Grey's Anatomy Study Test:
Questions 1–50 with 100% verified solutions
(Case Studies) answers and RATIONALES.
1. 🔪 Surgical Procedures & Medical Conditions (50 Questions)
1. Case Study Title/Brief: LVAD Manipulation Case Presentation:
A young surgical resident falls for a patient suffering from chronic
congestive heart failure. When the patient's heart condition rapidly
deteriorates, and a new heart becomes available, the resident takes
a drastic, unauthorized step to ensure the patient is moved up the
transplant list by compromising the function of their implanted left
ventricular assist device (LVAD). The Question: What cardiac
complication immediately resulted from the resident's action of
cutting the LVAD wire? A. Ventricular Tachycardia B. Cardiogenic
Shock C. Cardiac Tamponade D. Aortic Dissection Correct Answer:
B. Cardiogenic Shock Rationale:
o Medical/Plot Explanation: Cutting the LVAD wire
immediately halts its function, causing the patient's already
failing heart to stop receiving mechanical support. This results
in cardiogenic shock (the heart cannot pump enough blood
to meet the body's needs), requiring immediate critical care
intervention. This was Izzie Stevens' highly unethical act on
Denny Duquette (Season 2).
o Distractor Analysis: A V-Tach is an electrical issue; a
Tamponade is fluid around the heart; an Aortic Dissection is a
tear in the aorta wall. All are incorrect in this direct context.
2. Case Study Title/Brief: The Triple Aneurysm Case
Presentation: Dr. Shepherd attempts to operate on a patient with
three inoperable cerebral aneurysms, a condition commonly referred
to as a "ticking time bomb." The procedure is incredibly risky,
causing him immense stress and leading to his temporary retreat
from complex surgery after the patient dies on the table. The
Question: What specific neurological condition was this patient,
often named "PVS," suffering from that made the surgery so
daunting? A. Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) B. Basilar Tip
Aneurysms C. Meningioma D. Spinal Hemangioma Correct Answer:
B. Basilar Tip Aneurysms Rationale:
, o Medical/Plot Explanation: This refers to the case of the
patient known as "Katie Bryce" (initially in Season 1, but the
"three aneurysms" case that nearly broke Derek was later in
Season 3/4) who had highly lethal Basilar Tip Aneurysms.
These are difficult to access and highly prone to rupture,
leading to catastrophic hemorrhage.
o Distractor Analysis: AVMs are abnormal blood vessel
tangles; Meningiomas are usually benign tumors;
Hemangiomas are spinal blood vessel tumors.
3. Case Study Title/Brief: The Chief's Tumor Case Presentation:
The Chief of Surgery begins exhibiting erratic behavior, memory
loss, and poor decision-making, which is initially attributed to his
relapse into alcoholism. A neurosurgeon later discovers the root
cause is a treatable neurological mass. The Question: What was
the specific type of mass that caused the Chief's cognitive decline,
and who successfully removed it? A. Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)
removed by Dr. Derek Shepherd. B. Meningioma removed by Dr.
Erica Hahn. C. Adrenal Adenoma removed by Dr. Richard Webber
(himself). D. Pituitary Tumor (Prolactinoma) removed by Dr. Derek
Shepherd. Correct Answer: D. Pituitary Tumor (Prolactinoma)
removed by Dr. Derek Shepherd. Rationale:
o Medical/Plot Explanation: In Season 6, Richard Webber's
cognitive issues were revealed to be caused by a benign
Pituitary Tumor (Prolactinoma), which Dr. Derek Shepherd
successfully removed, restoring the Chief's functionality and
revealing the true source of his "relapse."
o Distractor Analysis: GBMs are malignant. Meningiomas are
usually cortical. Adrenal tumors cause endocrine issues but
usually not this specific cognitive pattern.
4. Case Study Title/Brief: The Hostage Situation Trauma Case
Presentation: A trauma surgeon is held hostage by a distraught
patient during a high-stress confrontation. The surgeon's quick-
thinking allows her to save the patient's life by performing an
emergency procedure under immense pressure. The Question:
Which procedure did Dr. Bailey perform in the supply closet to save
the white supremacist patient, allowing her to gain control of the
situation? A. Pericardiocentesis B. Tracheotomy C. Laminectomy D.
Appendectomy Correct Answer: A. Pericardiocentesis Rationale:
o Medical/Plot Explanation: In Season 2 ("Damage Control"),
Bailey performed an emergency Pericardiocentesis
, (draining fluid/blood from around the heart) on the patient to
relieve cardiac tamponade, allowing her to stabilize the
patient and escape the hostage situation.
o Distractor Analysis: A Tracheotomy addresses the airway. A
Laminectomy is a spinal procedure. An Appendectomy
removes the appendix.
5. Case Study Title/Brief: The Contaminated Gloves Case
Presentation: A Chief Resident, tasked with overseeing a complex
clinical trial for cancer patients, accidentally infects patients with a
bacterial superbug due to a flaw in the sterilization process of
surgical gloves. The Question: Which highly resistant bacterium
was responsible for the outbreak, causing a significant health crisis
and internal investigation? A. Pseudomonas aeruginosa B.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) C. Clostridium
difficile (C. diff) D. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)
Correct Answer: B. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) Rationale:
o Medical/Plot Explanation: In Season 3, the MRSA outbreak
caused by George and Izzie's trial protocols for the cancer
patients created a major scandal. MRSA is a well-known
hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infection.
o Distractor Analysis: The others are also hospital pathogens,
but MRSA was the specific agent used in this dramatic
storyline.
6. Case Study Title/Brief: The Unconventional Fetal Surgery
Case Presentation: A pediatric surgeon, known for their
groundbreaking work, performs a risky and unprecedented
operation to remove a large, potentially fatal tumor from a fetus still
in the womb. The procedure involves partially delivering the fetus,
operating, and then returning it to the uterus. The Question: This
high-stakes procedure, later coined the "Triple-Phase Fetal Shunt,"
was primarily performed by which surgeon? A. Dr. Addison
Montgomery B. Dr. Arizona Robbins C. Dr. Callie Torres D. Dr.
Miranda Bailey Correct Answer: A. Dr. Addison Montgomery
Rationale:
o Medical/Plot Explanation: Early in the series, Dr. Addison
Montgomery (a Neonatal Surgeon and OB/GYN) was
responsible for several high-risk fetal surgeries, cementing her
expertise. This specific, complex procedure was her signature
in Season 2/3.
Questions 1–50 with 100% verified solutions
(Case Studies) answers and RATIONALES.
1. 🔪 Surgical Procedures & Medical Conditions (50 Questions)
1. Case Study Title/Brief: LVAD Manipulation Case Presentation:
A young surgical resident falls for a patient suffering from chronic
congestive heart failure. When the patient's heart condition rapidly
deteriorates, and a new heart becomes available, the resident takes
a drastic, unauthorized step to ensure the patient is moved up the
transplant list by compromising the function of their implanted left
ventricular assist device (LVAD). The Question: What cardiac
complication immediately resulted from the resident's action of
cutting the LVAD wire? A. Ventricular Tachycardia B. Cardiogenic
Shock C. Cardiac Tamponade D. Aortic Dissection Correct Answer:
B. Cardiogenic Shock Rationale:
o Medical/Plot Explanation: Cutting the LVAD wire
immediately halts its function, causing the patient's already
failing heart to stop receiving mechanical support. This results
in cardiogenic shock (the heart cannot pump enough blood
to meet the body's needs), requiring immediate critical care
intervention. This was Izzie Stevens' highly unethical act on
Denny Duquette (Season 2).
o Distractor Analysis: A V-Tach is an electrical issue; a
Tamponade is fluid around the heart; an Aortic Dissection is a
tear in the aorta wall. All are incorrect in this direct context.
2. Case Study Title/Brief: The Triple Aneurysm Case
Presentation: Dr. Shepherd attempts to operate on a patient with
three inoperable cerebral aneurysms, a condition commonly referred
to as a "ticking time bomb." The procedure is incredibly risky,
causing him immense stress and leading to his temporary retreat
from complex surgery after the patient dies on the table. The
Question: What specific neurological condition was this patient,
often named "PVS," suffering from that made the surgery so
daunting? A. Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) B. Basilar Tip
Aneurysms C. Meningioma D. Spinal Hemangioma Correct Answer:
B. Basilar Tip Aneurysms Rationale:
, o Medical/Plot Explanation: This refers to the case of the
patient known as "Katie Bryce" (initially in Season 1, but the
"three aneurysms" case that nearly broke Derek was later in
Season 3/4) who had highly lethal Basilar Tip Aneurysms.
These are difficult to access and highly prone to rupture,
leading to catastrophic hemorrhage.
o Distractor Analysis: AVMs are abnormal blood vessel
tangles; Meningiomas are usually benign tumors;
Hemangiomas are spinal blood vessel tumors.
3. Case Study Title/Brief: The Chief's Tumor Case Presentation:
The Chief of Surgery begins exhibiting erratic behavior, memory
loss, and poor decision-making, which is initially attributed to his
relapse into alcoholism. A neurosurgeon later discovers the root
cause is a treatable neurological mass. The Question: What was
the specific type of mass that caused the Chief's cognitive decline,
and who successfully removed it? A. Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)
removed by Dr. Derek Shepherd. B. Meningioma removed by Dr.
Erica Hahn. C. Adrenal Adenoma removed by Dr. Richard Webber
(himself). D. Pituitary Tumor (Prolactinoma) removed by Dr. Derek
Shepherd. Correct Answer: D. Pituitary Tumor (Prolactinoma)
removed by Dr. Derek Shepherd. Rationale:
o Medical/Plot Explanation: In Season 6, Richard Webber's
cognitive issues were revealed to be caused by a benign
Pituitary Tumor (Prolactinoma), which Dr. Derek Shepherd
successfully removed, restoring the Chief's functionality and
revealing the true source of his "relapse."
o Distractor Analysis: GBMs are malignant. Meningiomas are
usually cortical. Adrenal tumors cause endocrine issues but
usually not this specific cognitive pattern.
4. Case Study Title/Brief: The Hostage Situation Trauma Case
Presentation: A trauma surgeon is held hostage by a distraught
patient during a high-stress confrontation. The surgeon's quick-
thinking allows her to save the patient's life by performing an
emergency procedure under immense pressure. The Question:
Which procedure did Dr. Bailey perform in the supply closet to save
the white supremacist patient, allowing her to gain control of the
situation? A. Pericardiocentesis B. Tracheotomy C. Laminectomy D.
Appendectomy Correct Answer: A. Pericardiocentesis Rationale:
o Medical/Plot Explanation: In Season 2 ("Damage Control"),
Bailey performed an emergency Pericardiocentesis
, (draining fluid/blood from around the heart) on the patient to
relieve cardiac tamponade, allowing her to stabilize the
patient and escape the hostage situation.
o Distractor Analysis: A Tracheotomy addresses the airway. A
Laminectomy is a spinal procedure. An Appendectomy
removes the appendix.
5. Case Study Title/Brief: The Contaminated Gloves Case
Presentation: A Chief Resident, tasked with overseeing a complex
clinical trial for cancer patients, accidentally infects patients with a
bacterial superbug due to a flaw in the sterilization process of
surgical gloves. The Question: Which highly resistant bacterium
was responsible for the outbreak, causing a significant health crisis
and internal investigation? A. Pseudomonas aeruginosa B.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) C. Clostridium
difficile (C. diff) D. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)
Correct Answer: B. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) Rationale:
o Medical/Plot Explanation: In Season 3, the MRSA outbreak
caused by George and Izzie's trial protocols for the cancer
patients created a major scandal. MRSA is a well-known
hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infection.
o Distractor Analysis: The others are also hospital pathogens,
but MRSA was the specific agent used in this dramatic
storyline.
6. Case Study Title/Brief: The Unconventional Fetal Surgery
Case Presentation: A pediatric surgeon, known for their
groundbreaking work, performs a risky and unprecedented
operation to remove a large, potentially fatal tumor from a fetus still
in the womb. The procedure involves partially delivering the fetus,
operating, and then returning it to the uterus. The Question: This
high-stakes procedure, later coined the "Triple-Phase Fetal Shunt,"
was primarily performed by which surgeon? A. Dr. Addison
Montgomery B. Dr. Arizona Robbins C. Dr. Callie Torres D. Dr.
Miranda Bailey Correct Answer: A. Dr. Addison Montgomery
Rationale:
o Medical/Plot Explanation: Early in the series, Dr. Addison
Montgomery (a Neonatal Surgeon and OB/GYN) was
responsible for several high-risk fetal surgeries, cementing her
expertise. This specific, complex procedure was her signature
in Season 2/3.
