Academic Ability Flashcards
16 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 16 Academic Ability flashcards as text
Which of the following cardiovascular diseases has aberrant pupillary reflexes (Argyll Robertson pupil) as a potential cause?
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.
Which of the following cardiovascular conditions is most often connected to exophthalmos and jugular venous distension?
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.
Which of the following cardiovascular conditions is characterized by a bounding radial pulse, flushing, and paling of the nail beds (Quincke pulse)?
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.
Which of the following cardiovascular diseases has a high prevalence of symptoms such arthralgia, urethral discharge, and conjunctivitis?
Answer: Myocarditis
Myocarditis, or myocardial inflammation, commonly manifests as conjunctivitis, urethral discharge, and arthralgia.
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?
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.
Which of the following conditions is typically accompanied by loss of weight, depression, exhaustion, and recurrent, vague stomach pain?
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.
Which of the following hormones' release is suppressed by insulin?
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.
Which of the following metabolic outcomes is brought on by the release of insulin?
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.
All of the following descriptions of Type I diabetes mellitus are accurate EXCEPT for:
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.
Which of the following conditions DOES NOT result from long-term diabetes mellitus?
Answer: Hypotension
One of the frequent complications of long-term diabetes mellitus is hypertension, not hypotension.
All of the following, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF, constitute a typical duodenal ulcer.
Answer: Affects people over 65
In most cases, duodenal ulcers develop between the ages of 30 and 50.
Which medication from the list below blocks histamine and lowers stomach acid levels?
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.
Which of the following forms of cardiomyopathy occurs most frequently?
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.
All of the following are true with regard to the EKG findings of premature atrial contractions EXCEPT:
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.
Which of the following clinical signs does dilated cardiomyopathy NOT typically exhibit?
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.
Which neurotransmitter shortage in Parkinson's disease is mostly accountable for the symptoms?
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.