Cardiology — MCQs

A 27-year-old male basketball player presents to his primary care physician for a normal check-up. He has not been seen by a physician in ten years. He reports that he feels well and has no complaints. His temperature is 98.6°F (37°C), blood pressure is 110/70 mmHg, pulse is 85/min, and respirations are 16/min. On examination, the patient's height is 76 in (193 cm) with an arm span of 78 in (198 cm). His BMI is 19 kg/m^2. His fingers and toes are long and tapered and his sternum appears sunken into his chest. The patient also has moderate scoliosis. Upon further questioning, the patient reports that his father had a similar physique but passed away in his 40s. Which of the following complications is this patient at greatest risk for?

An 18-year-old man is brought to the emergency department due to the confusion that started earlier in the day. His parents report that the patient had recovered from vomiting and diarrhea 3 days ago without medical intervention. They mention that although nausea and vomiting have resolved, the patient continued to have diffuse abdominal pain and decreased appetite. Past medical history is unremarkable, except for a recent weight loss and increased thirst. The patient does not use tobacco products or alcohol. He is not sexually active and does not use illicit drugs. He appears lethargic but responds to questions. His mucous membranes appear dry. Temperature is 36.9°C (98.4°F), blood pressure is 105/60 mm Hg, pulse is 110/min, and respiratory rate is 27/min with deep and rapid respiration. There is diffuse abdominal tenderness without guarding, rebound tenderness or rigidity. Which of the following is the next best step in the management of this patient?

A 34-year-old man comes to the physician because of increasing lower back and neck pain for the past 7 months. The pain is worse in the morning and improves when he plays basketball. He has noticed shortness of breath while playing for the past 2 months. He is sexually active with 2 female partners and uses condoms inconsistently. He appears lethargic. His vital signs are within normal limits. Examination of the back shows tenderness over the sacroiliac joints. Range of motion is limited. The lungs are clear to auscultation. Chest expansion is decreased on full inspiration. His leukocyte count is 14,000/mm3 and erythrocyte sedimentation rate is 84 mm/h. An x-ray of the spine shows erosion and sclerosis of the sacroiliac joints and loss of spinal lordosis. Further evaluation of this patient is most likely to show which of the following?

A 31-year-old man presents with a several-month history of foot sensory changes. He has noticed that he has a hard time telling the difference between a hardwood floor and carpet beneath his feet. He's also had a couple of falls lately; these falls were not preceded by any lightheadedness or palpitations. He is adopted, so his family history is unknown. On physical exam, he has leg and foot muscular atrophy and 4/5 strength throughout his bilateral lower extremities. Sensation to light touch and pinprick is decreased up to the mid-calf. Ankle jerk reflex is absent bilaterally. He has a significant pes cavus deformity of both feet. Nerve conduction studies show decreased conduction velocities in his bilateral peroneal nerves. Which of the following is the best treatment for this patient?

A 16-year-old boy comes to the physician because his parents are concerned about his persistently poor performance at school. He has had increased impulsivity and has difficulty making and keeping friends. On questioning, he reports that he is being bullied by his classmates for his high-pitched voice, thin build, and poor grades. He is at the 94th percentile for height and 50th percentile for weight. Physical examination shows bilateral gynecomastia, sparse pubic hair, and long limbs compared with the trunk. Genital examination shows small, firm testes. Serum studies show increased levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone and a slightly decreased serum testosterone. This patient is at increased risk of which of the following complications?

A 55-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by ambulance after being found disoriented. He has limited ability to communicate in English but indicates that he has left flank pain and a fever. Chart review reveals that he has diabetes and sleep apnea but both are well controlled. He also has a 30-pack-year smoking history and has lost about 20 pounds since his last presentation. Physical exam reveals a bulge in his left scrotum and ultrasound reveals bilateral kidney stones. Which of the following findings is also associated with the most likely cause of this patient's symptoms?

A 57-year-old female presents to her primary care physician with a chief complaint of feeling tired all the time. She states her symptoms began several months ago, around the time that her husband committed suicide. Since then she has had thoughts of joining her husband. She complains of feeling excessively weak and states that she no longer has enough energy to go to the gym which she attributes to her 15 pound weight gain over the last month. The patient's medical history includes joint pain, a skin rash that recently resolved, obstructive sleep apnea, and metabolic syndrome. The patient takes ibuprofen and omeprazole as needed but otherwise cannot remember any other medications that she takes. On physical exam you note an overweight woman who has an overall depressed affect. The patient's cardiac exam reveals a normal rate and rhythm. The pulmonary exam reveals bilateral clear lung fields with good air movement. The patient's skin is very dry and tight appearing and her hair is coarse. Overall the patient appears somewhat unkempt. Laboratory work is performed and reveals the following: Hemoglobin: 13.0 g/dL Hematocrit: 37% Leukocyte count: 4,500 cells/mm^3 with normal differential Platelets: 250,000/mm^3 Serum: Na+: 140 mEq/L K+: 4.4 mEq/L Cl-: 102 mEq/L BUN: 15 mg/dL Glucose: 122 mg/dL Creatinine: 1.0 mg/dL Thyroid-stimulating hormone: 5.3 µU/mL Ca2+: 10.2 mg/dL AST: 11 U/L ALT: 13 U/L Which of the following laboratory findings is most likely to be abnormal in this patient?

A 45-year-old man presents to the emergency department with crushing substernal chest pain. The patient has a past medical history of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. He drinks 5 alcoholic drinks every night and has a 40 pack-year smoking history. The patient works as a truck driver and leads a sedentary lifestyle. His initial electrocardiogram (ECG) is notable for ST elevation in V2-V5 with reciprocal changes. The patient is sent for cardiac catheterization, and several stents are placed. The patient is being monitored after the procedure, when he suddenly becomes less responsive. His temperature is 98.5°F (36.9°C), blood pressure is 87/48 mmHg, pulse is 150/min, respirations are 18/min, and oxygen saturation is 97% on room air. Jugular venous distension is absent and pulmonary exam is notable for clear breath sounds bilaterally. The patient states that he is experiencing back and flank pain and is tender to palpation over his lumbar back and flanks. The patient is given 3 liters of Lactated Ringer solution and his blood pressure improves to 110/70 mmHg and his pulse is 95/min. Which of the following is the best next step in management?

In a patient with suspected interstitial lung disease, which of the following is most appropriate to confirm the diagnosis?

A 74-year-old Hispanic man comes to the physician because of a three-week history of dizziness upon standing and a brief loss of consciousness one hour ago. The patient suddenly collapsed on his way to the bathroom after waking up in the morning. He did not sustain any injuries from his collapse. He has a history of gastroesophageal reflux disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and gout. The patient's mother died of a grand mal seizure at the age of 53 years. He has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 55 years. He drinks three beers and two glasses of whiskey daily. Current medications include ranitidine, dutasteride, tamsulosin, and allopurinol. He is 166 cm (5 ft 5 in) tall and weighs 62 kg (137 lb); BMI is 22.5 kg/m2. He appears pale. Temperature is 36.7°C (98.0°F), pulse is 83/min, and blood pressure is 125/80 mm Hg supine and 100/70 mm Hg one minute after standing with no change in pulse rate. Physical examination shows conjunctival pallor. A plopping sound is heard on auscultation, immediately followed by a low-pitched, rumbling mid-diastolic murmur heard best at the apex. The remainder of the examination shows no abnormalities. An ECG shows regular sinus rhythm. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?