Managing incidental findings — MCQs

A 27-year-old man comes to the physician because of worsening abdominal pain over the last several months. He has also had recent feelings of sadness and a lack of motivation at work, where he is employed as a computer programmer. He denies suicidal thoughts. He has a history of multiple kidney stones. He has a family history of thyroid cancer in his father and uncle, who both underwent thyroidectomy before age 30. His temperature is 37°C (98°F), blood pressure is 138/86 mm Hg, and pulse is 87/min. Physical examination shows diffuse tenderness over the abdomen and obesity but is otherwise unremarkable. Serum studies show: Na+ 141 mEq/L K+ 3.6 mEq/L Glucose 144 mg/dL Ca2+ 12.1 mg/dL Albumin 4.1 g/dL PTH 226 pg/mL (normal range 12–88 pg/mL) Results of a RET gene test return abnormal. The physician refers him to an endocrine surgeon. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in diagnosis?

A scientist in Boston is studying a new blood test to detect Ab to the parainfluenza virus with increased sensitivity and specificity. So far, her best attempt at creating such an exam reached 82% sensitivity and 88% specificity. She is hoping to increase these numbers by at least 2 percent for each value. After several years of work, she believes that she has actually managed to reach a sensitivity and specificity even greater than what she had originally hoped for. She travels to South America to begin testing her newest blood test. She finds 2,000 patients who are willing to participate in her study. Of the 2,000 patients, 1,200 of them are known to be infected with the parainfluenza virus. The scientist tests these 1,200 patients’ blood and finds that only 120 of them tested negative with her new test. Of the following options, which describes the sensitivity of the test?

A 51-year-old woman presents for her annual wellness visit. She says she feels healthy and has no specific concerns. Past medical history is significant for bipolar disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type 2, managed with lithium, lisinopril, and metformin, respectively. Her family history is significant for hypertension and diabetes mellitus type 2 in her father, who died from lung cancer at age 67. Her vital signs include: temperature 36.8°C (98.2°F), pulse 97/min, respiratory rate 16/min, blood pressure 120/75 mm Hg. Physical examination is unremarkable. Mammogram findings are labeled breast imaging reporting and data system-3 (BIRADS-3) (probably benign). Which of the following is the next best step in management in this patient?

A medical research study is beginning to evaluate the positive predictive value of a novel blood test for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The diagnostic arm contains 700 patients with NHL, of which 400 tested positive for the novel blood test. In the control arm, 700 age-matched control patients are enrolled and 0 are found positive for the novel test. What is the PPV of this test?

A 45-year-old woman presents to her physician with a four-month history of headache. Her headache is nonfocal but persistent throughout the day without any obvious trigger. She was told that it was a migraine but has never responded to sumatriptan, oxygen, or antiemetics. She takes amlodipine for hypertension. She does not smoke. She denies any recent weight loss or constitutional symptoms. Her temperature is 98°F (36.7°C), blood pressure is 180/100 mmHg, pulse is 70/min, and respirations are 15/min. She is obese with posterior cervical fat pads and central abdominal girth. Her neurological exam is unremarkable. In her initial laboratory workup, her fasting blood glucose level is 200 mg/dL. The following additional lab work is obtained and is as follows: Serum: Na+: 142 mEq/L Cl-: 102 mEq/L K+: 4.1 mEq/L HCO3-: 24 mEq/L BUN: 20 mg/dL Glucose: 135 mg/dL Creatinine: 1.3 mg/dL Ca2+: 10.0 mg/dL AST: 8 U/L ALT: 8 U/L 24-hour urinary cortisol: 500 µg (reference range < 300 µg) Serum cortisol: 25 µg/mL (reference range 5-23 µg/dL) 24-hour low dose dexamethasone suppression test: Not responsive High dose dexamethasone suppression test: Responsive Adrenocorticotropin-releasing hormone (ACTH): 20 pg/mL (5-15 pg/mL) Imaging reveals a 0.5 cm calcified pulmonary nodule in the right middle lobe that has been present for 5 years but an otherwise unremarkable pituitary gland, mediastinum, and adrenal glands. What is the best next step in management?

A 60-year-old man comes to the physician for a routine health maintenance examination. He feels well. Five years ago, he underwent a colonoscopy, which was unremarkable. He has no history of serious illness except for an episode of poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis at the age of 10 years. His father died of bladder carcinoma at the age of 55 years. The patient works at a rubber factory. He has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for the past 25 years. He drinks 1–2 cans of beer per day. He takes no medications. He has never received any pneumococcal vaccination. His temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), pulse is 70/min, and blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg. Digital rectal examination shows mild symmetrical enlargement of the prostate with no masses. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 62-year-old man comes to the physician for the evaluation of nocturia and a weak urinary stream. These symptoms began 1 year ago, but have progressively worsened over the past 6 months. He now wakes up 3–5 times every night to urinate. He has hypertension treated with hydrochlorothiazide and lisinopril. The patient has smoked a half-pack of cigarettes daily for the past 30 years. He appears well. His temperature is 37.3°C (99.1°F), pulse is 77/min, and blood pressure is 128/77 mm Hg. Cardiopulmonary examination shows no abnormalities. His abdomen is soft and nontender. Digital rectal examination shows a diffusely enlarged prostate with a firm nodule in the right posterior lobe. Urinalysis is within normal limits. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level is 6.5 ng/mL (N = 0–4). Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 65-year-old man is admitted to the hospital because of a 1-month history of fatigue, intermittent fever, and weakness. Results from a peripheral blood smear taken during his evaluation are indicative of possible acute myeloid leukemia. Bone marrow aspiration and subsequent cytogenetic studies confirm the diagnosis. The physician sets aside an appointed time-slot and arranges a meeting in a quiet office to inform him about the diagnosis and discuss his options. He has been encouraged to bring someone along to the appointment if he wanted. He comes to your office at the appointed time with his daughter. He appears relaxed, with a full range of affect. Which of the following is the most appropriate opening statement in this situation?

A 43-year-old male with a history of thyroid cancer status post total thyroidectomy presents to his primary care physician after repeated bouts of headaches. His headaches are preceded by periods of anxiety, palpitations, and sweating. The patient says he is unable to pinpoint any precipitating factors and instead says the events occur without warning. Of note, the patient's father and uncle also have a history of thyroid cancer. On exam his vitals are: T 36.8 HR 87, BP 135/93, RR 14, and O2 Sat 100% on room air. The patient's TSH is within normal limits, and he reports taking his levothyroxine as prescribed. What is the next best step in diagnosing this patient's chief complaint?