A patient is examined with the ophthalmoscope and found to have red reflexes bilaterally. Which of the following have you essentially excluded from your differential?
- A. Retinoblastoma
- B. Cataract
- C. Artificial eye
- D. Hypertensive retinopathy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Retinoblastoma typically presents with a white reflex, known as leukocoria or a cat's eye reflex, instead of the normal red reflex seen during ophthalmoscopy. The presence of red reflexes bilaterally in this case essentially rules out retinoblastoma as a differential diagnosis.
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His head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat examinations are unremarkable. His cardiac examination is normal. On examination of his chest, the diameter seems enlarged. Breath sounds are decreased throughout all lobes. Rhonchi are heard over all lung fields. There is no area of dullness and no increased or decreased fremitus. What thorax or lung disorder is most likely causing his symptoms?
- A. Spontaneous pneumothorax
- B. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- C. Asthma
- D. Pneumonia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient's presentation with an enlarged chest diameter, decreased breath sounds throughout all lobes, and the presence of rhonchi over all lung fields is suggestive of a chronic condition that affects the entire respiratory system. These findings are classic for COPD, a progressive lung disease characterized by airflow limitation. The breath sounds are decreased due to airflow obstruction, and the presence of rhonchi indicates mucus production and airway inflammation commonly seen in COPD. In contrast, a spontaneous pneumothorax would typically present with sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, often in a younger patient with risk factors such as smoking. Asthma would present with wheezing, shortness of breath, and possibly a history of atopy or allergies. Pneumonia would typically present with fever, cough, and focal findings on chest examination, such as crackles or bronchial breath sounds over a consolidated area. In
His abdominal examination is normal. Visualization of the anus shows no masses, inflammation, or fissures. Digital rectal examination reveals a warm, boggy, tender prostate. No discrete masses are felt and there is no blood on the glove. The scrotum and penis appear normal. Urinalysis shows moderate amounts of white blood cells and bacteria. What disorder of the anus, prostate, or rectum best describes this situation?
- A. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
- B. Prostatitis
- C. Prostate cancer
- D. Epididymitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Prostatitis is the most likely disorder based on the symptoms described. The warm, boggy, tender prostate upon digital rectal examination, along with the presence of moderate white blood cells and bacteria in the urinalysis, suggests an inflammatory condition of the prostate. In this case, there are no signs of masses or blood in the rectal examination, which would be more indicative of prostate cancer. Epididymitis typically presents with symptoms involving the scrotum and may be associated with testicular pain and swelling, which are not described in this scenario. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate gland that typically presents with symptoms of urinary urgency, frequency, and nocturia, rather than the inflammatory signs seen in this case.
To hear a soft murmur or bruit, which of the following may be necessary?
- A. Asking the patient to hold her breath
- B. Asking the patient in the next bed to turn down the TV
- C. Checking your stethoscope for air leaks
- D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: To hear a soft murmur or bruit clearly, it is important to minimize any background noise or distractions that may interfere with your ability to auscultate effectively. Therefore, asking the patient to hold her breath (choice A) can help reduce noise caused by the patient's respiration. Asking the patient in the next bed to turn down the TV (choice B) can also help eliminate external noise that may disrupt your ability to hear subtle sounds. Checking your stethoscope for air leaks (choice C) is crucial to ensure that you are hearing sounds accurately and not being affected by any equipment issues. By combining these strategies, you can create an optimal environment for listening to soft murmurs or bruits.
You are excited about a positive test finding you have just noticed on physical examination of your patient. You go on to do more examination, laboratory work, and diagnostic tests, only to find that there is no sign of the disease you thought would correlate with the finding. This same experience happens several times. What should you conclude?
- A. Consider not doing this test routinely.
- B. Use this test when you have a higher suspicion for a certain correlating condition.
- C. Continue using the test, perhaps doing less laboratory work and diagnostics.
- D. Omit this test from future examinations.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The repeated scenario of finding a positive test result that does not correlate with the suspected disease indicates a lack of specificity for the test in question. In such cases, it is important to use the test when there is a higher suspicion for a specific condition that is known to correlate with the finding. By using the test selectively in situations where it is more likely to provide accurate information, its utility can be maximized and unnecessary further workup can be avoided. This approach allows for a more targeted and efficient use of resources in the diagnostic process.
Which area of the arm drains to the epitrochlear nodes?
- A. Ulnar surface of the forearm and hand, little and ring fingers, and ulnar middle finger
- B. Radial surface of the forearm and hand, thumb and index fingers, and radial middle finger
- C. Ulnar surface of the forearm and hand; second, third, and fourth fingers
- D. Radial surface of the forearm and hand; second, third, and fourth fingers
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The area of the arm that drains to the epitrochlear nodes includes the ulnar surface of the forearm and hand, little and ring fingers, and the ulnar side of the middle finger. The epitrochlear nodes are located in the medial aspect of the arm above the elbow, close to the insertion of the biceps brachii muscle. These nodes receive lymphatic drainage from the above-mentioned areas and play a role in the immune response against infections in these regions.