Free Physician Assistant Academic Ability Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which of the following cardiovascular diseases has aberrant pupillary reflexes (Argyll Robertson pupil) as a potential cause?

Coarctation of the aorta
Aortic regurgitation
Myocarditis
Thoracic aortic aneurysm (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Thoracic aortic aneurysm

Syphilis of the central nervous system is characterized by the Argyll Robertson pupil, which constricts with accommodation but not in response to light. This condition frequently leads to thoracic aortic aneurysm.

Question 2: Which of the following cardiovascular conditions is most often connected to exophthalmos and jugular venous distension?

Myocarditis
Massive tricuspid regurgitation (Correct answer)
Coarctation of the aorta
Thoracic aortic aneurysm

Correct answer: Massive tricuspid regurgitation

Massive tricuspid regurgitation causes a noticeably increased venous pressure, which is typically exhibited by a liver that is extremely engorged and frequently pulsing. Exophthalmoses could develop if the venous pressure is high enough.

Question 3: Which of the following cardiovascular conditions is characterized by a bounding radial pulse, flushing, and paling of the nail beds (Quincke pulse)?

Coarctation of the aorta
Tricuspid regurgitation
Aortic regurgitation (Correct answer)
Thoracic aortic aneurysm

Correct answer: Aortic regurgitation

Aortic regurgitation is linked to a Quincke pulse, which alternately causes the skin or nail beds to flush and turn pale. The waterhammer pulse and pulsus bisferiens are additional distinguishing characteristics of the peripheral pulse in aortic regurgitation.

Question 4: Which of the following cardiovascular diseases has a high prevalence of symptoms such arthralgia, urethral discharge, and conjunctivitis?

Aortic regurgitation
Tricuspid regurgitation
Coarctation of the aorta
Myocarditis (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Myocarditis

Myocarditis, or myocardial inflammation, commonly manifests as conjunctivitis, urethral discharge, and arthralgia.

Question 5: The IA patient is small-framed, with an epicanthal fold, a webbed neck, and low-set ears. Which of the following heart conditions is he most likely experiencing?

Aortic regurgitation
Coarctation of the aorta (Correct answer)
Tricuspid regurgitation
Myocarditis

Correct answer: Coarctation of the aorta

There are several typical clinical signs of coarctation of the aorta, which is a constriction of a portion of the aorta, including short stature, webbed neck, low-set ears, and epicanthal folds (the major artery leading out of the heart). This kind of birth defect exists.

Question 6: Which of the following conditions is typically accompanied by loss of weight, depression, exhaustion, and recurrent, vague stomach pain?

Cushing syndrome
Pancreatic carcinoma (Correct answer)
Pheochromocytoma
Adrenocortical insufficiency

Correct answer: Pancreatic carcinoma

Always keep pancreatic cancer in mind when treating depressed middle-aged individuals. Weight loss, stomach ache, apathy, low energy, lethargy, anhedonia, and sadness are a few of its symptoms.

Question 7: Which of the following hormones' release is suppressed by insulin?

ADH
Beta cells
Somatostatin
Glucagon (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Glucagon

Increases in insulin levels prevent the pancreatic -cells from releasing glucagon. This paracrine function is a fundamental part of how insulin regulates glucagon's activation of adipose tissue lipolysis and hepatic gluconeogenesis.

Question 8: Which of the following metabolic outcomes is brought on by the release of insulin?

Causes glucose to be phosphorylated in kidney
Decreased blood sugar (Correct answer)
Increased breakdown of proteins
Increased breakdown of fats

Correct answer: Decreased blood sugar

Lowering blood sugar levels is one of insulin's main metabolic actions. Thus, diabetes mellitus is caused by a lack of insulin or a resistance to its effects.

Question 9: All of the following descriptions of Type I diabetes mellitus are accurate EXCEPT for:

Onset is usually prior to age 20
It may be linked to autoimmune issues
Insulin injections are unnecessary (Correct answer)
Beta islet cells are destroyed

Correct answer: Insulin injections are unnecessary

9 All of the following descriptions of Type I diabetes mellitus are accurate EXCEPT for: EXP A lack of insulin comes from Type 1 diabetes mellitus, which is brought on by the death of beta islet cells. In order to assist these individuals' insulin levels normalize, therapy regimens call for administering insulin through injection.

Question 10: Which of the following conditions DOES NOT result from long-term diabetes mellitus?

Neuropathy
Atherosclerosis
Hypotension (Correct answer)
Glaucoma

Correct answer: Hypotension

One of the frequent complications of long-term diabetes mellitus is hypertension, not hypotension.

Question 11: All of the following, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF, constitute a typical duodenal ulcer.

Can lead to weight gain
Affects people over 65 (Correct answer)
Primarily affects males
Occasional malignancy

Correct answer: Affects people over 65

In most cases, duodenal ulcers develop between the ages of 30 and 50.

Question 12: Which medication from the list below blocks histamine and lowers stomach acid levels?

Magnesium Hydroxide (Maalox)
Omeprazole (Prilosec)
Metoclopramide (Reglan)
Cimetidine (Tagamet) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Cimetidine (Tagamet)

Cimetidine (Tagamet) is an H2-receptor antagonist. It works by blocking histamine H2 receptors on the parietal cells in the stomach, which are responsible for stimulating gastric acid secretion. By blocking these receptors, cimetidine effectively reduces the production of stomach acid, making it useful for conditions like ulcers and GERD.

Question 13: Which of the following forms of cardiomyopathy occurs most frequently?

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Restrictive cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy (Correct answer)
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Correct answer: Dilated cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most frequently occurring form of cardiomyopathy. It is characterized by the enlargement and weakening of the heart's ventricles, leading to impaired pumping ability. While other forms exist, DCM accounts for the majority of cardiomyopathy cases, often leading to heart failure.

Question 14: All of the following are true with regard to the EKG findings of premature atrial contractions EXCEPT:

P waves are invariably absent (Correct answer)
P waves may be present
The QRS is usually narrow
Extra P waves may be hidden within the QRS complex or T waves

Correct answer: P waves are invariably absent

Premature atrial contractions (PACs) originate in the atria, meaning there must be an atrial depolarization event, which manifests as a P wave on an EKG. While the P wave may be abnormal in shape, hidden within other waves, or premature, its complete and invariable absence is characteristic of rhythms like atrial fibrillation, not PACs.

Question 15: Which of the following clinical signs does dilated cardiomyopathy NOT typically exhibit?

Increased Jugular venous distension
Increased ejection fraction (Correct answer)
Fatigue and feeling tired
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

Correct answer: Increased ejection fraction

Dilated cardiomyopathy is characterized by ventricular dilation and impaired systolic function, meaning the heart's ability to pump blood out is reduced. This directly results in a *decreased* ejection fraction, not an increased one. An increased ejection fraction would indicate strong ventricular contraction, which is contrary to the pathology of dilated cardiomyopathy.

Question 16: Which neurotransmitter shortage in Parkinson's disease is mostly accountable for the symptoms?

Dopamine (Correct answer)
Acetylcholine
Epinephrine
Norepinephrine

Correct answer: Dopamine

Parkinson's disease is primarily caused by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra region of the brain. This leads to a significant shortage of dopamine, a neurotransmitter crucial for smooth and coordinated motor control. The lack of dopamine is responsible for the characteristic motor symptoms such as tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability.

Free Physician Assistant Academic Ability Questions and Answers

Which of the following cardiovascular diseases has aberrant pupillary reflexes (Argyll Robertson pupil) as a potential cause?