INI-CET 2021 - Internal Medicine Practice Questions

Q: Which of the following can be prevented by transfusing irradiated RBCs?

Graft versus host disease. Graft versus host disease - **Irradiation** of red blood cell (RBC) products inactivates proliferating donor **T-lymphocytes**, which are responsible for mediating transfusion-associated **graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD)**. - TA-GVHD is a severe and often fatal complication where donor immune cells attack recipient tissues. *HLA Alloimmunization* - **HLA alloimmunization** is prevented by **leukoreduction**, which removes donor leukocytes expressing HLA antigens, not by irradiation. - Irradiation targets the proliferative capacity of T-lymphocytes, but does not remove the cells themselves or prevent the presentation of HLA antigens. *Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI)* - **TRALI** is primarily associated with **donor antibodies** (anti-HLA or anti-HNA) in plasma that react with recipient neutrophils, leading to lung injury. - It is prevented by selecting plasma donors who have not been pregnant or by using male-only plasma, not by irradiating RBCs. *Immunomodulation* - **Transfusion-related immunomodulation (TRIM)** is a broad effect associated with multiple blood components, including cytokines and biological response modifiers in the transfused products. - While leukoreduction may reduce some aspects of TRIM, irradiation is not specifically used to prevent or reduce this phenomenon.

Q: Which of the following is not likely to be seen in a patient with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH)?

Leukemia. Leukemia - While PNH can transform into **acute myeloid leukemia (AML)** in a small percentage of cases, it is not a common or direct presentation, making it the *least likely* immediate finding among the options. - The primary pathophysiology of PNH involves a defect in hematopoietic stem cells leading to complement-mediated destruction, not malignant proliferation of myeloid or lymphoid cells as seen in leukemia. *Thrombosis* - **Thrombosis** is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in PNH, occurring due to complement activation and platelet activation on the surface of GPI-deficient cells. - It most commonly affects unusual sites like the **hepatic** or **mesenteric veins**, and cerebral venous sinuses. *Aplastic anemia* - **Aplastic anemia** is closely associated with PNH, as both with conditions can arise from a defect in hematopoietic stem cells. - PNH clones are often detectable in patients with aplastic anemia, and some cases of PNH evolve from or into aplastic anemia. *Hemolysis* - **Hemolysis** is a hallmark of PNH, caused by the absence of **GPI-anchored proteins (CD55 and CD59)** on red blood cells, making them susceptible to complement-mediated destruction [1]. - This leads to intravascular hemolysis, resulting in characteristic symptoms like **dark urine** (hemoglobinuria), especially in the morning [1].

Q: An HIV positive woman on ART was prescribed ergotamine for a migraine attack 4 days back. She presented with complaints that she is unable to feel her legs from the mid - thigh to her toes, for the past two days. The angiography image is given below. What is the likely diagnosis?

Ergotism. ***Ergotism*** - The patient's inability to feel her legs from mid-thigh to toes, following ergotamine use, combined with the angiography showing **vasoconstriction** and absent distal flow, strongly suggests ergotism. - **Ergotamine** is a potent vasoconstrictor and its adverse effects are exacerbated by drug interactions with certain antiretroviral therapies (ART) used in HIV treatment, leading to severe **ischemia**. *Atherosclerosis* - While atherosclerosis can cause peripheral arterial disease, it usually presents with more gradual onset of symptoms and **claudication** rather than acute, severe sensory loss as described. - The angiography in atherosclerosis typically shows **localized plaques** and stenoses, which are not the primary finding here of widespread peripheral vasoconstriction. *Polyradicular Neuropathy* - Polyradicular neuropathy involves nerve damage causing sensory and motor deficits but does not directly cause the **vascular changes** seen on angiography. - The clinical presentation of sudden, severe sensory loss in the context of recent ergotamine use and the angiographic findings point away from a primary neurological disorder as the sole cause. *Vasculitis* - While vasculitis can occur in HIV patients and cause limb ischemia, the **temporal relationship** with ergotamine use (symptoms starting 2 days after medication) strongly suggests a drug-related cause. - Vasculitis typically presents with more systemic features and would not have such an acute onset directly following ergotamine administration.

Q: A patient admitted after a road traffic accident is put on mechanical ventilation. He opens his eyes on verbal command and moves all four limbs spontaneously. Calculate his GCS.

Eyes-3, Verbal -NT, Motor-6. ***Eyes-3, Verbal -NT, Motor-6*** - **Eyes opening to verbal command** scores 3 points on the GCS [1]. - The patient is on **mechanical ventilation**, meaning their verbal response cannot be assessed, leading to a "Non-Testable" (NT) score for verbal [1]. **Spontaneous movement of all four limbs** indicates full motor function, scoring 6 points [2]. *Eyes -3, Verbal-1, Motor -6* - While **eyes opening to verbal command** (3 points) and **spontaneous motor movement** (6 points) are correct, a verbal score of 1 implies **no verbal response** if the patient were able to speak, which is not applicable here due to mechanical ventilation. *Eyes-2, Verbal -1, Motor -5* - **Eyes opening to pain** scores 2, but the patient responded to verbal command. A verbal score of 1 is for no response, and a motor score of 5 indicates localizing to pain, not spontaneous movement. *Eyes-2, Verbal -NT, Motor -5* - **Eyes opening to pain** scores 2, but the patient responded to verbal command (3 points). While **Verbal-NT** is correct due to mechanical ventilation, a motor score of 5 (localizes to pain) is incorrect, as the patient moved limbs spontaneously (6 points).

Q: A 45-year-old male patient presented with a history of bilateral lower limb weakness, which progressed to his upper limbs in a year. On examination, he had weakness in both lower limbs and wasting in the left upper limb. Babinski sign was positive and the deep tendon reflexes were hyperactive. He has no sensory loss or any autonomic dysfunction. What is the likely diagnosis?

ALS. ***ALS*** - This patient exhibits a classic combination of **upper motor neuron (UMN)** signs (hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, positive Babinski sign) and **lower motor neuron (LMN)** signs (weakness, wasting), along with progressive limb weakness [1], [2]. These findings are characteristic of **amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)**, especially with the sparing of sensory and autonomic function [1]. - ALS is fundamentally a **motor neuron disease** that affects both UMNs and LMNs, leading to progressive muscle weakness without significant sensory deficits [1]. *GBS* - **Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)** typically presents with **acute, ascending paralysis** and **areflexia** or hyporeflexia, which contradicts the hyperactive reflexes and progressive, chronic nature observed in the patient. - While GBS causes motor weakness, it is primarily a demyelinating neuropathy affecting the peripheral nervous system and usually spares upper motor neuron signs. *MS* - **Multiple sclerosis (MS)** is characterized by **demyelinating lesions** in the central nervous system, leading to a wide variety of neurological deficits, often with sensory disturbances, visual problems, and bladder dysfunction. - While MS can cause motor weakness and hyperreflexia, it usually presents with a relapsing-remitting course and significant sensory symptoms, which are absent in this patient. *Tropical spastic paraparesis* - **Tropical spastic paraparesis** primarily causes **progressive spasticity and weakness** in the lower limbs, indicative of central nervous system involvement, often linked to **HTLV-1 infection**. - While it features upper motor neuron signs, it typically does not involve the prominent muscle wasting and lower motor neuron signs observed in this patient.

Q: A 62-year-old male patient with heart failure is scheduled for a heart transplant. His renal function test is deranged, and haemoglobin is $6 \mathrm{gm} \%$. The physician ordered 2 units of whole blood. Four hours after transfusion, he developed severe respiratory distress. On examination, he is hypoxemic, has tachycardia and his mean arterial pressure is elevated. Which of the following are the best investigations for the above scenario? 1. Chest X-ray 2. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level 3. Absolute neutrophil count 4. Leucocyte antibodies 5. Platelets

1 and 2. ***1 and 2*** - A **Chest X-ray** would help identify signs of **pulmonary edema** and **cardiomegaly** [1], which are characteristic of transfusion-associated circulatory overload (**TACO**) due to his underlying heart failure exacerbated by fluid from the transfusion. [2] - An elevated **Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) level** is a key biomarker for heart failure [1] and would support a diagnosis of **TACO** by indicating increased ventricular stretch and volume overload. *3 and 5* - An **absolute neutrophil count** is primarily relevant for assessing infection or inflammatory conditions, which are not the primary focus given the acute respiratory distress post-transfusion in a heart failure patient. - **Platelets** are important for coagulation assessments but do not directly explain acute respiratory distress and hypoxemia in the context of post-transfusion events like TACO. *4 and 5* - **Leukocyte antibodies** (such as anti-HLA antibodies) are typically investigated in cases of **transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI)**, but the elevated blood pressure and underlying heart failure point more strongly towards **TACO**. - **Platelets** are not a primary investigation for acute respiratory distress following transfusion in a patient with heart failure. *2 only* - While an elevated **BNP level** is highly indicative of heart failure exacerbation and TACO [1], a **Chest X-ray** is also crucial for visualizing the pulmonary edema and assessing the extent of circulatory overload [2]. - Relying solely on BNP might miss co-occurring pulmonary issues or provide an incomplete picture of the patient's acute respiratory distress.

Question 1

Which of the following can be prevented by transfusing irradiated RBCs?

Accepted Answer

Graft versus host disease

Answer

HLA Alloimmunization

Answer

Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI)

Answer

Immunomodulation

Question 2

Which of the following is not likely to be seen in a patient with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH)?

Accepted Answer

Leukemia

Answer

Thrombosis

Answer

Aplastic anemia

Answer

Hemolysis

Question 3

An HIV positive woman on ART was prescribed ergotamine for a migraine attack 4 days back. She presented with complaints that she is unable to feel her legs from the mid - thigh to her toes, for the past two days. The angiography image is given below. What is the likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Ergotism

Answer

Polyradicular neuropathy

Answer

Atherosclerosis

Answer

Vasculitis

Question 4

A patient admitted after a road traffic accident is put on mechanical ventilation. He opens his eyes on verbal command and moves all four limbs spontaneously. Calculate his GCS.

Accepted Answer

Eyes-3, Verbal -NT, Motor-6

Answer

Eyes -3, Verbal-1, Motor -6

Answer

Eyes-2, Verbal -1, Motor -5

Answer

Eyes-2, Verbal -NT, Motor -5

Question 5

A 45-year-old male patient presented with a history of bilateral lower limb weakness, which progressed to his upper limbs in a year. On examination, he had weakness in both lower limbs and wasting in the left upper limb. Babinski sign was positive and the deep tendon reflexes were hyperactive. He has no sensory loss or any autonomic dysfunction. What is the likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

ALS

Answer

GBS

Answer

MS

Answer

Tropical spastic paraparesis

Question 6

A 62-year-old male patient with heart failure is scheduled for a heart transplant. His renal function test is deranged, and haemoglobin is $6 \mathrm{gm} \%$. The physician ordered 2 units of whole blood. Four hours after transfusion, he developed severe respiratory distress. On examination, he is hypoxemic, has tachycardia and his mean arterial pressure is elevated. Which of the following are the best investigations for the above scenario?

1. Chest X-ray
2. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level
3. Absolute neutrophil count
4. Leucocyte antibodies
5. Platelets

Accepted Answer

1 and 2

Answer

3 and 5

Answer

4 and 5

Answer

2 only

INI-CET 2021 — Internal Medicine