Diagnostic Studies Flashcards

A bone marrow biopsy shows >20% blasts with Auer rods present. Which diagnosis is confirmed?

Answer: Acute myeloid leukemia

AML is defined by ≥20% myeloid blasts in the marrow; Auer rods are pathognomonic for AML and are never seen in ALL.

A 40-year-old woman has a positive ANA at 1:640 titer with anti-dsDNA antibodies. This pattern is most associated with which condition?

Answer: Systemic lupus erythematosus

Anti-dsDNA antibodies are highly specific for SLE and correlate with disease activity and lupus nephritis.

A 65-year-old woman has a DEXA scan showing T-score of -2.8 at the lumbar spine. What is the diagnosis?

Answer: Osteoporosis

A T-score of -2.5 or lower defines osteoporosis; -2.8 at the lumbar spine meets this diagnostic threshold.

A patient with chronic liver disease has a rising AFP from 20 to 850 ng/mL over 6 months. Which study is the most appropriate next step?

Answer: MRI liver with gadolinium contrast

MRI with gadolinium (or multiphase CT) is the preferred imaging for characterizing hepatic lesions suspicious for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Which finding on echocardiography is most diagnostic of cardiac tamponade?

Answer: Right ventricular diastolic collapse

Diastolic collapse of the right ventricle is the most sensitive echocardiographic sign of hemodynamically significant cardiac tamponade.

A 25-year-old male presents with painless testicular mass. Which serum markers should be ordered to evaluate for germ cell tumor?

Answer: AFP and beta-hCG

AFP and beta-hCG are the primary tumor markers for testicular germ cell tumors; AFP elevation rules out pure seminoma.

A patient has a fasting glucose of 118 mg/dL on two separate occasions. What is the correct interpretation?

Answer: Impaired fasting glucose (prediabetes)

Fasting glucose 100-125 mg/dL on two occasions meets criteria for impaired fasting glucose, classified as prediabetes.