UPSC-CMS 2009 - Internal Medicine PYQs Practice Questions

Q: Which one of the following is not a correct statement regarding Raynaud's disease ?

The lower extremity involvement is symmetrical. ***The lower extremity involvement is symmetrical*** - **Raynaud's phenomenon** primarily affects the **fingers and toes**, but it is characterized by **asymmetrical involvement**, affecting different digits or limbs to varying degrees. Symmetrical involvement of the lower extremities is not a typical characteristic. - While it can affect the lower extremities, the hallmark of Raynaud's is its **episodic, asymmetrical, and often acral distribution** in response to triggers. *It commonly affects women* - **Raynaud's phenomenon** is indeed more prevalent in **women** than men, with an estimated prevalence of 5-10% in the general population. - This higher incidence in women is a well-documented epidemiological feature of the condition. *Exposure to cold precipitates vasoconstriction* - **Cold exposure** is the most common and classic trigger for **Raynaud's phenomenon**, leading to an exaggerated **vasoconstrictive response** in the small arteries and arterioles of the extremities. - This extreme vasoconstriction results in the characteristic color changes (pallor, cyanosis, and rubor) due to reduced blood flow. *It is idiopathic* - **Raynaud's disease**, also known as **primary Raynaud's phenomenon**, is indeed considered **idiopathic**, meaning its cause is unknown. - It occurs in the absence of any underlying medical condition, distinguishing it from secondary Raynaud's phenomenon, which is associated with autoimmune diseases or other factors. [Practice more Internal Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: What is the best and most sensitive investigation for hypothyroidism ?

TSH levels. TSH levels - **Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)** is the most sensitive and specific test for diagnosing **primary hypothyroidism** because even slight decreases in thyroid hormone levels cause significant increases in TSH [1]. - TSH is released from the **pituitary gland** and acts as a direct feedback mechanism to regulate thyroid hormone production [1]. A high TSH level indicates that the thyroid gland is not producing enough hormones. *T3, T4 levels* - While **T3 (triiodothyronine)** and **T4 (thyroxine)** levels are direct measures of thyroid hormones, their values may remain within the normal range in early or subclinical hypothyroidism [1]. - They are less sensitive than TSH for initial screening and often become abnormal only after hypothyroidism is well-established [1]. *TRH levels* - **Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone (TRH)** is produced by the hypothalamus and stimulates TSH release from the pituitary [1]. - Measuring TRH levels is generally not used as a primary diagnostic test for hypothyroidism due to its complexity and lack of direct clinical utility in routine screening. *Radioactive I2 uptake* - **Radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU)** measures the thyroid gland's ability to take up iodine, which is used to produce thyroid hormones. - It is primarily used to differentiate causes of hyperthyroidism (e.g., Graves' disease vs. thyroiditis), not as a diagnostic test for hypothyroidism [1]. [Practice more Internal Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Which one of the following is not a common feature of bile duct stone ?

Distended gall bladder. ***Distended gall bladder*** - A distended gallbladder is **less common** when the obstruction is caused by a stone in the **common bile duct (CBD)** because the gallbladder can often decompress through the cystic duct if it is patent. [1] - Furthermore, **Mirizzi syndrome**, which can cause gallbladder distension due to an impacted stone in the cystic duct compressing the CBD, is a specific and less frequent scenario than simple choledocholithiasis. [2] *Clay colored stools* - **Clay-colored stools** (acholic stools) are a common feature of bile duct obstruction as it prevents bilirubin from reaching the intestines to be converted into **stercobilin**, which gives stool its normal brown color. - The absence of bilirubin in the gut results in stools appearing pale or gray. *Itching* - **Pruritus (itching)** is a very common symptom of bile duct obstruction due to the systemic accumulation of **bile salts** and other pruritic substances that are normally excreted in bile. [3] - These substances deposit in the skin, irritating nerve endings. *Obstructive jaundice* - **Obstructive jaundice** is a hallmark feature of bile duct stones. The obstruction prevents the flow of conjugated bilirubin into the intestine, leading to its reabsorption into the bloodstream. [1] - This results in elevated **conjugated bilirubin** and **icterus**, causing yellow discoloration of the skin and sclera. [Practice more Internal Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: The following are complications of gall stone except

Haemobilia. ***Haemobilia*** - **Haemobilia** refers to bleeding into the biliary tree, often caused by trauma, surgery, or vascular malformations, and is **not a direct complication of gallstones**. [1] - While gallstones can lead to inflammation and erosion, they typically do not cause bleeding into the bile ducts as a primary complication. *Acute pancreatitis* - **Gallstones** are a common cause of **acute pancreatitis** when a stone obstructs the ampulla of Vater, leading to reflux of bile into the pancreatic duct or obstruction of the pancreatic duct itself [1]. - This obstruction causes premature activation of pancreatic enzymes and autodigestion of the pancreas. *Cholangitis* - **Cholangitis** is an inflammation of the bile ducts, usually caused by bacterial infection, which is often precipitated by an obstruction of the biliary tree, most commonly by **gallstones** [1]. - The obstruction leads to stasis of bile, allowing bacteria to ascend from the duodenum and proliferate. *Biliary enteric fistula* - A **biliary enteric fistula** (e.g., cholecystoduodenal fistula) is a pathological connection between the gallbladder or bile duct and the gastrointestinal tract, which can occur due to chronic inflammation and erosion caused by **gallstones** [1]. - This can lead to gallstone ileus if the stone passes into the bowel and obstructs it [1]. [Practice more Internal Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

Question 1

Following the immunotherapy, in patients undergoing renal transplantation, the skin cancer most commonly seen is

Accepted Answer

Non-melanoma skin cancers (Squamous cell carcinoma and Basal cell carcinoma)

Answer

Hepatomas

Answer

Kaposi's sarcoma

Answer

Mycosis fungoides

Question 2

Which one of the following is not a correct statement regarding Raynaud's disease ?

Accepted Answer

The lower extremity involvement is symmetrical

Answer

It commonly affects women

Answer

Exposure to cold precipitates vasoconstriction

Answer

It is idiopathic

Question 3

What is the best and most sensitive investigation for hypothyroidism ?

Accepted Answer

TSH levels

Answer

T3, T4 levels

Answer

TRH levels

Answer

Radioactive I2 uptake

Question 4

Which one of the following is not a common feature of bile duct stone ?

Accepted Answer

Distended gall bladder

Answer

Clay colored stools

Answer

Itching

Answer

Obstructive jaundice

Question 5

The following are complications of gall stone except

Accepted Answer

Haemobilia

Answer

Acute pancreatitis

Answer

Cholangitis

Answer

Biliary enteric fistula

Question 6

Consider the following prognostic parameters of acute pancreatitis :

1. Rise in blood urea nitrogen over 5 mg/dl
2. Hematocrit decrease over 10%
3. Base deficit more than 4 mmol/L
4. Blood glucose over 10 mmol/L Which of the above parameters are important during initial 48 hours ?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

1, 3 and 4

Question 7

Motility disorders of the oesophagus are best diagnosed by

Accepted Answer

Manometry

Answer

Barium meal

Answer

Endoscopy

Answer

Radiography

Question 8

Consider the following statements : Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome is characterised by

1. Temperature either above 38°C or below 36°C.

2. Heart rate less than 80/minute.

3. Tachypnoea > 20/min.

4. Leucocyte count > 4 x 109/L. Which of the statements given above are correct ?

Accepted Answer

3, 4 and 1

Answer

1 and 3

Answer

1, 4, 3 and 2

Answer

2, 4 and 3

Question 9

Consider the following statements:
1. The placenta is usually located in the upper uterine segment.
2. The placenta is usually located in the lower uterine segment.
3. The placenta is usually located in the fundus.
4. The placenta is usually located in the anterior uterine wall.

Which one of the statements given above are correct ?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

1, 3 and 4

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

2 and 3 only

Question 10

Which one of the following investigations is considered to be "Gold standard" technique for diagnosis of arterial occlusive disease ?

Accepted Answer

Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA)

Answer

Duplex imaging

Answer

Doppler ultrasound blood flow detection

Answer

Treadmill

UPSC-CMS 2009 — Internal Medicine