A 73-year-old man is brought in by his wife with a history of progressive personality changes. The patient’s wife says that, over the past 3 years, he has become increasingly aggressive and easily agitated, which is extremely out of character for him. His wife also says that he has had several episodes of urinary incontinence in the past month. He has no significant past medical history. The patient denies any history of smoking, alcohol use, or recreational drug use. The patient is afebrile, and his vital signs are within normal limits. A physical examination is unremarkable. The patient takes the mini-mental status examination (MMSE) and scores 28/30. A T2 magnetic resonance image (MRI) of the head is performed and the results are shown in the exhibit (see image). Which of the following is the next best diagnostic step in the management of this patient?
AContrast MRI of the head
BLumbar puncture
CNoncontrast CT of the head
DBrain biopsy
ESerum ceruloplasmin level
A 72-year-old man is brought to the physician by his wife for memory issues over the last 7 months. The patient's wife feels that he has gradually become more forgetful. He commonly misplaces his car keys and forgets his children's names. He seems to have forgotten how to make dinner and sometimes serves uncooked noodles or raw meat. One night he parked his car in a neighbor's bushes and was found wandering the street. He has a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and COPD. Current medications include atorvastatin, metoprolol, ipratropium, and fluticasone. Vital signs are within normal limits. He is alert and oriented to person and place only. Neurologic examination shows no focal findings. His Mini-Mental State Examination score is 19/30. A complete blood count and serum concentrations of electrolytes, urea nitrogen, creatinine, thyroid-stimulating hormone, liver function tests, vitamin B12 (cobalamin), and folate are within the reference range. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in diagnosis?
AElectroencephalography
BPET scan
CMRI of the brain
DLumbar puncture
ENeuropsychologic testing
A 24-year-old man presents to the emergency department after a motor vehicle collision. He was in the front seat and unrestrained driver in a head on collision. His temperature is 99.2°F (37.3°C), blood pressure is 90/65 mmHg, pulse is 152/min, respirations are 16/min, and oxygen saturation is 100% on room air. Physical exam is notable for a young man who opens his eyes spontaneously and is looking around. He answers questions with inappropriate responses but discernible words. He withdraws from pain but does not have purposeful movement. Which of the following is this patient's Glasgow coma scale?
A9
B15
C7
D11
E13
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