Time Management Practice Questions

Question 1

A 40-year-old woman presents to her physician's home with a headache. She describes it as severe and states that her symptoms have not been improving despite her appointment yesterday at the office. Thus, she came to her physician's house on the weekend for help. The patient has been diagnosed with migraine headaches that have persisted for the past 6 months and states that her current symptoms feel like her previous headaches with a severity of 3/10. She has been prescribed multiple medications but is generally non-compliant with therapy. She is requesting an exam and urgent treatment for her symptoms. Which of the following is the best response from the physician?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, I cannot examine and treat you at this time. Please set up an appointment to see me in my office.

Answer

It sounds to me like you are in a lot of pain. Let me see how I can help you.

Answer

Do not come to my house when you have medical problems. You should make an appointment.

Answer

Your symptoms seem severe. Let me perform a quick exam to see if everything is alright.

Answer

You should go to the emergency department for your symptoms rather than coming here.

Question 2

A 50-year-old man with a history of stage 4 kidney disease was admitted to the hospital for an elective hemicolectomy. His past medical history is significant for severe diverticulitis. After the procedure he becomes septic and was placed on broad spectrum antibiotics. On morning rounds, he appear weak and complains of fatigue and nausea. His words are soft and he has difficulty answering questions. His temperature is 38.9°C (102.1°F), heart rate is 110/min, respiratory rate is 15/min, blood pressure 90/65 mm Hg, and saturation is 89% on room air. On physical exam, his mental status appears altered. He has a bruise on his left arm that spontaneously appeared overnight. His cardiac exam is positive for a weak friction rub. Blood specimens are collected and sent for evaluation. An ECG is performed (see image). What therapy will this patient most likely receive next?

Accepted Answer

Send the patient for hemodialysis

Answer

Perform a STAT pericardiocentesis

Answer

Prepare the patient for renal transplant

Answer

Treat the patient with aspirin

Answer

Treat the patient with cyclophosphamide and prednisone

Question 3

An 83-year-old male presents with dyspnea, orthopnea, and a chest radiograph demonstrating pulmonary edema. A diagnosis of congestive heart failure is considered. The following clinical measurements are obtained: 100 bpm heart rate, 0.2 mL O2/mL systemic blood arterial oxygen content, 0.1 mL O2/mL pulmonary arterial oxygen content, and 400 mL O2/min oxygen consumption. Using the above information, which of the following values represents this patient's cardiac stroke volume?

Accepted Answer

40 mL/beat

Answer

30 mL/beat

Answer

70 mL/beat

Answer

60 mL/beat

Answer

50 mL/beat

Question 4

A 67-year-old man presents to the emergency department with confusion. The patient is generally healthy, but his wife noticed him becoming progressively more confused as the day went on. The patient is not currently taking any medications and has no recent falls or trauma. His temperature is 102°F (38.9°C), blood pressure is 126/64 mmHg, pulse is 120/min, respirations are 17/min, and oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. Physical exam is notable for a confused man who cannot participate in a neurological exam secondary to his confusion. No symptoms are elicited with flexion of the neck and jolt accentuation of headache is negative. Initial laboratory values are unremarkable and the patient's chest radiograph and urinalysis are within normal limits. An initial CT scan of the head is unremarkable. Which of the following is the best next step in management?

Accepted Answer

Acyclovir

Answer

CT angiogram of the head and neck

Answer

Vancomycin, ceftriaxone, ampicillin, and dexamethasone

Answer

PCR of the cerebrospinal fluid

Answer

MRI of the head

Question 5

In a randomized controlled trial studying a new treatment, the primary endpoint (mortality) occurred in 14.4% of the treatment group and 16.7% of the control group. Which of the following represents the number of patients needed to treat to save one life, based on the primary endpoint?

Accepted Answer

1/(0.167 - 0.144)

Answer

1/(0.144 - 0.167)

Answer

1/(0.300 - 0.267)

Answer

1/(0.267 - 0.300)

Answer

1/(0.136 - 0.118)

Time Management

Study Resources

Lessons

Questions

Lessons

CCS case time constraints overview

Rapid assessment techniques

Critical decision points recognition

Efficient order entry strategies

Time advancement decision making

Managing multiple patient issues simultaneously

Acuity-based time allocation

Making the most of available information

Avoiding unnecessary delays

Balancing thoroughness with efficiency

Simulation practice techniques

Case closure timing

Review and reflection strategies

Practice Questions

About Time Management for USMLE

Lessons in Time Management

Master Time Management