OSCE MCQ 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In an OSCE station on blood pressure measurement, which technique error most commonly leads to a falsely elevated reading?
- Using a cuff that is too large
- Patient arm positioned above heart level
- Using a cuff that is too small (Correct answer)
- Patient in a lying position
Correct answer: Using a cuff that is too small
An undersized blood pressure cuff compresses tissue unevenly and requires excess pressure, leading to falsely elevated readings.
Question 2: During a surgical OSCE station on wound assessment, which feature of an ulcer suggests a venous rather than arterial etiology?
- Punched-out appearance on the heel
- Painful ulcer with absent pulses
- Shallow ulcer with sloping edges around the gaiter area (Correct answer)
- Ulcer with dry, necrotic base
Correct answer: Shallow ulcer with sloping edges around the gaiter area
Venous ulcers are typically shallow with sloping edges located in the gaiter area (medial lower leg) and are often associated with varicosities and hemosiderin deposition.
Question 3: An OSCE candidate is asked to perform a Rinne test. A negative Rinne test (bone conduction > air conduction) indicates:
- Sensorineural hearing loss
- Normal hearing
- Conductive hearing loss (Correct answer)
- Mixed hearing loss
Correct answer: Conductive hearing loss
A negative Rinne test (BC > AC) indicates conductive hearing loss, as the normal air-conduction advantage is lost due to a middle ear or external ear problem.
Question 4: In an OSCE station on nasogastric tube insertion, how is correct gastric placement most reliably confirmed?
- Auscultating over the epigastrium while injecting air
- Chest X-ray confirming position below the diaphragm (Correct answer)
- Testing aspirate pH with litmus paper
- Observing for patient discomfort on insertion
Correct answer: Chest X-ray confirming position below the diaphragm
Chest X-ray is the gold-standard method to confirm NG tube placement, as auscultation and pH testing alone are insufficient per national safety guidelines.
Question 5: During an OSCE paediatric station, which developmental milestone should a typically developing 18-month-old child have achieved?
- Speaking in full sentences
- Walking independently (Correct answer)
- Riding a tricycle
- Drawing a circle
Correct answer: Walking independently
Independent walking is expected by 12–15 months; at 18 months, walking independently is a firm milestone that should be present.
Question 6: In an OSCE station on reading a chest X-ray, which structure defines the right heart border?
- Right ventricle
- Right atrium (Correct answer)
- Superior vena cava only
- Ascending aorta
Correct answer: Right atrium
The right heart border on a PA chest X-ray is formed by the right atrium (inferiorly) and the superior vena cava (superiorly).
Question 7: During an OSCE history-taking station, a patient describes pain that is worse at rest and at night and is relieved by activity. This pattern is most characteristic of:
- Osteoarthritis
- Mechanical low back pain
- Inflammatory arthritis (Correct answer)
- Fibromyalgia
Correct answer: Inflammatory arthritis
Inflammatory arthritis characteristically causes pain and stiffness that are worst at rest and in the morning and improve with movement.
OSCE MCQ 5
In an OSCE station on blood pressure measurement, which technique error most commonly leads to a falsely elevated reading?