Biomedicine and Diagnosis Flashcards
7 cards from real NCCAOM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Biomedicine and Diagnosis flashcards as text
Which physical examination finding best differentiates bacterial from viral pharyngitis?
Answer: Tonsillar exudates with absence of cough
The Centor criteria highlight tonsillar exudates plus absence of cough as key features suggesting bacterial (Group A Strep) rather than viral pharyngitis.
Pulsus paradoxus—an exaggerated drop in systolic BP during inspiration—is a classic sign of:
Answer: Cardiac tamponade
In cardiac tamponade, pericardial fluid compresses the heart, and inspiration-driven right ventricular expansion further compresses the left ventricle, dropping systolic BP by >10 mmHg.
A patient presents with sudden painless loss of vision in one eye described as 'a curtain coming down.' This is most consistent with:
Answer: Retinal detachment
The classic 'curtain' or 'veil' descending over the visual field is the hallmark symptom of retinal detachment as the retina separates from its pigment epithelium.
The Phalen's test, used to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome, is considered positive when it reproduces symptoms after:
Answer: 60 seconds of wrist flexion
Phalen's test involves maintaining full wrist flexion for 60 seconds; reproduction of numbness or tingling in the median nerve distribution indicates a positive result.
In a patient suspected of having appendicitis, Rovsing's sign is positive when:
Answer: Palpation of the left iliac fossa causes pain in the right iliac fossa
Rovsing's sign is elicited when palpating the left lower quadrant causes referred pain in the right lower quadrant, suggesting peritoneal irritation near the appendix.
Which of the following lab abnormalities is most characteristic of primary Addison's disease?
Answer: Hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and low cortisol
Primary adrenal insufficiency causes loss of mineralocorticoids (leading to sodium wasting and potassium retention) and glucocorticoids (low cortisol), while ACTH rises compensatorily.
A patient presents with dysphagia to solids that progressively worsens to include liquids over several months. This pattern is most suggestive of:
Answer: Esophageal carcinoma
Progressive dysphagia starting with solids and advancing to liquids is a classic alarm symptom for esophageal carcinoma causing mechanical obstruction.