Cardiology — MCQs

A 75-year-old man comes to the emergency department because of fatigue and black sticky stools during the past 3 days. He also complains of nausea and has had a 2-kg (4.4-lb) weight loss over the past month. He has a history of polycystic kidney disease, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. He does not smoke or drink alcohol. Current medications include hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, valsartan, and atorvastatin. He is thin and appears tired. His temperature is 37.0°C (98.6°F), pulse is 75/min, and blood pressure is 110/65 mm Hg. Examination shows conjunctival pallor and numerous excoriations on the extensor surfaces of his upper extremities. Abdominal examination shows no abnormalities. There is a flapping tremor when both wrists are flexed. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 8.5 g/dL Platelets 109,000/mm3 Mean corpuscular volume 81 μm3 Prothrombin time 11 sec Partial thromboplastin time 34 sec Serum Creatinine 6.1 mg/dL Which of the following is the most likely underlying cause of this patient's current condition?

An 8-year-old boy is brought to the physician by his father because of abnormal movements of his limbs. For the past four days, he has had uncontrolled jerking movements of his arms and legs and has been dropping cups and toys. His symptoms are worse when he is excited and improve while he is asleep. During the same time period, he has become increasingly irritable and tearful. He had a sore throat 6 weeks ago that resolved without treatment. His temperature is 37.3°C (99.2°F). Examination shows occasional grimacing with involuntary jerking movements of his limbs. Muscle strength and tone are decreased in all extremities. When he grips the physician's index and middle fingers with his hands, his grip increases and decreases continuously. This patient is at increased risk for which of the following complications?

A patient presents to his primary care physician with complaints of regular headaches and upper abdominal pain. On physical examination, his spleen and liver seem enlarged, and his face is plethoric. Gastroendoscopy reveals several gastric ulcers ranging from 3–5 mm in greatest dimension. A bone marrow aspirate shows hypercellularity with fibrosis and serum erythropoietin is low. The patient is informed about a new treatment with ruxolitinib for the main cause of his symptoms. Which of the conditions below can develop due to the same mutation that is causing this patient's symptoms?

A 70-year-old male comes to the emergency department complaining of severe back pain. The pain started 20 minutes ago when he was sitting and watching TV. He describes the pain as intense, epigastric, and radiating to his back. His vitals on presentation to the emergency department are blood pressure is 150/75 mmHg, pulse is 110/min, and respirations are 24/min with an oxygen saturation of 98% on room air. His body mass index is 35 kg/m^2 and he appears pale and in visible pain. On abdominal exam, his abdomen is tender and a pulsatile mass is felt in the midline during deep palpation. His past medical history includes diabetes, hypertension well-controlled on medications, and a history of benign prostatic hyperplasia. His social history is notable for consuming 2-3 beers per night and a smoking history of ½ pack per day. Which of the following is considered the greatest risk factor for this patient's condition?

A 32-year-old woman presents with new left-arm pain. She was previously well but for 2 months has had episodes of low-grade fever, night sweats, and dizziness. She works as a stock assistant and has noticed left arm pain when she stocks shelves. She is taking a multivitamin but no other medications. On physical examination, her blood pressure is 126/72 in her right arm, but it cannot be measured in her left arm. The left radial pulse is not detectable. There is a bruit over the left subclavian area. Femoral and pedal pulses are normal and no abdominal bruits are heard. The left hand is cool but has no other evidence of ischemia. Which of the following is the most likely etiology of this patient’s condition?

A 32-year-old woman comes to the clinic for a routine evaluation. This is her first time visiting this office. Her medical history is significant for cystic medial necrosis of the aorta. Her vital signs include: heart rate 85/min, respiratory rate 15/min, temperature 36.0°C (96.8°F), and blood pressure 110/80 mm Hg. Physical examination shows she is thin and tall with abnormally long extremities and spider-like fingers. Which of the following disorders does the patient most likely have?

A 42-year-old man presents to his physician with dark urine and intermittent flank pain. He has no significant past medical history and generally is healthy. His temperature is 97.5°F (36.4°C), blood pressure is 182/112 mmHg, pulse is 85/min, respirations are 15/min, and oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. Physical examination is significant for bilateral palpable flank masses and discomfort to percussion of the costovertebral angle. Urinalysis is positive for red blood cells without any bacteria or nitrites. Which of the following diagnostic modalities should be used to screen members of this patient's family to assess if they are affected by the same condition?

A 60-year-old man presents to the emergency department with pleuritic chest pain. He recently returned from a vacation in Germany and noticed he felt short of breath and had chest pain the following morning. The patient is generally healthy but did have surgery on his ankle 3 weeks ago and has been less ambulatory. His temperature is 99.0°F (37.2°C), blood pressure is 137/88 mm Hg, pulse is 120/min, respirations are 22/min, and oxygen saturation is 96% on room air. Physical exam is notable for a warm and swollen lower extremity. The physician has high clinical suspicion for pulmonary embolism given the patient's risk factors and presentation. Which of the following findings would warrant further workup with a CT angiogram?

A 54-year-old man comes to the emergency department because of severe pain in his right leg that began suddenly 3 hours ago. He has had repeated cramping in his right calf while walking for the past 4 months, but it has never been this severe. He has type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension. Current medications include insulin, enalapril, aspirin, and simvastatin. He has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 33 years. He does not drink alcohol. His pulse is 103/min and blood pressure is 136/84 mm Hg. Femoral pulses are palpable bilaterally. The popliteal and pedal pulses are absent on the right. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 16.1 g/dL Serum Urea nitrogen 14 mg/dL Glucose 166 mg/dL Creatinine 1.5 mg/dL A CT angiogram of the right lower extremity is ordered. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A previously healthy 19-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by his girlfriend after briefly losing consciousness. He passed out while moving furniture into her apartment. She said that he was unresponsive for a minute but regained consciousness and was not confused. The patient did not have any chest pain, palpitations, or difficulty breathing before or after the episode. He has had episodes of dizziness when exercising at the gym. His blood pressure is 125/75 mm Hg while supine and 120/70 mm Hg while standing. Pulse is 70/min while supine and 75/min while standing. On examination, there is a grade 3/6 systolic murmur at the left lower sternal border and a systolic murmur at the apex, both of which disappear with passive leg elevation. Which of the following is the most likely cause?