child accidentally pulled a pot of boiling water over himself. Which of the following is the most important step in management?

A very worried 25-year-old woman comes to the office, presents a positive pregnancy test, and says, "I'm six weeks pregnant. Two months ago, I received the rubella vaccine and my doctor told me to avoid getting pregnant for the next three months. I'm very concerned about the health of my unborn baby. I'd like to know all the available options to prevent any harm to my baby." What is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A victim of blunt abdominal trauma has splenic and liver lacerations as well as an unstable pelvic fracture. He is hypotensive and tachycardic with a heart rate of 150 despite receiving 2 L of crystalloid en route to the hospital. He was intubated prior to arrival due to declining mental status. He is taken emergently to the operating room for exploratory laparotomy and external fixation of his pelvic fracture. Which of the following is the best resuscitative strategy?

A woman brings her 15-year-old daughter to her pediatrician for concerns about hair growth. The child has always had a lot of body hair and has been shaving her legs since she was 12 years old. The mother reports that her daughter has recently been noticing more hair, especially along the upper lip and on the chest and abdomen. The child is clearly distressed about her appearance. Further questioning reveals that although the girl had her first menses at 11 years old, her menstrual cycles are irregular, and she sometimes skips cycles for months at a time. Physical examination reveals a young, heavy-set, olive-skinned teenager with moderate acne and dark hair growth along her upper lip, across her chest, and over her lower abdomen. She exercises regularly. Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment for this child’s hirsutism?

A woman brings her 3-year-old son to the emergency room after witnessing him swallow a disk-shaped battery. She adds that he vomited once on the way to the hospital. The vomitus was non-bloody and did not contain the battery. Physical examination of the child's chest is unremarkable. Plain radiographs reveal that the battery is located in the esophagus. What is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A woman is found to have a unilateral invasive vulvar carcinoma that is 2 cm in diameter but not associated with evidence of lymph node spread. Initial management should consist of which of the following?

A worried and anxious pregnant mother brings her 3-year-old son to the emergency room after he experienced several episodes of vomiting and abdominal pain for the past two hours. His vomit is coffee ground in appearance. He is irritable and lethargic. His BP is 80/40 mmHg and pulse rate is 120/min. Examination shows a normal oropharynx; chest auscultation is within normal limits. Abdomen is soft and mildly tender at the epigastrium; there is no hepatosplenomegaly. Extremities are cold to touch. Initial laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 10.3 g/L, Leukocyte count 14, 500/mm3, Bicarbonate 18 mEq/L. Chest x-ray is normal limits. Abdominal imaging shows radiopaque tablets in the stomach. Intravenous normal saline is started. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A young man has recently been bitten by a stray dog. He has a penetrating wound to the right forearm. The dog is nowhere to be found. In the emergency room, the wound is cleaned with water and povidone-iodine solution. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A young man is shot in the upper part of the neck with a .22 caliber revolver. Inspection of the entrance and exit wounds indicates that the trajectory of the bullet is all above die level of the angle of the mandible, but below the skull. He is fully conscious and neurologically intact. A steady trickle of blood flows from both wounds, and it does not seem to respond to local pressure. He is hemodynamically stable. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in diagnosis?

A young man is shot with a .45 caliber revolver, point blank in the lower abdomen, just above the pubis. The entrance wound is at the midline, and there is no exit wound. X-ray films show the bullet embedded in the sacral promontory, to the right of the midline. Digital rectal examination and proctoscopic examination are negative, but he has gross hematuria. He is hemodynamically stable. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A young man sustains a gunshot wound to the base of his neck. He was shot point blank with a .38 caliber revolver. The entrance wound is above the left clavicle, below the level of the cricoid cartilage, and just lateral to the sternomastoid muscle. The exit wound is just above the spinous process of the right scapula. He has normal breath sounds on both sides, is awake and alert, is talking with a normal tone of voice, is neurologically intact, and is hemodynamically stable. Portable x-ray films of the neck and chest taken in the emergency department show some air in the tissues of the lower neck, but are otherwise non-diagnostic. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A young mother claims that her 4-week-old child sleeps best on his stomach. You tell her that the safest sleep position for infants is which of the following?