Exam Complete Exam-Style Questions with
Detailed Rationales 2026/2027 Edition | A+
Graded | Pass Guaranteed
SECTION 1: HEENT (HEAD, EYES, EARS, NOSE, THROAT)
(Questions 1-30)
Q1. A 65-year-old patient presents with gradual, painless vision loss in the left eye
over several months. Fundoscopic examination reveals cup-to-disc ratio of 0.7 and
pallor of the optic disc. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Glaucoma
B. Optic neuritis
C. Macular degeneration
D. Diabetic retinopathy
Answer: A. Glaucoma
Rationale: Glaucoma causes characteristic optic disc cupping with cup-to-disc ratio
>0.5 and disc pallor due to progressive optic nerve damage from increased intraocular
pressure or poor perfusion.
,Q2. A patient reports seeing floaters and flashing lights. Fundoscopic examination
reveals a retinal tear. Which condition is the greatest concern?
A. Glaucoma
B. Retinal detachment
C. Macular degeneration
D. Cataract
Answer: B. Retinal detachment
Rationale: Flashing lights (photopsia) and floaters are classic symptoms of posterior
vitreous detachment or retinal tear. Retinal detachment is the greatest concern requiring
emergent ophthalmologic evaluation.
Q3. A 45-year-old patient presents with sudden, painless, "curtain-like" vision loss
in the right eye. Which condition is most likely?
A. Migraine with aura
B. Retinal detachment
C. Optic neuritis
D. Transient ischemic attack
Answer: B. Retinal detachment
Rationale: Painless, sudden vision loss described as a "curtain falling" is classic for
retinal detachment. Urgent ophthalmologic referral is required.
,Q4. A 70-year-old patient reports difficulty reading and recognizes faces but with
central blurring. Fundoscopic examination reveals drusen. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Age-related macular degeneration (dry type)
B. Glaucoma
C. Diabetic retinopathy
D. Cataract
Answer: A. Age-related macular degeneration (dry type)
Rationale: Drusen (yellow deposits under the retina) and central vision loss are
characteristic of dry age-related macular degeneration.
Q5. A patient with diabetes mellitus for 15 years presents with blurry vision.
Fundoscopic examination reveals microaneurysms, dot-blot hemorrhages, and
hard exudates. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Glaucoma
B. Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy
C. Age-related macular degeneration
D. Retinal vein occlusion
Answer: B. Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Rationale: Microaneurysms, dot-blot hemorrhages, and hard exudates are characteristic
of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Proliferative changes include
neovascularization.
, Q6. A 55-year-old patient presents with sudden, painless vision loss in the left eye.
Fundoscopic examination reveals a pale retina with a cherry red spot. What is the
most likely diagnosis?
A. Glaucoma
B. Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO)
C. Central retinal vein occlusion
D. Optic neuritis
Answer: B. Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO)
Rationale: CRAO presents with sudden, painless vision loss with cherry-red spot
(choroidal circulation visible through fovea) and retinal pallor. This is an ocular
emergency requiring immediate evaluation.
Q7. A 60-year-old patient presents with painless, progressive vision loss over
several years and difficulty with glare. On examination, the lens appears cloudy.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Glaucoma
B. Cataract
C. Macular degeneration
D. Diabetic retinopathy
Answer: B. Cataract
Rationale: Cataracts cause gradual, painless vision loss with glare (difficulty with bright
lights) and visible lens opacification on examination.