Clinical Manifestations and Presentation of Diseases Practice Questions

Q: Which ECG finding is characteristic of hypokalemia?

Prominent U wave. **Explanation:** Hypokalemia (serum potassium <3.5 mEq/L) affects the repolarization phase of the cardiac action potential. As potassium levels drop, the resting membrane potential becomes more negative, and the duration of the action potential increases. **Why Prominent U waves are correct:** The most characteristic ECG finding in hypokalemia is the appearance of **prominent U waves**, typically seen in the precordial leads (V2-V4). As potassium levels decrease, the T wave flattens and the U wave becomes more apparent, often appearing larger than the T wave itself. This can sometimes lead to a "pseudo-prolonged QT interval" (actually a QU interval). **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **A. Absent P wave:** This is characteristic of **hyperkalemia** (due to atrial paralysis) or arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation. In hypokalemia, P waves actually tend to become peaked or prominent. * **C. ST elevation:** This is typically associated with myocardial infarction, pericarditis, or Brugada syndrome. Hypokalemia characteristically causes **ST-segment depression**. * **D. T wave flattening:** While T wave flattening (and inversion) does occur in hypokalemia, it is a non-specific finding. The **prominent U wave** is the more specific and "classic" hallmark tested in exams. **NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **ECG Progression in Hypokalemia:** T-wave flattening → ST depression → Prominent U waves → Prolonged PR interval. * **Danger:** Severe hypokalemia can precipitate **Torsades de Pointes** and ventricular fibrillation. * **Management Tip:** Always check magnesium levels in refractory hypokalemia, as hypomagnesemia often coexists and hinders potassium correction.

Q: Postural hypotension is not seen in which of the following conditions?

Hypoglycemia. **Explanation:** Postural (orthostatic) hypotension is defined as a drop in systolic BP of ≥20 mmHg or diastolic BP of ≥10 mmHg within three minutes of standing [1]. It occurs due to a failure of the autonomic nervous system or a depletion of intravascular volume. **Why Hypoglycemia is the Correct Answer:** Hypoglycemia typically triggers a **sympathoadrenal response** (release of epinephrine and norepinephrine) to mobilize glucose [2]. This results in tachycardia and peripheral vasoconstriction, which generally maintains or even slightly elevates blood pressure. While hypoglycemia can cause dizziness and syncope (neuroglycopenia), it does not physiologically cause a postural drop in blood pressure. **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **Diabetes Mellitus:** This is the most common cause of **autonomic neuropathy**. Chronic hyperglycemia damages the autonomic fibers that mediate the baroreceptor reflex, preventing the necessary vasoconstriction upon standing. * **Tabes Dorsalis:** A late manifestation of neurosyphilis involving the posterior columns and sensory nerve roots. It can involve the autonomic pathways, leading to orthostatic intolerance. * **Antihypertensive Drugs:** Diuretics (volume depletion), alpha-blockers (preventing vasoconstriction), and ACE inhibitors are classic pharmacological causes of postural hypotension. **NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **Bedside Test:** The "Tilt Table Test" is the gold standard for diagnosing orthostatic intolerance. * **Shy-Drager Syndrome:** A form of Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) characterized by severe autonomic failure and parkinsonism. * **Management:** First-line non-pharmacological treatment includes increased salt/water intake and compression stockings. Pharmacological options include **Fludrocortisone** (volume expansion) and **Midodrine** (alpha-1 agonist).

Q: Which of the following pulmonary symptoms does NOT have a corresponding non-pulmonary association?

Cyanosis-Anxiety. ### Explanation This question tests the ability to distinguish between primary pulmonary symptoms and their systemic or non-pulmonary mimics. **1. Why "Cyanosis-Anxiety" is the correct answer:** Cyanosis is a physical sign characterized by a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes, occurring when absolute deoxygenated hemoglobin exceeds **5 g/dL**. It is a result of objective physiological changes (hypoxemia or circulatory failure). **Anxiety** is a psychological state that may cause hyperventilation or palpitations, but it does **not** physiologically cause cyanosis [1]. While anxiety can lead to *peripheral* vasoconstriction (cold hands), it does not produce the true central or peripheral cyanosis seen in organic disease. **2. Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Wheezing-Congestive Heart Failure (CHF):** This is a well-known association called **"Cardiac Asthma."** In CHF, pulmonary edema causes bronchial wall swelling and fluid in the airways, leading to bronchospasm and wheezing that mimics bronchial asthma [2]. * **Tachypnea-Acidosis:** This is a classic compensatory mechanism. In **Metabolic Acidosis** (e.g., DKA), the body increases the respiratory rate and depth (**Kussmaul breathing**) to blow off $CO_2$ and increase the pH. * **Chest pain-Pericarditis:** While chest pain is a hallmark of pleurisy (pulmonary), it is also the primary symptom of **Pericarditis** (cardiac) [3]. This pain is typically retrosternal, pleuritic in nature, and relieved by sitting forward. **Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Pseudo-cyanosis:** This can be caused by certain drugs (e.g., Amiodarone, Silver, Gold) or metals, where the skin turns blue/grey without low oxygen saturation. * **Differential for Wheezing:** Always consider "All that wheezes is not asthma." Rule out CHF, foreign body aspiration, and pulmonary embolism [2]. * **Silent Chest:** A dangerous sign in severe asthma where airflow is too low to even produce a wheeze.

Q: A patient presented with diminished vision and neuropsychiatric manifestations along with hepatic dysfunction. Ocular examination revealed characteristic findings. What is the next investigation to be performed?

Serum ceruloplasmin level. ***Serum ceruloplasmin level*** - **Wilson's disease** triad of hepatic dysfunction, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and characteristic **Kayser-Fleischer rings** on ocular examination makes serum ceruloplasmin the initial screening test. - **Low ceruloplasmin levels** (typically 100 μg/24h) is diagnostic for Wilson's disease, it's typically performed after initial screening tests. - This test is more cumbersome and time-consuming compared to **serum ceruloplasmin**, making it a second-line investigation. *MRI brain* - MRI may show **basal ganglia changes** in Wilson's disease but is not diagnostic and doesn't confirm the underlying copper metabolism disorder. - Brain imaging is useful for assessing neurological damage but doesn't establish the primary diagnosis of **copper accumulation disorder**. *Haplotyping* - **Genetic testing** for ATP7B mutations is confirmatory but expensive and time-consuming, typically reserved for cases with equivocal biochemical results. - **Haplotyping** is used for family screening after diagnosis is established, not as the initial diagnostic approach in symptomatic patients.

Q: All of the following are features of Superior Vena Cava (SVC) Syndrome except?

Hoarseness of voice. ### Explanation **Superior Vena Cava (SVC) Syndrome** results from the obstruction of blood flow through the SVC, most commonly due to extrinsic compression by intrathoracic malignancies (e.g., Bronchogenic carcinoma, Lymphoma). **Why Hoarseness of Voice is the Correct Answer:** Hoarseness of voice is **not** a direct feature of SVC obstruction. It typically occurs due to the involvement of the **Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve**. While a mediastinal mass (like lung cancer) can cause both SVC syndrome and hoarseness simultaneously, the hoarseness is a sign of nerve infiltration or compression, not a result of venous congestion itself. **Analysis of Other Options:** * **Facial Swelling:** This is a hallmark sign. Obstruction leads to increased venous pressure in the upper body, causing edema of the face, neck, and upper extremities (often described as a "plethoric" or "puffy" appearance). * **Dilatation and Congestion of Neck Veins:** Due to the blockage of the main drainage pathway to the right atrium, neck veins become prominent and non-pulsatile [1]. Collateral venous channels often develop on the anterior chest wall. * **Headache:** Increased venous pressure is transmitted to the cerebral circulation, leading to cerebral edema or venous congestion, which manifests as a dull, bursting headache (often worse when bending forward). **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Pemberton’s Sign:** Asking the patient to lift both arms above the head causes facial flushing and cyanosis; it is a classic physical exam finding for SVC syndrome (often seen in retrosternal goiters). * **Most Common Cause:** Bronchogenic carcinoma (Small cell lung cancer is highly associated) [1]. * **Management:** The immediate priority is airway assessment and head-of-bed elevation. Definitive treatment involves radiation or stenting, depending on the etiology.

Q: What is the diagnosis in this patient with abdominal pain?

Lead poisoning. ***Lead poisoning*** - Presents with **lead colic** (severe abdominal pain) along with **basophilic stippling** on blood smear and **Burton's lines** (blue-black gum line). - Associated with **wrist drop** or **foot drop** due to peripheral neuropathy and **microcytic anemia** from inhibited heme synthesis. *Amyloidosis* - Typically presents with **systemic organ involvement** including heart, kidneys, and liver, not isolated abdominal pain. - Diagnosed by **Congo red staining** showing apple-green birefringence and **elevated serum amyloid A** levels. *Familial Mediterranean fever* - Characterized by **recurrent episodic fever** with **serositis** (peritonitis, pleuritis) in patients of **Mediterranean ancestry**. - Episodes are **self-limiting** (lasting 1-3 days) and associated with **elevated acute phase reactants** during attacks. *Leukemia* - Abdominal pain in leukemia is usually due to **hepatosplenomegaly** or **tumor lysis syndrome**, not primary presentation. - Key features include **pancytopenia**, **blast cells** on blood smear, and **lymphadenopathy** with systemic symptoms.

Q: The following image shows:

Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy. ***Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy*** - The image displays prominent **clubbing of the fingers** and **swollen, painful joints**, which are classic signs of hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPO). - HPO is characterized by **periostosis** (new bone formation) of the long bones, especially in the distal extremities, often secondary to chronic pulmonary or cardiac diseases. *Sausage digits* - Sausage digits (dactylitis) are characterized by **diffuse swelling of an entire digit**. While the fingers appear swollen, the specific, uniform swelling characteristic of dactylitis is not overtly present or is overshadowed by other features. - This condition is typically associated with **psoriatic arthritis** or **spondyloarthritis**. *Heberden's nodes* - Heberden's nodes are **bony enlargements** of the **distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints**, characteristic of osteoarthritis. - The image shows more widespread swelling and less distinct bony nodes, and the swelling extends beyond just the DIP joints. *Subungual fibroma* - Subungual fibromas are **benign tumors** that occur **underneath the nail**, typically causing a bulge or distortion of the nail plate. - While there might be some nail changes, the predominant features in the image are the generalized swelling and clubbing of the digits, not isolated subungual growths.

Q: Arrange the following milestones in correct order.

A, B, D, C. ***A → B → D → C (Correct order of developmental milestones)*** The correct chronological sequence of gross motor milestones depicted in the images is: - **A (Sucking/Feeding — Birth):** Sucking is a **primitive reflex** present at birth, essential for neonatal survival and one of the earliest neurological signs assessed. - **B (Sitting with support / Landau reflex — 4–6 months):** **Head control** is achieved around 2–4 months; **sitting with support** follows at 4–6 months. The **Landau reflex** (prone suspension → trunk/head/leg extension) emerges ~3 months and integrates by 12–24 months. - **D (Pulling to stand / Cruising — 9–12 months):** Infants **pull to stand** and **cruise** along furniture at 9–12 months, reflecting developing lower limb strength and postural control. - **C (Crawling up stairs — 12+ months):** While crawling begins ~6–10 months, **navigating stairs by crawling** is a more advanced motor skill requiring greater coordination, typically emerging after 9–12 months of crawling proficiency. *A, B, C, D — Incorrect:* Places stair-climbing (C) before standing/cruising (D), reversing the correct developmental sequence. *B, A, D, C — Incorrect:* Places sitting with support (B) before sucking/feeding (A), which is incorrect since sucking is a birth reflex. *A, D, B, C — Incorrect:* Places pulling to stand (D) before sitting with support (B), which contradicts the cephalocaudal and proximal-to-distal progression of motor development.

Q: An examiner is performing a deep tendon reflex examination as shown in the image. What error in technique is being demonstrated?

Holding the reflex hammer too far down the handle. ***Holding the reflex hammer too far down the handle*** - The image depicts the examiner holding the **reflex hammer incorrectly** — the long handle is gripped too far down the shaft (at the distal end), far from the head - This improper grip compromises the **hammer's natural pendulum momentum**, making it difficult to control the force and accuracy of the tap - The correct technique requires holding the hammer **near the proximal end of the handle** (close to the head), allowing the head to swing freely under gravity for a smooth, consistent strike - Improper grip leads to **inaccurate or absent reflex responses**, affecting test validity *Striking the reflex point with excessive force* - Excessive force is a separate common error in reflex testing, but this is **not what is demonstrated** in the image - The primary error shown is about grip position, not the magnitude of force applied *Testing the reflex at an incorrect anatomical location* - While striking the wrong site would also yield an absent or diminished reflex, the **image does not depict incorrect site selection** - The anatomical target appears appropriate; the error is in how the hammer is held *Not adequately relaxing the patient prior to testing* - Patient relaxation is essential for eliciting accurate deep tendon reflexes (hence the use of Jendrassik maneuver as reinforcement), but **this cannot be assessed from the examiner's grip position** shown in the image

Question 1

Which ECG finding is characteristic of hypokalemia?

Accepted Answer

Prominent U wave

Answer

Absent P wave

Answer

ST elevation

Answer

T wave flattening

Question 2

Postural hypotension is not seen in which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Hypoglycemia

Answer

Diabetes

Answer

Tabes dorsalis

Answer

Antihypertensive drugs

Question 3

Which of the following pulmonary symptoms does NOT have a corresponding non-pulmonary association?

Accepted Answer

Cyanosis-Anxiety

Answer

Wheezing-Congestive Heart Failure

Answer

Tachypnea-Acidosis

Answer

Chest pain-Pericarditis

Question 4

A patient presented with diminished vision and neuropsychiatric manifestations along with hepatic dysfunction. Ocular examination revealed characteristic findings. What is the next investigation to be performed?

Accepted Answer

Serum ceruloplasmin level

Answer

24-hour urine copper level

Answer

MRI brain

Answer

Haplotyping

Question 5

All of the following are features of Superior Vena Cava (SVC) Syndrome except?

Accepted Answer

Hoarseness of voice

Answer

Facial swelling

Answer

Dilatation and congestion of neck veins

Answer

Headache

Question 6

A 60-year-old male presented to the emergency with breathlessness, facial swelling, and dilated veins on the chest wall. What is the most common cause?

Accepted Answer

Superior vena caval obstruction

Answer

Thymoma

Answer

Cervical rib

Answer

Hodgkin's lymphoma

Question 7

What is the diagnosis in this patient with abdominal pain?

Accepted Answer

Lead poisoning

Answer

Amyloidosis

Answer

Familial Mediterranean fever

Answer

Leukemia

Question 8

The following image shows:

Accepted Answer

Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy

Answer

Sausage digits

Answer

Heberden's nodes

Answer

Subungual fibroma

Question 9

Arrange the following milestones in correct order.

Accepted Answer

A, B, D, C

Answer

A, B, C, D

Answer

B, A, D, C

Answer

A, D, B, C

Question 10

An examiner is performing a deep tendon reflex examination as shown in the image. What error in technique is being demonstrated?

Accepted Answer

Holding the reflex hammer too far down the handle

Answer

Striking the reflex point with excessive force

Answer

Testing the reflex at an incorrect anatomical location

Answer

Not adequately relaxing the patient prior to testing

Clinical Manifestations and Presentation of Diseases — MCQs

Clinical Manifestations and Presentation of Diseases — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?