QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (SET
TO SCORE A+)
Impaired synthesis of previtamin D
Explanation:
Elderly adults are at increased risk of Vitamin D deficiency related to several factors. In
addition to those mentioned, lack of sun exposure decreases synthesis of Vitamin D. As
renal status declines in older patients, hydroxylation diminishes which diminishes
available Vitamin D. Patient with dark skin are also at increased risk of Vitamin D
deficiencies. -Answer- Besides inadequate intake of Vitamin D in elder adults, what
other factor contributes to deficiencies?
Impaired synthesis of previtamin D
Decreased physical activity
Diminished hepatic function
Decreased body mass
Swelling and pain to touch of the anterior knee
Explanation:
Prepatellar bursitis is often precipitated by an increase in activity involving the knee,
such as was given in history by this patient. If it was infectious in origin, erythema would
be present, but based on this patient's history and absence of risk factors, that is less
likely. Prepatellar bursitis is characterized by swelling and inflammatory changes
anterior to the patella, no symptoms posteriorly. The patient probably will limp due to
pain. Tenderness to touch of the tibial tubercle is characteristic of Osgood Schlatter
disease, but, is common in an under 19 years age group. -Answer- A 60 year-old
patient who is otherwise healthy, presents with acute onset of right knee pain. She
denies injury but reports that she walked up a lot of steps yesterday. She is diagnosed
with prepatellar bursitis. What is a common finding?
Limping and erythema about the anterior knee
Swelling and pain to touch of the anterior knee
Posterior knee pain, anterior knee edema, and redness
Tenderness to touch of the tibial tubercle
Antinuclear antibody (ANA)
Explanation:
The criteria for diagnosis of lupus have been established by the American College of
Rheumatology. It includes 11 criteria: malar rash, discoid rash, sun-related rash,
painless oral ulcerations, joint pain or swelling involving two or more joints, inflammation
,involving the heart or lungs, renal disorder, a non-specified neurological disorder
(seizures or psychosis), CBC abnormalities such as anemia, leukopenia, or
thrombocytopenia, immunologic disorders (another positive autoimmune test such as an
anti-phospholipid antibody test), or positive ANA. Having 4 or more of these criteria
either at one time or over time can constitute a diagnosis of SLE. An elevated
sedimentation rate is a very non-specific measure of inflammation. -Answer- Which of
the following tests, if positive, is part of the criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus
(SLE)?
Antinuclear antibody (ANA)
Rheumatoid factor
Elevated liver function studies
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
Fever
Explanation:
This presentation is classic for gout except that gout is not associated with fever. This
presentation coupled with fever should prompt the examiner to suspect septic arthritis. If
this is the presentation, this patient should have a joint tap (or refer to an orthopedic
surgeon). Synovial fluid will be aspirated and sent to the laboratory for evaluation. The
fluid will contain white cells and bacteria if infection is present. -Answer- A 55 year-old
male patient describes severe pain at the base of his left first toe. He is limping and
says he can't remember hurting his toe. Which symptom below suggests something
other than gout?
Pain
Elevated sedimentation rate
Erythema
Fever
Morning stiffness, positive rheumatoid antigen and antinuclear antibody
Explanation:
Rheumatoid arthritis is a difficult diagnosis to make because there are many factors to
evaluate and none are consistently positive in all patients. Clinical clues that should
cause the examiner to suspect rheumatoid arthritis are symmetrical peripheral
polyarthritis, morning stiffness lasting greater than one hour, the presence of
rheumatoid nodules, bone erosions on x-ray, positive sedimentation rate as an early
phase reactant, positive rheumatoid antigen, and positive antinuclear antibody. None of
these characteristics are positive in all patients and other autoimmune rheumatic
diseases can be part of the differential. -Answer- Which symptoms are most commonly
found in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis?
Morning stiffness, positive rheumatoid antigen and antinuclear antibody
Fever, symmetrical joint involvement, normal sedimentation rate
Asymmetrical joint involvement, male gender, pain
Nodular lesion on the elbow, negative sedimentation rate, positive antinuclear antibody
, Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
Explanation:
Bone pain is common in children, especially adolescents. However, a six year-old with
complaints of mid-bone pain should be evaluated for ALL. Osgood-Schlatter produces
pain in the knees. Growing pain usually occurs at nighttime. There is no information
from history to suggest psychogenic pain, but ALL must always be considered since it is
the most common malignancy in children. The child should be assessed for
lymphadenopathy since this accompanies bone pain in ALL at least 50% of the time. -
Answer- A 6 year-old complains that his legs hurt. His mother states that he has
complained for the past 2 weeks, and she thought it was from "playing outside too
much". When asked to identify the painful areas, the child points to the midshaft of the
femurs. He grimaces slightly when asked to walk. What should be part of the differential
diagnosis?
Osgood-Schlatter disease
Growing pains
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
Psychogenic pain
Roast beef with gravy, rice
Explanation:
Patients who have gout exacerbations should avoid foods high in purines. A low purine
diet can significantly reduce risk of gout. Uric acid is a byproduct of purine metabolism.
Purines can be found in high concentrations in beef, pork, bacon, lamb, seafood, beer,
bread, gravy, and most alcoholic beverages. Foods considered low in purines are fruits
and fruit juices, green veggies, nuts, dairy products, chocolate. -Answer- A patient who
frequently has episodes of gout should avoid which groups of food?
Beans, rice, and tea
Scrambled eggs, milk, and toast
Roast beef with gravy, rice
Fish and steamed vegetables
18 months.
Explanation:
Common developmental tasks for an 18 month old include: walking backwards,
throwing a ball, saying 15-20 words, pointing to multiple body parts, pointing and
naming objects in a book, and stacking 3-4 blocks. -Answer- The age at which a child
can first walk backwards is:
12 months.
15 months.
18 months.
24 months.