Ethics/Biostatistics — MCQs

A 4-year-old boy is brought to a pediatrician by his parents for a consultation after his teacher complained about his inability to focus or make friends at school. They mention that the boy does not interact well with others at home, school, or daycare. On physical examination, his vital signs are stable with normal weight, height, and head circumference for his age and sex. His general examination and neurologic examination are completely normal. A recent audiological evaluation shows normal hearing, and intellectual disability has been ruled out by a clinical psychologist. Which of the following investigations is indicated as part of his diagnostic evaluation at present?

A mother brings her 3-year-old son to his pediatrician because he is having tantrums. The boy has no history of serious illness and is on track with developmental milestones. His mother recently returned to work 2 weeks ago. She explains that, since then, her son has had a tantrum roughly every other morning, usually when she is getting him dressed or dropping him off at daycare. He cries loudly for about 5 minutes, saying that he does not want to go to daycare while thrashing his arms and legs. According to the daycare staff, he is well-behaved during the day. In the evenings, he has tantrums about twice per week, typically when he is told he must finish his dinner or that it is time for bed. These tantrums have been occurring for about 6 months. The mother is concerned her son may have a behavioral disorder. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the boy's behavior?

A 59-year-old man comes to the physician for a follow-up examination after being diagnosed with localized prostate cancer 3 weeks ago. The physician is delayed because of an emergency with another patient; miscommunication between the physician and his staff created further delays. When he enters the patient's room, the patient angrily expresses, “Do you realize that I waited 45 minutes in the waiting room, despite arriving on time, and that I've now waited another half an hour in this exam room? I am dying; do you have no respect for my time?” Which of the following is the most appropriate response by the physician?

A professional golfer tees off on the first day of a tournament. On the first hole, his drive slices to the right and drops in the water. He yells at his caddy, then takes his driver and throws it at his feet, blaming it for his poor swing. Notably, the golfer had had a long fight with his wife last night over problems with family finances. The golfer's actions on the course represent which type of defense mechanism?

A 55-year-old man presents to his primary care physician for a wellness checkup. The patient has a past medical history of alcohol abuse and is currently attending alcoholics anonymous with little success. He is currently drinking roughly 1L of hard alcohol every day and does not take his disulfiram anymore. Which of the following findings is most likely to also be found in this patient?

A 39-year-old woman with multiple sclerosis comes to the physician for a follow-up examination. Over the past 3 years, she has been hospitalized 7 times for acute exacerbations of her illness. She has not responded to therapy with several disease-modifying agents and has required at least two pulse corticosteroid therapies every year. She has seen several specialists and sought out experimental therapies. During this time period, her disease course has been rapidly progressive. She currently requires a wheelchair and is incontinent. Today, she says, “I'm not going to allow myself to hope because I'll only be disappointed, like I have been over and over again. What's the point? No one in this system knows how to help me. Sometimes I don't even take my pills any more because they don't help.” Which of the following is the most appropriate initial response to this patient?

A 9-year-old boy is brought to the physician for evaluation of short stature. He is at the 5th percentile for height, 65th percentile for weight, and 95th percentile for head circumference. Examination shows midface retrusion, a bulging forehead, and flattening of the nose. The extremities are disproportionately short. He was adopted and does not know his biological parents. The patient’s condition is an example of which of the following genetic phenomena?

A 5-year-old boy is brought to the physician by his mother because he does not “listen to her” anymore. The mother also reports that her son cannot concentrate on any tasks lasting longer than just a few minutes. Teachers at his preschool report that the patient is more active compared to other preschoolers, frequently interrupts or bothers other children, and is very forgetful. Last year the patient was expelled from another preschool for hitting his teacher and his classmates when he did not get what he wanted and for being disruptive during classes. He was born at term via vaginal delivery and has been healthy except for 3 episodes of acute otitis media at the age of 2 years. He has met all developmental milestones. His mother has major depressive disorder and his father has Graves' disease. He appears healthy and well nourished. Examination shows that the patient does not seem to listen when spoken to directly. The remainder of the examination shows no abnormalities. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in treatment?

A 42-year-old male presents to your office with cellulitis on his leg secondary to a dog bite. You suspect that the causative agent is a small, facultatively anaerobic, Gram-negative rod sensitive to penicillin with clavulanate. When you ask the patient how the bite occurred, the patient explains that he had a fight with his wife earlier in the day. Frustrated with his wife, he yelled at the family pet, who bit him on the leg. Which of the following defense mechanisms was this patient employing at the time of his injury?

A 42-year-old biochemist receives negative feedback from a senior associate on a recent project. He is placed on probation within the company and told that he must improve his performance on the next project to remain with the company. He is distraught and leaves his office early. When he gives an account of the episode to his wife, she says, “I'll always be proud of you no matter what because I know that you always try your best.” Later that night, he tearfully accuses her of believing that he is a failure. Which of the following psychological defense mechanisms is he demonstrating?