Systemic Pathology — MCQs

A 76-year-old man presents with progressive fatigue, shortness of breath, and brownish discoloration of the urine for the past 5 weeks. Past medical history is significant for aortic valve replacement surgery 2 years ago. His vital signs include: temperature 36.7°C (98.0°F), blood pressure 130/85 mm Hg, pulse 87/min. Physical examination reveals generalized pallor. Skin appears jaundiced. Laboratory findings are significant for the following: Hemoglobin 9.7 g/dL Reticulocyte count 8% Indirect bilirubin 4 mg/dL Lactate dehydrogenase 250 U/L Direct antiglobulin test Negative Which of the following would most likely be found on a peripheral blood smear in this patient?

A 15-year-old African-American male with a BMI of 22 is brought to his physician by his mother to address concerns about a change in his dietary habits. The patient's mother notes that he is constantly hungry and thirsty, despite his eating and drinking water in excess. She also reports an increase in his use of the bathroom. The physician begins explaining that her son's symptoms are likely due to which of the following?

A 28-year-old man seeks evaluation at a medical office for facial swelling and blood in his urine during the last 3 days. He claims that he has had weakness, malaise, and low-grade fevers for the past 3 months. On physical examination, the blood pressure is 160/96 mm Hg and he has periorbital edema bilaterally. The lab testing is significant for leukocytosis, elevated blood urea nitrogen, and elevated serum creatinine. Urinalysis shows gross hematuria, proteinuria, and red blood cell casts. You suspect that this patient has Goodpasture’s disease and decide to order additional tests to confirm the diagnosis. Antibodies to which of the following would most likely be present in this patient if your suspicion is correct?

A 44-year-old female presents to her primary care physician complaining of fatigue. She reports a four-month history of increasing fatigue accompanied by occasional constipation. She also reports a 15-pound weight gain over the same time period. She is otherwise healthy and takes no medications. She has never been pregnant. On physical examination, her skin is dry and cracked. Patellar reflexes are 1+ bilaterally. Laboratory analysis reveals an elevated serum TSH and decreased serum and free T4. Her blood is positive for the presence of specific antibodies. A biopsy of this patient’s thyroid gland would most likely reveal which of the following?

A 53-year-old woman seeks medical care for superficial erosions and blisters over the skin of her head and trunk. She also has significant involvement of her buccal mucosa, which has made eating difficult. A year earlier, she developed tender sores on the oral mucosa and soft palate of her mouth, which was initially treated as herpes simplex stomatitis. Her condition worsened despite treatment, resulting in the development of eroded areas over her trunk and extremities, with a 10 kg weight loss. Upon further questioning, she denies itching, but she notes that the top layer of her skin could be easily removed when firm horizontal pressure was applied. What is the most likely diagnosis for this patient’s condition?

A 4-month-old boy with a history of multiple infections presents with muscle stiffness. On physical exam, he is found to have carpopedal spasm as well as a heart murmur. Based on your clinical suspicion you decide to obtain a chest X-ray which shows a diminished shadow in the mediastinum. A mutation in which of the following chromosomes is the most likely cause of this patient's presentation?

A 7-year-old girl is brought to the emergency department because she has had abdominal pain and vomiting for the past day. The pain is intermittent, diffuse in nature, and worse after meals. She does not have loose or bloody stools. She has had a nonpruritic rash on her legs and swelling of her ankles for 6 days. She was treated with oral amoxicillin for a sore throat 2 weeks ago. Her immunizations are up-to-date. Vital signs are within normal limits. Examination of the lower extremities shows non-blanching, raised erythematous papules. The left ankle joint is swollen and warm, and its range of motion is limited by pain. Abdominal examination shows tenderness to palpation in the left lower quadrant without guarding or rebound. Bowel sounds are normal. Test of the stool for occult blood is positive. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 10.1 g/dL Leukocyte count 11,800/mm3 Platelet count 431,000/mm3 Erythrocyte sedimentation rate 45 mm/h Serum Glucose 72 mg/dL Creatinine 0.9 mg/dL Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 28-year-old woman at 36 weeks gestation presents with severe headache, epigastric pain, and visual disturbances. Her blood pressure is 160/110 mmHg. Laboratory studies show a hematocrit of 32%, leukocyte count of 9,400/mm³, and platelet count of 96,000/mm³. Serum studies reveal an aspartate aminotransferase of 94 U/L and an alanine aminotransferase of 92 U/L. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's condition?

A 16-month-old girl presents for a routine examination. The patient’s mother says that the child is craving ice and often gasps for breath while walking or playing. Family history is unremarkable. The patient is afebrile, and vital signs are within normal limits. Her weight is at the 20th percentile and height is at the 35th percentile for age and sex. Conjunctival pallor is noted on physical examination. Laboratory findings are significant for the following: Hemoglobin 9.2 g/dL Mean corpuscular volume 72 μm3 Mean corpuscular hemoglobin 21 pg/cell Serum ferritin 9 ng/mL Red cell distribution width 16% (ref: 11.5–14.5%) Which of the following additional laboratory findings would most likely be found in this patient?

A 23-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by ambulance. The patient was found unconscious in his bedroom after a suicide attempt. The patient had cut his wrists using a kitchen knife. The patient is unresponsive and pale. His temperature is 96°F (35.6°C), blood pressure is 70/35 mmHg, pulse is 190/min, respirations are 19/min, and oxygen saturation is 92% on room air. Pressure is applied to his bilateral wrist lacerations. His Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is 7. A full trauma assessment is performed and reveals no other injuries. IV fluids are started as well as a rapid transfusion sequence. Norepinephrine is administered. Repeat vitals demonstrate that his blood pressure is 100/65 mmHg and pulse is 100/min. The patient is responsive and seems mildly confused. Resuscitation is continued and the patient's GCS improves to 15. Thirty minutes later, the patient's GCS is 11. His temperature is 103°F (39.4°C), blood pressure is 90/60 mmHg, pulse is 122/min, respirations are 22/min, and oxygen saturation is 99% on room air. The patient complains of flank pain. Laboratory values are ordered and demonstrate the following: Hemoglobin: 9 g/dL Hematocrit: 27% Leukocyte count: 10,500 cells/mm^3 with normal differential Haptoglobin: 11 mg/dL Platelet count: 198,000/mm^3 Serum: Na+: 139 mEq/L Cl-: 101 mEq/L K+: 4.4 mEq/L HCO3-: 23 mEq/L BUN: 27 mg/dL Glucose: 99 mg/dL Creatinine: 1.5 mg/dL Ca2+: 10.0 mg/dL Bilirubin: 3.2 mg/dL AST: 22 U/L ALT: 15 U/L Which of the following describes the most likely diagnosis?