USMLE_Management XIII

A 68-year-old African-American man presents to his primary care physician for a check-up. He has not been to the physician’s office in over 15 years. He reports that he is fine but that his wife keeps telling him that he has to “go see the doctor.” He says he has never been sick, despite smoking three packs of cigarettes per day for over 40 years. He also says that he drinks 2–3 beers a night but never had a problem with that either. He’s as healthy “as a bull,” he says. His wife is in the room and says that he recently has had some problems swallowing food and that he is losing weight. He laughs and says, “I just need to chew more and eat more.” His vital signs are normal, as are his laboratory values. The physician is concerned and orders an endoscopy, which reveals a biopsy positive for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Which of the following most likely could have prevented this condition?

A 68-year-old African-American woman presents to the ER in acute distress. She complains of a sudden onset of complete visual loss in her right eye. Her vision had been blurry for the past few days and acutely worsened one hour ago. She also describes right-sided headaches of two months duration for which she has taken ibuprofen without relief. She has no nausea or vomiting. She has diabetes, hypertension, and degenerative joint disease. Her temperature is 37.2°C (98.9°F) and blood pressure is 146/86 mmHg. Examination reveals complete loss of vision in the right eye. Her pupils are 4 mm bilaterally. Fundoscopy shows a swollen pale disc with blurred margins. A bruit is heard in the right subclavicular area. Motor and sensory examination is within normal limits. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 68-year-old female comes to the Emergency Room with increased shortness of breath and cough for 12 hours. She has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for the past 14 years and has been oxygen dependent for two years. Twelve hours ago, she felt unable to get her breath. She took two extra nebulizer treatments and used her as-needed inhaler with no relief of symptoms. She denies any fever, chills, sweating, nausea or vomiting, and hemoptysis. She rarely uses alcohol, but had smoked two packs/day for 45 years. She quit smoking about six years ago. Her medications include ipratropium, albuterol, multivitamins, and oxygen 2 liters/min by nasal cannula. She is a thin, frail female in moderate distress. Her temperature is 36.7°C (98°F), blood pressure is 110/65 mmHg, pulse is 110/min, and respirations are 28/min. Pulse oximetry shows 84% on 2 liters oxygen by nasal cannula. The patient is given oxygen, methyl prednisolone, aerosolized ipratropium, and albuterol; however, the patient remains dyspneic and bedridden. ABGs are ordered and the results show: pH 7.32, PCO2 60 mmHg, and PO2 52 mmHg on 4-liters O2. What is the next best step in the management of this patient?

A 68-year-old hypertensive man undergoes successful repair of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. He receives 9 L Ringer lactate solution and 4 units of whole blood during the operation. Two hours after transfer to the surgical intensive care unit, the following hemodynamic parameters are obtained: systemic blood pressure (BP) 90/60 mm Hg, pulse 110 beats per minute, central venous pressure (CVP) 7 mm Hg, pulmonary artery pressure 28/10 mm Hg, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) 8 mm Hg, cardiac output 1.9 L/min, systemic vascular resistance 1400 (dynes)/cm5 (normal is 900-1300), PaO2 140 mm Hg (FiO2: 0.45), urine output 15 mL/h (specific gravity: 1.029), and hematocrit 35%. Given this data, which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 68-year-old male complains of pain in his calves while walking. He notes bilateral foot pain, which awakens him at night. His blood pressure is 117/68 mmHg. Physical examination reveals diminished bilateral lower extremity pulses. An ankle:brachial index measures 0.6. The patient’s current medications include aspirin and hydrochlorothiazide. Which of the following is the best initial management plan for this patient’s complaint?

A 68-year-old male is hospitalized following an intracerebral hemorrhage. On hospital day 3, he develops redness, swelling, and tenderness of the left calf. There is no fever. Compression ultrasonography reveals a thrombus in the popliteal vein. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A 68-year-old male undergoes colon resection surgery for diverticulosis. In the 24 hours following the surgery, he passes a total of 300 ml of urine. His past medical history is significant for coronary artery disease, right knee osteoarthritis and moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. On physical examination, his blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg and his heart rate is 90/min. His lungs are clearto auscultation and his abdomen is soft and non-distended. His current labs are given below: Hemoglobin 9.5 mg/dl, WBC count 13,000/mm3, Platelet count 160,000/mm3, Sodium 138 mg/dl, Potassium 5.1 mg/dl, Glucose 108 mg/dl, Creatinine 2.3 mg/dl, BUN 82 mg/dl, His indwelling bladder catheter is changed but no residual urine is drained. Which of the following is the best next step in managing this patient?

A 68-year-old man comes to the emergency department because of sudden onset back pain. He has never had back pain before and denies any trauma. He does not feel well and feels "like he is going to die". His blood pressure is 70/40 mm Hg, pulse is 110/min and respirations are 20/min. On examination, the abdomen is tender to palpation and there is a large pulsatile mass. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 68-year-old man presents to the emergency department complaining of left lower extremity pain. He says that he first noticed a tingling sensation in his leg 3 hours ago, and since that time it has become increasingly painful. Over the past hour, he says, the skin on his leg has started to change color. His medical history is significant for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, and major depressive disorder. He cannot remember his medication list at this time. On physical examination, his blood pressure is 127/74 mmHg and his heart rate is 102/min. His left lower extremity is cool and pale below the level of the knee. Neither the posterior tibial nor the dorsalis pedis pulse is palpable. Which medication could have prevented this acute problem?

A 68-year-old woman with a history of well-managed sick sinus syndrome and osteoporosis is brought to the physician by her daughter. According to the daughter, her mother has become increasingly forgetful and irritable over the past two years. She adds that she felt less concerned about her mother's forgetfulness as "it just comes with aging," but that the "mood swings have become a problem in terms of her getting along with family members." A Folstein Mini-Mental Status Examination is performed and suggests significant cognitive decline. Dementia is strongly suspected. After potentially causative medical or psychiatric conditions have been ruled out, the diagnosis of Alzheimer's dementia is made. Which of the following medications would be most appropriate in the treatment of this woman's condition?

A 69-year-old male presents to the ER with severe shortness of breath for the past 12 hours. He reports that he has used his albuterol inhaler many times without relief. On review of systems he notes having had a mild fever yesterday that resolved with acetaminophen. The patient quit smoking 2 years ago but has a 100 pack year smoking history. On physical examination, his blood pressure is 150/90 mmHg and heart rate is 110/min. The patient is using accessory muscles of respiration. Expirations are prolonged, and there are wheezes bilaterally. Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis reveals the following: pH 7.36, pO2 64 mmHg, pCO2 57 mmHg, HCO3 32 mEq/L. The patient is treated with ipratropium and albuterol nebulizers and moxifloxacin. Which of the following additional therapies is most likely to benefit this patient?

A 7 -day-old male infant is brought by his mother complaining of decreased movements of his right arm. She denies any trauma or fall. Pregnancy was uneventful, but delivery was complicated with shoulder dystocia. Examination reveals the presence of crepitus and bony irregularity over the clavicular area and Mora reflex is absent on the right. Which of the following is the most appropriate management?

A 7 -year-old boy is brought to the office by his mother due to nocturnal enuresis. He has been wetting his bed at night for the past two years. He is otherwise healthy and has no psychological or behavioral problems. His mother is desperately asking for your help because she has tried alarms and bladder training, all to no success. What is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A 7 -year-old boy is brought to your office with a mild fever and neck swelling. His mother says that the boy has been complaining of neck pain for a couple of days and she noticed a tender neck lump yesterday. All of his vaccinations are up-to-date. He has no known allergies. Physical examination reveals a tender and fluctuant anterior cervical mass. Which of the following is the best medication for this patient?

A 7 -year-old Caucasian boy is brought to the clinic due to malaise and headache for the past 2 weeks. He was apparently normal until 3 weeks ago, when he went on a hiking trip with his family to Connecticut. His father found a tick attached to his thigh; however, a red macule remains at the site where the tick was attached. One week after the tick was removed, a red ring developed around the macule, and then the ring appeared to grow larger by expanding outward, leaving an area of central clearing. What is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A 7-day-old female neonate is brought to your office for a 2-day history of jaundice and poor feeding. According to the mother, she has vomited twice but doesn't appear febrile. She is regularly breastfed. Her birth history is unremarkable. On examination, she appears listless, and mild jaundice, along with signs of dehydration, are noted. Her blood pressure is 78/52mm Hg, pulse rate is 150/min, and temperature is 36 C (96 F). Her family history is insignificant. What is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A 7-month-old boy is brought to his physician because of increased agitation and restlessness. Lung examination reveals crackles and decreased breath sounds bilaterally. Chest x-ray films are notable for bilateral pneumonia. Arterial blood gas analysis reveals an oxygen tension of 45 mm Hg and a carbon dioxide tension of 60 mm Hg. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 7-year-old boy has a history of repeated urinary tract infections that have been treated by the empiric use of antibiotics. The parents are not satisfied with the care the child is receiving, and they take him to a pediatric urologist. Evaluation by voiding cystourethrogram shows that the patient has vesicoureteral reflux without ureteral or upper tract dilatation (grade one reflux). Which of the following is the appropriate management for this child?

A 7-year-old boy is brought to the office by his mother because, "he is always daydreaming." Sometimes, he stares for a few seconds and rolls his eyes for unknown reasons. His teacher has noted a recent decline in his school performance. He has no family history of any seizure disorder, and his psychomotor development is normal. His neurological examination is unremarkable. EEG during hyperventilation shows generalized, symmetrical 3-Hz spike-and-wave activity on a normal background. Which of the following medications is the most appropriate to treat the boy's disorder?

A 7-year-old boy is brought to the office by his mother due to anal pruritus for the past month. His symptoms are most severe at night. Physical examination is normal, except for mild perianal erythema. Stool examination is normal. "Scotch tape test" is positive. Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment for this child's condition?

A 7-year-old boy is brought to the pediatrician by his mother for a routine check-up. Physical examination is normal, but during the exam the mother reveals that her son's behavior has been poor. She says that he is always running around (even during dinner), doesn't listen, and keeps his room a mess. She hopes he will grow out of this soon. Upon further questioning, the pediatrician learns that the patient's second-grade teacher has reported that he answers questions impulsively and out of turn, and that he cannot sit at his desk for a very long time without fidgeting. He also frequently forgets to bring in his homework. The mother states that her son has had these symptoms for about a year, and that his grades have been falling over the past six months. The diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is made and the boy is started on methylphenidate. Which of the following side effects is most likely to occur in patients who take methylphenidate?

A 7-year-old boy is brought to your office with a sore throat, decreased appetite, and nausea. His past medical history is insignificant. All of his vaccinations are up-to-date. He has no known allergies. His temperature is 39.0°C (102.5°F), blood pressure is 110/70 mmHg, pulse is 104/min, and respirations are 16/min. On examination, the pharynx and tonsils are red, sv1ollen, and have white exudates on their surface. There is also bilateral tender cervical lymphadenopathy. The rapid diagnostic test for streptococcal antigen is positive. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 7-year-old boy is brought to your office with a sore throat, decreased appetite, and nausea. His past medical history is insignificant. All of his vaccinations are up-to-date. He has no known allergies. His temperature is 39.0°C (102.5°F), blood pressure is 110/70 mmHg, pulse is 104/min, and respirations are 16/min. On examination, the pharynx and tonsils are red, swollen, and have white exudates on their surface. There is also bilateral tender cervical lymphadenopathy. The rapid diagnostic test for streptococcal antigen is positive. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 7-year-old boy is referred for genetic testing because his father was diagnosed with medullary cancer of the thyroid. The father underwent a total thyroidectomy, and in the preoperative workup it was determined that he also had a pheochromocytoma, and that tumor was removed also. The father did not have parathyroid hyperplasia at the time, his phenotype was normal, and his final diagnosis was MEN-2A. The child is tested and found to have RET mutations in the peripheral white blood cells. The child has normal phenotype, normal levels of calcitonin, normal levels of catecholamines, metanephrines, and VMA, and normal levels of calcium and parathyroid hormone. Which of the following is the most appropriate management?

A 7-year-old child is brought by his mother for a school physical. His growth parameters show his height to be 50th percentile and his weight to be significantly higher than 95th percentile. His mother complains that he always seems sleepy during the day and that he has started complaining of headaches. His second-grade teacher has commented that he has difficulty staying awake in class. His mother complains that he wakes up the whole house with his snoring at night. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in evaluating and managing this condition?

A 7-year-old child is scheduled for an elective tonsillectomy. The most important instruction to the parents should be to make sure that the child does which of the following?

A 7-year-old girl complains of increased urinary frequency, dysuria and itching on urination. Her urinalysis is consistent with a urinary tract infection. This is her 20th infection in the past year, despite adequate antibiotic coverage. Further imaging of her bladder, kidneys and ureter reveals is consistent with vesicoureteral reflux. Which of the following is the next appropriate step?

A 7-year-old girl is brought in to see you by her mother because the girl has developed breasts and has a few pubic hairs starting to show up. Which of the following is the best treatment for the girl’s condition?

A 7-year-old girl is seen in your office after her mother began to notice significant changes in her physical appearance. The mother says that she first noticed the development of her daughter's breasts, and she became more worried when her daughter developed both axillary and pubic hair. The patient's grandmother told the mother not to worry because two of the patient's aunts entered puberty at an early age. The patient has not had any behavioral changes or a decline in her school performance, and she denies headaches, visual changes, or vomiting. Physical examination reveals the presence of axillary hair, pubic hair at Tanner stage 3, and breast development at Tanner stage 4. The rest of the examination is unremarkable. GnRH stimulation test results in an increase of LH. Which of the following is the most appropriate management for this patient?

A 7-year-old girl presents with hives, which developed after a bee sting. She has no other symptoms. The hives resolve with diphenhydramine. Which of the following is the most appropriate management?

A 70-kg woman is to undergo nail removal from her right ring finger in the ambulatory surgery clinic. Which of the following is the most appropriate option for local anesthesia?

A 70-year-old female has been healthy except for hypertension treated with a thiazide diuretic. She presents with sudden onset of a severe, tearing chest pain, which radiates to the back and is associated with dyspnea and diaphoresis. Blood pressure is 210/94 mmHg. Lung auscultation reveals bilateral basilar rales. A faint murmur of aortic insufficiency is heard. The BNP level is elevated at 550 pg/mL (Normal < 100). ECG shows nonspecific ST-T changes. Chest x-ray suggests a widened mediastinum. Which of the following choices represents the best initial management?

A 70-year-old male presents with malaise, pain and stiffness of his neck, shoulders and hips for the last 3 months. His stiffness is worse in the morning and lasts about 30-40 minutes. He also complains of a recent weight loss of 7 lbs and mild fevers. He has no headache, scalp tenderness, visual symptoms or jaw claudication. Examination shows no swelling or tenderness of the involved joints with normal range of motion on active and passive movement. The arteries of the scalp, neck and extremities are normally palpable without any tenderness. Labs show a hematocrit of 31% and an ESR of 65 mm/hr. Blood cultures are negative. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management of this patient?

A 70-year-old male with a history of coronary artery disease presents to the emergency department with 2 hours of substernal chest pressure, diaphoresis, and nausea. He reports difficulty “catching his breath.” An electrocardiogram shows septal T-wave inversion. The patient is given 325-mg aspirin and sublingual nitroglycerin while awaiting the results of his blood work. His troponin I is 0.65 ng/mL (normal < 0.04 ng/mL). The physician in the emergency department starts the patient on low-molecular-weight heparin. His pain is 3/10. Blood pressure is currently 154/78 mmHg and heart rate is 72. You are asked to assume care of this patient. What is the best next step in management?

A 70-year-old man is admitted to the ICU after repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. He has a prior history of hypertension and mild congestive heart failure, which were adequately controlled with digoxin and diuretics. To facilitate perioperative management, a Swan-Ganz (multilumen pulmonary artery) catheter was inserted in the operating room. During the first few hours postoperatively, the patient is noted to have a blood pressure of 140/70 mmHg, heart rate of 110/min, flat neck veins, a pulmonary arterial wedge pressure of 9 mmHg, and poor urine output. Several hours after this intervention a bolus of IV crystalloid, the patient is reassessed. The blood pressure is 150/85 mmHg, heart rate is 90/min, neck veins are distended, and the pulmonary arterial wedge pressure is 17 mmHg. Urine output is still low in volume. At this point, management should be which of the following?

A 70-year-old man is concerned when his dentist finds a white patch on his oral mucosa during a routine examination. Proper management should include which of the following?

A 70-year-old man presents to the urgent care clinic complaining of extensive bruising and bleeding gums. His medical history is significant for atrial fibrillation for which he takes metoprolol and warfarin. He has been stable on his current dose of warfarin for several months. He denies any recent use of NSAIDs or other over-the-counter medications. The patient reports that he has been taking his warfarin as prescribed and has been trying to "live a healthier life" lately. On further questioning, he reports trying to exercise more often, taking numerous vitamin supplements daily, and eating more vegetables. His new diet consists mainly of vegetables like spinach, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli, as well as copious amounts of green tea. Which of the following lifestyle changes is most likely responsible for this patient's bleeding?

A 70-year-old man presents with back pain and increasing difficulty with initiating a urinary stream. On rectal examination, he is found to have a hard, irregularly enlarged prostate. He has an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and osteoblastic lesions in the vertebral column and bones of the pelvis. A needle biopsy of the prostate shows well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. Which of the following is the treatment of choice?

A 70-year-old man with a history of congestive heart failure (CHF) secondary to nonischemic cardiomyopathy presents to the office for preoperative evaluation for total hip replacement. The previous echocardiogram revealed an ejection fration (EF) of 30%, and he occasionally has shortness of breath with exertion. His vital signs: BP 185/60 mm Hg, HR 95 beats/min, R 20 breaths/min, T0 98,60F. Which of the following factors in this patient’s history and physical examination puts him most at a high risk for perioperative mortality?

A 70-year-old woman has nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, and episodic crampy midabdominal pain. She has no history of previous surgery but has a long history of cholelithiasis for which she has refused surgery. Her abdominal radiograph reveals a spherical density in the right lower quadrant. Which of the following is the definitive treatment for this patient’s bowel obstruction?

A 70-year-old woman undergoes a cardiac catheterization for exertional chest pain. Her pain continues to worsen and she is interested in having either surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Which of the following would be an indication for her to undergo either coronary artery bypass grafting or PCI?

A 71-year-old man returns from the operating room (OR) after undergoing a triple coronary bypass. His initial cardiac index is 2.8 L/ (min•m2). Heart rate is then noted to be 55 beats per minute, BP is 110/80 mm Hg, wedge pressure is 15, and his cardiac index has dropped to 1.6 L/(min•m2). He has a normal left ventricle. Which of the following maneuvers will increase his cardiac output?

A 71-year-old woman with a 40-year smoking history is noted to have a peripheral nodule in her left upper lobe on chest x-ray. Workup is consistent with small cell lung cancer with ipsilateral mediastinal lymph node involvement but no extrathoracic disease. What is the best treatment option for this patient?

A 72-year-old Caucasian male presents with shortness of breath that awakens him at night. At baseline he is able to walk less than a block before stopping to catch his breath. Physical examination findings include bilateral basilar rales and neck vein distention. The patient has a known history of congestive heart failure, and his last echocardiogram revealed an ejection fraction of 25%. The patient is compliant with a medication regimen including an ACE inhibitor, beta-blocker, and loop diuretic. Blood pressure is well controlled. What additional treatment should you begin next?

A 72-year-old chronic smoker with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is found to have a central hilar mass on chest x-ray. Bronchoscopy and biopsies establish a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Pulmonary function studies show that he has a FEVj of 1100 mL, and a ventilation-perfusion scan indicates that 60% of his pulmonary function comes from the affected lung. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 72-year-old G5P5 presents to your office for well-woman examination. Her last examination was 7 years ago, when she turned 65. She has routine checks and laboratory tests with her internist each year. Her last mammogram was 6 months ago and was normal. She takes a diuretic for hypertension. She is a retired school teacher. Her physical examination is normal. Which of the following is the best vaccination to recommend to this patient?

A 72-year-old Hispanic man comes to the clinic with complains of mild headache, and lethargy for the past several days. He complains of cough for the past 12 years, the cough has been bothering him more lately. The cough is mucoid, he has noticed blood in it once in a while. He has smoked 1 pack/day for 29 years. His vitals are, Temperature 37.0°C (98.6°F); BP 120/84 mm Hg; PR 78/min; RR 24/min. On examination of lungs, adventitious sounds are heard over all the lobes and scant crackles at the base. Laboratory studies show: WBC 7,600/mm3, Hemoglobin 13.6, Hematocrit 40%, Platelets 214,000mm3, Sodium 130 mEq/L, Potassium 3.6 mEq/L, Bicarbonate 18 mEq/L, Blood urea nitrogen 16 mg/dl, Creatinine 0.6 mg/dl, Glucose 95 mg/dl, Serum osmolality 260 mOsm/kg (normal 280), Urine osmolality 310 mOsm/kg. A chest x-ray shows a 2-centimeter left upper lobe mass and mediastinal adenopathy. What will be the next best step in management of this patient?

A 72-year-old man has a 3-mm ureteral stone impacted at the ureterovesical junction. He has been having mild ureteral colicky pain for about 12 hours, and he has been given fluids and analgesics in the expectation that he will spontaneously pass the stone. He then has shaking chills, and spikes a temperature of 40C (104F). When seen shortly thereafter, he has flank pain and looks quite ill. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 72-year-old man is scheduled to have elective sigmoid resection for diverticular disease. He has a history of heart disease, and had a documented myocardial infarction 2 years ago. He currently does not have angina, but he lives a sedentary life because "he gets out of breath" if he exerts himself. During the physical examination, it is noted that he has jugular venous distention. He has hemoglobin of 12 g/dL. If surgery is indeed needed, which of the following should most likely be done prior to the operation?

A 72-year-old man presents for a follow-up visit regarding his depressed mood after his wife's death seven months ago. The patient complains of lethargy and episodes of tearfulness. He has attended three sessions of supportive psychotherapy so far and expresses appreciation for the referral because he likes the therapist. However, he continues to feel depressed and is now experiencing insomnia. He is also feeling very guilty about his wife's death and feels that he should have somehow done more for her in her final months. He admits that during a particularly dark moment last month he briefly contemplated committing suicide so that he could "join her," although he is adamant that he does not feel suicidal at this time and will readily contract for safety. Physical examination reveals the patient has lost 13 lbs (5.9 kg) since his wife's death. What is the most appropriate next step?

A 72-year-old man presents with right eye pain for 1 day. The patient has a history of diabetes, hypertension, and “some type of eye problem.” He does not recall the name of his eye problem or the name of his ophthalmic medication. However, he does remember that the eye drop has a yellow cap. Which class of ophthalmic medication is the patient taking?

A 72-year-old man status post–coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) 5 years ago presents with hematochezia, abdominal pain, and fevers. Colonoscopy reveals patches of dusky-appearing mucosa at the splenic flexure without active bleeding. Which of the following is the most appropriate management of this patient?

A 72-year-old man undergoes coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) for severe coronary artery disease. He is extubated on the second postoperative day. His temperature is 36.6°C (97.9°F), blood pressure is 120/70 mm Hg, pulse is 80/min, and respirations are 12/min. On the third postoperative day, he complains of dyspnea and worsening retrosternal pain despite continuous analgesia with morphine. His temperature is 38.6°C (101.5°F), blood pressure is 112/52 mm Hg, pulse is 125/min and irregularly irregular and respirations are 28/min. Examination shows normal heart sounds. A small amount of cloudy fluid is present in the sternal wound drain. His ECG shows atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. An x-ray film of the chest shows widening of the mediastinum. Echocardiography reveals a small amount of pericardial fluid. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 8.9 mg/dl, WBC count 16,300/mm3, Platelet count 512,000/mm3, Creatinine 1.7 mg/dl, CPK 430 U/L.Which of the following will this patient most likely require?

A 72-year-old man underwent bypass grafting for severe coronary artery disease. On the 1st postoperative day, his temperature is 36.6C (97.9F), blood pressure is 120/70 mm Hg, pulse is 80/min and respirations are 12/min. On postoperative day 10 he is complaining of worsening retrosternal pain despite continuing analgesia with morphine. He also has dyspnea at rest. His temperature currently is 37.90 C ( 100.10 F), blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg, pulse is 100/min and respirations are 24/min. Examination shows clear heart sounds without murmurs or rubs. EKG shows no acute changes compared to the EKG on the 1st postoperative day. An x-ray film of the chest shows widening of the mediastinum. Echocardiography shows a small amount of pericardial fluid. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 11 .0 g/L, Platelets 120,000/mm3, Leukocy1e count 16,500/mm3, Neutrophils 86%, Lymphocy1es 13%, Prothrombin time 12 sec, Partial thromboplastin timeb30sec. Which of the following will this patient most likely require?

A 72-year-old man with diabetes, renal insufficiency, and coronary artery disease presents in septic shock from emphysematous cholecystitis. His oxygen saturation is 100% on 6-L nasal cannula and his hemoglobin is 7.2 mg/dL. His mixed venous oxygen saturation is 58%. Which of the following treatment options will improve his oxygen delivery the most?

A 72-year-old retired banker is brought to the ED by his daughter for increasing confusion, lethargy, cough, and fever. You remember the patient because he was discharged just 3 days earlier after being treated for urinary retention secondary to benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The patient’s cough has been present since discharge and is accompanied by dark green sputum. He has not returned to work, and he has not been able to ambulate. His vital signs: BP 86/40 mm Hg, R 32 beats/min, P 121 beats/min, T0 101.90F (39.190F). What is the best next step in the management of this patient?

A 72-year-old woman presents to her physician complaining of fatigue, malaise, weight loss, and salt cravings. The patient has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and is intermittently treated with corticosteroids but is not using home oxygen. Her oxygen saturation is 97% on room air with a blood pressure of 115/65 mmHg, which is significantly lower than her baseline of 125/78 mmHg. On auscultation she has good breath sounds bilaterally without wheeze, although the expiratory phase is slightly prolonged. Five weeks ago she received a corticosteroid treatment for an acute chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation, for which she was hospitalized and given 3 L of oxygen via nasal cannula. However, she admits that after discharge she was having continued difficulty breathing and did not follow the taper of the corticosteroids. The patient has smoked one pack of cigarettes per day for the past 51 years. Which of the following is the appropriate first step in the management of this patient?

A 72-year-old woman undergoes a partial colectomy for adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon. She receives appropriate antibiotic coverage and low-dose heparin prophylaxis. On the 5th hospital day, the patient begins complaining of right chest pain, difficulty in breathing, and dry cough. Her temperature is 37.9C (100.2F), blood pressure is 134/78 mm Hg, pulse is 115/min and regular, and respirations are 20/rnin. Examination shows crackles in the right chest, but no tenderness or edema in the legs. A chest x-ray film reveals areas of opacification in the right lung. ECG reveals sinus tachycardia with nonspecific ST changes. Laboratory studies show: Arterial blood gas analysis- PaO2 74 mm Hg- PaCO2 37 mm Hg- pH 7.35- Blood/serumHematocrit 40%- Leukocytes 8300/mm3- Lactate dehydrogenase 350 U/L- Fibrin D-dimer 600 ng/mL (normal upper limit 500 ng/mL)Which of the following is the most appropriate step in diagnosis?

A 72-year-old woman with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus presents to your clinic one week after being discharged from the hospital. She had been admitted with pyelonephritis secondary to a multi-drug resistant organism, and received several days of intravenous antibiotics. Her serum creatinine on admission had been 2.1 mg/dl. Today it is found to be 4.9 mg/dl. Urinalysis reveals rare epithelial casts and no white blood cells. FENa is greater than 2%. What antibiotic did she most likely receive during her hospitalization?

A 72-year-old woman with severe COPD who requires home oxygen is unable to ambulate inside her home without experiencing severe left hip pain. She was hospitalized 1 year ago for a viral pneumonia and was ventilator-dependent at that time for 6 weeks. On examination, her blood pressure is 165/80 mm Hg. She has weakly palpable bilateral femoral pulses. An angiogram demonstrates severe aortoiliac disease involving bilateral iliac vessels. Which of the following is the most appropriate vascular procedure for this patient?

A 73-year-old male who is a nursing home resident underwent a laparotomy for intestinal obstruction. He has advanced dementia. On the 8th postoperative day, he complains of pain and swelling on the left angle of his jaw. His temperature is 38.90 C ( 102.00 F), blood pressure is 150/80 mm Hg, pulse is 90/min, and respirations are 16/min. Examination shows swelling, erythema, and tenderness in the region of the left parotid gland. Laboratory studies show a white blood cell count of 15,600/mm. Which of the following measures would most likely have prevented this complication?

A 73-year-old woman is transferred to the hospital from the nursing home because of diverticulitis. A prior CT scan showed inflamed sigmoid colon. Transferred records indicate a 2 day history of fever and abdominal pain. On admission, her white count is 22,000/cmm, and she is started on IV antibiotics and IV fluids. Over the ensuing few days, her white count starts to come down and she has no nausea, vomiting or fever; however, she suddenly develops a cough and increasing abdominal pain. Abdominal examination shows guarding and tenderness in the left lower quadrant. An upright x-ray film of the chest shows free air under the left diaphragm. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 73-year-old woman with a long history of heavy smoking undergoes femoral artery-popliteal artery bypass for rest pain in her left leg. Because of serious underlying respiratory insufficiency, she continues to require ventilatory support for 4 days after her operation. As soon as her endotracheal tube is removed, she begins complaining of vague upper abdominal pain. She has daily fever spikes of 39°C (102.2°F) and a leukocyte count of 18,000/mL. An upper abdominal ultrasonogram reveals a dilated gallbladder, but no stones are seen. A presumptive diagnosis of acalculous cholecystitis is made. Which of the following is the next best step in her treatment?

A 74-year-old man residing in a nursing home develops symptoms of high fever, diarrhea, chest pain, and nonproductive cough. His temperature is 40°C, blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg, respiration 24/min, and oxygen saturation 90%. He has bibasilar crackles, normal heart sounds, and a soft nontender abdomen. His CXR reveals bilateral lower lobe infiltrates. He is not able to provide any sputum, and the urine is positive for legionella antigen. Which of the following is the most appropriate antibiotic choice?

A 75-year-old man complains of headache. On one occasion he transiently lost vision in his right eye. He also complains of aching in the shoulders and neck. There are no focal neurologic findings. Carotid pulses are normal without bruits. Laboratory data show a mild anemia. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is 85. Which of the following is the best approach to management?

A 75-year-old thin cachectic woman undergoes a tracheostomy for failure to wean from the ventilator. One week later, she develops significant bleeding from the tracheostomy. Which of the following would be an appropriate initial step in the management of this problem?

A 75-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department after falling early in the morning. She is unable to move her right leg and has severe pain in her right hip. Her temperature is 36.9C (98.6F), blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg, pulse is 100/min and respirations are 16/min. Examination shows the right lower extremity is shortened and is externally rotated with marked limitation of hip movement on the right side. An x-ray of the hip shows a markedly displaced fracture of the neck of the right femur. After hemodynamically stabilizing the patient, which of the following is the most appropriate step in management?

A 75-year-old woman with history of angina is admitted to the hospital for syncope. Examination of the patient reveals a systolic murmur best heard at the base of the heart that radiates into the carotid arteries. Electrocardiogram (ECG) is notable for left ventricular hypertrophy with evidence of left atrial enlargement. ECG reveals an aortic valve area of 0.7 cm2. What is the most appropriate next step in her management?

A 76-year-old male nursing home resident is hospitalized with confusion, fever and decreased oral intake. His past medical history is significant for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, osteoarthritis and gout. Blood cultures are positive for E coli. Despite antibiotic therapy, he slips into respiratory failure. He is intubated and placed on mechanical ventilation with an FiO2 of 70%, tidal volume of 500 ml and respiratory rate of 14/min. His current arterial blood gases are: pH 7.45, pO2 59 mmHg, pCO2 30 mmHg, HCO3 21 mEq/L. Which of the following is the best next step in managing this patient?

A 76-year-old man presents to your office with progressively worsening fatigue over the past several months. He denies associated chest pain, dyspnea, nausea, cough, or ankle swelling. He has smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for the past 30 years. His past medical history is significant for hypertension for which he takes hydrochlorothiazide and type 2 diabetes mellitus controlled with metformin. He had a medical check-up five months ago which did not uncover any new abnormalities or medical issues. On physical examination today, his blood pressure is 130/80 mmHg and his heart rate is 110 and irregularly irregular. His lab values are: Hematocrit 41%, WBC count 4,700/mm3, Platelets 200,000/mm3, Sodium 137 mEq/L, Potassium 4.1 mEq/L, Creatinine 0.8 mg/dl, Fasting glucose 85 mg/dl. Which of the following is the best treatment for this patient?

A 76-year-old woman comes to the emergency department because of left lower quadrant (LLQ) abdominal pain and fever. She takes acetaminophen for arthritis and docusate for constipation. A CT scan of the abdomen showed perisigmoid stranding suggestive of inflammation and sigmoid diverticulosis. She was started on intravenous ciprofloxacin and metronidazole; however, she had only mild improvement and is persistently febrile. Examination shows persistent LLQ tenderness to deep palpation. A repeat CT scan now shows a 5 x 6 cm mass in the left iliac fossa. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 13.0 g/L, Platelets 360,000/mm3, Leukocyte count 16,500/mm3. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 76-year-old woman presents with complaints of severe vulvar itching for the past six months. She has tried over-the-counter topical lubricants without relief. Physical examination reveals numerous vulvar excoriations. The vulvar skin is thin, dry and white in color. The labia minora are difficult to visualize. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 78-year-old female is being evaluated for recent weight loss and fatigue. Laboratory tests reveal abnormal thyroid function. She begins treatment with a single agent, but soon after is hospitalized with new onset atrial fibrillation and hand tremor. Which of the following treatments had she most likely received?

A 78-year-old woman with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic hypertension, and history of myocardial infarction requiring angioplasty presents to your office for evaluation of something hanging out of her vagina. She had a hysterectomy for benign indications at age 48. For the past few months, she has been experiencing the sensation of pelvic pressure. Last month she felt a bulge at the vaginal opening. Two weeks ago something fell out of the vagina. On pelvic examination, the patient has total eversion of the vagina. There is a superficial ulceration at the vaginal apex. Which of the following is the best next step in the management of this patient?

A 79-year-old female presents to your office with a three-day history of nausea, diarrhea, poor oral intake and weakness. Her past medical history is significant for hypertension treated with enalapril and diltia zem. Her serum chemistry shows the following: Sodium 139 mEq/L, Potassium 7.8 mEq/L, Bicarbonate 14 mEq/L, Chloride 95 mEq/L, Glucose 155 mg/dl, BUN 80 mg/dl, Creatinine 3.1 mg/dl. EKG reveals QRS prolongation and prominent T wave peaking in precordial leads. Which of the following pharmacologic therapies plays a role in treating this patient's electrolyte condition?

A 9-month-old child comes in for a routine visit. She has had several episodes of otitis media in the past, but no major illnesses or hospitalizations. Her mother is concerned because the child was previously happy and social around other people, but now cries if her mother is not in the room. The child constantly wants to be held by her mother and becomes upset if her mother walks into the next room. Her grandmother keeps her during the day, and she now cries when her mother leaves her in the morning. Developmentally, she is crawling and waves bye-bye. She does not yet respond to her name or say words. She previously babbled but stopped several months ago. When you hide a toy with your hand, she lifts your hand to look for the toy. Which of the following is the best next step in the management of this child?

A 9-month-old infant is brought in by her parents because she has an umbilical hernia. Physical examination shows an umbilical defect about 1 cm in diameter, with a small bulge when the girl cries. The hernial contents can be easily reduced. The hernia is not painful, and the girl is otherwise asymptomatic. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 9-month-old infant is seen in the pediatrician's office because of failure to gain weight. Her length and weight are both below the 5th percentile at her age. The patient's chart indicates that at the age of age of 6 months, her length and weight were at the 50th percentile. A careful history reveals that the mother returned to work when the infant was 6 months old, and the grandmother assumed the care of the infant most of the time since then. She is receiving 6-8 oz of iron-fortified, cow protein-based formula every 4 hours. Which of the following is the best initial step in the management of this infant?

A 9-month-old is brought to the emergency center by ambulance. The child had been having emesis and diarrhea with decreased urine output for several days, and the parents noted that she was hard to wake up this morning. Her weight is 9 kg, down from 11 kg the week prior at her 9-month checkup. You note her heart rate and blood pressure to be normal. She is lethargic, and her skin is noted to be “doughy.” After confirming that her respiratory status is stable, you send electrolytes, which you expect to be abnormal. You start an IV. Which of the following is the best solution for an initial IV bolus?

A 9-month-old, chubby, healthy-appearing boy is brought to the pediatrician because of episodes of colicky abdominal pain and blood-tinged stools. The pain lasts from 1 to 10 minutes and causes the infant to double up; he then appears normal until his next bout of colic. During the examination, the infant has another episode, at which time a vague mass can be felt on the right side of the abdomen, and the right lower quadrant has an "empty" feeling to deep palpation. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial step in management?

A 9-year-old African-American boy is brought to ER with high fever, poor appetite, and irritability. His heart rate is 140/min and his blood pressure is 80/60 mmHg. He has been hospitalized several times before for poorly localized abdominal pain. He also has a history of hematuria. The boy has not received several routine vaccinations because his mother is afraid that they will cause autism. His hematocrit is 22% and the reticulocyte count is 12%. The patient dies several hours after the admission. This patient's death may have been prevented by which one?

A 9-year-old boy comes to the office for a pre-participation physical examination for summer camp. His parents report that he still has episodes of bed-wetting. The boy’s father confides that he also had bed-wetting until he was 10. They are concerned about the bed-wetting, but they are more concerned about their son’s upcoming week at summer camp and that the other boys may harass him for wetting the bed. Which of the following statements about nocturnal enuresis is correct?

A 9-year-old boy is being evaluated for a syncopal episode. He was playing basketball when the syncope occurred. The episode lasted about 1-2 minutes, and then the patient woke up on his own. His mother also noticed that he has been having hearing problems. His physical examination is unremarkable. An ECG shows a prolonged Q-T interval, with a QTc of 0.49 sec. Which of the following is the most appropriate management if he has long Q-T syndrome?

A 9-year-old boy is rushed to the emergency department after having a seizure. He is visiting his grandparents for the weekend. His past medical history is insignificant. When the grandmother is questioned about any medications, she replies with, "He isn't taking any medications, but I'm taking nortriptyline, and my husband is taking atenolol and enalapril." The boy's blood pressure is 80/40 mmHg and pulse is 90/min. Physical examination reveals dry oral mucosa and dilated pupils. His answers are adequate, but delayed. EKG shows wide QRS complexes. What is the best next step in the management of this patient?

A 9-year-old girl is seen in the office for unsteady gait and weakness in the lower limbs. On examination she is found to have a wide-based gait with constant shifting of position to maintain her balance. There is decreased vibratory and position sense in the lower extremities, and ankle jerks are absent bilaterally. Her feet are deformed with high plantar arches. MRI of the brain and spinal cord shows marked atrophy of the cervical spinal cord and minimal cerebellar atrophy. Nerve conduction velocity results are within normal limits. EKG shows T-wave inversions in the inferior and lateral chest leads. The mother says that her other child, a 3-year-old boy, is completely normal. He shares toys with his sister and plays well with other children at playschool. He is able to copy squares and crosses but is unable to copy a triangle. Which of the following statements would you advance while discussing the girl's condition with her mother?

A 9-year-old male is brought to the emergency department with respiratory disease after being stung by a bee. He requires resuscitation with epinephrine injection. On discharge, which of the following recommendations to the boy's mother is most appropriate?

A 93-year-old woman is sent to your office from the nursing home for evaluation of vaginal bleeding. She is a poor historian and history is provided by her caregiver. Per her caregiver, she has a history of cerebrovascular accident with residual weakness, myocardial infarction, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic renal insufficiency. She has been wheelchair-bound and living in the nursing home since her stroke five years ago. She takes multiple medications. Her temperature is 37.2 C (98.9 F), blood pressure is 176/76, pulse is 74/min and respirations are 14/min. She is awake, alert, and oriented to person, place and time. Physical examination reveals a friable, bleeding vaginal mass 3cm in size, and a malodorous vaginal discharge. The remainder of the examination reveals left-sided spasticity and weakness. Biopsy of the mass reveals squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina, that does not extend to the pelvic wall. CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis shows no evidence of metastasis. You call the patient's daughter, who is the power of attorney, and she requests that you do the best you can. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 93-year-old woman is sent to your office from the nursing home for evaluation of vaginal bleeding. She is a poor historian and history is provided by her caregiver. Per her caregiver, she has a history of cerebrovascular accident with residual weakness, myocardial infarction, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic renal insufficiency. She has been wheelchair-bound and living in the nursing home since her stroke five years ago. She takes multiple medications. Her temperature is 37.2C (98.9F), blood pressure is 176/76mmHg, pulse is 74/min and respirations are 14/min. She is awake, alert, and oriented to person, place and time. Physical examination reveals a friable, bleeding vaginal mass 3 cm in size, and a malodorous vaginal discharge. The remainder of the examination reveals left-sided spasticity and weakness. Biopsy of the mass reveals squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina, that does not extend to the pelvic wall. CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis shows no evidence of metastasis. You call the patient's daughter, who is the power of attorney, and she requests that you do the best you can. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A baby is born to a mother who is positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Your plan is to do which of the following?

A bat is found in the bedroom of a 4-year-old patient while the boy is sleeping. The family and the patient deny close contact with or bites from the bat. Which of the following is a correct statement regarding this situation?

A businesswoman needs to make frequent trips to South America, but every time she is there, she develops traveler’s diarrhea, which requires her to change her business schedule. To prevent future episodes during business trips, she is inquiring about prophylaxis methods. Which of the following is the most helpful advice for her?

A Caucasian couple presents to your office for infertility evaluation. They are unable to conceive after 14 months of unprotected sex. The woman is 23 years of age. Her menstrual periods are regular, occurring every 26 days. She denies perimenstrual pain or pelvic discomfort. Her last menstrual period was six days ago. Her past medical history is insignificant, and bimanual examination is normal. The man is 27 years old, He is not taking any medications, Physical examination, including external genitals, is normal. What is the best next step in the management of this couple?

A colleague who works as a pediatrician in your group practice comes to your office to inquire about a patient you examined earlier this morning. The colleague says that he recognized the patient as a former neighbor of his who is also a good friend of the family. The patient was recently diagnosed as HIV-positive and is now on antiretroviral medication. Your colleague asks what the patient is being treated for. What is the most appropriate response to such an inquiry?