Cardiology — MCQs

A 40-year-old woman comes to the physician for the evaluation of fatigue, poor appetite, and an unintentional 10-kg (22-lb) weight loss over the past 6 months. The patient also reports several episodes of nausea and two episodes of non-bloody vomiting. There is no personal or family history of serious illness. Menses occur at regular 27-day intervals and last 6 days. Her last menstrual period was 3 weeks ago. She is sexually active with her husband, but states that she has lost desire in sexual intercourse lately. Her temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), pulse is 100/min, and blood pressure is 96/70 mm Hg. Physical examination shows no abnormalities. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 13.5 g/dL Leukocyte count 7,000/mm3 Serum Na+ 128 mEq/L Cl- 96 mEq/L K+ 5.8 mEq/L HCO3- 23 mEq/L Glucose 70 mg/dL AM Cortisol 2 μg/dL Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 32-year-old African American woman presents to her family physician complaining of fevers, fatigue, weight loss, joint pains, night sweats and a rash on her face that extends over the bridge of her nose. She has also had multiple sores in her mouth over the past few weeks. She recently had a root canal procedure done without complications. She has no significant past medical history, but has recently had a urinary tract infection. She denies tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use. Laboratory evaluation reveals hemolytic anemia. If she were found to have a cardiac lesion, what would be the most likely pathogenetic cause?

A 71-year old man is brought to the emergency department because of progressively worsening shortness of breath and fatigue for 3 days. During the last month, he has also noticed dark colored urine. He had an upper respiratory infection 6 weeks ago. He underwent a cholecystectomy at the age of 30 years. He has hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. He immigrated to the US from Italy 50 years ago. Current medications include simvastatin, lisinopril, and metformin. He appears pale. His temperature is 37.1°C (98.8°F), pulse is 96/min, respirations are 21/min, and blood pressure is 150/80 mm Hg. Auscultation of the heart shows a grade 4/6 systolic murmur over the right second intercostal space that radiates to the carotids. Laboratory studies show: Leukocyte count 9,000/mm3 Hemoglobin 8.3 g/dL Hematocrit 24% Platelet count 180,000/mm3 LDH 212 U/L Haptoglobin 15 mg/dL (N=41–165) Serum Na+ 138 mEq/L K+ 4.5 mEq/L CL- 102 mEq/L HCO3- 24 mEq/L Urea nitrogen 20 mg/dL Creatinine 1.2 mg/dL Total bilirubin 1.8 mg/dL Stool testing for occult blood is negative. Direct Coombs test is negative. Echocardiography shows an aortic jet velocity of 4.2 m/s and a mean pressure gradient of 46 mm Hg. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management to treat this patient's anemia?

A 65-year-old man is brought to the emergency department because of a fall that occurred while he was taking a shower earlier that morning. His wife heard him fall and entered the bathroom to find all four of his extremities twitching. The episode lasted approximately 30 seconds. He was unsure of what had happened and was unable to answer simple questions on awakening. He has regained orientation since that time. He has hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Current medications include metoprolol and atorvastatin. His temperature is 37.1°C (98.8°F), pulse is 72/min, respirations are 19/min, and blood pressures is 130/80 mm Hg. Pulse oximetry on room air shows an oxygen saturation of 98%. Cranial nerve examination shows no abnormalities. He has 5/5 strength in all extremities. Examination shows full muscle strength. Sensation to pinprick, light touch, and vibration is normal and symmetrical. A noncontrast head CT is performed and shows a slightly hyperdense mass. Follow-up MRI shows a homogeneous, well-circumscribed 4-cm mass with compression of the adjacent white matter, and a hyperintense rim around the mass on T2 weighted imaging. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 53-year-old woman presents to her primary care physician with joint pain. She reports a 6-month history of progressive pain in her hands that is worse around her knuckles. The pain is symmetric bilaterally and seems to improve after she starts working in the morning at her job in a local grocery store. She has also lost 10 pounds over the past 6 months despite no changes in her diet or exercise regimen. Her past medical history is notable for seasonal allergies, hypertension, and intermittent constipation. She takes losartan and a laxative as needed. She had adolescent idiopathic scoliosis as a child and underwent a spinal fusion at the age of 14. She does not smoke or drink alcohol. Her temperature is 98.6°F (37°C), blood pressure is 135/75 mmHg, pulse is 92/min, and respirations are 16/min. On examination, she appears well and is appropriately interactive. Strength is 5/5 and sensation to light touch is intact in the bilateral upper and lower extremities. An examination of her hands demonstrates symmetric swelling of the metacarpophalangeal joints bilaterally. This patient's condition is most strongly characterized by which of the following?

A 60-year-old woman presents to the emergency department due to progressive shortness of breath and a dry cough for the past week. She notes that her symptoms are exacerbated by physical activity and relieved by rest. The woman was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease 2 years ago and was recently started on regular dialysis treatment. Her pulse rate is 105/min, blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg, respiratory rate is 30/min, and temperature is 37.8°C (100.0°F). On examination of the respiratory system, there is dullness on percussion, decreased vocal tactile fremitus, and decreased breath sounds over the right lung base. The rest of the physical exam is within normal limits. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient’s symptoms?

A 72-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by his daughter because he was found to have decreased alertness that has gotten progressively worse. Three weeks ago he was diagnosed with an infection and given an antibiotic, though his daughter does not remember what drug was prescribed. His medical history is also significant for benign prostatic hyperplasia and hypertension, for which he was prescribed tamsulosin, a thiazide, and an ACE inhibitor. He has not sustained any trauma recently, and no wounds are apparent. On presentation, he is found to be confused. Labs are obtained with the following results: Serum: Na+: 135 mEq/L BUN: 52 mg/dL Creatinine: 2.1 mg/dL Urine: Osmolality: 548 mOsm/kg Na+: 13 mEq/L Creatinine: 32 mg/dL Which of the following etiologies would be most likely given this patient's presentation?

A 69-year-old man is brought to the emergency room by his wife 30 minutes after losing consciousness while they were working in their garden together. The patient says that time seemed to slow down, his vision went dark, and he had a sensation of falling. After 3–5 seconds, he awoke slightly disoriented but quickly regained his baseline mental status. The patient says he has had a few similar episodes that occurred 1–2 months ago for which he did not seek any medical treatment. He says overall he has been more tired than usual and feeling out of breath on his morning walks. He denies any chest pain or palpitations. Past medical history is significant for type 1 diabetes mellitus. Current medications are atorvastatin and insulin. His family history is significant for his father who died of myocardial infarction in his 70’s. His blood pressure is 110/85 mm Hg and pulse is 82/min. On physical examination, there is a 3/6 systolic murmur best heard over the right sternal border with radiation to the carotids. S1 is normal but there is a soft unsplit S2. The lungs are clear to auscultation bilaterally. The remainder of the exam is unremarkable. Which of the following physical exam findings would also most likely be present in this patient?

A 67-year-old man comes to the physician for a follow-up examination. He feels well. His last visit to a physician was 3 years ago. He has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. Current medications include albuterol, atenolol, lisinopril, and aspirin. He has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 18 years but stopped 20 years ago. He had a right lower extremity venous clot 15 years ago that required 3 months of anticoagulation therapy. A colonoscopy performed 3 years ago demonstrated 2 small, flat polyps that were resected. He is 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) tall and weighs 100 kg (220 lb); BMI is 32.5 kg/m2. His pulse is 85/min, respirations are 14/min, and blood pressure is 150/80 mm Hg. Examination shows normal heart sounds and no carotid or femoral bruits. Scattered minimal expiratory wheezing and rhonchi are heard throughout both lung fields. Which of the following health maintenance recommendations is most appropriate at this time?

A 33-year-old woman presents to her primary care physician for a wellness check-up. She states that recently she has been feeling well other than headaches that occur occasionally, which improve with ibuprofen and rest. She has a past medical history of hypertension and headaches and is currently taking hydrochlorothiazide. Her temperature is 99.2°F (37.3°C), blood pressure is 157/108 mmHg, pulse is 90/min, respirations are 14/min, and oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. Physical exam reveals a young woman who appears healthy. A normal S1 and S2 are auscultated on cardiac exam, and her lungs are clear with good air movement bilaterally. From her previous visit, it was determined that she has an elevated aldosterone and low renin level. Laboratory values are ordered as seen below. Serum: Na+: 139 mEq/L Cl-: 100 mEq/L K+: 3.7 mEq/L HCO3-: 29 mEq/L BUN: 20 mg/dL Creatinine: 1.1 mg/dL Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?