Gastroenterology — MCQs

A 52-year-old woman complains of intermittent diffuse abdominal pain that becomes worse after eating meals and several episodes of diarrhea, the last of which was bloody. These symptoms have been present for the previous 6 months but have worsened recently. She has had significant weight loss since the onset of symptoms. Her past medical history includes systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which has been difficult to manage medically. Vital signs include a blood pressure of 100/70 mm Hg, temperature of 37.1°C (98.8 °F), and pulse of 95/min. On physical examination, the patient appears to be in severe pain, and there is mild diffuse abdominal tenderness. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 25-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by police. The patient was found intoxicated at a local bar. The patient is combative and smells of alcohol. The patient has a past medical history of alcoholism, IV drug use, and schizophrenia. His current medications include IM haloperidol and ibuprofen. The patient is currently homeless and has presented to the emergency department similarly multiple times. His temperature is 97.0°F (36.1°C), blood pressure is 130/87 mmHg, pulse is 100/min, respirations are 15/min, and oxygen saturation is 96% on room air. Physical exam is deferred due to patient non-compliance. Laboratory values reveal an acute kidney injury and a normal PT/PTT. The patient is started on IV fluids and ketorolac to control symptoms of a headache. The patient begins to vomit into a basin. The nursing staff calls for help when the patient’s vomit appears grossly bloody. Which of the following best describes the most likely diagnosis?

A 65-year-old woman is brought to the emergency room by her family with complaints of confusion and change in behavior. Her family states that over the last 2 weeks, the patient has become increasingly irritable and confused as well as aggressive toward strangers. In addition to her altered mental status, her family also endorses recent episodes of abdominal pain and watery diarrhea. Her medications include HCTZ, enalapril, loperamide, and a calcium supplement. There is no history of recent travel outside the United States. Her temperature is 99.5°F (37.5°C), pulse is 112/min, blood pressure is 100/70 mmHg, respirations are 18/min, and oxygen saturation is 93% on room air. Physical exam is notable for a thin, ill-appearing woman. Cardiac exam is significant for sinus tachycardia and bowel sounds are hyperactive. Purple discoloration with scale-crust is noted around her neck and upper chest, as well as on her hands and feet. A chest radiograph shows clear lung fields bilaterally, but an echocardiogram shows thickening of the right ventricular endocardium with mild tricuspid stenosis. Which of the following is the next best diagnostic step?

A 68-year-old woman comes to the physician with dysphagia and halitosis for several months. She feels food sticking to her throat immediately after swallowing. Occasionally, she regurgitates undigested food hours after eating. She has no history of any serious illness and takes no medications. Her vital signs are within normal limits. Physical examination including the oral cavity, throat, and neck shows no abnormalities. Which of the following is the most appropriate diagnostic study at this time?

A 55-year-old man presents to his primary care physician with a complaint of fatigue for a couple of months. He was feeling well during his last visit 6 months ago. He has a history of hypertension for the past 8 years, diabetes mellitus for the past 5 years, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) for a year. The vital signs include: blood pressure 138/84 mm Hg, pulse 81/min, temperature 36.8°C (98.2°F), and respiratory rate 9/min. On physical examination, moderate pallor is noted on the palpebral conjunctiva and nail bed. Complete blood count results are as follows: Hemoglobin 8.5 g/dL RBC 4.2 million cells/µL Hematocrit 39% Total leukocyte count 6,500 cells/µL Neutrophils 61% Lymphocytes 34% Monocytes 4% Eosinophils 1% Basophils 0% Platelets 240,000 cells/µL A basic metabolic panel shows: Sodium 133 mEq/L Potassium 5.8 mEq/L Chloride 101 mEq/L Bicarbonate 21 mEq/L Albumin 3.1 mg/dL Urea nitrogen 31 mg/dL Creatinine 2.8 mg/dL Uric acid 6.4 mg/dL Calcium 8.1 mg/dL Glucose 111 mg/dL Which of the following explanations best explains the mechanism for his decreased hemoglobin?

A 35-year-old homeless man from New York City comes to the physician with a 2-month history of fever, night sweats, and a cough productive of white sputum. He uses intravenous heroin several times a week. His temperature is 38°C (100.4°F) and respirations are 22/min. Physical examination shows coarse crackles in the left upper posterior lung field. An x-ray of the chest shows a cavitary lesion in the left upper lobe. Which of the following is the most likely source of his pulmonary findings?

Three days after admission to the hospital with a clinical diagnosis of ischemic colitis, a 65-year-old man has recovered from his initial symptoms of bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain with tenderness. He feels well at this point and wishes to go home. He has a 15-year history of diabetes mellitus. Currently, he receives nothing by mouth, and he is on IV fluids, antibiotics, and insulin. His temperature is 36.7°C (98.1°F), pulse is 68/min, respiratory rate is 13/min, and blood pressure is 115/70 mm Hg. Physical examination of the abdomen shows no abnormalities. His most recent laboratory studies are all within normal limits, including glucose. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 45-year-old man comes to the physician for evaluation of a recurrent rash. He has multiple skin lesions on his legs, buttocks, and around his mouth. The rash first appeared a year ago and tends to resolve spontaneously in one location before reappearing in another location a few days later. It begins with painless, reddish spots that gradually increase in size and then develop into painful and itchy blisters. The patient also reports having repeated bouts of diarrhea and has lost 10 kg (22 lb) over the past year. One year ago, the patient was diagnosed with major depressive syndrome and was started on fluoxetine. Vital signs are within normal limits. Physical examination shows multiple crusty patches with central areas of bronze-colored induration, as well as tender eruptive lesions with irregular borders and on his legs, buttocks, and around his lips. The Nikolsky sign is negative. His hemoglobin concentration is 10.2 g/dL, mean corpuscular volume is 88 μm3, and serum glucose is 210 mg/dL. A skin biopsy of the lesion shows epidermal necrosis. Which of the following additional findings is most likely to be found in this patient?

A 52-year-old African-American woman presents to the office complaining of difficulty swallowing for 1 week, and described it as "food getting stuck in her throat". Her discomfort is mainly for solid foods, and she does not have any problem with liquids. She further adds that she has frequent heartburn and lost 5 pounds in the last month because of this discomfort. She sometimes takes antacids to relieve her heartburn. Her past medical history is insignificant. She is an occasional drinker and smokes a half pack of cigarettes a day. On examination, her skin is shiny and taut especially around her lips and fingertips. A barium swallow study is ordered. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 70-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department due to worsening lethargy. She lives with her husband who says she has had severe diarrhea for the past few days. Examination shows a blood pressure of 85/60 mm Hg, pulse of 100/min, and temperature of 37.8°C (100.0°F). The patient is stuporous, while her skin appears dry and lacks turgor. Laboratory tests reveal: Serum electrolytes Sodium 144 mEq/L Potassium 3.5 mEq/L Chloride 115 mEq/L Bicarbonate 19 mEq/L Serum pH 7.3 PaO2 80 mm Hg Pco2 38 mm Hg This patient has which of the following acid-base disturbances?