COMSAE Phase 2 – BSA 118 Exam
Practise Questions With Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf.
1. A 67-year-old man presents with resting tremor, bradykinesia, and
rigidity. Which neurotransmitter deficiency is most associated with
this condition?
A. Acetylcholine
B. Serotonin
C. Dopamine
D. GABA
Rationale: Parkinson disease results from degeneration of
dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, causing
decreased dopamine levels in the basal ganglia. This leads to classic
motor symptoms such as resting tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia.
2. A 24-year-old woman presents with heat intolerance, weight loss,
and exophthalmos. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Hashimoto thyroiditis
B. Graves disease
C. Subacute thyroiditis
D. Toxic adenoma
,Rationale: Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder caused by
thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins activating the TSH receptor,
producing hyperthyroidism and ophthalmopathy (exophthalmos).
3. Which electrolyte abnormality is most commonly associated with
electrocardiographic peaked T waves?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Hyperkalemia alters cardiac membrane excitability,
producing characteristic ECG findings including peaked T waves,
widened QRS complexes, and potentially fatal arrhythmias.
4. A patient with chronic alcoholism presents with confusion,
ophthalmoplegia, and ataxia. Which vitamin deficiency is responsible?
A. Vitamin B12
B. Vitamin C
C. Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
D. Vitamin D
Rationale: The triad of confusion, ophthalmoplegia, and ataxia
indicates Wernicke encephalopathy, most commonly due to thiamine
deficiency in chronic alcohol use. Immediate replacement is essential
to prevent Korsakoff syndrome.
,5. Which cranial nerve is responsible for tongue protrusion?
A. Glossopharyngeal nerve
B. Vagus nerve
C. Trigeminal nerve
D. Hypoglossal nerve
Rationale: The hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) innervates tongue muscles.
Lesions cause tongue deviation toward the affected side due to
unopposed muscle action.
6. A patient with nephrotic syndrome is at increased risk for which
complication?
A. Polycythemia
B. Hypercoagulability
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Hypermagnesemia
Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome causes urinary loss of antithrombin III
and other anticoagulant proteins, increasing the risk of thrombosis
such as renal vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
7. Which organism is the most common cause of community-acquired
pneumonia?
A. Klebsiella pneumoniae
B. Streptococcus pneumoniae
C. Mycoplasma pneumoniae
D. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, Rationale: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of
community-acquired pneumonia and often presents with fever,
productive cough, and lobar infiltrates.
8. A 55-year-old smoker presents with hematuria. Which diagnosis
should be strongly suspected?
A. Prostatitis
B. Renal cyst
C. Bladder cancer
D. Nephrolithiasis
Rationale: Painless hematuria in a smoker is highly concerning for
bladder carcinoma, especially transitional cell carcinoma, due to
tobacco carcinogen exposure.
9. Which acid-base disturbance is expected with prolonged vomiting?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Rationale: Vomiting results in loss of gastric hydrochloric acid, causing
increased serum bicarbonate and metabolic alkalosis.
10. A diabetic patient presents with fruity breath odor and Kussmaul
respirations. What is the diagnosis?
Practise Questions With Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf.
1. A 67-year-old man presents with resting tremor, bradykinesia, and
rigidity. Which neurotransmitter deficiency is most associated with
this condition?
A. Acetylcholine
B. Serotonin
C. Dopamine
D. GABA
Rationale: Parkinson disease results from degeneration of
dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, causing
decreased dopamine levels in the basal ganglia. This leads to classic
motor symptoms such as resting tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia.
2. A 24-year-old woman presents with heat intolerance, weight loss,
and exophthalmos. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Hashimoto thyroiditis
B. Graves disease
C. Subacute thyroiditis
D. Toxic adenoma
,Rationale: Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder caused by
thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins activating the TSH receptor,
producing hyperthyroidism and ophthalmopathy (exophthalmos).
3. Which electrolyte abnormality is most commonly associated with
electrocardiographic peaked T waves?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Hyperkalemia alters cardiac membrane excitability,
producing characteristic ECG findings including peaked T waves,
widened QRS complexes, and potentially fatal arrhythmias.
4. A patient with chronic alcoholism presents with confusion,
ophthalmoplegia, and ataxia. Which vitamin deficiency is responsible?
A. Vitamin B12
B. Vitamin C
C. Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
D. Vitamin D
Rationale: The triad of confusion, ophthalmoplegia, and ataxia
indicates Wernicke encephalopathy, most commonly due to thiamine
deficiency in chronic alcohol use. Immediate replacement is essential
to prevent Korsakoff syndrome.
,5. Which cranial nerve is responsible for tongue protrusion?
A. Glossopharyngeal nerve
B. Vagus nerve
C. Trigeminal nerve
D. Hypoglossal nerve
Rationale: The hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) innervates tongue muscles.
Lesions cause tongue deviation toward the affected side due to
unopposed muscle action.
6. A patient with nephrotic syndrome is at increased risk for which
complication?
A. Polycythemia
B. Hypercoagulability
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Hypermagnesemia
Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome causes urinary loss of antithrombin III
and other anticoagulant proteins, increasing the risk of thrombosis
such as renal vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
7. Which organism is the most common cause of community-acquired
pneumonia?
A. Klebsiella pneumoniae
B. Streptococcus pneumoniae
C. Mycoplasma pneumoniae
D. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, Rationale: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of
community-acquired pneumonia and often presents with fever,
productive cough, and lobar infiltrates.
8. A 55-year-old smoker presents with hematuria. Which diagnosis
should be strongly suspected?
A. Prostatitis
B. Renal cyst
C. Bladder cancer
D. Nephrolithiasis
Rationale: Painless hematuria in a smoker is highly concerning for
bladder carcinoma, especially transitional cell carcinoma, due to
tobacco carcinogen exposure.
9. Which acid-base disturbance is expected with prolonged vomiting?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Rationale: Vomiting results in loss of gastric hydrochloric acid, causing
increased serum bicarbonate and metabolic alkalosis.
10. A diabetic patient presents with fruity breath odor and Kussmaul
respirations. What is the diagnosis?
