PA-CAT QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS
What is scoliosis? - ANSWER- A lateral curvature of the spine
Which ligament prevents hyperextension of the spinal cord? - ANSWER- Anterior
longitudinal ligament
An obese 65-year-old woman with a history of osteoporosis reports acute onset low
back pain that radiates down the back of the right thigh to the lower right leg. What
vertebral injury would most likely cause her symptoms? - ANSWER- Posterolateral
herniation of the L4-L5 IV disc
A 65-year-old man with a history of long-standing atherosclerotic disease slowly
develops an atherosclerotic blockage of the right axillary artery below the level of the
first rib but above the level of the subscapular artery. What is most likely to be true in
this patient? - ANSWER- Direction of blood flow in the subscapular artery will be
reversed.
Case
A breast cancer survivor patient with a history of axillary node dissection presents with
symptoms consistent with scapular winging: primarily, inability to abduct the arm above
the horizontal plane. She describes pain that radiates the length of her arm and
numbness and tingling that extend into the hand.
Question
What portion of the brachial plexus has been damaged? - ANSWER- Roots
Case
An infant with a history of upward force on arm during delivery presents with total claw
hand. The lumbricals appear to be flexing the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, as
well as extending the distal and proximal interphalangeal joints.
Question
These findings result from damage to which aspect of the brachial plexus? - ANSWER-
Lower trunk
When the arms are extended, which muscle is the prime mover? - ANSWER- Triceps
brachii
You are caring for a patient who sustained an injury to the insertion of the biceps brachii
muscle. Based on this data, the injury is closest to which structure? - ANSWER- Elbow
,Case
A patient presents with injury to left upper limb. On physical exam, patient shows
inability to flex forearm and loss of sensation to the lateral forearm.
Question
What nerve has been damaged? - ANSWER- Musculocutaneous
A patient presents with characteristics of carpal tunnel syndrome. Which nerve is most
likely damaged? - ANSWER- Median nerve
If the trapezius were paralyzed, the patient is still able to raise the arm above the head,
albeit with difficulty. Which muscle aids this action? - ANSWER- Serratus anterior
muscle
Which of the following is the correct sequence of respiratory structures of the bronchial
tree? - ANSWER- Primary bronchi, secondary bronchi, tertiary bronchi, bronchioles
In human beings, the lower respiratory system divides into the right and left lungs.
Which of the following is true about the number of lobes in each lung? - ANSWER- The
right lung has 3 lobes, while the left lung has 2.
Case
A 35-year old man is brought to the emergency department after a stab wound to his
chest. Palpation of the radial pulse is rapid at 150 and the blood pressure is low at
75/30. The neck veins are also visibly engorged.
Question
The patient is suffering from cardiac tamponade. Which of the following is causing this
patient's condition? - ANSWER- Fluid accumulation between the parietal and visceral
serous pericardium
A 32-year-old man with a history of tricuspid valve replacement with a prosthetic valve
as a child has been managed without complications for years on baby aspirin. He
suddenly develops a toothache and finds that he needs a root canal. His history is a
significant risk factor for developing what cardiac condition? - ANSWER- Endocarditis
Which of the following anatomical landmarks indicates where the navel is situated? -
ANSWER- Ventral
The lymphatic vessels from the spleen directly drain to which lymph nodes? -
ANSWER- Pancreaticosplenic lymph nodes
A patient with difficulty swallowing is evaluated with a barium swallow study. The result
is considered normal, although there are 3 areas of the esophagus that appear
narrowed. These normal constrictions in the esophagus are formed by the compression
of which structures on the esophagus? - ANSWER- Aortic arch, left main bronchus,
diaphragm
, Despite our necessary balance of homeostasis, there are parts of the body that thrive in
extreme environments. Where in our body can the highly-erosive hydrochloric acid be
found? - ANSWER- Stomach
A patient presents with a small bowel obstruction. The obstruction is located in a region
of the small intestines that under histological examination contains numerous Paneth
cells and Peyer's patches. Where is this obstruction located? - ANSWER- Ileum
The blood supply to the entire small intestine comes from branches of a single artery.
Which artery is this? - ANSWER- Superior mesenteric artery
A patient comes to the emergency department due to abdominal pain. After questioning
the patient, the physician orders imaging scans to be done, as they suspect the patient
just has severe constipation. Upon arrival of the scans, where should the doctor look to
see if their diagnosis is correct? - ANSWER- Sigmoid colon
Case
A 67-year-old man presents to his physician for an annual checkup. He has no acute
complaints but does admit to increased fatigue, an unintentional 20-pound weight loss
over the last year, and worsening constipation. He has never had a prior colonoscopy.
On physical exam, he appears pale and fatigued but not acutely ill. His abdomen is soft
and non-tender. His rectal exam is heme-occult negative. He is referred for a
colonoscopy where the endoscopist discovers a circumferential mass in his sigmoid
colon. He undergoes resection of the sigmoid colon, Hartmann's pouch creation, and
diverting colostomy.
Question
What vessel was divided to complete this sigmoid resection and what is its
embryological origin? - ANSWER- Inferior mesenteric artery; hindgut
What vessel is adjacent to the head of the pancreas? - ANSWER- Superior mesenteric
artery
The portal triad, made up of the hepatic artery proper, hepatic portal vein, and common
bile duct, is often clamped to control bleeding from the liver in trauma surgery. If
bleeding stops with this maneuver, it indicates injury to the hepatic artery or portal vein
that may be causing bleeding. If the liver continues to bleed with clamping of the portal
triad, what structure is likely injured? - ANSWER- Hepatic vein
The liver has 4 lobes. Which lobes of the liver are directly separated by the falciform
ligament? - ANSWER- Left lobe and right lobe
The hepatic circulation is controlled by the hepatic buffer control system. How does the
hepatic buffer control system make adjustments to blood flow? - ANSWER- Increases
blood flow in the hepatic artery in response to decreased blood flow to the portal vein.
DETAILED ANSWERS
What is scoliosis? - ANSWER- A lateral curvature of the spine
Which ligament prevents hyperextension of the spinal cord? - ANSWER- Anterior
longitudinal ligament
An obese 65-year-old woman with a history of osteoporosis reports acute onset low
back pain that radiates down the back of the right thigh to the lower right leg. What
vertebral injury would most likely cause her symptoms? - ANSWER- Posterolateral
herniation of the L4-L5 IV disc
A 65-year-old man with a history of long-standing atherosclerotic disease slowly
develops an atherosclerotic blockage of the right axillary artery below the level of the
first rib but above the level of the subscapular artery. What is most likely to be true in
this patient? - ANSWER- Direction of blood flow in the subscapular artery will be
reversed.
Case
A breast cancer survivor patient with a history of axillary node dissection presents with
symptoms consistent with scapular winging: primarily, inability to abduct the arm above
the horizontal plane. She describes pain that radiates the length of her arm and
numbness and tingling that extend into the hand.
Question
What portion of the brachial plexus has been damaged? - ANSWER- Roots
Case
An infant with a history of upward force on arm during delivery presents with total claw
hand. The lumbricals appear to be flexing the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, as
well as extending the distal and proximal interphalangeal joints.
Question
These findings result from damage to which aspect of the brachial plexus? - ANSWER-
Lower trunk
When the arms are extended, which muscle is the prime mover? - ANSWER- Triceps
brachii
You are caring for a patient who sustained an injury to the insertion of the biceps brachii
muscle. Based on this data, the injury is closest to which structure? - ANSWER- Elbow
,Case
A patient presents with injury to left upper limb. On physical exam, patient shows
inability to flex forearm and loss of sensation to the lateral forearm.
Question
What nerve has been damaged? - ANSWER- Musculocutaneous
A patient presents with characteristics of carpal tunnel syndrome. Which nerve is most
likely damaged? - ANSWER- Median nerve
If the trapezius were paralyzed, the patient is still able to raise the arm above the head,
albeit with difficulty. Which muscle aids this action? - ANSWER- Serratus anterior
muscle
Which of the following is the correct sequence of respiratory structures of the bronchial
tree? - ANSWER- Primary bronchi, secondary bronchi, tertiary bronchi, bronchioles
In human beings, the lower respiratory system divides into the right and left lungs.
Which of the following is true about the number of lobes in each lung? - ANSWER- The
right lung has 3 lobes, while the left lung has 2.
Case
A 35-year old man is brought to the emergency department after a stab wound to his
chest. Palpation of the radial pulse is rapid at 150 and the blood pressure is low at
75/30. The neck veins are also visibly engorged.
Question
The patient is suffering from cardiac tamponade. Which of the following is causing this
patient's condition? - ANSWER- Fluid accumulation between the parietal and visceral
serous pericardium
A 32-year-old man with a history of tricuspid valve replacement with a prosthetic valve
as a child has been managed without complications for years on baby aspirin. He
suddenly develops a toothache and finds that he needs a root canal. His history is a
significant risk factor for developing what cardiac condition? - ANSWER- Endocarditis
Which of the following anatomical landmarks indicates where the navel is situated? -
ANSWER- Ventral
The lymphatic vessels from the spleen directly drain to which lymph nodes? -
ANSWER- Pancreaticosplenic lymph nodes
A patient with difficulty swallowing is evaluated with a barium swallow study. The result
is considered normal, although there are 3 areas of the esophagus that appear
narrowed. These normal constrictions in the esophagus are formed by the compression
of which structures on the esophagus? - ANSWER- Aortic arch, left main bronchus,
diaphragm
, Despite our necessary balance of homeostasis, there are parts of the body that thrive in
extreme environments. Where in our body can the highly-erosive hydrochloric acid be
found? - ANSWER- Stomach
A patient presents with a small bowel obstruction. The obstruction is located in a region
of the small intestines that under histological examination contains numerous Paneth
cells and Peyer's patches. Where is this obstruction located? - ANSWER- Ileum
The blood supply to the entire small intestine comes from branches of a single artery.
Which artery is this? - ANSWER- Superior mesenteric artery
A patient comes to the emergency department due to abdominal pain. After questioning
the patient, the physician orders imaging scans to be done, as they suspect the patient
just has severe constipation. Upon arrival of the scans, where should the doctor look to
see if their diagnosis is correct? - ANSWER- Sigmoid colon
Case
A 67-year-old man presents to his physician for an annual checkup. He has no acute
complaints but does admit to increased fatigue, an unintentional 20-pound weight loss
over the last year, and worsening constipation. He has never had a prior colonoscopy.
On physical exam, he appears pale and fatigued but not acutely ill. His abdomen is soft
and non-tender. His rectal exam is heme-occult negative. He is referred for a
colonoscopy where the endoscopist discovers a circumferential mass in his sigmoid
colon. He undergoes resection of the sigmoid colon, Hartmann's pouch creation, and
diverting colostomy.
Question
What vessel was divided to complete this sigmoid resection and what is its
embryological origin? - ANSWER- Inferior mesenteric artery; hindgut
What vessel is adjacent to the head of the pancreas? - ANSWER- Superior mesenteric
artery
The portal triad, made up of the hepatic artery proper, hepatic portal vein, and common
bile duct, is often clamped to control bleeding from the liver in trauma surgery. If
bleeding stops with this maneuver, it indicates injury to the hepatic artery or portal vein
that may be causing bleeding. If the liver continues to bleed with clamping of the portal
triad, what structure is likely injured? - ANSWER- Hepatic vein
The liver has 4 lobes. Which lobes of the liver are directly separated by the falciform
ligament? - ANSWER- Left lobe and right lobe
The hepatic circulation is controlled by the hepatic buffer control system. How does the
hepatic buffer control system make adjustments to blood flow? - ANSWER- Increases
blood flow in the hepatic artery in response to decreased blood flow to the portal vein.
