Practice Test Geeks(FRACGP) Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Practice Test
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Core Knowledge and Fundamentals Flashcards

7 cards from real FRACGP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Core Knowledge and Fundamentals flashcards as text

  1. A 50-year-old man presents with a 2-week history of dysphagia to solids progressing to liquids, associated with a 7 kg weight loss. The MOST appropriate initial investigation is:

    Answer: Urgent upper GI endoscopy

    Progressive dysphagia with weight loss is a red-flag symptom; urgent endoscopy allows direct visualisation and biopsy to exclude oesophageal malignancy.

  2. Which of the following best describes the ethical principle of 'non-maleficence' in general practice?

    Answer: A duty to avoid causing harm to the patient through treatment or inaction

    Non-maleficence is the principle of 'do no harm,' obligating the clinician to avoid treatments or omissions that impose unnecessary risk or harm on the patient.

  3. A 66-year-old woman presents with acute confusion, headache, and fever. LP shows cloudy CSF with glucose 1.8 mmol/L (serum 5.4), protein 2.1 g/L, and neutrophil pleocytosis. Empirical treatment should include:

    Answer: IV ceftriaxone plus dexamethasone

    Bacterial meningitis requires immediate empirical IV ceftriaxone (to cover Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis) plus dexamethasone to reduce neurological sequelae.

  4. A 32-year-old woman presents at 36 weeks gestation with a BP of 152/100 mmHg on two readings 4 hours apart, 2+ proteinuria, and a severe frontal headache. The MOST likely diagnosis is:

    Answer: Severe pre-eclampsia

    Hypertension ≥160/110 or ≥140/90 mmHg with proteinuria plus severe symptoms (headache, visual disturbance) meets criteria for severe pre-eclampsia.

  5. Which medication used for osteoporosis has been associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw and atypical femoral fractures with long-term use?

    Answer: Bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate)

    Long-term bisphosphonate use is associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw (especially with dental procedures) and atypical subtrochanteric femoral fractures due to over-suppression of bone remodelling.

  6. A GP is considering prescribing an opioid for a patient with chronic non-cancer pain who has not responded to first and second-line therapies. According to Australian opioid guidelines, which of the following is ESSENTIAL before prescribing?

    Answer: A documented informed consent process including discussion of risks, benefits, and treatment goals

    Australian opioid prescribing guidelines mandate a documented informed consent process covering realistic expectations, risks of dependence, and agreed treatment goals before initiating opioids for chronic non-cancer pain.

  7. A 78-year-old woman with dementia and metastatic cancer can no longer communicate her wishes. Her advance care directive states she does not want resuscitation or artificial nutrition. Her son insists on aggressive treatment. The GP's MOST appropriate action is:

    Answer: Follow the advance care directive as the legally valid expression of the patient's wishes

    A valid advance care directive legally reflects the patient's autonomous wishes and takes precedence over family requests when the patient lacks capacity.