Gastroenterology — MCQs

A 44-year-old man presents to his primary care physician due to a shock-like pain in his left leg. He describes the pain as sharp and lasting a few minutes at a time. He has noticed being "clumsy" when walking in a dark room. Approximately 2 weeks ago, he was helping his daughter move and this required him to lift heavy boxes. He denies any trauma to the back or lower back pain. Medical history is significant for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. He is currently sexually active and is in a monogamous relationship with his wife. Approximately 15 years ago, he noted a painless genital lesion. On physical exam, there is a miotic pupil that does not constrict with light but constricts with convergence and accommodation. Strength, reflex, and sensory exam of the lower extremity is unremarkable. The patient has a positive Romberg test. Which of the following is most likely the cause of this patient's symptoms?

A 34-year-old woman comes to the emergency department because of right flank pain and vomiting for 5 hours. She has had fever and chills for the past 2 days. She attended a barbecue 3 days ago, where she ate egg salad. She underwent surgery for left ovarian torsion a year ago. Menses occur at regular 28-day intervals and last 5 days. She is sexually active with 2 male partners and uses condoms inconsistently. Her only medication is an oral contraceptive pill. She is 163 cm (5 ft 4 in) tall and weighs 72.5 kg (160 lb); BMI is 27.5 kg/m2. She appears uncomfortable. Her temperature is 38.9°C (102°F), pulse is 101/min, and blood pressure is 118/76 mm Hg. The lungs are clear to auscultation. The right lower quadrant and right flank show severe tenderness to palpation. Pelvic examination shows no abnormalities. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 12.8 g/dL Leukocyte count 14,200/mm3 Platelet count 230,000/mm3 Serum Na+ 136 mEq/L K+ 3.8 mEq/L Cl- 103 mEq/L Urea nitrogen 23 mg/dL Creatinine 1.2 mg/dL Urine Blood 1+ Protein 1+ Glucose negative Leukocyte esterase positive Nitrites negative RBC 6–8/hpf WBC 80–85/hpf Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

An 80-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department due to the gradual worsening of confusion and lethargy for the past 5 days. Her son reports that she had recovered from a severe stomach bug with vomiting and diarrhea 3 days ago without seeing a physician or going to the hospital. The patient’s past medical history is notable for type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. She takes hydrochlorothiazide, metformin, a children’s aspirin, and a multivitamin. The patient is not compliant with her medication regimen. Physical examination reveals dry oral mucous membranes and the patient appears extremely lethargic but arousable. She refuses to answer questions and has extreme difficulty following the conversation. Laboratory results are as follows: Sodium 126 mEq/L Potassium 3.9 mEq/L Chloride 94 mEq/L Bicarbonate 25 mEq/L Calcium 8.1 mg/dL Glucose 910 mg/dL Urine ketones Trace Which of the following may also be found in this patient?

A 52-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 5-month history of progressive lethargy, shortness of breath, and difficulty concentrating. His friends have told him that he appears pale. He has smoked half a pack of cigarettes daily for the past 20 years. Neurological examination shows reduced sensation to light touch and pinprick in the toes bilaterally. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 8.2 g/dL Mean corpuscular volume 108 μm3 Serum Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) 51 ng/L (N = 170–900) Folic acid 13 ng/mL (N = 5.4–18) An oral dose of radiolabeled vitamin B12 is administered, followed by an intramuscular injection of nonradioactive vitamin B12. A 24-hour urine sample is collected and urine vitamin B12 levels are unchanged. The procedure is repeated with the addition of oral intrinsic factor, and 24-hour urine vitamin B12 levels increase. This patient's findings indicate an increased risk for which of the following conditions?

A 70-year-old man comes to the physician for the evaluation of an 8-week history of blood in his stool. Two months ago, he had an episode of bronchitis and was treated with amoxicillin. Since then, he has noticed blood in his stool and on the toilet paper occasionally. The patient has had intermittent constipation for the past 5 years. Six months ago, he had severe left lower quadrant pain and fever that resolved with antibiotic therapy. He underwent a colonoscopy 3 years ago, which did not show any evidence of malignancy. He takes levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. He had smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 45 years, but quit smoking 10 years ago. He drinks one glass of red wine every night. He appears pale. He is 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) tall and weighs 98 kg (216 lb); BMI is 32 kg/m2. His temperature is 36°C (96.8°F), pulse is 85/min, and blood pressure is 135/80 mm Hg. Physical examination shows pale conjunctivae. Cardiopulmonary examination shows no abnormalities. The abdomen is soft and nontender with no organomegaly. Digital rectal examination shows no masses. Test of the stool for occult blood is positive. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 11 g/dL Mean corpuscular volume 76 μm3 Red cell distribution width 17% (N = 13–15) Leukocyte count 5,000/mm3 Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 58-year-old woman with a history of nephrolithiasis presents with fever and acute-onset right flank pain. The patient says that 2 days ago she developed sudden-onset right flank pain and nausea which has progressively worsened. She describes the pain as severe, colicky, localized to the right flank, and radiating to the groin. This morning she woke with a fever and foul-smelling urine. She has no significant past medical history. Vital signs are temperature 40.0°C (104.0°F), blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg, pulse 92/min, and respiratory rate 21/min. Physical examination shows severe right costovertebral angle tenderness. Her laboratory findings are significant for the following: WBC 12,500/mm3 RBC 4.20 x 106/mm3 Hematocrit 41.5% Hemoglobin 14.0 g/dL Platelet count 225,000/mm3 Urinalysis: Color Dark yellow Clarity Turbid pH 5.9 Specific gravity 1.026 Glucose None Ketones None Nitrites Positive Leukocyte esterase Positive Bilirubin Negative Urobilirubin 0.6 mg/dL Protein Trace RBC 325/hpf WBC 8,200/hpf Bacteria Many A non-contrast CT of the abdomen and pelvis shows an obstructing 7-mm diameter stone lodged at the ureteropelvic junction. There is also evidence of hydronephrosis of the right kidney. Which of the following is the best course of treatment for this patient?

A 49-year-old sexually active woman presents with dysuria and urinary frequency. She denies any previous urinary tract infections (UTIs), but she says that her mother has had frequent UTIs. Her medical history includes type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cervical cancer, and hypercholesterolemia. She currently smokes 1 pack of cigarettes per day, drinks a glass of wine per day, and denies any illicit drug use. Her vital signs include: temperature 36.7°C (98.0°F), blood pressure 126/74 mm Hg, heart rate 87/min, and respiratory rate 17/min. On physical examination, her lung sounds are clear. She has a grade 2/6 holosystolic murmur heard best over the left upper sternal border. She also has tenderness in the suprapubic area. A urinalysis shows the presence of numerous leukocytes, leukocyte esterase, and nitrites. Which of the following factors would not classify a UTI as complicated?

A 34-year-old woman visits the physician with complaints of difficulty swallowing and recurrent vomiting for the past 6 months. She even noticed food particles in her vomit a few hours after eating her meals. She has lost about 3.0 kg (6.6 lb) over the past 4 months. Her history is significant for a trip to Argentina last year. Her past medical history is insignificant. She is a non-smoker. On examination, her blood pressure is 118/75 mm Hg, respirations are 17/min, pulse is 78/min, temperature is 36.7°C (98.1°F), and her BMI is 24 kg/m². There is no abdominal tenderness, distension, or evidence of jaundice. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A 40-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 5-month history of watery diarrhea and episodic crampy abdominal pain. He has no fever, nausea, or vomiting. Over the past 6 months, he has had a 1.8-kg (4-lb) weight loss, despite experiencing no decrease in appetite. His wife has noticed that sometimes his face and neck become red after meals or when he is in distress. A year ago, he was diagnosed with asthma. He has hypertension. Current medications include an albuterol inhaler and enalapril. He drinks one beer daily. His temperature is 36.7°C (98°F), pulse is 85/min, and blood pressure is 130/85 mm Hg. The lungs are clear to auscultation. A grade 2/6 systolic murmur is heard best at the left sternal border and fourth intercostal space. The abdomen is soft, and there is mild tenderness to palpation with no guarding or rebound. The remainder of the physical examination shows no abnormalities. A complete blood count is within the reference range. Without treatment, this patient is at greatest risk for which of the following conditions?

A 52-year-old-woman presents to an urgent care clinic with right upper quadrant pain for the past few hours. She admits to having similar episodes of pain in the past but milder than today. Past medical history is insignificant. She took an antacid, but it did not help. Her temperature is 37°C (98.6°F ), respirations are 16/min, pulse is 78/min, and blood pressure is 122/98 mm Hg. Physical examination is normal, and she says that her pain has subsided. The urgent care provider suspects she has cholecystitis, so she undergoes a limited abdominal ultrasound to confirm it. However, no evidence of cholecystitis is seen with ultrasound, but adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder is incidentally noted. The patient has no clinical features suspicious for malignancy. What is the next best step in the management of this patient?