Nokea
A 65-year-old white female with a history of arthritis, congestive heart failure, and osteoporosis complains of odynophagia for two weeks. A barium swallow shows a moderate-sized crater just above the gastroesophageal junction. What is the least likely contributor to this condition?
- A. NSAIDs
- B. Alendronate
- C. Iron sulfate
- D. Calcium channel blocker
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Calcium channel blocker. Odynophagia is often associated with esophageal ulcers, which can be exacerbated by NSAIDs (A) due to their effect on the gastric mucosa. Alendronate (B) is a bisphosphonate used to treat osteoporosis and can cause esophagitis. Iron sulfate (C) can also irritate the esophagus. However, calcium channel blockers (D) are least likely to contribute to esophageal ulcers or odynophagia as they do not directly affect the esophagus or increase the risk of ulcers.
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What is the best therapy for a 65-year-old man with symptoms of regurgitation, chest pain, dysphagia, weight loss, dilated esophagus, and an absent gastric air bubble on CXR?
- A. Proton-pump inhibitor
- B. Endoscopic balloon dilatation
- C. Sucralfate
- D. Esophageal resection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Endoscopic balloon dilatation. This is the best therapy for a 65-year-old man with symptoms of regurgitation, chest pain, dysphagia, weight loss, dilated esophagus, and an absent gastric air bubble on CXR because these symptoms suggest achalasia, a motility disorder of the esophagus. Endoscopic balloon dilatation helps to disrupt the lower esophageal sphincter muscle, relieving symptoms and improving esophageal emptying. Proton-pump inhibitors (A) are used for acid-related conditions, not for achalasia. Sucralfate (C) is a mucosal protective agent and not indicated for achalasia. Esophageal resection (D) is a more invasive option and usually reserved for severe cases or when other treatments have failed.
A 35-year-old woman presents with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. She has a history of recurrent mouth ulcers and a perianal fistula. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- A. Ulcerative colitis
- B. Irritable bowel syndrome
- C. Crohn's disease
- D. Diverticulitis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The most likely diagnosis is Crohn's disease (Choice C). This is supported by the symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, mouth ulcers, and perianal fistula, which are characteristic of Crohn's disease. These symptoms are not typically seen in irritable bowel syndrome (Choice B) or diverticulitis (Choice D). While ulcerative colitis (Choice A) may also present with similar symptoms, the presence of perianal fistula and mouth ulcers is more indicative of Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to the diverse range of symptoms seen in this patient.
A 35-year-old male patient presents with right upper quadrant pain, fever for the past 48 hours, preceded by new onset jaundice over the past few weeks. He states that he has had diarrhea on and off for several years but never had this investigated. A liver ultrasound is negative for gallstones or evidence of cholecystitis. His lab tests reveal total bilirubin 6.2, alkaline phosphatase 450, AST 150, ALT 120, albumin 2.6. The next diagnostic test of choice would be
- A. Liver biopsy
- B. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography
- C. Hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C RNA assay
- D. Colonoscopy with biopsies
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). Given the patient's clinical presentation of right upper quadrant pain, fever, jaundice, and abnormal liver function tests, MRCP is the next diagnostic test of choice to evaluate the biliary tree and pancreatic ducts for possible obstruction or structural abnormalities. This would help identify the cause of the patient's symptoms, such as biliary obstruction or choledocholithiasis.
Choice A: Liver biopsy is not the next step in this scenario as the patient's symptoms are suggestive of a biliary or pancreatic etiology rather than a primary liver pathology.
Choice C: Hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C RNA assay may be relevant for evaluating viral hepatitis, but in this case, the patient's symptoms and lab results are more indicative of a biliary or pancreatic issue.
Choice D: Colonoscopy with biopsies is not the next appropriate step as the patient's symptoms and lab results are not
A 50-year-old man presents with severe epigastric pain radiating to his back, nausea, and vomiting. He has a history of heavy alcohol use. Laboratory tests reveal elevated serum amylase and lipase. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- A. Acute cholecystitis
- B. Peptic ulcer disease
- C. Acute pancreatitis
- D. Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Acute pancreatitis. The patient's symptoms of severe epigastric pain radiating to the back, along with nausea, vomiting, and a history of heavy alcohol use, are classic for acute pancreatitis. Elevated serum amylase and lipase levels further support this diagnosis, as they are key markers of pancreatic inflammation. Acute cholecystitis (A) typically presents with right upper quadrant pain and fever. Peptic ulcer disease (B) is characterized by burning epigastric pain that improves with food intake. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (D) presents with heartburn and regurgitation, not the severe symptoms seen in this case.
A 45-year-old woman presents with fatigue, weight gain, and constipation. Laboratory tests reveal low TSH and high free T4 levels. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- A. Hypothyroidism
- B. Hyperthyroidism
- C. Thyroiditis
- D. Thyroid cancer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hyperthyroidism. In this case, the low TSH and high free T4 levels indicate overproduction of thyroid hormones, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and constipation. Low TSH is a result of negative feedback due to high T4 levels. Hyperthyroidism is characterized by an overactive thyroid gland, resulting in excess thyroid hormone production. Other choices are incorrect because hypothyroidism would show high TSH levels, thyroiditis typically presents with thyroid tenderness and inflammation, and thyroid cancer usually does not cause these hormonal imbalances.