EGEL Veterinary Medicine: Comprehensive
Board-Review Questions with Answers & Clinical
Rationales
Section 1: Clinical Pathology & Diagnosis (Questions 1-20)
1. A lethargic cat presents with bradycardia. ECG shows absence of P waves and widened QRS complexes. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Wenckebach
,B) Hyperkalemia
C) Warfarin toxicity
D) Hypercalcemia
Answer: B) Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Hyperkalemia causes cardiac conduction abnormalities characterized by absence of P waves and widened QRS complexes. The classic ECG
changes in hyperkalemia include tall peaked T waves, prolonged PR interval, widening of QRS complex, and eventual loss of P waves. This is a medical
emergency requiring immediate treatment .
2. What cells are the diagnostic hallmark of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA)?
A) Leptocytes
B) Spherocytes
C) Histiocytes
D) Schizocytes
Answer: B) Spherocytes
,Rationale: Spherocytes are small, dense red blood cells that lack central pallor and are the characteristic finding in IMHA. They result from partial
phagocytosis of antibody-coated erythrocytes by macrophages in the spleen. While schistocytes suggest fragmentation, spherocytes specifically indicate
immune-mediated destruction .
3. A 7-year-old German Shepherd presents with jaundice and ascites. Lab results: ALT 792 U/L, SAP 1500 U/L, total bilirubin 9 mg/dL, albumin 1.6 g/dL,
globulin 4.9 g/dL. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Hepatic lymphosarcoma
B) Carcinomatosis
C) Liver lobe torsion
D) Hepatic cirrhosis
Answer: D) Hepatic cirrhosis
Rationale: This clinical presentation shows marked elevation of liver enzymes, hyperbilirubinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and hyperglobulinemia with ascites
and jaundice. The combination of liver failure signs with decreased albumin production and portal hypertension (ascites) is classic for end-stage cirrhosis. The
elevated globulins may reflect chronic antigenic stimulation .
4. Which vitamin is essential for blood coagulation?
, A) Vitamin A
B) Vitamin C
C) Vitamin D
D) Vitamin K
Answer: D) Vitamin K
Rationale: Vitamin K is required for the hepatic synthesis of coagulation factors II (prothrombin), VII, IX, and X. It serves as a cofactor for the carboxylation
of glutamic acid residues on these proteins, enabling calcium binding essential for coagulation. Deficiency results in bleeding disorders .
5. Major cause of hypochromic microcytic anemia is:
A) Iron and copper deficiency
B) Thiamine and manganese deficiency
C) Selenium and folic acid deficiency
D) Folic acid and B12 deficiency
Answer: A) Iron and copper deficiency
Board-Review Questions with Answers & Clinical
Rationales
Section 1: Clinical Pathology & Diagnosis (Questions 1-20)
1. A lethargic cat presents with bradycardia. ECG shows absence of P waves and widened QRS complexes. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Wenckebach
,B) Hyperkalemia
C) Warfarin toxicity
D) Hypercalcemia
Answer: B) Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Hyperkalemia causes cardiac conduction abnormalities characterized by absence of P waves and widened QRS complexes. The classic ECG
changes in hyperkalemia include tall peaked T waves, prolonged PR interval, widening of QRS complex, and eventual loss of P waves. This is a medical
emergency requiring immediate treatment .
2. What cells are the diagnostic hallmark of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA)?
A) Leptocytes
B) Spherocytes
C) Histiocytes
D) Schizocytes
Answer: B) Spherocytes
,Rationale: Spherocytes are small, dense red blood cells that lack central pallor and are the characteristic finding in IMHA. They result from partial
phagocytosis of antibody-coated erythrocytes by macrophages in the spleen. While schistocytes suggest fragmentation, spherocytes specifically indicate
immune-mediated destruction .
3. A 7-year-old German Shepherd presents with jaundice and ascites. Lab results: ALT 792 U/L, SAP 1500 U/L, total bilirubin 9 mg/dL, albumin 1.6 g/dL,
globulin 4.9 g/dL. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Hepatic lymphosarcoma
B) Carcinomatosis
C) Liver lobe torsion
D) Hepatic cirrhosis
Answer: D) Hepatic cirrhosis
Rationale: This clinical presentation shows marked elevation of liver enzymes, hyperbilirubinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and hyperglobulinemia with ascites
and jaundice. The combination of liver failure signs with decreased albumin production and portal hypertension (ascites) is classic for end-stage cirrhosis. The
elevated globulins may reflect chronic antigenic stimulation .
4. Which vitamin is essential for blood coagulation?
, A) Vitamin A
B) Vitamin C
C) Vitamin D
D) Vitamin K
Answer: D) Vitamin K
Rationale: Vitamin K is required for the hepatic synthesis of coagulation factors II (prothrombin), VII, IX, and X. It serves as a cofactor for the carboxylation
of glutamic acid residues on these proteins, enabling calcium binding essential for coagulation. Deficiency results in bleeding disorders .
5. Major cause of hypochromic microcytic anemia is:
A) Iron and copper deficiency
B) Thiamine and manganese deficiency
C) Selenium and folic acid deficiency
D) Folic acid and B12 deficiency
Answer: A) Iron and copper deficiency
