Nokea
A patient tells you about her experience with prolonged therapy for her breast cancer. You comment, "That must have been a very trying time for you." What is this an example of?
- A. Reassurance
- B. Empathy
- C. Summarization
- D. Validation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Empathy. By acknowledging the patient's emotional experience and showing understanding of her feelings, the response demonstrates empathy. This response validates the patient's emotions and fosters a sense of connection and understanding.
Choice A: Reassurance implies providing comfort or support, but in this scenario, the focus is on acknowledging the patient's feelings rather than providing reassurance.
Choice C: Summarization involves restating key points or information, which is not demonstrated in the given scenario where the focus is on acknowledging the patient's emotional experience.
Choice D: Validation involves recognizing and affirming the patient's emotions as legitimate, which aligns closely with empathy. However, in this specific scenario, the response does not explicitly confirm the validity of the patient's emotions, making it less appropriate than the answer choice of empathy.
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Which of the following is a clinical identifier of metabolic syndrome?
- A. Waist circumference of 38 inches for a male
- B. Waist circumference of 34 inches for a female
- C. BP of 134/88 for a male
- D. BP of 128/84 for a female
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because a waist circumference of 38 inches for a male is a clinical identifier of metabolic syndrome. This measurement reflects abdominal obesity, a key component of metabolic syndrome. Excess abdominal fat is associated with insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and dyslipidemia, which are all features of metabolic syndrome.
Choice B is incorrect because a waist circumference of 34 inches for a female is not the correct measurement for identifying metabolic syndrome in females.
Choice C is incorrect because a blood pressure of 134/88 for a male, while elevated, is not a specific clinical identifier of metabolic syndrome.
Choice D is incorrect because a blood pressure of 128/84 for a female, although slightly elevated, is not a specific clinical identifier of metabolic syndrome.
Which is a true statement about varicose veins?
- A. They are due to congenital valve deformities
- B. They are usually diagnosed on clinical presentation
- C. They are not affected by pregnancy
- D. They are more symptomatic during ovulation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because varicose veins are usually diagnosed based on clinical presentation, such as visible, bulging veins and symptoms like pain or swelling. This is because varicose veins are often easily visible and cause noticeable symptoms.
A: Varicose veins are not typically due to congenital valve deformities but rather develop over time due to weakened vein walls and valves.
C: Varicose veins can be affected by pregnancy due to hormonal changes and increased pressure on the veins.
D: Varicose veins may not necessarily be more symptomatic during ovulation; symptoms can vary based on individual factors.
A 42-year-old realtor comes to your clinic, complaining of "growths" in her vulvar area. She is currently undergoing a divorce and is convinced she has a sexually transmitted disease. She denies any vaginal discharge or pain with urination. She has had no fever, malaise, or night sweats. Her past medical history consists of depression and hypothyroidism. She has had two spontaneous vaginal deliveries and one cesarean section. She has had no other surgeries. She denies smoking or drug use. She has two to three drinks weekly. Her mother also has hypothyroidism and her father has high blood pressure and hypercholesterolemia. On examination you see a woman who is anxious but appears otherwise healthy. Her blood pressure, pulse, and temperature are unremarkable. On visualization of the perineum you see two 2- to 3- mm, round, yellow nodules on the left labia. On palpation they are nontender and quite firm. What diagnosis best fits this description of her examination?
- A. Genital herpes
- B. Condylomata acuminata
- C. Syphilitic chancre
- D. Epidermoid cyst
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Epidermoid cyst. The key features in the clinical scenario that point towards an epidermoid cyst are the presence of painless, firm, non-tender, round, yellow nodules on the labia. These cysts are common in the vulvar area and often arise from blocked hair follicles. The absence of symptoms suggestive of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as vaginal discharge, pain with urination, fever, malaise, or night sweats, along with the patient's history of anxiety and the appearance of the nodules being consistent with an epidermoid cyst support this diagnosis.
Choice A: Genital herpes typically presents with painful vesicles or ulcers, which are not described in this case.
Choice B: Condylomata acuminata (genital warts) would present as soft, pink, or flesh-colored growths and are associated with HPV infection, which is not suggested in this scenario.
Choice C: Sy
A 19-year-old college student, Todd, is brought to your clinic by his mother. She is concerned that there is something seriously wrong with him. She states for the past 6 months his behavior has become peculiar and he has flunked out of college. Todd denies any recent illness or injuries. His past medical history is remarkable only for a broken foot. His parents are both healthy. He has a paternal uncle who had similar symptoms in college. The patient admits to smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. He also admits to marijuana use but none in the last week. He denies using any other substances. He denies any feelings of depression or anxiety. While speaking with Todd and his mother you do a complete physical examination, which is essentially normal. When you question him on how he is feeling, he says that he is very worried that Microsoft has stolen his software for creating a better browser. He tells you he has seen a black van in his neighborhood at night and he is sure that it is full of computer tech workers stealing his work through special gamma waves. You ask him why he believes they are trying to steal his programs. He replies that the technicians have been telepathing their intents directly into his head. He says he hears these conversations at night so he knows this is happening. Todd's mother then tells you, "See, I told you . . . he's crazy. What do I do about it?" While arranging for a psychiatry consult, what psychotic disorder do you think Todd has?
- A. Schizoaffective disorder
- B. Psychotic disorder due to a medical illness
- C. Substance-induced psychotic disorder
- D. Schizophrenia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Schizophrenia. Todd presents with a history of peculiar behavior, academic decline, paranoid delusions, and auditory hallucinations. These are classic symptoms of schizophrenia, a chronic and severe mental disorder. Schizoaffective disorder (A) involves a mix of schizophrenia symptoms and mood disturbances, but Todd does not exhibit significant mood symptoms. Psychotic disorder due to a medical illness (B) would require evidence of a medical condition causing Todd's symptoms, which is not present. Substance-induced psychotic disorder (C) would require Todd's symptoms to be solely due to substance use, but his symptoms persist despite marijuana abstinence. Therefore, based on Todd's symptoms and history, the most likely diagnosis is schizophrenia.
Monique is a 33-year-old administrative assistant who has had intermittent lower abdominal pain approximately one week a month for the past year. It is not related to her menses. She notes relief with defecation, and a change in form and frequency of her bowel movements with these episodes. Which of the following is most likely?
- A. Colon cancer
- B. Cholecystitis
- C. Inflammatory bowel disease
- D. Irritable bowel syndrome
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Monique's symptoms of lower abdominal pain relieved by defecation, change in bowel movements' form and frequency, and absence of menses-related pain align with IBS criteria. IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. It is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning other conditions must be ruled out.
Choice A: Colon cancer is less likely due to Monique's age, absence of alarming symptoms like weight loss or blood in stool, and the intermittent nature of her symptoms.
Choice B: Cholecystitis typically presents with right upper quadrant pain, nausea, and vomiting, which do not match Monique's symptoms.
Choice C: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) usually presents with persistent symptoms, blood in stool, and systemic signs, which are not seen in Monique's case.