Parasites/Fungi Practice Questions

Question 1

A 22-year-old man presents with abdominal cramps and diarrhea over the last few weeks. He notes that several of his bowel movements have a small amount of blood. Past medical history is significant for an intermittent cough that has been persistent since returning from Mexico last month. The patient takes no current medications. On physical examination, there is diffuse tenderness to palpation. Which of the following medications is indicated for this patient’s condition?

Accepted Answer

Ivermectin

Answer

Pyrantel

Answer

Praziquantel

Answer

Albendazole

Answer

Mebendazole

Question 2

A scientist in Boston is studying a new blood test to detect Ab to the parainfluenza virus with increased sensitivity and specificity. So far, her best attempt at creating such an exam reached 82% sensitivity and 88% specificity. She is hoping to increase these numbers by at least 2 percent for each value. After several years of work, she believes that she has actually managed to reach a sensitivity and specificity even greater than what she had originally hoped for. She travels to South America to begin testing her newest blood test. She finds 2,000 patients who are willing to participate in her study. Of the 2,000 patients, 1,200 of them are known to be infected with the parainfluenza virus. The scientist tests these 1,200 patients’ blood and finds that only 120 of them tested negative with her new test. Of the following options, which describes the sensitivity of the test?

Accepted Answer

90%

Answer

82%

Answer

86%

Answer

98%

Answer

84%

Question 3

A family doctor in a rural area is treating a patient for dyspepsia. The patient had chronic heartburn and abdominal pain for the last 2 months and peptic ulcer disease due to a suspected H. pylori infection. For reasons relating to affordability and accessibility, the doctor decides to perform a diagnostic test in the office that is less invasive and more convenient. Which of the following is the most likely test used?

Accepted Answer

Stool antigen test

Answer

Steiner's stain

Answer

Culture of organisms from gastric specimen

Answer

Detection of the breakdown products of urea in biopsy

Answer

Serology (ELISA testing)

Question 4

A 45-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 5-kg (11-lb) weight loss and difficulty swallowing. She is able to swallow liquids without difficulty but feels like solid foods get stuck in her throat. Physical examination shows taut skin and limited range of motion of the fingers. There are telangiectasias over the cheeks. An esophageal motility study shows absence of peristalsis in the lower two-thirds of the esophagus and decreased lower esophageal sphincter pressure. Further evaluation of this patient is most likely to show which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Arteriolar wall thickening in the kidney

Answer

Microcytic, pale red blood cells

Answer

Budding yeasts on the oral mucosa

Answer

Amyloid deposits in the liver

Answer

Parasite nests in the myocardium

Question 5

A 46-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 1-week history of headache, muscle pain, and recurrent fever spikes that occur without a noticeable rhythm. Two weeks ago, he returned from a 5-week-long world trip during which he climbed several mountains in India, Africa, and Appalachia. Chemoprophylaxis with chloroquine was initiated one week prior to the trip. Physical examination shows jaundice. The spleen is palpated 2 cm below the left costal margin. His hemoglobin concentration is 10 g/dL. A photomicrograph of a peripheral blood smear is shown. Which of the following agents is the most likely cause of this patient's findings?

Accepted Answer

Plasmodium falciparum

Answer

Chikungunya virus

Answer

Trypanosoma cruzi

Answer

Leishmania donovani

Answer

Trypanosoma brucei

Question 6

A 42-year-old man comes to his physician with a history of fever, non-bloody diarrhea, and headache for 10 days. He also complains of anorexia and abdominal pain. He returned from a trip to India 3 weeks ago. His temperature is 40.0°C (104.0°F), pulse is 65/min, respirations are 15/min, and blood pressure is 135/80 mm Hg. He has developed a blanchable rash on his chest and trunk. A photograph of the rash is shown. Examination of the heart, lungs, and abdomen show no abnormalities. Laboratory studies show:
Hemoglobin 15 g/dL
Mean corpuscular volume 95 μm3
White blood cell count 3400/mm3
Percent segmented neutrophils 40%
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Enteric fever

Answer

Leptospirosis

Answer

Dengue fever

Answer

Malaria

Answer

Nontyphoidal salmonellosis

Question 7

A 32-year-old man is brought to the emergency department with fever, dyspnea, and impaired consciousness. His wife reports that he has also had an episode of dark urine today. Two weeks ago, he returned from a trip to the Republic of Congo. His temperature is 39.4°C (103°F), pulse is 114/min, and blood pressure is 82/51 mm Hg. Physical examination shows scleral icterus. Decreased breath sounds and expiratory crackles are heard on auscultation of the lungs bilaterally. His hemoglobin concentration is 6.3 g/dL. A blood smear shows red blood cells with normal morphology and ring-shaped inclusions. Further laboratory testing shows normal rates of NADPH production. Which of the following is the most appropriate pharmacotherapy for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Artesunate

Answer

Proguanil

Answer

Dapsone

Answer

Chloroquine

Answer

Atovaquone

Question 8

A 28-year-old male presents to his primary care physician with complaints of intermittent abdominal pain and alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea. His medical chart is not significant for any past medical problems or prior surgeries. He is not prescribed any current medications. Which of the following questions would be the most useful next question in eliciting further history from this patient?

Accepted Answer

"Can you tell me more about the symptoms you have been experiencing?"

Answer

"Does the diarrhea typically precede the constipation, or vice-versa?"

Answer

"Is the diarrhea foul-smelling?"

Answer

"Please rate your abdominal pain on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the worst pain of your life"

Answer

"Are the symptoms worse in the morning or at night?"

Question 9

A 16-year-old female presents to her pediatrician complaining of 2 weeks of fever and 1 week of swollen lumps in her left armpit. Upon examination of the left upper extremity, her physician notes the presence of a single papule which the patient claimed appeared one week ago. The patient started her first job at a pet store 2.5 weeks ago. Which of the following is the vector of transmission of the causative agent?

Accepted Answer

Cats

Answer

Rabbits

Answer

Animal urine

Answer

Parrots

Answer

Armadillos

Question 10

A previously healthy 24-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 1-day history of nausea and weakness. She is sexually active with 2 male partners and uses an oral contraceptive; she uses condoms inconsistently. Her last menstrual period was 4 days ago. Her temperature is 38.4°C (101°F). Physical examination shows right costovertebral angle tenderness. Pelvic examination is normal. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's condition?

Accepted Answer

Ascending bacteria from the bladder

Answer

Noninfectious inflammation of the bladder

Answer

Ascending bacteria from the endocervix

Answer

Decreased renal calcium reabsorption

Answer

Decreased urinary pH

Parasites/Fungi

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