Cardiology — MCQs

A 35-year-old woman comes to the physician because of fatigue and a 9-kg (20-lb) weight gain over the past 12 months. She also has irregular menstrual cycles and difficulty sleeping. Menses occur at irregular 35- to 50-day intervals and last 3–7 days. Menarche was at age of 13 years and her last menstrual period was 4 weeks ago. She has 1-year history of hypertension treated with hydrochlorothiazide. She drinks a glass of wine daily. She is 163 cm (5 ft 4 in) tall and weighs 85 kg (187 lb); BMI is 32 kg/m2. Her temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), pulse is 82/min, respirations are 16/min, and blood pressure is 125/86 mm Hg. Examination shows acne on the face and hair on the chin and around the umbilicus. The face has a rounded shape and is reddened. There are several smaller bruises on both forearms. This patient is most likely to have which of the following findings?

A 25-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 4-month history of anxiety and weight loss. She also reports an inability to tolerate heat and intermittent heart racing for 2 months. She appears anxious. Her pulse is 108/min and blood pressure is 145/87 mm Hg. Examination shows a fine tremor of her outstretched hands. After confirmation of the diagnosis, the patient is scheduled for radioactive iodine ablation. At a follow-up visit 2 months after the procedure, she reports improved symptoms but new-onset double vision. Examination shows conjunctival injections, proptosis, and a lid lag. Slit-lamp examination shows mild corneal ulcerations. The patient is given an additional medication that improves her diplopia and proptosis. Which of the following mechanisms is most likely responsible for the improvement in this patient's ocular symptoms?

A 49-year-old man comes to the physician because of increasing difficulty achieving an erection for 6 months. During this period, he has had to reduce his hours as a construction worker because of pain in his lower back and thighs and a progressive lower limb weakness when walking for longer distances. His pain resolves after resting for a few minutes, but it recurs when he returns to work. He also reports that his pain is improved by standing still. He is sexually active with 4 female partners and uses condoms irregularly. His father has coronary artery disease and his mother died of a ruptured intracranial aneurysm at the age of 53 years. He has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 35 years. He has recently taken sildenafil, given to him by a friend, with no improvement in his symptoms. His only other medication is ibuprofen as needed for back pain. His last visit to a physician was 25 years ago. He is 172.5 cm (5 ft 8 in) tall and weighs 102 kg (225 lb); BMI is 34.2 kg/m2. His temperature is 36.9°C (98.4°F), pulse is 76/min, and blood pressure is 169/98 mm Hg. A complete blood count and serum concentrations of electrolytes, urea nitrogen, and creatinine are within the reference ranges. His hemoglobin A1c is 6.2%. Which of the following is the most likely finding on physical examination?

A 68-year-old man comes to the physician in July for a routine health maintenance examination. He is a retired teacher and lives in a retirement community. He has hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and osteoarthritis of the left knee. Last year, he was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. A colonoscopy 8 years ago was normal. The patient had a normal digital examination and a normal prostate specific antigen level 8 months ago. The patient has never smoked and does not drink alcohol. Current medications include aspirin, lisinopril, simvastatin, chlorambucil, rituximab, and a multivitamin. His last immunizations were at a health maintenance examination 7 years ago. His temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), pulse is 82/min, respirations are 14/min, and blood pressure is 133/85 mm Hg. Examination shows a grade 2/6 systolic ejection murmur along the upper right sternal border and painless cervical lymphadenopathy. Which of the following health maintenance recommendations is most appropriate at this visit?

A 16-year-old boy comes to the physician for a routine health maintenance examination. He feels well. He has no history of serious illness. He is at the 60th percentile for height and weight. Vital signs are within normal limits. The lungs are clear to auscultation. A grade 3/6 ejection systolic murmur is heard along the lower left sternal border. The murmur decreases in intensity on rapid squatting and increases in intensity when he performs the Valsalva maneuver. This patient is at increased risk for which of the following complications?

A 62-year-old man comes to the physician for a 1-month history of fever, malaise, and skin rash. He has had a 5-kg (11-lb) weight loss during this period. He does not smoke, drink alcohol, or use illicit drugs. He appears pale. His temperature is 39.1°C (102.3°F), pulse is 110/min, and blood pressure is 140/85 mm Hg. Physical examination shows nontender, erythematous macules on the palms and soles. A photograph of one of his fingernails is shown. Microscopic examination of the nail lesion is most likely to show which of the following?

A 73-year-old man presents to your clinic for a routine checkup. His medical history is notable for a previous myocardial infarction. He states that he has not seen a doctor in "many years". He has no complaints. When you auscultate over the cardiac apex with the bell of your stethoscope, you notice an additional sound immediately preceding S1. This extra heart sound is most likely indicative of which of the following processes?

A 32-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 3-month history of recurrent headaches and nausea. The headaches occur a few times a month and alternately affect the right or left side. The headaches are exacerbated by loud sounds or bright light. She is in graduate school and has been under a lot of stress recently. She does not smoke or drink alcohol but does drink 2–3 cups of coffee daily. Her only medication is an oral contraceptive. Physical examination shows no abnormalities; visual acuity is 20/20. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 35-year-old man presents to his primary care provider complaining of dull pain in his scrotum and lower back pain over the last 3 months. He is a computer engineer working in a private IT company. He had an uncomplicated appendectomy at the age of 22 years, but is otherwise without a significant past medical history. He smokes 2–3 cigarettes on weekends and drinks alcohol occasionally. He is sexually active with his wife. Today his heart rate is 90/min and blood pressure is 132/76 mm Hg. Scrotal examination reveals a firm, small and painless nodule on the left testicle. Scrotal ultrasound reveals a 0.9 x 0.5 cm irregular, non-cystic mass. He undergoes a left radical orchiectomy and histopathological examination reveals uniform tumor cells with abundant clear cytoplasm and distinct cell borders, consistent with a seminoma. Subsequent PET/CT scans show supraclavicular and para-aortic lymph node involvement. Which is the next and most appropriate step in the management of this patient?

A 72-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 1-month history of progressive fatigue and shortness of breath. Physical examination shows generalized pallor. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 5.8 g/dL Hematocrit 17% Mean corpuscular volume 86 μm3 Leukocyte count 6,200/mm3 with a normal differential Platelet count 240,000/mm3 A bone marrow aspirate shows an absence of erythroid precursor cells. This patient’s condition is most likely associated with which of the following?