Cardiology — MCQs

A 21-year-old man presents to his physician because he has been feeling increasingly tired and short of breath at work. He has previously had these symptoms but cannot recall the diagnosis he was given. Chart review reveals the following results: Oxygen tension in inspired air = 150 mmHg Alveolar carbon dioxide tension = 50 mmHg Arterial oxygen tension = 71 mmHg Respiratory exchange ratio = 0.80 Diffusion studies reveal normal diffusion distance. The patient is administered 100% oxygen but the patient's blood oxygen concentration does not improve. Which of the following conditions would best explain this patient's findings?

A 57-year-old woman presents to her primary care physician for weakness. The patient states that she barely feels able to lift a bag of groceries from her car into her house anymore. The patient has a past medical history of a suicide attempt, constipation, anxiety, asthma, and atopic dermatitis. Her current medications include fluoxetine, lisinopril, albuterol, diphenhydramine, sodium docusate, and a multivitamin. She was recently started on atorvastatin for dyslipidemia. Her temperature is 97°F (36.1°C), blood pressure is 90/65 mmHg, pulse is 70/min, respirations are 11/min, and oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. On physical exam, you note a fatigued appearing woman with thinning hair. Cardiopulmonary exam is within normal limits. She demonstrates 3/5 strength in her upper and lower extremities with 1+ sluggish reflexes. Sensation is symmetrical and present in the upper and lower extremities. Pain/tenderness upon palpation of the patient's extremities is noted. Laboratory values are ordered as seen below: Hemoglobin: 12 g/dL Hematocrit: 36% Leukocyte count: 5,500/mm^3 with normal differential Platelet count: 190,000/mm^3 Serum: Na+: 139 mEq/L Cl-: 101 mEq/L K+: 4.4 mEq/L HCO3-: 24 mEq/L BUN: 20 mg/dL Glucose: 90 mg/dL Creatinine: 1.1 mg/dL Ca2+: 10.1 mg/dL AST: 12 U/L ALT: 10 U/L Which of the following is the best next step in management?

A 38-year-old female presents to her primary care physician with complaints of several episodes of palpitations accompanied by panic attacks over the last month. She also is concerned about many instances over the past few weeks where food has been getting stuck in her throat and she has had trouble swallowing. She denies any prior medical problems and reports a family history of cancer in her mother and maternal grandfather but cannot recall any details regarding the type of cancer(s) or age of diagnosis. Her vital signs at today's visit are as follows: T 37.6 deg C, HR 106, BP 158/104, RR 16, SpO2 97%. Physical examination is significant for a nodule on the anterior portion of the neck that moves with swallowing, accompanied by mild lymphadenopathy. A preliminary work-up is initiated, which shows hypercalcemia, elevated baseline calcitonin, and an inappropriately elevated PTH level. Diagnostic imaging shows bilateral adrenal lesions on an MRI of the abdomen/pelvis. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis in this patient?

A 76-year-old man is brought to his geriatrician by his daughter, who reports that he has been "losing his memory." While the patient previously performed all household duties by himself, he has recently had several bills that were unpaid. He also called his daughter on several occasions after getting lost while driving and having "accidents" before getting to the toilet. On exam, the patient is conversant and alert to person, place, and time, though his gait is wide-based and slow. Which of the following diagnostic procedures would be most appropriate to confirm the suspected diagnosis in this patient?

A 43-year-old man is referred by his family physician because his urine dipstick reveals 3+ protein and urinalysis reveals 1-2 red cells/high power field, but is otherwise negative. He does not have any current complaints. His family history is irrelevant. He denies smoking and alcohol use. His temperature is 36.7°C (98.06°F), blood pressure is 130/82 mm Hg, and pulse is 78/min. Physical examination is unremarkable. Which of the following is the best next step in the management of this patient’s condition?

A 69-year-old man presents to the emergency department with shortness of breath that has been worsening over the past month. The patient states that he has had worsening shortness of breath that has progressed to shortness of breath with simple activities and minor exertion. When he was unable to climb the stairs to his house today, he decided to come to the emergency department. The patient has a past medical history of poorly managed diabetes mellitus, hypertension, end stage renal disease, and obesity. His current medications include insulin, metformin, lisinopril, hydrochlorothiazide, and ibuprofen. The patient is notably non-compliant with his medications. An EKG and chest radiograph are normal. The patient had dialysis two days ago and attends most of his appointments. Laboratory values are ordered and are seen below: Serum: Na+: 135 mEq/L K+: 4.5 mEq/L Cl-: 100 mEq/L HCO3-: 19 mEq/L Urea nitrogen: 29 mg/dL Glucose: 75 mg/dL Creatinine: 2.5 mg/dL Ca2+: 9.2 mg/dL Mg2+: 1.7 mEq/L AST: 11 U/L ALT: 11 U/L Leukocyte count and differential: Leukocyte count: 4,500/mm^3 Platelet count: 150,000/mm^3 Neutrophil: 54% Lymphocyte: 25% Monocyte: 3% Eosinophil: 1% Basophil: 1% Hemoglobin: 8.2 g/dL Hematocrit: 22% Mean corpuscular volume: 82 µm^3 The patient appears comfortable at rest but demonstrates notable shortness of breath when exerting himself. His temperature is 99.5°F (37.5°C), pulse is 89/min, blood pressure is 144/85 mmHg, respirations are 10/min, and oxygen saturation is 97% on room air. Pulmonary and cardiac exam are within normal limits. Which of the following is a side-effect of the long-term therapy this patient should be started on right now?

A 23-year-old woman presents to the emergency department complaining of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. She has a 10-year history of type I diabetes mellitus treated with lispro and glargine. Upon questioning, she mentions that she stopped taking her insulin 3 days ago due to recent malaise and decreased appetite. She denies recent weight change, illicit drug use, or sexual activity. She does not take any other medications and she does not use tobacco products or alcohol. Upon physical examination she is afebrile. Her blood pressure is 105/70 mm Hg, pulse is 108/min and respiratory rate is 25/min. She appears lethargic, with clear breath sounds bilateral and a soft, nontender and nondistended abdomen. Laboratory results are as follows: Sodium 130 mEq/L Potassium 5.6 mEq/L Chloride 91 mEq/L Bicarbonate 12 mEq/L Glucose 450 mg/dL Which of the following is most likely to be found in this patient?

A 61-year-old man presents with back pain and hematuria. The patient says his back pain gradually onset 6 months ago and has progressively worsened. He describes the pain as moderate, dull and aching, and localized to the lower back and right flank. Also, he says that, for the past 2 weeks, he has been having intermittent episodes of hematuria. The patient denies any recent history of fever, chills, syncope, night sweats, dysuria or pain on urination. His past medical history is significant for a myocardial infarction (MI) 3 years ago status post percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, worst in the popliteal arteries, with an ankle:brachial index of 1.4. Also, he has had 2 episodes of obstructive nephrolithiasis in the past year caused by calcium oxalate stones, for which he takes potassium citrate. His family history is significant for his father who died of renovascular hypertension at age 55. The patient reports a 20-pack-year smoking history and moderates to heavy daily alcohol use. A review of systems is significant for an unintentional 6.8 kg (15 lb) weight loss over the last 2 months. The vital signs include: blood pressure 145/95 mm Hg, pulse 71/min, temperature 37.2℃ (98.9℉), and respiratory rate 18/min. On physical examination, the patient has moderate right costovertebral angle tenderness (CVAT). A contrast computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and pelvis reveals an enhancing mass in the upper pole of the right kidney. A percutaneous renal biopsy of the mass confirms renal cell carcinoma. Which of the following was the most significant risk factor for the development of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in this patient?

A 42-year-old woman presents to the clinic for a recurrent rash that has remitted and relapsed over the last 2 years. The patient states that she has tried multiple home remedies when she has flare-ups, to no avail. The patient is wary of medical care and has not seen a doctor in at least 15 years. On examination, she has multiple disc-shaped, erythematous lesions on her neck, progressing into her hairline. The patient notes no other symptoms. Lab work is performed and is positive for antinuclear antibodies. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A 33-year-old man presents to the emergency department acutely confused. The patient was found down at a local construction site by his coworkers. The patient has a past medical history of a seizure disorder and schizophrenia and is currently taking haloperidol. He had recent surgery 2 months ago to remove an inflamed appendix. His temperature is 105°F (40.6°C), blood pressure is 120/84 mmHg, pulse is 150/min, respirations are 19/min, and oxygen saturation is 99% on room air. Physical exam is notable for a confused man who cannot answer questions. His clothes are drenched in sweat. He is not making purposeful movements with his extremities although no focal neurological deficits are clearly apparent. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?