Clinical Reasoning — Flashcards

Flashcard 341: What is the best diagnostic test for asthma? _____

Answer: PFTs

Flashcard 342: What study may be used to confirm the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome if the diagnosis is uncertain? _____

Answer: Nerve conduction studies

Flashcard 343: What is the diagnosis if patient presents with dysphagia progressing from solids to liquids and weight loss? _____

Answer: Cancer

Flashcard 344: (+) Neer's test is suggestive of _____

Answer: rotator cuff tendinopathy

Extra: Neer's test involves passive forward flexion of the arm while the examiner stabilizes the scapula. Pain indicates subacromial impingement, which is a key component of rotator cuff tendinopathy (especially involving the supraspinatus tendon).

Flashcard 345: What is the likely diagnosis in a patient with increasing polyuria/polydipsia with hypernatremia, high serum osmolality, and low urine osmolality? _____

Answer: Diabetes insipidus

Flashcard 346: Imaging for back pain? _____

Answer: X-ray → MRI

Flashcard 347: For idiopathic intracranial hypertension: Before lumbar puncture, do a(n) _____ to rule out cerebral venous thrombosis

Answer: MRI/MRV

Flashcard 348: Pneumothorax may be associated with a(n) _____ sign on supine chest radiograph due to subpulmonic accumulation of gas outlining costophrenic angle

Answer: deep sulcus

Flashcard 349: Dementia + tremors + Argyll Robertson pupils + tabes dorsalis = _____

Answer: Neurosyphilis

Extra: Diagnosis of Neurosyphilis: RPR/VDRL (screening), CSF-VDRL (confirmatory). This is considered a reversible cause of dementia.

Flashcard 350: Initial diagnostic step for suspected kidney stone = _____

Answer: urinalysis

Extra: Gold standard / most accurate test: Non-contrast CT scan (KUB).