Nokea
What is/are the possible cause(s) of acute pancreatitis in this patient?
- A. HIV
- B. Cytomegalovirus
- C. Dideoxyinosine (ddI)
- D. Pentamidine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Cytomegalovirus. Cytomegalovirus is a common cause of acute pancreatitis in immunocompromised patients. The virus can infect the pancreas leading to inflammation. HIV (A) can also cause pancreatitis, but it is typically due to opportunistic infections like CMV rather than the virus itself. Dideoxyinosine (ddI) (C) and Pentamidine (D) are medications that can cause pancreatitis, but they are not the primary cause in this case.
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A 70-year-old man presents with sudden onset of severe abdominal pain. He has a history of atrial fibrillation. Physical examination reveals a soft abdomen with minimal tenderness. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- A. Acute pancreatitis
- B. Mesenteric ischemia
- C. Peptic ulcer disease
- D. Diverticulitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most likely diagnosis in this case is B: Mesenteric ischemia. Given the sudden onset of severe abdominal pain in an elderly patient with atrial fibrillation, mesenteric ischemia is a crucial consideration due to the risk of thromboembolism from the heart condition leading to inadequate blood supply to the intestines. Acute pancreatitis (A) typically presents with epigastric pain radiating to the back and elevated serum amylase/lipase levels. Peptic ulcer disease (C) usually presents with a history of dyspepsia and is less likely to cause sudden severe abdominal pain. Diverticulitis (D) commonly presents with left lower quadrant pain and tenderness, which contrasts with the soft abdomen and minimal tenderness seen in this case.
An 82-year-old woman with no past medical history presents to your clinic complaining of arthritic symptoms. She is not taking any medications but needs something for her arthritis. You want to start her on a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) but are concerned about her age and the risk of peptic ulcers. As she has to pay for her medications out-of-pocket and requests the most cost-effective option, what is the most appropriate treatment plan?
- A. Prescribe an inexpensive NSAID alone
- B. Prescribe an inexpensive NSAID and misoprostol
- C. Prescribe celecoxib
- D. Prescribe an inexpensive NSAID and sucralfate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Prescribe an inexpensive NSAID alone. This option is the most appropriate because it balances the need for cost-effectiveness with the concern for peptic ulcers in an elderly patient. Starting with a simple NSAID reduces the risk of adverse effects and minimizes the financial burden on the patient. Option B adds misoprostol, which may help protect the stomach but increases the cost. Option C, prescribing celecoxib, is more expensive and carries a higher cardiovascular risk. Option D, adding sucralfate, does not have strong evidence for preventing NSAID-induced ulcers and adds unnecessary cost. Therefore, option A is the most suitable choice for this scenario.
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 65-year-old woman presents with difficulty swallowing, weight loss, and a history of long-standing heartburn. She has been on proton-pump inhibitors for years, but her symptoms have worsened. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- A. Peptic stricture
- B. Esophageal cancer
- C. Achalasia
- D. Esophageal spasm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Esophageal cancer. Given the patient's age, symptoms of difficulty swallowing and weight loss, along with a history of chronic heartburn not responding to proton-pump inhibitors, esophageal cancer is the most likely diagnosis. Esophageal cancer commonly presents with dysphagia, weight loss, and a history of chronic reflux. Peptic stricture (A) typically presents with dysphagia but is less likely given the worsening symptoms despite treatment. Achalasia (C) presents with dysphagia and regurgitation, but not typically with weight loss. Esophageal spasm (D) presents with chest pain and dysphagia, but not typically with weight loss or chronic heartburn.
The patient described in the preceding question has a positive H. pylori antibody blood test. She is compliant with the medical regimen you prescribe. Although her symptoms initially respond, she returns to see you six months later with the same symptoms. Which of the following statements is correct?
- A. She is at low risk for reinfection with H. pylori
- B. A positive serum IgG indicates that eradication of H. pylori was successful
- C. The urease breath test is an ideal test to document failure of eradication
- D. Dyspepsia typically worsens with H. pylori eradication
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the urease breath test is the ideal test to document failure of H. pylori eradication. This test directly measures the presence of the H. pylori bacterium in the stomach by detecting the enzyme urease produced by the bacterium. If the patient still has symptoms after treatment, a positive urease breath test would indicate that the bacterium is still present, leading to treatment failure.
Choice A is incorrect because a positive antibody test does not indicate low risk for reinfection. Choice B is incorrect because a positive serum IgG may persist even after successful eradication. Choice D is incorrect because dyspepsia can improve after successful H. pylori eradication rather than worsen.