PLAB 2 History Taking Stations

Question 1

During a PLAB 2 history taking station, a 45-year-old woman presents with chest pain.
Which of the following is the most important question to ask first to differentiate cardiac from non-cardiac chest pain?

Accepted Answer

Can you describe the character of the pain — is it a central, crushing or squeezing sensation, and does it radiate to the jaw, left arm, or back?

Answer

Do you smoke?

Answer

Have you had any recent surgery?

Answer

Do you have any allergies?

Question 2

A patient presents with a 3-month history of weight loss. In the OSCE history, which system-specific red flag questions should you prioritise?

Accepted Answer

Screen for malignancy red flags across systems: night sweats, haemoptysis, change in bowel habit, haematuria, lumps, dysphagia, and post-menopausal bleeding

Answer

Ask only about diet and exercise habits

Answer

Focus exclusively on mental health screening

Answer

Ask about travel history only

Question 3

In a PLAB 2 station, a 28-year-old man presents with headache. You need to assess for red flags. Which combination of features would be most concerning for a serious underlying cause?

Accepted Answer

Sudden-onset thunderclap headache, neck stiffness, photophobia, and fever

Answer

Headache after a long day at work, relieved by paracetamol

Answer

Mild bilateral frontal headache present for 2 years with normal neurological examination

Answer

Headache triggered by bright lights and associated with nausea

Question 4

During a history station, the patient mentions they drink alcohol. According to UK screening guidelines, which validated tool should you use to assess alcohol use?

Accepted Answer

Use the AUDIT-C (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) or full AUDIT questionnaire

Answer

Ask them to estimate their weekly units only

Answer

Ask if they think they drink too much

Answer

Use the PHQ-9 questionnaire

Question 5

A patient presents to a PLAB 2 station with symptoms of depression. Which validated screening tool should you use to assess severity?

Accepted Answer

PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9)

Answer

AUDIT questionnaire

Answer

GAD-7 only

Answer

Mini-Mental State Examination

Question 6

In a paediatric history station, a mother brings her 18-month-old child who has had a fever and is not feeding well. Which question is most important for assessing severity in a febrile child?

Accepted Answer

Has the child had a non-blanching rash, reduced consciousness, or is unusually drowsy or unresponsive — features of meningococcal disease?

Answer

What is the child's favourite food?

Answer

When was the child's last dental check-up?

Answer

Does the child attend nursery?