UPSC-CMS 2024 Previous Year Questions Practice Questions

Q: Which types of cancer are associated with exposure to ionizing radiation? 1. Leukaemia 2. Lung cancer 3. Breast cancer 4. Lymphoma Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1, 2 and 3. ***1, 2 and 3*** - **Leukemia**, particularly acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), is one of the most strongly established radiation-induced cancers, with clear dose-response relationships observed in atomic bomb survivors and therapeutic radiation patients. - **Lung cancer** risk increases significantly with ionizing radiation exposure, especially from inhaled radioactive particles (radon), uranium mining, and external radiation exposure in atomic bomb survivors. - **Breast cancer** has a well-documented association with ionizing radiation, particularly with exposure during childhood and adolescence. Evidence comes from atomic bomb survivors, tuberculosis fluoroscopy studies, and therapeutic chest radiation (e.g., for Hodgkin lymphoma). Women exposed to radiation before age 30 show the highest risk. *1, 2 and 4* - While leukemia and lung cancer are correctly included, this option incorrectly includes lymphoma instead of breast cancer. - **Lymphoma's** association with ionizing radiation is less consistent and weaker compared to breast cancer. The evidence for radiation-induced lymphoma is limited and not as well-established as for the three solid tumors and leukemia listed above. *1, 3 and 4* - This option correctly includes leukemia and breast cancer but incorrectly excludes lung cancer, which has strong epidemiological evidence from radon exposure studies and atomic bomb survivor data. - Lymphoma is included but has weaker evidence than lung cancer for radiation association. *2, 3 and 4* - This option incorrectly excludes leukemia, which is historically the most strongly documented and earliest-appearing cancer following radiation exposure. - Leukemia was the first cancer type conclusively linked to ionizing radiation in atomic bomb survivors. [Practice more UPSC-CMS 2024 questions on OnCourse]

Q: Consider the following causes of visual loss : 1. Obstruction of the central retinal artery 2. Vitreous and retinal haemorrhage 3. Cataract 4. Retinal detachment Which of the above causes are associated with acute visual loss in a patient?

1, 2 and 4. ***1, 2 and 4*** - **Obstruction of the central retinal artery**, **vitreous and retinal haemorrhage**, and **retinal detachment** all present as sudden, acute vision loss. - **Central retinal artery occlusion** causes complete, sudden, painless monocular vision loss. **Vitreous hemorrhage** is acute, painless, and can present with floaters or red haze. **Retinal detachment** is acute, painless vision loss, often preceded by flashes and floaters, and can present as a "curtain" coming across the vision. *1, 3 and 4* - While **central retinal artery obstruction** and **retinal detachment** cause acute vision loss, **cataracts** typically cause gradual, progressive vision loss over months to years. - Cataracts primarily affect lens clarity, leading to blurry vision, glare, and dull colors rather than an abrupt onset of blindness. *1, 2 and 3* - **Central retinal artery obstruction** and **vitreous/retinal hemorrhage** lead to acute vision loss, but **cataracts** are a cause of *chronic* and *gradual* vision impairment. - The onset and progression of a **cataract** are distinctly different from the sudden nature of acute vision loss conditions. *2, 3 and 4* - **Vitreous and retinal haemorrhage** and **retinal detachment** are causes of acute vision loss, but a **cataract** is not. - The defining characteristic of acute vision loss is its rapid onset, which does not align with the slow development of a cataract. [Practice more UPSC-CMS 2024 questions on OnCourse]

Q: Which of the following genetic syndromes are associated with brain tumours? 1. Neurofibromatosis type 1 2. Neurofibromatosis type 2 3. Tuberous sclerosis 4. Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome Select the answer using the code given below.

1, 2 and 3. ***1, 2 and 3*** - **Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)**, **Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2)**, and **Tuberous sclerosis (TSC)** are all well-established genetic syndromes associated with an increased risk of developing various brain tumors [1]. - NF1 is linked to **optic pathway gliomas**, NF2 to **schwannomas** and **meningiomas**, and TSC to **subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs)** [1], [2]. *1 and 2 only* - This option is incomplete as it correctly identifies NF1 and NF2 but omits Tuberous sclerosis, which is also strongly associated with brain tumours [1]. - While NF1 and NF2 are major genetic risk factors for brain tumors, excluding TSC would be an inaccurate representation of conditions linked to these abnormalities [1]. *1, 3 and 4* - This option incorrectly includes **Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS)**, which is an **immunodeficiency disorder** and not typically associated with primary brain tumours. - Although WAS can lead to an increased risk of lymphomas, these are generally not considered primary brain tumors [1] in the context of genetic syndromes predisposing to such growths. *2, 3 and 4* - This option again incorrectly includes **Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome** while omitting **Neurofibromatosis type 1**, a significant genetic syndrome linked to brain tumors [1]. - Omitting NF1, a condition known for an increased risk of gliomas, renders this option incomplete and inaccurate. **References:** [1] Cross SS. Underwood's Pathology: A Clinical Approach. 6th ed. Common Clinical Manifestations Of Central And Peripheral Nervous System Disease, pp. 724-725. [2] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. The Central Nervous System, pp. 1318-1319. [Practice more UPSC-CMS 2024 questions on OnCourse]

Q: Which of the following is correct regarding "witch's milk"?

It is seen in full-term infants.. ***It is seen in full-term infants.*** - **Witch's milk** (neonatal galactorrhea) is a physiological phenomenon observed in newborns due to the **withdrawal of maternal hormones** (estrogens, progesterone, and prolactin) after birth. - These maternal hormones cross the placenta during pregnancy and stimulate the fetal breast tissue. - While it can occur in both preterm and term infants, it is **more commonly and prominently observed in full-term infants** who have had greater exposure to maternal hormones. - This condition typically appears 3-5 days after birth and resolves spontaneously within a few weeks. *It is caused by stimulation of foetal breast by calcitonin.* - **Calcitonin** is a hormone involved in calcium and bone metabolism, not breast development or milk production. - **Witch's milk** is caused by the withdrawal of maternal hormones (estrogens, progesterone, and prolactin) after birth, not calcitonin. *It is seen only in preterm infants.* - This is incorrect as witch's milk can occur in **both preterm and full-term infants**. - It is actually **more common in full-term newborns** due to their longer exposure to maternal hormones in utero. *It is caused by stimulation of foetal breast by progesterone.* - While **progesterone** is one of the maternal hormones involved, the mechanism is more accurately described as a **withdrawal phenomenon** rather than ongoing stimulation. - After birth, the sudden **withdrawal of maternal estrogens, progesterone, and prolactin** triggers the breast tissue to secrete milk. - The wording "stimulation by progesterone" is misleading as it suggests active stimulation rather than the withdrawal mechanism that actually causes the milk secretion. [Practice more UPSC-CMS 2024 questions on OnCourse]

Question 1

Which types of cancer are associated with exposure to ionizing radiation?

1. Leukaemia
2. Lung cancer
3. Breast cancer
4. Lymphoma

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

1, 2 and 4

Answer

1, 3 and 4

Answer

2, 3 and 4

Question 2

Consider the following causes of visual loss :

1. Obstruction of the central retinal artery
2. Vitreous and retinal haemorrhage
3. Cataract
4. Retinal detachment Which of the above causes are associated with acute visual loss in a patient?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 4

Answer

1, 3 and 4

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

2, 3 and 4

Question 3

Which of the following are correct regarding Li-Fraumeni syndrome?

1. It has autosomal dominant inheritance and is associated with P53 gene.
2. It has autosomal recessive inheritance and is associated with P53 gene.
3. It is associated with an increased risk of sarcomas and leukaemia.
4. It is associated with an increased risk of brain tumours and osteosarcomas. Select the answer using the code given below.

Accepted Answer

1, 3 and 4

Answer

1 and 4 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

1 only

Question 4

Which of the following genetic syndromes are associated with brain tumours?

1. Neurofibromatosis type 1
2. Neurofibromatosis type 2
3. Tuberous sclerosis
4. Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome

Select the answer using the code given below.

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

1, 3 and 4

Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

2, 3 and 4

Question 5

Which of the following is correct regarding "witch's milk"?

Accepted Answer

It is seen in full-term infants.

Answer

It is caused by stimulation of foetal breast by calcitonin.

Answer

It is seen only in preterm infants.

Answer

It is caused by stimulation of foetal breast by progesterone.

Question 6

Which of the following are risk factors for wound infection?

1. Malnutrition
2. Poor perfusion
3. Antibodies
4. Foreign body material

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 4

Answer

1, 3 and 4

Answer

2, 3 and 4

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 7

A 48-year-old smoker presents to the OPD with complaints of cramping pain in both the calves on walking to about 100-150 metres. The pain is relieved on taking rest for about 2-3 minutes and the patient is able to walk for some more distance again before the pain appears. This presentation is suggestive of

Accepted Answer

intermittent claudication

Answer

osteoarthritis of the knee

Answer

muscular fatigue

Answer

neurogenic claudication

Question 8

A midline neck swelling just below the hyoid bone and managed by Sistrunk's operation leads to postoperative need for thyroxine replacement. The most likely diagnosis is

Accepted Answer

thyroglossal cyst with only functioning thyroid tissue

Answer

solitary thyroid nodule

Answer

thyroglossal cyst

Answer

lateral aberrant thyroid

Question 9

A 40-year-old smoker presents with soreness of tongue since last 2 months. On examination, it is found that the oral hygiene is poor and there is a white plaque over the lateral border of the tongue. What is the next step in the management of this patient?

Accepted Answer

Edge biopsy of the lesion

Answer

Oral antifungal treatment

Answer

Local topical cauterization

Answer

Oral vitamin C supplementation

Question 10

A 60-year-old lady presents with a recent onset increase in a long standing swelling on the front of the neck. The swelling, which was small, had been present since last 30 years, but has now increased to more than twice the size in the last 2 months. On examination, the swelling is firm to hard in consistency and moves with deglutition. What is the most likely cause of this clinical presentation?

Accepted Answer

Malignant transformation

Answer

Myxomatous transformation

Answer

Haemorrhage

Answer

Cystic degeneration

UPSC-CMS 2024

Community Medicine

Ophthalmology

Pathology

Pediatrics

Surgery