USMLE

A 10-year-old boy presents with fever, headache, photophobia, and neck discomfort in the middle of summer. He is alert and oriented, but has neck pain with flexion and extension of the head. His fundi are normal, and there are no focal neurologic findings or skin changes. A lumbar puncture reveals normal protein and glucose with a cell count of 240/mL (90% lymphocytes). Which of the following is the most likely causative organism?

A 60-year-old man presents with fever and malaise 6 weeks after mitral valve replacement. On examination, his temperature is 38°C, blood pressure 130/80 mm Hg, pulse 80/min, and a loud pansystolic murmur at the apex, which radiates to the axilla. He has no skin or neurologic findings. Which of the following is the most likely causative organism?

A previously healthy 25-year-old music teacher develops fever and a rash over her face and chest. The rash is itchy and, on examination, involves multiple papules and vesicles in varying stages of development. One week later, she complains of cough and is found to have an infiltrate on x-ray. Which of the following is the most likely etiology of the infection?

A 19-year-old male has a history of athlete’s foot but is otherwise healthy when he develops sudden onset of fever and pain in the right foot and leg. On physical examination, the foot and leg are fiery red with a welldefined indurated margin that appears to be rapidly advancing. There is tender inguinal lymphadenopathy. The most likely organism to cause this infection is which of the following?

A 60-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 3-month history of worsening fatigue and back pain. She has had diabetes mellitus for the past three years, and hypertension for the past ten years. Laboratory studies show: Hb 9.0 mg/dL, Serum calcium 11.2 mg/dL, Serum phosphorus 3.5 mg/dL, BUN 38 mg/dL, Serum creatinine 2.0 mg/dL. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's renal failure?

A 70-year-old man comes to the physician due to a 4-6 month history of "almost continuous urinary dribbling." This symptom is present both day and night, and is progressively getting worse. He denies dysuria and hematuria. He has a 20-year history of diabetes mellitus-type 2, hypertension, alcoholic hepatitis and coronary artery disease. He had a gastric emptying study done a few weeks ago because of continuous nausea and early satiety. He had laser photocoagulation of both eyes for diabetic retinopathy. He has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 50 years, and drinks 4 to 6 beers daily. He takes NPH insulin, regular insulin, metformin, aspirin, metoprolol, lisinopril and metoclopramide. His vital signs are stable. Physical examination shows a well-appearing man. Pertinent physical findings are a normal sized prostate, decreased sensation in both legs below the knees, and absent Achilles tendon and knee reflexes bilaterally. Fecal occult blood test is negative. Postvoid residual volume is 550 ml. Urinalysis shows: Specific gravity 1.020, Blood trace, Glucose positive, Ketones negative, Protein moderate, Leukocyte esterase negative, Nitrites negative, WBC 1-2/hpf, RBC 3-4/hpf. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's incontinence?

A 46-year-old man complains of right flank discomfort. He describes decreased urination over the last week with occasional episodes of high urine output and weakness. He is otherwise healthy. There is no family history of renal disease. On physical examination, his blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg and his heart rate is 80/min. The serum creatinine level is 2.1 mg/dl. Urinalysis shows few red blood cells, white blood cells, trace protein, and no casts. Which of the following is the most likely cause of his complaints?

A 17-year-old man comes to the emergency department and complains of intensive left flank pain that radiates to the groin. He refers to his symptom as "stone passage," which he has experienced "for so many times since childhood." His uncle has the same problem. Urinalysis shows hexagonal crystals. The urinary cyanide nitroprusside test is positive. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's condition?

A 12-year-old girl comes to the physician because of a 2-day history of periorbital edema and abdominal distention. She has no other complaints. She has never been diagnosed with hypertension. Her father died at the age of 40, with renal failure. Her temperature is 37.1°C (98.9°F), blood pressure is 125/75 mm Hg, pulse is 80/min, and respirations are 14/min. Examination shows facial puffiness, shifting dullness, and 1+ bilateral pitting pedal edema. Urinalysis shows 3+ proteinuria and lipid laden casts. 24-hour urinary protein excretion is 5 g/day, total serum protein is 4.5 g/dl and serum albumin is 2.3 g/dl. Which of the following is this patient at increased risk of developing?

A 20-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by his mother because of a one-day history of fever, headache, and altered mental status. He has no history of medical illness. Herpes simplex encephalitis is suspected after cerebral spinal fluid analysis shows lymphocytic pleocytosis, elevated protein level, and normal glucose level; in addition, CT scan shows contrast enhancement in the temporoparietal area. High-dose intravenous acyclovir therapy is started. Two days after the beginning of the therapy, the neurologic status improves, but the patient develops oliguria. Laboratory studies show: Serum sodium 140 mEq/L, Serum potassium 4.5 mEq/L, Serum creatinine 2.8 mg/dl, BUN 25 mg/dl. Which of the following is the most likely cause of renal damage in this patient?

A 65-year-old male has been having a non-productive, hacking cough for over a week. He takes an over-the-counter medication containing guaifenesin and diphenhydramine in an effort to improve his symptoms. The next day, he complains of lower abdominal discomfort and difficulty voiding. Which of the following most likely accounts for this patient's new complaint?

A 12-year-old girl is brought to the clinic due to a 2-month history of headaches. Her headaches last 1-2 hours and have no fixed time of occurrence. She denies nausea, vomiting, chills or fevers. She has no other medical problems and takes no medication. Her family history is significant for hypertension and diabetes. Her blood pressure is 156/90 mm Hg, pulse is 80/min, and respirations are 14/min. Examination shows an alert child in no distress. There is a soft to-and-fro bruit heard at the right costovertebral angle. Which of the following is the most likely cause of her hypertension?

A 59-year-old man comes to the physician because of dysuria, urinary urgency, and frequency. He also complains of hematuria, nocturia, decreased force of stream, and a feeling of incomplete voiding. These symptoms have been present for more than a month. For the past few days he has been experiencing dull, non-radiating suprapubic pain. He has also been having low-grade fever and malaise for the past couple of days. He has been taking analgesics for osteoarthritis of his right knee for more than 10 years. He has a 40-pack-years history of cigarette smoking and does not use alcohol or drugs. Rectal examination shows a smooth, firm enlargement of the prostate without induration or asymmetry. Neurological examination shows no abnormalities. Urinalysis shows hematuria with isomorphic red blood cells. Laboratory studies show a serum creatinine of 1.5 mg/dl, and a PSA of 2 ng/ml. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for this patient's symptoms?

An 80-year-old female is brought from a nursing home with a two day history of poor oral intake and lethargy. Her past medical history is significant for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease with coronary stenting two years ago and Alzheimer's disease. She was hospitalized six months ago with pneumonia. Her current medications are aspirin, lisinopril, metoprolol, hydrochlorothia zide, metformin and memantine. Her blood pressure is 95/60 mmHg and heart rate is 90/min. Physical examination reveals fine crackles at the right lung base. Her mucous membranes are dry. Her laboratory findings are significant for WBC of 15,000/mm3, creatinine of 2.1 and BUN of 61 mg/dl. Her creatinine was 0.9 mg/dl during the last admission. Which of the following is the best explanation for the abnormal laboratory findings in this patient?

A 60-year-old man comes to the physician because of worsening fatigue and nausea. He had a carotid angiogram for the evaluation of symptomatic carotid artery stenosis 15 days ago, and was discharged home three days after the procedure. His medical problems are hypercholesterolemia, coronary artery disease, intermittent claudication, hypertension for 18 years, and diabetes mellitus for 15 years. Physical examination shows painless, reddish-blue mottling of the skin of the extremities. Laboratory studies show: Hb 10.5 g/dl, WBC 10,000/cmm with 12% eosinophils, BUN 46 mg/dl, Serum creatinine 3.0 mg/dl, Serum C3 level Decreased. Urinalysis:pH Normal,Esterase Negative, Nitrite Negative, Protein 1+, WBC Many eosinophils, RBC 1-2/HPF. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's findings?

A 40-year-old man comes to the physician because of a two-week history of fatigue, lower extremity edema and dark urine. He has no history of serious illnesses. He takes no medications. He does not use tobacco, alcohol, or drugs. His blood pressure is 130/80 mm Hg and pulse is 80/min. Physical examination shows symmetric pitting edema of lower extremities. Laboratory studies show a serum creatinine level of 1.1 mg/dl. Urinalysis shows 4+ proteinuria and microhematuria. Light microscopy of the specimen obtained from kidney biopsy shows dense deposits within glomerular basement membrane that stain for C3, not immunoglobulins. Which of the following is the most likely pathophysiologic mechanism that explains this patient's condition?

A 65-year-old male comes to the physician's office after noticing blood in his urine. He denies any abdominal pain or dysuria. He denies any recent illness. The review of systems is otherwise unremarkable. His past medical history is significant for hypertension and a transient ischemic attack. He takes a baby aspirin and hydrochlorothiazide daily. His temperature is 36.7°C (98°F), blood pressure is 130/86 mm Hg, pulse is 80/min and respirations are 16/min. A complete physical examination is unremarkable. Which of the following is the most likely cause of his symptoms?

A 62-year-old woman presents to your office complaining of urinary frequency and burning during urination. She denies fever, chills, nausea, back pain or abdominal pain. Her past medical history is significant for a long history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension. She does not use tobacco or consume alcohol. Her blood pressure is 160/100 mmHg and her heart rate is 70/min. Her hematocrit is 43% and her WBC count is 8,500/mm3 Urinalysis reveals the following: Glucose negative, Ketones negative, Nitrates positive, Protein 2+, WBC 20-25/hpf, RBC 3-5/hpf. She is given a three-day course of levofloxacin. Urinalysis two weeks later reveals 2+ protein but no nitrates, WBCs, or RBCs. Which of the following is most likely responsible for her persistent urinalysis abnormality?

A 60-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 2-day history of fever and left-sided scrotal pain. The pain has progressed in severity and it radiates to the flank. His has also had increased urinary frequency and urgency along with dysuria. His temperature is 38.1°C (100.8°F), blood pressure is 130/75mm Hg, pulse is 86/min, and respirations are 15/min. Physical examination shows left scrotal swelling and a tender scrotal mass; there is no urethral discharge. Rectal examination shows a tender prostate. Laboratory studies show a WBC count of 14,000/microl with a left shift. Urinalysis shows bacteriuria and pyuria. Which of the following is the most likely organism responsible for this patient's findings?

A 40-year-old man comes to the physician because of increasing urinary frequency and urgency. He has had these symptoms in the past, but they are more troublesome now. He has also had urinary hesitancy and interruption of flow. His temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), blood pressure is 130/75mm Hg, pulse is 76/min, and respirations are 15/min. Physical examination shows no abnormalities except increased tone of the anal sphincter and mild periprostatic tenderness. Urinalysis and urine culture shows no abnormalities and expressed prostatic secretions show a leukocyte count of four WBCs/HPF (normal is less than 10 WBCs/HPF). Serum prostate-specific antigen is 2 ng/ml (normal value is less than 4ng/ml). Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 16-year-old girl presents with a 2-day history of lower abdominal discomfort, burning micturition and increased frequency of urination. She had her first sexual intercourse last week. Her vital signs are stable. Examination shows suprapubic tenderness. Urinalysis shows positive nitrites, positive esterase, 50+ WBC, and many bacteria. Which of the following is the most likely mechanism responsible for her clinical condition?

A 68-year-old Caucasian man is admitted with a diagnosis of left lower lobe pneumonia, and is started on gatifloxacin. He has a long history of diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension. He also has diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and nephropathy. He has an arterio-venous fistula placed for a possible dialysis. His medications are insulin, furosemide, atorvastatin, metoprolol and levothyroxine. After having his blood drawn for some laboratory studies today, he bleeds persistently. Laboratory studies show: Hb 11.5 g/dl, Platelets 160,000/cmm, Blood glucose 178 mg/dl, BUN 56 mg/dl, Serum creatinine 3.5 mg/dl. His baseline creatinine level is between 3.2-3.5 mg/dl. Which of the following is the most likely cause of his bleeding?

A 56-year-old male with a long history of diabetes mellitus complains of nocturnal urinary frequency, occasional dribbling and difficulty completing his stream. His past medical history is significant for a myocardial infarction two years ago and moderately decreased visual acuity. On physical examination, his blood pressure is 160/100 mmHg and his heart rate is 70/min. There is a carotid bruit auscultated on the left side as well as trace ankle edema. Post-void bladder catheterization yields 60 ml of urine. Dipstick urinalysis reveals 2+ protein and 3-4 WBC/hpf. The patient's serum creatinine level is 2.4 mg/dl. Which of the following is the most likely cause of his renal dysfunction?

A 62-year-old man presents to the emergency department with severe back pain that began suddenly after he attempted to lift a heavy box. He says the pain radiates down his right thigh and leg and that coughing and moving make the pain “unbearable” The patient also complains of an inability to urinate since the pain started. On physical examination, he has no focal lower extremity weakness or numbness, and pinprick testing in the perianal area elicits a quick spasm of the anal sphincter. Rectal exam reveals an enlarged, smooth, nontender prostate. Which of the following best explains this patient's urinary retention?

A 25-year-old woman presents with nausea and vomiting of 2 days duration. She is not on any medications and was previously well until now. Her physical examination is normal except for a postural drop in her blood pressure from 110/80 mm Hg supine to 90/80 mm Hg standing. Her serum electrolytes are sodium 130 mEq/L, potassium 3 mEq/L, chloride 90 mEq/L, bicarbonate 30 mEq/L, urea 50 mg/dL, and creatinine 0.8 mg/dL. Which of the following electrolytes is most likely to be filtered through the glomerulus but unaffected by tubular secretion?

A 29-year-old man with HIV, on a highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen including the protease inhibitor indinavir, presents with severe edema and a serum creatinine of 2.0 mg/dL. He has had bone pain for 5 years and takes large amounts of acetaminophen with codeine, aspirin, and ibuprofen. He is on prophylactic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Blood pressure is 170/110 mm Hg; urinalysis shows 4+ protein, 5 to 10 RBC, 0 WBC; 24-hour urine protein is 6.2 g. The serum albumin is 1.9 g/L (normal above 3.7). Which of the following is the most likely cause of his renal disease?

A 74-year-old man presents with fatigue, short- ness of breath on exertion, and back and rib pain, which is made worse with movement. Investigations reveal he is anemic, calcium, urea, and creatinine are elevated. X-rays reveal multiple lytic lesions in the long bones and ribs, and protein electrophoresis is positive for an immunoglobulin G (IgG) paraprotein. Which of the following is the most likely mechanism for the renal injury?

A 23-year-old woman with no other past medical history was diagnosed with hypertension 6 months ago. She was initially treated with hydrochlorothiazide, followed by the addition of lisinopril, followed by high doses of a beta-blocker, but her blood pressure has not been well controlled. She assures the provider that she is taking all of her medicines. On examination her blood pressure is 165/105 mm Hg in each arm, and 168/105 mm Hg when checked by large cuff in the lower extremities. Her pulse is 60. Cardiac examination reveals an S4 gallop but no murmurs. She has a soft mid-abdominal bruit. Distal pulses are intact and equal. She does not have hyperpigmentation, hirsutism, genital abnormalities, or unusual distribution of fat. Her sodium is 140, potassium 4.0, HCO3 22, BUN 15, and creatinine 1.5. Which of the following is the most likely cause of her difficult-to-control hypertension?

A 60-year-old woman with heart failure and normal renal function is started on furosemide (Lasix) 80 mg/day. She notices a good diuretic response every time she takes the medication. A few weeks later, she is feeling unwell because of fatigue and muscle weakness, but her heart failure symptoms are better. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for her muscle weakness?

A 65-year-old diabetic man with a creatinine of 1.6 was started on an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor for hypertension and presents to the emergency room with weakness. His other medications include atorvastatin for hypercholesterolemia, metoprolol and spironolactone for congestive heart failure, insulin for diabetes, and aspirin. Laboratory studies include: K: 7.2 mEq/L, Creatinine: 1.8 mg/dL, Glucose: 250 mg/dL, CK: 400 IU/L. Which of the following is the most likely cause of hyperkalemia in this patient?

A 27-year-old alcoholic man presents with decreased appetite, mild generalized weakness, intermittent mild abdominal pain, perioral numbness, and some cramping of his hands and feet. His physical examination is initially normal. His laboratory returns with a sodium level of 140 mEq/L, potassium 4.0 mEq/L, calcium 6.9 mg/dL, albumin 3.5 g/dL, magnesium 0.7 mg/dL, and phosphorus 2.0 mg/dL. You go back to the patient and find that he has both a positive Trousseau and a positive Chvostek sign. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the hypocalcemia?

A 27-year-old woman presents to the emergency room with a panic attack. She appears healthy except for tachycardia and a respiratory rate of 30. Electrolytes include calcium 10.0 mg/dL, albumin 4.0 g/dL, phosphorus 0.8 mg/dL, and magnesium 1.5 mEq/L. Arterial blood gases include pH of 7.56, PCO2 21 mm Hg, and PO2 99 mm Hg. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the hypophosphatemia?

A 57-year-old male is hospitalized for hyponatremia. Physical examination reveals no signs of fluid overload. Serum analysis reveals a sodium concentration of 125mEq/1, glucose level of 12mg/dl, BUN of 8mg/dl, and creatinine of 0.7mg/dl. The urine osmolarity is 330mOsm/l and urine sodium concentration is 45mEq/1. After a 2L normal saline infusion, the serum sodium is 126mEq/1 and the urine sodium excretion is increased to 90 mEq/1. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's hyponatremia?

A 27-year-old female is brought into the emergency room by the local paramedics. She was found unconscious at the scene of a house fire. On examination it does not appear that she has suffered any burns. Black soot is noted near her nares and mouth. Her respirations are slow but spontaneous. Her capillary refill time is 4 seconds. Supplemental oxygen by a non-rebreather mask is begun. Her arterial blood gas and preliminary laboratory values are shown below: Blood pH 7.22, PaO2 100 mmHg, PaCO2 39 mmHg, HC03- 11 mEq/L, WBC count 9,000/cmm, Hb 14 mg/dl, Na+ 138 mEq/L, K+ 4 mEq/l, CI- 98 mEq/L, Troponin 0.4ng/ml. Which of the following is the most likely primary cause of the patient's acid-base disturbance?

A 32-year-old female is brought to the emergency department with complaints of weakness, tingling and numbness of her extremities. She is not on any medication. Her pulse is 90/min, respirations are 14 /min and blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg. The physical examination is unremarkable. Her laboratory profile is shown below: Blood pH 7.56, HCO3- 37 mEq/L, Urine Na+ 16 mEq/L, Urine K+ 20 mEq/L, Urine Cl- 7 mEq/L, Serum sodium 135 mEq/L, Serum potassium 2.9 mEq/L, Serum chloride 92 mEq/L, Blood urea nitrogen 22 mg/dl, Serum creatinine 0.9 mg/dl. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's condition?

A 55-year-old homeless man presents to the emergency room complaining of muscle cramps and perioral numbing. The patient looks malnourished. He says that he consumed a lot of alcohol recently. His past medical history is significant for chronic and recurrent abdominal pain for which he was advised to quit drinking alcohol. His temperature is 36.7°C (98°F), blood pressure is 110/65 mmHg, pulse is 80/min, and respirations are 18/min. The laboratory values are: Hemoglobin 7.2 g/dl, MCV 105 fl, Leukocyte count 9,000/cmm, Platelets 200,000/cmm, ESR 20 mm/hr, Serum sodium 145 mEq/L, Serum potassium 4.0 mEq/L, Serum calcium 6.8 mg/dl, Serum phosphorus 2.5 mg/dl. What is the most probable cause of hypocalcemia observed in this patient?

A 24-year-old female is brought to the emergency room because of dizziness and near syncope. She says that every time she stands up, she feels lightheaded. She has no significant past medical problems. She does note having broken up with her boyfriend three months ago, which has caused her to have decreased appetite and an associated ten-pound weight loss. She has also missed her last two menstrual periods. She denies using tobacco, alcohol or drugs. On physical examination, her temperature is 36.7°C (98°F). When lying supine, her blood pressure is 100/70 mm Hg and her pulse is 88/min. When she stands up, her blood pressure is 80/50 mm Hg and her pulse is 120/min. Other than dry skin and mucous membranes, her physical examination is unremarkable. Initial laboratory studies reveal: Serum sodium low, Serum potassium low, Urine sodium increased, Urine potassium increased. This patient's dizziness is most likely due to which of the following?

A 52-year-old alcoholic man presents to the emergency department because of anxiety and tremors. His last drink of alcohol was 2 days ago. His initial electrolyte panel is: Sodium 132 mEq/L, Potassium 2.9 mEq/L, Chloride 100 mEq/L, Bicarbonate 25 mEq/L. He is treated for alcohol withdrawal, and given aggressive intravenous and oral potassium supplementation. Three days later, his electrolyte panel is: Sodium 135 mEq/L, Potassium 3.1 mEq/L, Chloride 102 mEq/L, Bicarbonate 28 mEq/L. Which of the following explains why this patient's potassium level is so difficult to correct?

A 32-year-old pregnant female is being evaluated at her 32nd week of gestation. Her lab profile shows the following: Blood pH 7.44, PaO2 100 mmHg, PaCO2 30 mmHg, HCO3- 20 mEq/L, WBC count 9,000/cmm, Hb 11 mg/dl, Na+ 134 mEq/L, K+ 3.6 mEq/1, Cl- 98 mEq/L, BUN 5 mg/dlCreatinine 0.6 mg/dl. Which of the following can best explain her acid-base status?

A 59-year-old female is hospitalized due to lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Her past medical history includes diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cor pulmonale and recurrent urinary tract infections. Her condition initially stabilized with fluid resuscitation and blood transfusions, but she subsequently developed an acute renal failure. Her urine output has been between 300 and 400 ml per day for the last couple of days. On the 10th day of her hospitalization she is lethargic. Serum analysis reveals: Hemoglobin 10.2 g/dl, Hematocrit 30%, WBC 14,300/mm3, Blood glucose 93 mg/dl, BUN 141 mg/dl, Creatinine 4.1 mg/dl, Sodium 133 mEq/L, Potassium 5.0 mEq/L, pH 7.15, pO2 90 mmHg, pCO2 60 mmHg, HCO3 18 mEq/L. Which of the following is the most likely cause of her lethargy?

A 32-year-old Caucasian male presents to the ER with a 12-hour history of anorexia and vomiting. He says that he feels “a little dizzy”. He denies abdominal pain or diarrhea. His past medical history is insignificant His blood pressure is 110/70 mmHg while supine and 100/60 mmHg while sitting. His heart rate is 90/min. His laboratory values are: Serum sodium 139 mEq/L, Serum potassium 3.1 mEq/L, Serum calcium 8.9 mEq/L, Serum chloride 88 mEq/L, Serum bicarbonate 33 mEq/L, Blood glucose 95 mg/dl, BUN 20 mg/dl, Serum creatinine 1.1 mg/dl. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the decreased chloride level in this patient?

A 22-year-old female is hospitalized after a car accident. She sustained a hip fracture, fractures of several ribs and a blunt abdominal injury that required a laparotomy. The laparotomy revealed a liver laceration and extensive hemoperitoneum. In the early postoperative period, the patient is noted to have hyperactive deep tendon reflexes. Which of the following electrolyte abnormalities may be responsible for this condition?

A 44-year-old obese female undergoes an open cholecystectomy for a complicated acute cholecystitis. On her third post-operative day, her temperature is 36.7°C (98.2°F), blood pressure is 110/80 mm Hg and pulse is 92/min. Her arterial blood gas shows the following: Blood pH 7.28, PaO2 62 mmHg, PaCO2 54 mmHg, HCO3- 30 mEq/L. What is the most likely cause of acidosis in this patient?

A 32-year-old male with type 1 diabetes and severe depression is brought to the emergency department because of a 2-day history of nausea and abdominal pain. His temperature is 37.6°C (99.7°F), blood pressure is 122/86 mmHg, respirations are 25/min and pulse is 88/min. His lab values are as follows: Blood pH 7.31, PaO2 90mm Hg, PaCO2 29 mmHg, HCO3- 14 mEq/L, Blood glucose 450 mg/dl, Serum sodium 132 mEq/L, Serum potassium 5.0 mEq/L, Serum chloride 85mEq/L, Blood urea nitrogen 19 mg/dl, Serum creatinine 1.1 mg/dl. Which of the following best describes this patient's acid-base status?

A 28-year-old primigravida is admitted to the hospital at 10weeks gestation. Her right leg is swollen. Her BMI is 30 Kg/m2. Her temperature is 36.7°C (98.2°F), respirations are 12/min and pulse is 96/min. Her ABG shows the following: pH 7.49, PaCO2 50 mm Hg, HCO3- 44 mEq/L. Which of the following is the most likely cause of her abnormal arterial blood gas?

A 54-year-old woman presents to your office complaining of difficulty walking. She describes severe weakness and occasional pain in her thigh muscles. She has stumbled and fallen several times over the last week. Her past medical history is significant for hypertension treated with hydrochlorothiazide and metoprolol. She consumes two to three cans of beer on weekends. Her younger brother died of a neurological disease when he was 20 years old. Her mother suffers from hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Her heart rate is 90/min and blood pressure is 170/100 mmHg. Chest examination is within normal limits. A bruit is heard over the left carotid artery. Neurologic examination reveals hyporeflexia and decreased strength in all muscle groups. Her ESR is 12 mm/hr. ECG shows flat and broad T waves with occasional premature ventricular contractions. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's current complaints?

A 73-year-old Caucasian man is brought to the office by his daughter, who is concerned that he might be depressed. He is a retired surgeon, and has lived alone ever since his wife died a year ago. His daughter visits him every 6 months; she feels bad about not being able to visit him more frequently because her job and family keep her very busy. He denies having any feelings of sadness, guilt, weight loss, loss of appetite, suicidal ideation, deafness, vertigo, and decreased or blurred vision. His medical problems include hypertension, diabetes mellitus-type 2 and a myocardial infarction 10 years ago. His current medications are glyburide, aspirin and enalapril. He denies the use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs. His vital signs are within normal limits. He appears withdrawn, less energetic than usual, and walks stiffly. He sits with a stooped posture. He has a fixed facial expression, and his voice sounds monotonous. His deep tendon reflexes are 2+. Sensations and motor strength are normal. There is increased resistance to passive flexion. Which of the following types of gait is most likely to be present in this patient?

A 65-year-old woman complains of periodic headaches in the temporal region, visual disturbances, and neck stiffness. Treatment is initiated early and biopsy of a scalp artery is consistent with arteritis. Two months later, the patient presents to your office with weakness. She says that her headaches are gone but she has difficulty climbing stairs and getting up from a chair. Her serum CK level and ESR are normal. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's current complaints?

A 54-year-old female complains of muscle weakness. She describes difficulty getting up from a chair and combing her hair. She does not use tobacco, alcohol or drugs. She takes no medication. Her vital signs are within normal limits. Physical examination reveals bilateral ptosis. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's complaints?

A 56-year-old male complains of occasional dizziness. He gets a brief spinning sensation while getting out of bed. He sometimes feels dizzy while turning in bed or looking up. He denies any nausea, diaphoresis, chest pain or tinnitus. His past medical history is significant for long-standing hypertension, which is being treated with hydrochlorothiazide, and hyperlipidemia, which is being treated with simvastatin. His father died of a stroke at the age of 62 years. His blood pressure is 130/80 mmHg while supine, and 135/85 mmHg while standing. His heart rate is 77/min. A grade II/VI ejection murmur is heard over the aortic area. ECG reveals left ventricular hypertrophy and premature ventricular contractions. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's complaints?

A 43-year-old man is being evaluated for one month of blurred vision, frontal headaches and occasional falls. He reports that the blurry vision is worse when he leans forward. He relates his symptoms to a recent break-up with his girlfriend. On physical examination, his blood pressure is 160/100 mmHg and his heart rate is 60/min. Which of the following is most likely responsible?

A 19-year-old man is brought in to the emergency department after being stabbed in the back. He has no past medical history and takes no medications. Muscle strength is absent and tone is decreased in the right leg. The right patellar and Achilles reflexes are absent. Babinski sign is present on the right. There is a loss of vibratory sense and toe joint position on the right. There is a loss of pain and temperature sensation below T12 on the left. Which of the following will cause a loss of pain and temperature sensation on the left side, beginning at T12?

A 64-year-old woman presents to your office after falling in the grocery store earlier today. She says she was doing her usual shopping when she felt weak in her legs and fell down. She denies hitting her head, headache, or loss of consciousness, but does complain of low back pain. Her past medical history is significant for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, severe osteoporosis, chronic neck pain and congestive heart failure. She has had three transient ischemic attacks, each lasting 15-20 minutes and characterized by slurred speech, in the past. Her medications include insulin, lisinopril, carvedilol, alendronate, aspirin, and acetaminophen. Her blood pressure is 160/90 mmHg and her heart rate is 73/min. Physical exam reveals muscular weakness, increased deep tendon reflexes, and mildly decreased pinprick sensation in both lower extremities. Which of the following is most likely responsible?

A 76-year-old man presents with several months of urinary incontinence. He denies associated dysuria, nocturia, or penile discharge, and has otherwise been feeling well aside from moderate left arm pain following a fall three days ago. He denies headache or head trauma. His medical history is significant for osteoarthritis and glaucoma, which are controlled with medications. On exam, his vital signs are within normal limits. His heart, lungs, and prostate are unremarkable. The cranial nerves are all intact, fundoscopic exam is normal, and there is no tremor. His gait is wide-based and shuffling, and he scores 24/30 on the Folstein mini-mental status exam. His muscle power is 5/5 in all four extremities and the deep tendon reflexes are normal. What is the most likely cause of his current condition?

A 33-year-old white female comes to the office for the evaluation of weakness in her upper extremities. She thinks she is unable to feel pain or heat, because she recently noted some burn wounds on her fingertips, and does not know how she got them. She denies weakness in her lower limbs, as well as any history of trauma, headache, bowel or bladder problems, neck pain or facial pain. Examination reveals absent reflexes in her upper limbs. There is absent pain and temperature sensation on the nape of neck, shoulders and upper arms in a 'cape' distribution. Vibration and position sensations are preserved. Which of the following is the most likely pathology of the patient's condition?

A 67-year-old woman is being evaluated for periodic confusion, insomnia, and frequent falls as well as episodes of decreased alertness and visual hallucinations. On physical examination, she has increased lower extremity muscle tone but downgoing Babinski reflexes bilaterally. Which of the following pathologic findings most likely underlies her condition?

A 65-year-old man was brought to the emergency department after his wife and son were unable to wake him up this morning. His past medical history is significant for hypertension for the past 7 years. For the past year, he has had several episodes of chest pain, which was triggered by physical activity and relieved by rest. His current medications are nitrates and "baby aspirin." His blood pressure is 140/80 mm Hg, heart rate is 85/min, and respirations are 15/min. The physical examination reveals an obese man with impaired consciousness. He has a Glasgow score of 6, asymmetric pupils, and brisk deep tendon reflexes in the left extremities. Plantar stimulation provokes extension of the left great toe. The EKG shows no abnormalities. His CK-MB serum levels are within the normal range, and his LDL cholesterol level is 150 mg/dl. What is the most likely etiopathology of this patient's symptoms?

An 84-year-old female is hospitalized with right-sided hemiplegia secondary to an ischemic stroke. She has a complex past medical history including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia and mild Alzheimer disease. Her current medications include lisinopril, metoprolol, insulin glargine, simvastatin and aspirin. On physical examination, her blood pressure is 140/60 mm Hg and her heart rate is 62/min. Her neck is supple and without jugular venous distension. Her lungs are clear to auscultation and her abdomen is soft and non-distended. She cannot move her right arm or right leg. There is a partial thickness ulcer on her right heel. Her wound is most likely the result of which of the following?

A 59-year-old male presents to the ER with diplopia that started several hours ago. He has no other complaints. His past medical history is significant for long-standing diabetes with poor glycemic control, right knee osteoarthritis, and peptic ulcer disease. Physical examination reveals right-sided ptosis with the right eye looking down and out. Pupils are equal and reactive to light. This patient's condition is most likely due to which of the following?

A 52-year-old male is referred to the neurology clinic for the evaluation of EEG abnormalities. He presented with rapidly increasing memory impairment, and denied any history of seizures or head trauma. The physical examination revealed no abnormalities, except a myoclonus. An extensive work-up ruled out the presence of any medical illness; however, the EEG report revealed sharp, triphasic and synchronous discharges. Which of the following abnormalities is most likely in this patient?

A 67 -year-old male presents to the emergency department with severe dizziness and the inability to walk. He complains of repetitive vomiting and occipital headache. The symptoms started two hours ago when he was playing golf in sunny weather with his friends. His past medical history is significant for hypertension and diabetes. He underwent coronary stenting two years ago for recurrent chest pain. His current medications are aspirin, glipizide, enalapril and metoprolol. His blood pressure is 210/110 mmHg, heart rate is 78/min, temperature is 37.8°C (100°F), and respirations are 18/min. Muscle strength is preserved in all four extremities, and there are no sensory abnormalities. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's symptoms?

A 24-year-old athlete was running a marathon on a bright sunny and humid day, when he suddenly collapsed. He was disoriented at the scene. He has no medical history and takes no medication. He does not use tobacco, alcohol or drugs. Family history is insignificant. On arrival to the emergency room, his temperature is 41°C (105.8°F), blood pressure is 90/60mm Hg, pulse is 140/min, and respirations are 22/min. Mucous membranes and skin are dry. Neck is supple. Auscultation of the chest is unremarkable. Abdomen is soft and non-tender. Muscle tone and reflexes are within normal limits. Labs show a hematocrit of 52%. Chest x-ray is within normal limits. Urinalysis shows large blood but no red blood cells. Which of the following is the most likely underlying pathophysiology of his current condition?

A 21 -year-old male has been experiencing severe headaches for the past week. He also describes difficulty grasping objects in his right hand and difficulty getting dressed, which both started today. CT scan of the head shows a ring-enhancing lesion in the left frontal lobe and a fluid collection in the left maxillary sinus. Tissue biopsy of the brain lesion is most likely to demonstrate which of the following?

A 30-year-old Caucasian male comes to the office due to symmetric weakness of his lower extremities. He also has paresthesias in his toes and fingers, and lower back pain. The neurological examination shows symmetric weakness, diminished reflexes, and intact sensation in his lower extremities. Orthostatic hypotension is also noted. Electrophysiological studies show slowed nerve conduction velocities. Lumbar puncture reveals normal opening pressure. CSF examination shows few cells, and a protein concentration of 90 mg/dL. Which of the following organisms is involved in the pathogenesis of this disorder?

A 65-year-old Caucasian male presents to your office complaining of an episode of slurred speech and clumsiness of his right hand. The episode lasted 15 minutes and resolved spontaneously. He had a similar episode one week ago. His past medical history is significant for moderate hypertension, diabetes mellitus (OM) type 2 and osteoarthritis of the right knee. He has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 35 years, and drinks 1-2 glasses of wine daily. His current medications include metoprolol, glyburide and naproxen. His blood pressure is 160/95 mmHg, pulse is 65/min, respirations are 16/min, and temperature is 36.7°C (98°F). The physical findings are within normal limits. The lab studies show: Fasting blood glucose 200 mg/dl, Total cholesterol 240 mg/dl, LDL cholesterol 140 mg/dl, HDL cholesterol 76 mg/dl. What is the most important risk factor for a stroke in this patient?

A 65-year-old bedridden woman is brought in with complaints of weight loss, weakness and malaise. Her past medical history includes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (diagnosed fifteen years ago) and hypertension of ten years' duration. She quit smoking two years ago, but previously smoked three packs of cigarettes daily since she was 20 years of age. Her vital signs are stable. Her physical examination reveals severe weakness in her proximal muscles, and loss of deep tendon reflexes. Chest x-ray shows a right upper lung mass with mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Which of the following is the most likely cause of her weakness?

A 16-year-old female complains of headaches and visual impairment for the past month. She says that the headaches are worst in the morning and are associated with nausea. Her medical history is also significant for severe acne for which she takes oral isotretinoin. On physical examination, her temperature is 36.7°C (98°F), blood pressure is 130/80 mm Hg, pulse is 70/min, and respirations are 15/min. She has papilledema and decreased visual acuity. There is no neck stiffness. Motor examination shows 5/5 power, 2+ deep tendon reflexes, and a normal plantar response. Sensory examination is unremarkable. CT scan of the head is within normal limits. Lumbar puncture reveals the following: Opening pressure 250 cm H20, CSF glucose 40 mg/dL, CSF protein 40 mg/dL, WBC 3/mm3. Which of the following is the most likely cause of her symptoms?

A 26-year-old man comes to the emergency department because he is "suffering from the worst headache of his life." He feels nauseated and is photosensitive. His blood pressure is 160/90 mm Hg, heart rate is 88/min, and temperature is 36.5°C (97.7°F). The physical examination reveals no focal neurological symptoms, except for some meningismus and vertigo, which is not localized to either side. CSF examination reveals the presence of xanthochromia. What is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in a patient with the above condition?

A 53-year-old man comes to the office because of difficulty reading fine print over the last year. He now has to hold books, menus, and magazines at an arm’s length in order to read them. He has never had visual problems before. Which of the following is most likely abnormal in this patient? .

A 35-year-old HIV-positive male is complaining of deterioration of his vision over the past week. He initially experienced eye pain and mild conjunctivitis, followed by rapid progressive visual loss. Examination of his eyes reveals marked keratitis. Funduscopy shows widespread, pale, peripheral retinal lesions and central necrosis of the retina. Which of the following is the most likely causative organism of this patient's condition?

A 57-year-old female with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus complains of fatigue, urinary frequency, increasingly blurred vision and worsening leg cramps over the past week. She reports that the symptoms all began following an upper respiratory infection 7 or 8 days ago. She does not take any medications, but adheres to a diet low in saturated fat and simple carbohydrates to manage her diabetes. On physical examination, her blood pressure is 160/90 mmHg and her heart rate is 90/min. Her mucous membranes are dry. Her urine is positive for glucose but negative for ketones. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's vision impairment?

A 34-year-old obese Caucasian female complains of periodic visual obscurations. She has episodes during which she "goes blind" for several seconds when standing up or stooping forward abruptly. She also describes frequent morning headaches over the last two months for which she has had to take ibuprofen or aspirin almost every morning. She takes no other medications. Past medical history is insignificant aside from one uncomplicated vaginal delivery. She denies use of alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs. She is afebrile with a blood pressure of 138/88 mmHg and pulse of 93/min. Visual field testing shows enlarged blind spots. There are no other significant findings on neurologic examination. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's symptoms?

A 30-year-old man is concerned about "floating spots" and blurred vision in his right eye. He had a serious injury of his left eye several weeks ago, which eventually led to vision loss in that eye. Inspection reveals a moderate perilimbal flush. What is the most probable cause of this patient's condition? .

A 67-year-old Caucasian male complains of progressive visual loss in his right eye over the past several months. He has a history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Current medications include a daily baby aspirin, hydrochlorothiazide, lisinopril, and metformin. There is no family history of visual problems. He has a 35 pack year smoking history and admits to occasional alcohol use. He is afebrile with a blood pressure of 137/82 mmHg and pulse of 73/min. Cardiac and pulmonary examinations are unremarkable. A neurologic examination demonstrates no focal motor or sensory abnormalities. The patient is asked to cover his left eye and to look at a small spot on a grid made of parallel vertical and horizontal lines. He describes the vertical lines as being bent and wavy. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's complaints?

A 35-year-old white female is complaining of blurry vision and pain with eye movements. She is on no medications and denies any trauma. Last year, she developed bladder incontinence and an episode of leg weakness, which both improved without therapy. Physical examination reveals reduced vision and swollen optic discs. The one diagnosis that may explain her symptoms is:

A 67-year-old male presents with a one-month history of dyspnea on exertion and chest pain. He denies hemoptysis, cough, fever, night sweats or weight loss. His past medical history is significant for hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He has a 48 pack-year smoking history but quit six years ago. He works as a salesman. On physical examination, the patient has a temperature of 38.2°C (100.8°F), blood pressure of 128/72 mm Hg, pulse of 92/minute, and respirations of 20 breaths/minute. His complete blood count, chemistry panel, and hepatic function tests are all within normal limits. A chest x-ray and computed tomography scan of the chest reveal a right-sided pleural effusion and calcified nodules in both upper lobes. The patient undergoes thoracentesis. Characteristics of the pleural fluid are given below: Total protein 5.2 g/dl, Glucose 83 mg/dl, Adenosine deaminase 98.5 U/L. Cytologic examination reveals 600 white blood cells/mm3, 1% macrophages and 99% leukocytes. Of the leukocytes, 45% are neutrophils, 50% are lymphocytes, and 5% are monocytes, with no basophils or eosinophils. No neoplastic cells are found. Which of the following is the most likely mechanism underlying development of this pleural effusion?

A 65-year-old man complains of two years of persistent cough. He says that he coughs up whitish sputum almost every morning on waking, and then continues coughing throughout the day. He also complains of exertional shortness of breath that becomes disabling if he gets an upper respiratory infection. He has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for the past 40 years. Pulmonary function testing reveals a vital capacity that is 65% of his predicted. Which of the following best explains this finding? .

A 71-year-old man is brought to the ER after a witnessed tonic-clonic seizure. He is somnolent and intermittently combative on exam. No past medical history is available. His arterial blood gas (ABG) at room air is given below: pH 7.23, pCO2 69 mmHg, pO2 57 mmHg, HCO3 28 mmHg. Which of the following best explains the acid-base disturbances in this patient?

A 60-year-old white male presents to the Emergency Room with sudden onset of dyspnea. He is a truck driver and just returned from a long trip. His past medical history is insignificant. He is not taking any medications. His blood pressure is 110/70 mmHg and heart rate is 110/min. Physical examination reveals a moderately overweight man with tachypnea. Lungs are clear on auscultation. ECG shows right axis deviation. You order ventilation/perfusion scanning. Which of the following findings will help you the most to confirm the diagnosis?

A 74-year-old nursing home resident is brought to the ER with a low-grade fever, cough and shortness of breath for the last two days. The cough is productive of small amounts of greenish sputum. His past medical history is significant for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, COPD, hypercholesterolemia and mild dementia. His blood pressure is 152/78 mmHg and his heart rate is 89/min, regular. Physical examination reveals decreased breath sounds, coarse rhonchi, and increased fremitus over the lower left lung field. His oxygen saturation is 92% on room air when lying on his right side but drops to 84% when he lies on his left. Which of the following best explains this finding? .

A 60-year-old man comes to the office with worsening shortness of breath over the last 5 months. He has had two episodes of bronchitis over the last 12 months. He now has a mild nonproductive cough. He denies any fever, chills, hemoptysis, chest pain, or difficulty breathing while lying on his back. His medications include an ipratropium inhaler, aspirin, and amlodipine. He was hospitalized twice in the last 3 years due to an exacerbation of his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He has been smoking 1 pack of cigarettes per day for the last 40 years. His temperature is 99°F (37.2°C), blood pressure is 130/86 mm Hg, pulse is 98/min, and respirations are 18/min. Examination shows a thin man in mild respiratory distress with increased anteroposterior chest diameter, diffuse expiratory wheeze and loud S2. Chest X-ray shows hyperinflation of bilateral lung fields with diaphragm flattening and small heart size. Which of the following is the most effective measure to decrease mortality in this patient?

A 64-year-old man presents to the emergency department with progressive exertional dyspnea that worsened after he contracted an upper respiratory infection. He also complains of bilateral ankle swelling. He has a 40 pack-year history of smoking. Physical examination reveals a mildly overweight patient in mild respiratory distress. Lung auscultation reveals bilateral wheezes and a prolonged expiratory phase. His white blood cell count is 14,500/mm3 and his hemoglobin level is 16 mg/dl. Arterial blood gas analysis reveals the following: pH 7.37, pO2 65mmHg, pCO2 60mmHg. Absence of marked acidosis in this patient is best explained by which of the following? .

A 43-year-old woman with congestive heart failure, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic hepatitis C complains of abdominal discomfort and difficulty breathing. Physical examination shows dullness to percussion at the right lung base. Chest x-ray reveals a large right-sided pleural effusion. Thoracentesis yields pleural fluid with a glucose content of 30 mg/dl and an LDH of 192units/L. Which of the following explains the pleural fluid glucose concentration? .

A 42-year-old morbidly obese man is being evaluated for poor sleep. He complains of frequent awakenings due to a choking sensation and says that the resulting tiredness severely limits his physical activity. He also complains of chronic leg swelling. He denies cigarette, alcohol, or drug use. On physical examination, his blood pressure is 160/100 mmHg and his heart rate is 110/min. Which of the following additional findings is most likely to be present in this patient? .

A 53-year-old homosexual man comes to the ER with shortness of breath and dry cough over the past week. You note that he was hospitalized for Candida esophagitis one month ago, but left against medical advice. On physical examination, his blood pressure is 120/70 mmHg, heart rate is 120/min and regular, oxygen saturation is 89% on 2Umin of oxygen by nasal cannula, and temperature is 38.3°C (101°F). There are extensive white plaques over the oral mucosa and there is a soft 2/6 systolic murmur over the cardiac apex. Lung auscultation is remarkable for faint bilateral crackles. Which of the following is most likely responsible?

A 56-year-old male presents with progressively worsening dyspnea over a 4 month period. He denies fever, chest pain, cough or ankle swelling and does not use tobacco, alcohol or drugs. He works for a home insulation and plumbing company. He has never been abroad and does not own any pets. His only medications are hydrochlorothiazide and metoprolol for blood pressure control. On physical examination, his temperature is 36.8°C (98.2°F), pulse is 76/min, blood pressure is 130/78 mmHg, and respirations are 15/min. Examination shows digital clubbing and fine bibasilar end-inspiratory crackles. Jugular venous pressure is 7 cm and there is no peripheral edema. Which of the following additional findings is most likely in this patient? .

An 80-year-old Caucasian female is brought to the emergency room by her son with a three-day history of fever and a foul-smelling, productive cough. Her past medical history is significant for advanced dementia, diabetes, and hypertension. She takes aspirin, metformin, insulin, and atenolol. She was admitted two times with pneumonia during the past two months. Her temperature is 38.3°C (101°F), blood pressure is 100/70mmHg, pulse is 105/min, and respirations are 20/min. The patient is not oriented in time and place. Physical examination reveals dry mucus membranes and decreased skin turgor. Breath sounds are decreased to the right. A chest x-ray revealed right, lower lobe infiltrate. Which of the following is the most important predisposing factor for this condition in this patient? .

A 44-year-old woman presents with increased shortness of breath, cough, and sputum production. She has had asthma since childhood and uses her medications as directed. Recently, she noticed that her peak flow readings were decreasing after the symptoms started. On examination, she is in moderate respiratory distress, respirations 25/min, there are bilateral wheezes and oxygen saturation is 90% on room air. On her blood gas, the PCO2 is 50 mm Hg. Which of the following is the most likely mechanism for her carbon dioxide retention? I

A 57-year-old man with a 40-pack-per-year history of smoking experiences symptoms of shortness of breath on exertion. He has bilateral wheezes on expiration and increased resonance to percussion of the chest. Pulmonary function tests confirm the diagnosis of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). Which of the following is the best definition of this condition? I

A 38-year-old man is being seen in his physician’s office after being involved in a car accident. He has a vague pain along his right sternal border, where he crashed into the steering wheel. His temperature is 36.6°C (97.8°F), pulse is 80/min, blood pressure is 123/75 mm Hg, respiratory rate is 14/min, and oxygen saturation is 99% on room air. Physical examination is significant for point tenderness over the right sternal border. X-ray of the chest shows no broken ribs but a single, well-circumscribed pulmonary nodule, 1.5 cm in diameter, located in the left lower lung field. A search through the patient’s electronic medical file reveals that he had an x-ray of the chest taken 2 years ago. The radiology report from that time reveals that the nodule was only 0.75 cm in diameter. To characterize the lesion, CT of the chest is performed and shows dense, flocculated calcification within the lesion. Which of the following risk factors most increases the chances of malignancy in this patient?

A 32-year-old man develops symptoms of wheezing, cough, and shortness of breath. He has bilateral expiratory wheezes, and the rest of the examination is normal. Further evaluation with pulmonary function tests reveals a reduced FEV1/FVC ratio that corrects with bronchodilators. Which of the following statements about a diagnosis of idiosyncratic asthma (also called nonatopic) is correct?

A 64-year-old woman is admitted to the hospital with right lobar pneumonia and sepsis syndrome. She becomes progressively more short of breath and hypoxemic requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. Her repeat CXR in the intensive care unit now shows diffuse pulmonary infiltrates and a diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is made. Which of the following mechanisms is the most likely cause for the early exudative‖ phase of ARDS? I

A 55-year-old woman is in the intensive care unit on a ventilator for hypoxemia following “flash” pulmonary edema. Her PO2 on the blood gas prior to intubation was 44 mm Hg, and now while breathing 100% oxygen on the ventilator her repeat blood gas reveals a PO2 of 80 mm Hg. Hypoxemia while receiving 100% oxygen indicates which of the following problems?

You are the internist caring for a 26-year-old male who is stricken with alcoholic gastritis. The man has remained absent from his work as a waiter for several days due to his illness. His employer calls you for more information about the illness and the prognosis. He says that he just spoke with his employee on the phone and was granted permission to talk with you. What is the most appropriate response to this request?

A 34-year-old obese female is brought to the emergency department complaining of severe right upper quadrant abdominal pain that began suddenly earlier this morning. She is accompanied by her husband. An ultrasound evaluation is performed and the woman is diagnosed with acute cholecystitis. Because her symptoms worsen with conservative treatment, the decision is made to operate. The patient is discharged home five days after her successful cholecystectomy. Upon discharge, the patient and her husband request all medical records associated with her stay. What is the most appropriate response on the behalf of the physician?

A long-time patient calls your office to speak with you directly. She voices frustration with your receptionist, who has repeatedly refused to allow her to schedule an appointment to see you. The patient says that at her last visit, she had a heated argument with the receptionist about a minor detail regarding her insurance coverage. When she has called since then, the receptionist always responds by saying, "I'm sorry, but there are too many patients waiting ahead of you." Which of the following defense mechanisms is the receptionist demonstrating? .

A 34-year-old woman who describes herself as a "holistic healer" brings her two children aged four years and three years to the pediatrician for routine physical examinations. This is a first visit as they have recently moved from another state. The medical records for the children indicate that no immunizations have been given. When the mother is questioned about this, she proudly replies, "My children are wonderfully healthy on their own and have no need for these artificial vaccines." The principles and benefits of immunization are discussed at length, as well as the risks inherent in not being immunized. The physician recommends that the children be given all age-appropriate vaccinations today. The mother remains convinced that immunizations cause more harm than good, and she steadfastly refuses to allow her children to be vaccinated. What is the most appropriate next step?

A 48-year-old woman notices a firm, fixed mass in her right breast but chooses to ignore it. The mass is then detected on her annual physical examination eight months later. By that point, the mass has increased greatly in size. When questioned as to why she did not report the mass when she first noticed it, the woman states that she was not concerned about the mass because she does not have a family history of breast cancer This response is an example of which of the following defense mechanisms?

A 60-year-old physician is admitted to the hospital for jaundice and weight loss. He denies other symptoms, including abdominal pain and alterations in bowel movements. His past medical history is noncontributory. He denies any history of significant alcohol intake but admits to a 30-pack-year smoking history. A detailed work-up eventually reveals the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. Shortly after his discharge, he spends several hours per day on his laptop computer so that he can obtain the latest information on his illness. Which of the following psychological defense mechanisms is this physician most likely employing? .

A 54-year-old male with a history of chronic alcoholism is admitted to the hospital with hematemesis and abdominal distension. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy reveals the presence of esophageal varices. Continued workup of his condition results in a diagnosis of cirrhosis of the liver. He is treated appropriately and strongly counseled about the need to abstain from alcohol. He is then discharged home. After discharge, he begins to work as a full-time volunteer for a non-profit organization that assists patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. Which of the following defense mechanisms is this man using? .