Clinical Knowledge Flashcards
7 cards from real Physician Assistant practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Clinical Knowledge flashcards as text
A 28-year-old female presents with malar rash, arthritis, and proteinuria. ANA is positive at 1:640. Which antibody is most specific for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?
Answer: Anti-Smith (Sm)
Anti-Smith (anti-Sm) antibodies are highly specific for SLE, though not sensitive, making them useful when positive.
A 50-year-old man presents with dysphagia to solids and liquids simultaneously from onset. Barium swallow shows a 'bird-beak' appearance. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer: Achalasia
Achalasia presents with dysphagia to both solids and liquids from the start due to failure of LES relaxation, and the bird-beak appearance is classic on barium swallow.
A neonate presents at 24 hours of life with bilious vomiting. Abdominal X-ray shows a 'double bubble' sign. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer: Duodenal atresia
The double bubble sign on X-ray (air in stomach and proximal duodenum) is pathognomonic for duodenal atresia.
A 65-year-old smoker presents with hemoptysis, weight loss, and a central lung mass. Serum sodium is 120 mEq/L. Which paraneoplastic syndrome is most likely?
Answer: SIADH from ADH secretion
Small cell lung cancer most commonly produces SIADH via ectopic ADH secretion, causing hyponatremia.
A 30-year-old woman at 32 weeks gestation presents with BP 160/110, 3+ proteinuria, and headache. Labs show platelets 85,000/µL, AST 180 U/L, and hemolytic anemia. What is the diagnosis?
Answer: HELLP syndrome
HELLP syndrome is defined by Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelets, and is a severe complication of preeclampsia.
A 40-year-old male presents with episodic hypertension, diaphoresis, and palpitations. 24-hour urine shows elevated metanephrines and catecholamines. What is the next best imaging study?
Answer: CT abdomen/pelvis with contrast
CT abdomen/pelvis with contrast is the first-line imaging for pheochromocytoma after biochemical confirmation to localize the tumor.
Which finding best distinguishes Crohn's disease from ulcerative colitis?
Answer: Skip lesions with transmural inflammation
Crohn's disease is characterized by skip lesions, transmural inflammation, and can involve any part of the GI tract from mouth to anus.