PLAB Clinical Medicine & Diagnosis

Question 1

A 55-year-old male presents with crushing central chest pain radiating to the left arm and jaw. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Acute myocardial infarction

Answer

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Answer

Pulmonary embolism

Answer

Musculoskeletal chest pain

Question 2

Which investigation is the gold standard for diagnosing pulmonary embolism?

Accepted Answer

CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA)

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

D-dimer blood test

Answer

Electrocardiogram

Question 3

A patient presents with polyuria, polydipsia, and unexplained weight loss. Which condition should be investigated first?

Accepted Answer

Diabetes mellitus

Answer

Urinary tract infection

Answer

Chronic kidney disease

Answer

Hyperthyroidism

Question 4

What is the first-line treatment for community-acquired pneumonia in an otherwise healthy adult in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Amoxicillin or azithromycin

Answer

Intravenous vancomycin

Answer

Oral metronidazole

Answer

Topical gentamicin

Question 5

A patient presents with sudden onset severe headache described as 'the worst headache of my life.' What is the most important diagnosis to exclude?

Accepted Answer

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Answer

Tension headache

Answer

Migraine with aura

Answer

Cluster headache

Question 6

What is the most appropriate initial investigation for suspected deep vein thrombosis?

Accepted Answer

D-dimer test combined with Wells score assessment

Answer

Full blood count only

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

Liver function tests