MRCS PART-A ONLINE PREPARATORY COURSE BY NASA KHAN …
Transcript of MRCS PART-A ONLINE PREPARATORY COURSE BY NASA KHAN …
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MRCS PART-A ONLINE PREPARATORY COURSE BY NASA KHAN MOCK EXAM-1
PAPER – 1 (SBA – Single Best Answer)
TOTAL MARKS – 180
DURATION – 180 MINUTES
(Please use the supplied Look-a-like Answer Sheet)
1. The axillary nerve passes directly inferior to which muscle as it leaves the axilla?
A ) Long head of triceps
B ) Long head of biceps
C ) Pectoralis major
D ) Subscapularis
E ) Teres minor
2. A 35-year-old man presents to A+E complaining of severe pain in his lower back after lifting a heavy box
at work. The pain radiates to his right buttock and thigh. He has had no urinary symptoms. On examination
he can straight leg raise to 90 degrees on the left side but only to 30 degrees on the right. Sciatic stretch test
is positive. He has difficulty plantarflexing his right ankle and has abnormal sensation on the plantar aspect
of the foot. His right ankle reflex is absent but all other reflexes are normal. There is no other sensory
disturbance. The likely diagnosis is?
A ) Cauda equina syndrome
B ) L3/L4 disc prolapse
C ) L4/L5 disc prolapse
D ) L5/S1 disc prolapse
E ) Old Shuerman's disease
3. A 40-year old lady presents to clinic complaining of an 18 month history of dorsoradial wrist pain. She is a
keen tennis player. On examination she has tenderness localized to the dorsoradial aspect of the wrist and
passive motion of the thumb causes crepitus in the same region. Finkelstein's test is positive. The likely
diagnosis is:
A ) Carpal tunnel syndrome
B ) De Quervain's trenosynovitis
C ) Golfer's elbow
D) Tennis elbow
E) Ulna tunnel syndrome
4. A 46-year-old man presents after penetrating injuries to his arm and forearm. He is unable to extend his
fingers. There is no sensory disturbance and there is no vascular injury. Which nerve has been damaged?
A ) Anterior interosseous nerve
B ) Median nerve
C ) Posterior interosseous nerve
D ) Radial nerve
E ) Ulnar nerve
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5. A 29-year-old male presents with symptoms of severe gastro-oesophageal reflux. Which one of the
following is most useful in assessing the role of surgery?
A ) Cardiac sphincter manometry
B ) Gastric emptying study
C ) Intragastric pH monitoring off therapy
D ) Oesophageal motility study
E ) Oesophageal pH monitoring on therapy
6. Which one of the following organs is in direct contact with the anterior surface of the left kidney, without
being separated from it by peritoneum?
A ) Duodenum
B ) Jejunum
C ) Pancreas
D ) Spleen
E ) Stomach
7. A publication assesses a new diagnostic test for thyroid cancer. Which of the following terms would reflect
the number of cases of thyroid cancer correctly identified by this new test?
A ) Accuracy
B ) Negative predictive value
C ) Positive predictive value
D ) Sensitivity
E ) Specificity
8. A 65-year-old woman presented with a malabsorption syndrome. She had a past history of radiotherapy
for cervical cancer. Small intestine biopsy reveals - villous atrophy and crypt hypertrophy, chronic
inflammatory cell infiltrate of the lamina propria together with increase in intra-epithelial lymphocytes. What is
the most likely diagnosis?
A ) Bacterial overgrowth
B ) Coeliac disease
C ) Crohn's disease
D ) Mesenteric ischaemia
E ) Radiation enteropathy
9. A 72-year-old male presented to his GP with depression after the death of his wife. His notes also reveal
that he has a two-year history of urinary hesitancy and poor stream. His GP prescribed him some medication
and the following day he developed acute urinary retention. Which of the following drugs is most likely to
have precipitated the urinary retention?
A ) Amitriptyline
B ) Diazepam
C ) Fluoxetine
D )Venlafaxine
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E ) Zopicl one
10. Which of the following regarding Helicobacter pylori is false?
A ) Infection may elevate serum gastrin
B ) It is the cause of > 90% of duodenal ulceration
C ) It is associated with gastric adenocarcinoma
D ) Eradication of the infection is curative in gastric MALT lymphoma
E ) It is a Gram positive spiral flagellated organism
11. A study comparing contrast CT colonography with the reference technique of colonoscopy for large
bowel carcinoma reveals the following data in 400 patients:
Investigation CT Positive CT Negative
Colonoscopy Positive 30 10
Colonoscopy negative 20 340
Which one of the following most accurately describes the performance of CT versus colonoscopy for the
diagnosis of large bowel cancer?
A ) There are 340 false negatives
B ) There are 370 false negatives
C ) There are 10 false positives
D ) There are 20 false positives
E ) There are 20 true negatives
12. You are asked to provide advice on a 35-year-old woman who is admitted under the maxillo-facial
surgeons for extraction of wisdom teeth. The only concern was that she had developed prolonged bleeding
following a tooth extraction 10 years previously and had required suturing. Besides this, she gave no other
history of bleeding. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A ) Factor IX deficiency
B ) Factor V Leiden
C ) Factor XII deficiency
D ) Primary antiphospholipid syndrome
E ) Von Willebrand's Disease
13. A 70-year-old woman is referred by a with a breast lump. She was asymptomatic but her investigations
reveal:
Corrected calcium :2.72 mmol/L (2.2 - 2.6)
Phosphate :0.80 mmol/L (0.8-1.4)
Alkaline phosphatase :110 U/L (20 - 95)
PTH concentration :5.1 pmol/L (0.9-5.4)
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A ) Bony metastases
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B ) Chronic vitamin D excess
C ) Ectopic PTH related peptide (PTHrp) secretion
D ) Multiple myeloma
E ) Primary hyperparathyroidism
14. A 76-year-old gentleman is admitted with a significant lower fresh blood GI bleed. Following endoscopic
examination of upper and lower GI tracts it is established he has bleeding from the sigmoid colon. The bleed
is ongoing and attempt at radiological embolization is carried out.Which of the following statements best
describes the anatomy of the vessel needing embolization?
A) An anterior branch of the aorta arising at the level of L1
B) An anterior branch of the aorta arising at the level of L3
C) Lateral branch of the aorta arising at Ll
D) Llateral branch of the aorta arising at L3
E) Lateral branch of the aorta arising at T12
15. A 69-year-old gentleman presents with loin pain and frank haematuria. After investigation he is
diagnosed with a renal cell carcinoma. Which is the most common mode of initial dissemination of renal cell
carcinoma?
A) Along the renal vein
B) Multiple lung metastases that regress after resection of the primary
C) To the IVC
D) To the ureter
E) Solitary lung metastases
16. A 76-year-old man presents with weight loss, dark urine, and pale stools which are difficult to flush away.
An excess of which of the following would account for this history?
A) Conjugated bilirubin
B) Hyperbilirubinaemia
C) Stercobilinogen
D) Unconjugated bilirubin
E) Urobilinogen
17. A 28-year-old female presents eight weeks post-partum with a painful, swollen, erythematous right
breast. On examination there is fluctuance in the right upper outer quadrant adjacent to nipple areolar
complex. The overlying skin is red and tender. What is the most appropriate management for this patient?
A) Excision of abscess cavity
B) Incision and drainage
C) Intravenous antibiotics
D) Mammograghic guided needle aspiration
E) Ultrasound guided needle aspiration
18. This 16-year-old male is admitted with abdominal pain following an accident on a motor bike. On
examination, he has marked abdominal tenderness, a pulse of 102 bpm and a blood pressure is 100/60
mmHg. Which of the following is the likely diagnosis?
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A) Aortic rupture
B) Laceration of the kidney
C) Liver laceration
D) Ruptured duodenum
E) Splenic haematoma
19 . A 60-year-old is complaining of facial pain. Sinus X-rays were performed followed by a CT.What is the
diagnosis?
A) Cortical osteoma
B) Fracture of the frontal b one
C) Mucocele
D) Osteogenic sarcoma
E) Osteoid osteoma
20. A50-year-old complained of a fluctuant swelling on the left side of the face over the parotid region. An
ultrasound examination was requested.
A) Arterio-venous malformation.
B) Lipoma
C) Parotid cyst.
D) Pleomorphic adenoma.
E) Warthin's tumour.
21. A 25-year-old is admitted with severe abdominal pain. He had been stabbed 2 years previously. What is
the diagnosis?
A) Aortic transection
B) Partial rupture of the left hemi-diaphragm
C) Pleural haematoma
D) Pneumonia
E) Splenic haematoma
22. A patient requires a blood transfusion following joint replacement surgery. They ask you about the risks
of acquiring a transfusion related infection. Which of the following infections is currently tested for?
A) Hepatitis A
B) Human T-cell leukaemia virus (HTLV)
C) Malaria
D) Syphilis
E) Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD).
23. A 65-year-old man has locally advanced pancreatic cancer and has been paying privately for treatment
with Erlotinib (Tarceva) for the past 9 months. It has worked effectively for that period but a recent CT scan
showed further growth in the tumour. Which of the following mechanisms best explains this resistance to
treatment with Erlotinib
A) Development of antibodies to Erlotinib
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B) lack of autophosphorylation at binding site
C) Malabsorption
D) Mutated IGF- 1 receptor
E) Reduced expression of EGFR
24. A 33-year-old type 1 diabetic male presents with a two day history of pain in his left hand, fever and a
rash. This began after he pricked his finger in the garden whilst pruning a bush. His diabetic control has been
quite reasonable with a HbA1c of 7.1% (3.8-6.4) on basal bolus insulin consisting of Lispro tds and Humulin I
in the evenings. On examination he has a painful, red and swollen middle finger with the redness extending
to the metacaropophalangeal joint. He is diagnosed with cellulites and is prescribed antibiotics. What is the
most likely infective organism?
A) Escherichia coli
B) Klebsiella
C) MRSA
D) Pseudomonas aeruginosa
E) Streptococcus pyogens
25. 'Which of the following statement regarding the internal Jugular vein and relations is true'?
A) Originates at the carotid canal
B) Lies lateral to the common carotid artery
C) Passes posterior to the subclavian artery
D) Passes behind the clavicle to join the Superior vena cava
E) Passes in front of the clavicle to join the Superior vena cava
26. A 10-year-old boy of Asian descent complains of pain in the pelvis which is exacerbated by movements.
He has lost some weight over the last one month. What is the likely diagnosis?
A) Ewing's tumour
B) Osteomalacia.
C) Osteogenic sarcoma
D) Osteoid osteoma
E) Osteomyelitis
27. A firm 2-3 cm mass is palpable in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast of a 52-year-old woman.
There are no palpable axillary lymph nodes. A lumpectomy with axillary node dissection is performed and the
breast lesion is found to have positive immunohistochemical staining for HER2/neu (c-erb B2). Staining for
oestrogen and progester one receptors is negative. Which of the following additional treatment options is
most appropriate, based upon these findings?
A) Radical mastectomy
B) St John's wort
C) Tamoxifen
D) Trastuzumab
E) Vancomycin
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28. Carcinoid tumours of the lung (bronchial adenomas) originate from which of following cell types?
A) Ciliated cell
B) Clara cell
C) Kulchitsky (K) cell
D) Mucus (goblet) cell
E) Type 2 Alveolar cell
29. An experienced group of surgeons report on a randomised placebo-controlled trial comparing a particular
carotid surgery technique as compared to a sham operation. Their study concludes that 'using this advanced
surgical technique reduces the risk of stroke from 4.3% to 3.8% (p<0.05)'.What has this study proved about
the surgical Procedure?
A) Acceptability
B) Effectiveness
C) Efficacy
D) Safety
E) Usefulness
30. A 68-year-old female with terminal bowel cancer is receiving optimal doses of morphine sulphate
therapy. Which of the following effects may be expected with the addition of a partial opioid agonist?
A ) Increased analgesia
B ) Increased respiratory depression
C ) Increased sedation
D ) No change
E ) Reduced analgesia
31. A 30-year-old woman has a right mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection for a carcinoma
diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology. The histological pattern is that of a poorly differentiated
carcinoma that is negative for oestrogen and progester one receptors, but is positive for HER2/neu- one
axillary lymph node demonstrates micrometastases. Her 32-year-old sister is found to have a similar lesion.
Which of the following statements regarding risk factors for this lesion is the most appropriate?
A) A history of late menarche is likely to be present in females in this family
B) Fibrocystic changes were present for many years
C) She had a history of exposure to hydrocarbon compounds
D) She has a positive antinuclear antibody test
E) These findings suggest a BRCA-1 mutation
32. A 64-year-old man is admitted with central epigastric pain. Abdominal X-ray shows a central dilated
bowel loop. His temperature is 37.O°C, pulse 130 beats per min, blood pressure 80/50 mmHg, respiratory
rate 29/min and SpO2 90 on air. His Full blood count reveals:
Haemoglobin :13.0 g/dL (13.0-18.0)
White Cell Count :3.2 x 109/L (4-11 x 10
9)
Platelets :108 x 109/L, (150-400 x 10
9)
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MCV :105 fL (80-96)
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Gall st one ileus
B) Ischaemic bowel
C) Pancreatitis
D) Perforated duodenal ulcer
E) Small bowel obstruction
33. A 56-year-old male presents with generalised fatigue and upper abdominal discomfort with some weight
loss over the last six months. He has otherwise been well but admits to consuming 10 units of alcohol per
day.On examination you note 2cm hepatomegaly. Liver function tests show :
ALT :140 IU/L (5-35)
AST :150 IU/L (1-31)
Alkaline Phosphatase : 250 IU/L (45-105)
MCV : 110 fL (80-96)
Which of the following is the most likely cause of his presentation?
A) Alcoholic hepatitis
B) Chronic active hepatitis
C) Hepatoma
D) Metastatic liver disease
E) Viral hepatitis
34. A 6-year-old female presents to the emergency department in status epilepticus of 30 minutes duration.
The airway is maintained using an oropharyngeal airway and high flow oxygen is delivered. Multiple attempts
at venous cannulation are unsuccessful. The blood glucose (BM) is 5.2 mmol/L (3.0-6.0). Which of the
following therapies would be most appropriately used in this patient to terminate the seizure activity?
A) Lorazepam
B) Midazolam
C) Paraldehyde
D) Phenytoin
E) Thiopental
35. A 24-year-old female teacher collapsed in the classroom after complaining of a severe headache
associated with nausea. She had been well in the preceding few days. She had no past medical history and
did not take any regular or illicit drugs. She did not smoke or drink.On arrival in Casualty Department, her
Glasgow coma scale was 12/15 (motor 6 vocal 3 eyes 3) and there was nuchal rigidity. Her blood pressure
was 145/85 mmHg, pulse was 90 beats per minute and regular and temperature was 37. 1°C Heart sounds
were normal and chest appeared clear. Cranial nerve examination revealed no abnormalities. Fundoscopy
was normal. There were no obvious focal neurological signs on examining the peripheral nervous system,
although both plantar responses were extensor.
Investigations revealed:
Haemoglobin :12.5 g/dL (13.0-18. 0 g/dL)
White cell count :11. 0 x 109/L (4-11 x 10
9/L)
Platelets :267 x 109/L (150-400 x 10
9/L)
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Serum sodium :142 mmol/L (137-144 mmol/L)
Serum potassium :3.9 mmol/L (3.5-4.9 mmol/L)
Serum urea :5.1 mmol/L (2.5-7.5 mmol/L)
Serum creatinine :94 mol/L (60-110 mol/L)
Serum CRP :5 U/L (<5 U/L)
Fasting plasma glucose :5.4 mmol/L (3-6 mmol/L)
Serum cholesterol :3.8 mmol/L (< 5.2 mmol/L)
A CT scan of her brain was normal
A lumbar puncture was performed and yielded the following data:
Appearance Straw-coloured fluid
Opening pressure :15cmH2O (6-18 cmH20)
White cell count :6 cells/mL (<5 /mL)
Red cell count :1450 cells/mL (<5 / mL)
Protein :0.46 g/L (0. 15-0.45 g/L)
What should be the next step in the management of this patient?
A) Arrange a four-vessel cerebral angiogram
B) Arrange an MR angiogram
C) Arrange urgent MRI brain scan
D) Commence on intravenous cefotaxime and acyclovir
E) Refer to neurosurgeons for urgent assessment
36. A 41-year-old male presents with an acute onset of epigastric pain. His serum amylase on admission is
1874 U/I (NR 60-180) and he is diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. Which of the following parameters form
part of the Modified Glasgow criteria for stratifying acute pancreatitis?
A) Alkaline phosphatase
B) C Reactive protein
C) Creatinine
D) Glucose
E) PaCO2
37. A 38-year-old female is admitted as an emergency with severe right upper quadrant pain and vomiting.
On examination she is pyrexial and palpation reveals tenderness and peritonism at the level of the tip of the
9th rib. Investigations reveal:
Bilirubin : 9 µmol/L (1-22)
Amylase : 50 IU/L (50-130)
Haemoglobin : 12.8 g/dL (11.5-16.5)
Platelets :172 x 109/L (150-400 x 10
9)
White ceil-count :15 x 109/L (4-11 x10
9)
What is the likely diagnosis?
A) Acute cholecystitis
B) Acute pancreatitis
C) Ascending cholangitis
D) Biliary colic
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E) Obstructive jaundice
38. A 74-year-old female presents with an acute onset of night upper quadrant pain. On examination,
temperature is 38.5°C, pulse 115 beats per minute and blood pressure is 96/55 mmHg. Examination of her
abdomen reveals right upper quadrant tenderness. Investigations reveal:
Haemoglobin : 12.6 g/dL (11.5-16.5)
White cell count : 26.5 x 109/L (4-11 x 10
9)
Platelets : 165 x 109/L (150-400 x 10
9)
C-reactive protein : 316 mg/dL (< 10)
Abdominal X-ray : Air in the biliary tree
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Biliary colic
B) Cholangitis
C) Cholecystitis
D) Cholelithiasis
E) Gallst one ileus
39. A 35-year-old shop worker presents with pain in her calves which develops after 50 yards of walking. The
pain settles with rest. On examination she has yellow discolouration of her palmar creases. Her fasting lipid
profile reveals: Cholesterol 9.6 mmol/l (<5) Triglycerides 7.3 mmol/l (<2). What is the likely diagnosis?
A) Chylomicronaemia
B) Familial hyperlipidaemia
C) Hypoalphalipoproteinaemia
D) Type III hyperlipidaemia
E) Type IV hyperlipidaemia
40. A 49-year-old female 2 days post total thyroidectomy has developed tetany in both hands. Her corrected
serum calcium is 1.90 mmol/L (2.2-2.6). What is the most appropriate management for this patient?
A) Breathing into a brown paper bag
B) Intravenous calcium gluconate
C) Oral calcium supplements
D) Oral thyroxine
E) Surgical re-exploration of the neck and revascularisation of the paprathyroids
41. A 69-year-old male is seen in Outpatients. He reports weight loss of 1 st one over 3months but his
history is other wise unremarkable. On examination his abdomen is softwith no palpable masses. A PR
examination is normal. His blood tests show:
Haemoglobin : 8.0 g/dL (12-16)
MCV :70 fL (80-96)
Which of the following is the most appropriate investigation for this patient?
A) Abdominal X-ray and colonoscopy
B) CT scan of the abdomen and upper GI endoscopy
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C) Sigmoidoscopy upper GI endoscopy
D) Ultrasound scan of abdomen and colonoscopy
E) Upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy
42. A 38-year-old female presents with colicky night upper quadrant pain and jaundice and has noted dark
urine and pale stool for 3 days. She has had several previous episodes of pain associated with fatty meals
and on admission, her bilirubin is 120 µmol/L (1 -22) and alkaline phosphatase is 550 IU/L (45-105), The
remainder of her LFTs are normal. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Choledocholithiasis
B) Gilbert's syndrome
C) Pancreatic cancer
D) Primary sclerosing cholangitis
E) Viral hepatitis
43. An 85-year-old man weighing 80 kg is admitted as an emergency with lower abdominal pain and fever.
He is delirious, has a temperature of 39.0°C and has a blood pressure of 80/40mmHg. Urinalysis is strongly
positive for blood protein and nitrates. The microbiologist recommends the prescription of gentamycin. Which
of the following is the most appropriate dose of gentamycin to initiate for this man?
A) 40 mg single dose
B) 40 mg once daily
C) 80 mg 8 hourly
D) 80 mg 12 hourly
E) 160 mg single dose
44. Which of the following has been shown to increase the risk of prostate cancer?
A) Caucasian race
B) Exposure to cadmium
C) Family history of colon cancer
D) Low intake of animal fats
E) Occupational exposure to dust
45. A 36-year-old female who is on warfarin after suffering a deep vein thrombosis, presents with an INR of
8.2 (INR <1.4) and a conjunctival haemorrhage. The blood pressure is 125/55 mmHg, heart rate is 65 bpm
and the ECG reveals a normal sinus rhythm.Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment for this
patient?
A) FFP
B) Factor VII
C) Oral vitamin K 1 mg
D) Prothrombin complex concentrate
E) Stop warfarin only
46. A 78-year-old female who is on warfarin for atrial fibrillation presents with melaena. The blood pressure is
90/60 mmHg and the heart rate 100 bpm. Investigations show:
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Haemoglobin :9 g/L (12-16)
MCV :87fL (83-95)
INR :7.2 (<1.4)
A PR examination confirms melaena. Which is the best option for correcting the coagulopathy?
A) FFP
B) IV Vitamin K
C) Stop warfarin and give IV Vitamin K
D) Stop warfarin and give IV Vitamin K and Prothrombin complex concentrate
E) Stop warfarin
47. A 36-year-old female intravenous drug abuser is seen in the A&E department with jaundice a fever and
vague right upper quadrant pain. Prior to accepting the patient, a liver function test is requested and this
shows:
Bilirubin :170 µmol/L (1-22)
Aspartate aminotransferase :1500IU/L(1-31)
Alkaline phosphatase :220 IU/L (45-105)
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Acute cholecystitis
B) Choledocholithiasis
C) Hepatitis B
D) Pancreatic cancer
E) Sclerosing cholangitis
48. A 14-year-old boy attends the clinic with a first episode of painless jaundice after a bout of
gastroenteritis. His bilirubin is elevated at 78 µmol/l, (1 -22) but the remainder of the liver function was
normal. Interestingly, his reticulocyte count is 20%. What is the likely diagnosis?
A) Biliary atresia
B) Choledocholithiasis
C) Gilbert's syndrome
D) Hepatoblastoma
E) Viral hepatitis
49. A cohort study of 7,500 patients aimed to find out whether the use of olive oil in cooking has an impact
on cardiovascular disease. Approximately half the patients used olive oil in cooking and half used animal fat.
Which of these is a disadvantage of a cohort study?
A) It is not possible to measure the incidence/risk of a disease
B) They are susceptible to recall bias, there is a differential ability of patients to remember exposure
to a risk factor
C) They are not suitable when exposure to risk factors is rare
D) They can only provide information about one outcome
E) When the outcome of interest is rare a very large sample size is needed.
50. A 79-year-old gentleman is admitted with a history of nocturia, frequency, poor flow, hesitancy and
terminal dribbling, and retention due to benign prostatic hypertrophy is diagnosed. Insertion of a catheter
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drains 2000 mL. Whilst awaiting urological review, a check U&E has shown that his sodium level has
increased from 138 mmoL/L on admission to 155 mmol/L (137-144) and his potassium is unchanged at 3.7
mmol/L (3.5-4.9). He has been normotensive throughout his admission. What is the likely cause of this
finding?
A) Cardiac failure
B) Cirrhosis
C) Cushing's syndrome
D) Nephrotic syndrome
E) Post-obstruction diuresis
51. A trial is proposed to see whether excess alcohol use is a risk factor for osteoporosis. It is decided to
perform a case-control study rather than a cohort study. Which of these is an advantage of a case-control
study?
A) It can provide information on a wide range of outcomes
B) It is possible to measure the incidence of a disease directly
C) It is possible to study exposure to factors that are rare
D) It is relatively quick, cheap and easy to perform
E) The time sequence of events can be assessed
52. You intend to undertake a study of patients who have underg one excision of minor lumps and bumps
over the last 5 years. Specifically you wish to compare post-operative infection rates and also whether there
are any differences between the clinical diagnosis and the histological diagnosis between the differing
grades of practiti oner performing the procedure.Which of the following statements are correct concerning
this study?
A) Approval for the study must be obtained from the local ethics committee.
B) If a study had already published with exactly the same concept then this constitutes plagiarism.
C) If such a study has already been published then the investigators must obtain consent from the
original authors to replicate their work.
D) This is an audit and does not require ethical committee approval.
E) The study is flawed in its design and should not be performed.
53. A 30-year-old male becomes anuric following abdominal surgery. Investigations reveal:
Serurn urea :9.2 mmol/L (2.5-7.5)
Serum creatinine :120 µmol/L (60- 110)
What is the next single most appropriate course of action in. the management of the anuria?
A) 1L normal saline intravenously over 1 hour
B) Commence intravenous low-dose dopamine
C) Give 500ml intravenous plasma expander
D) Give an 80mg intravenous bolus of Furosemide
E) Urgent renal ultrasound
54. A 22-year-old female is admitted following severe injuries sustained in a road traffic accident. She is
communicative but in shock with low blood pressure and tachycardia. You realise that without a transfusion
she will die but she informs you that she has recently become a Jehovah's Witness and that she adamantly
refuses transfusion despite knowledge that she could die. Her distraught parents tell you that she has only
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recently joined the Jehovah's Witnesses and implore you to transfuse her, as they insist that she does not
know her own mind. Together with other intervention which she permits, what is the most appropriate action
regarding possible transfusion?
A) Declare her incompetent and transfuse.
B) Do not transfuse even if It means that she will die.
C) Get immediate psychiatric intervention to section her and then transfuse.
D) Transfuse immediately, irrespective of the patient's wishes.
E) Wait until she becomes unconscious and then get consent from her parents to transfuse.
55. You are asked to provide advice on a 35-year-old woman who is admitted under the maxillo-facial
surgeons for extraction of wisdom teeth. The only concern was that she had developed prolonged bleeding
following a tooth extraction 10 years previously and had required suturing. Besides this, she gave no other
history of bleeding. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Factor IX deficiency
B) Factor V Leiden
C) Factor XII deficiency
D) Primary antiphospholipid syndrome
E) Von Willebrand's Disease
56. A 73-year-old lady presents with abdominal pain and distension. She claims to having not opened her
bowels in the last week or passing flatus for 2 days. On examination, she appears slow and has a
temperature of 35.5°C. Abdominal x-ray shows dilated loops of small and large bowel.What is the most likely
cause of her presentation?
A) Colitis
B) Colonic cancer
C) Diverticulitis
D) Pseudo obstruction
E) Small bowel obstruction
57. A 23-year-old female is seen in the accident and emergency department. She has suffered severe
vomiting and diarrhoea over the last four days. She states that she has been unable to keep down any fluids.
Clinically she is dehydrated and she is started on an intravenous infusion. Investigations reveal a potassium
of 2.6 mmol/L (3.5-4.9). Which of the following abnormalities would you expect to see on her ECG?
A) Shortened P-R interval
B) Small P waves
C) S-T segment depression
D) Tall, tented T waves
E) Wide QRS complexes
58. This 55-year-old male presents with these lumps in his groin which have been present for about one
year and are now aching a little. He describes that on lying flat they entirely disappear. On examination
whilst lying flat no masses are palpable or seen. On standing these masses are seen and are soft and
fluctuant to palpation.What is the likely diagnosis?
A) Direct inguinal hernia
B) Femoral hernia
C) Indirect inguinal hernia
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D) Lipoma
E) Saphena varix
59. During a neurological examination of the upper limb you attempt to elicit the triceps reflex. You place the
patients arm across the chest, with the elbow flexed at 90°. The triceps tendon is struck with the tendon
hammer.Which nerve (and its nerve root) are you testing?
A) Median nerve C6
B) Median nerve C7
C) Radial nerve C5
D) Radial nerve C6
E) Radial nerve C7
60. A 44-year-old lady with a history of alcohol abuse is brought to A + E after a large haematemesis. Fluid
resuscitation is started, but it appears that bleeding is ongoing. An emergency endoscopy is arranged. The
gastroenterologist notes that she is bleeding from varices in the lower part of her oesophagus. Which vein
drains this area into the portal system?
A) Azygous vein
B) Inferior mesenteric vein
C) Left gastric vein
D) Lower oesophageal vein
E) Thoracic vein
61. Which of the following is true of the musculocutaneous nerve:
A) Is a branch of the lateral cord of the brachial plexus.
B) Leaves the plexus at the point at which it crosses the first rib.
C) Receives fibres from the 8th cervical spinal root.
D) Only contains sensory fibres.
E) None of the above
62. A 35-year-old woman presents as an emergency on the medical intake complaining of a right sided
pleuritic chest pain and shortness of breath. She had underg one a laparoscopic cholecystectomy a week
previously during which there was an iatrogenic tear in the gallbladder during mobilisation. On examination
she had a temperature of 38.2°C, a pulse of 96 bpm and respiratory rate of 24/min. There was tenderness
on palpation and dullness to percussion over the right fib margin and decreased air entry at the right lung
base. What is the diagnosis?
A) Aspiration
B) Atelectasis
C) Pneumonia
D) Pneumothorax
E) Subphrenic Abscess
63. A 64-year-old man is admitted with central epigastric pain. Abdominal X-ray shows a dilated bowel loop.
His temp. is 37.0°C, pulse 130 bpm, blood pressure 80/50 mmHg, respiratory rate 29/min, SpO2 90% on air.
His full blood count reveals:
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Haemoglobin :13.0g/dL (13.0-18.0)
White cell count :3.2 x 109/L (4-11 x 10
9)
Platelets :108 x109/L (150-400 x 10
9)
MCV :105 fL (80-96)
Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment of this patient?
A) 100% oxygen by rebreather
B) 2x 14 gauge venflons and 2 litres Hartmanns
C) Intensive care
D) Intubation and ventilation
E) Invasive monitoring
64. Your crash beep alerts you to a road traffic accident victim that has just arrived in the A&E department. In
the casualty is am 18-year-old man who is brought in by the paramedics following a RTA. He is opening his
eyes to painful stimuli, his speech is inappropriate, and he is extending his limbs to pain.What is his Glasgow
coma score?
A) 4
B) 6
C) 7
D) 8
E) 10
65. A 56-year-old man is admitted with epigastric pain after drinking heavily. He has a temperature of
36.9°C, a pulse of 95/min, a blood pressure of 85/60 mmHg, and a respiratory rate 32/min. Investigation
reveal:
Haemoglobin :12.6 g/dL (13.0-18.0)
Platelets :169 x 109/L (150-400 x 10
9)
White cell count :3.9 x 109/L (4-11 x 10
9)
Which of the following is the diagnosis?
A) Leaking aortic aneurysm
B) Multi-organ dysfunction syndrome.
C) Pancreatitis
D) Septic shock
E) Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
66. An otherwise fit 80-year-old lady presents with an 8 hour history of acutely ischaemic left upper limb.
There was no history of pain or restricted movement prior to this current episode. She has a history of atrial
fibrillation for which she has been prescribed digoxin and takes appropriate medications for hypertension. On
examination the hand is cold but movement and sensation are preserved. There is a good axillary artery
pulse but distal pulses are impalpable.What is the correct management?
A) Arrange a Duplex scan
B) Book an Outpatient Appointment for Vascular Surgery
C) Commence Heparin
D) Embolectomy
E) Thrombolysis
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67. A 66-year-old male with a history of ischaemic heart disease and peripheral vascular disease presents
with acute onset generalised abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea. What diagnosis is indicated by this
contrast study?
A) Carcinoma of transverse colon
B) Crohn's disease
C) Diverticular disease
D) Infective colitis
E) Ischaemic colitis
68. An 85-year-old lady falls whilst out shopping and injures her left upper limb. She attends A&E and an X-
Ray confirms a fracture of the shaft of her humerus. Whilst being assessed in casualty it is noted that her
forearm pulses are weak on the side of the fracture. Which artery is she likely to have damaged?
A) Axillary
B) Brachial
C) Radial
D) Subclavian
E) Ulnar
69. A 35-year-old woman is referred as an emergency with severe retrosternal and upper abdominal chest
pain. On taking a more detailed history it becomes evident that symptoms have been getting progressively
worse for 18 months and the pain is associated with progressive dysphagia, and weight loss of 2 st ones. An
endoscopy demonstrated a dilated oesophagus containing a large volume of food debris but no pathology
was observed. A contrast study was then performed. What is the likely diagnosis?
A) Achalasia
B) Angina
C) Carcinoma of the Oesophagus
D) Gastric Ulcer
E) Reflux Oesophagitis
70. A 21-year-old male is admitted with acute onset headache and is drowsy. He is opening his eyes
spontaneously, is disoriented but is localizing to painful stimuli. Which of the following is the investigation of
choice for this man?
A) Computed Tomography (CT)
B) Lumbar puncture (LP)
C) Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)
D) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
E) Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
71. During an orthopaedic examination of the hip you carry out, the following examination, The patient
stands directly in front of you. You place yours hands on their anterior superior iliac spines. You then ask
them to lift their good leg off the floor so that their weight is on the bad leg that is being examined. You note
which way the pelvis tilts. What is the name of this test?
A) Lachmann test
B) Macintosh test
C) McMurray test
D) Thomas test
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E) Trendelenberg test
72. During a neurological examination of the lower limb you attempt to elicit the knee reflex. You place your
hand under the knee, then strike the knee just below the patella whilst you watch the quadriceps muscle.
What nerve roots and nerve are involved in this reflex?
A) Femoral nerve L2, L3
B) Femoral nerve L3, L4
C) Sciatic nerve L2, L3
D) Sciatic nerve L3. L4
E) Sciatic nerve L4, L5
73. During a neurological examination of the lower limbs, you test the ankle reflex. You hold the foot in
external rotation. The knee is flexed. You strike the Achilles tendon with your tendon hammer whilst watching
the calf. Which nerve is involved and what is its nerve root?
A) Deep peroneal nerve L5, S1
B) Deep peroneal nerve S1, S2
C) Tibial nerve L5, S1
D) Tibial nerve S1,,S2
E) Tibial nerve S2, S3
74. An unconscious patient is brought into A + E as an emergency. He has been assaulted with a hammer
by an unknown individual. An emergency CT scan reveals an extradural haematoma. The CT reveals a
fracture through the night pterion.Which blood vessel has bled?
A) Anterior branch of the middle meningeal artery
B) Maxillary artery
C) Middle cerebral artery
D) Posterior branch of the middle meningeal artery
E) Posterior auricular artery
75.The following conditions all can cause a pleural effusion.Which of the following would typically cause a
transudate (<30 mg/L protein)?
A) Metastatic pancreatic cancer
B) Mesothelioma
C) Nephrotic syndrome
D) Pneumonia
E) Sub-phrenic abscess
76. A 32-year-old lady is brought to the neurosurgical ward after a subarachnoid haemorrhage is confirmed
on CT scan. A small, middle cerebral artery aneurysm is subsequently embolised. She later becomes drowsy
and less responsive. A repeat CT head shows hydrocephalus and high cerebro spinal fluid (CSF) pressure is
confirmed with an opening pressure of 26 cmH2O on lumber puncture. Roughly what is the normal circulating
volume of CSF in an adult?
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A) 20 mls
B) 50 mls
C) 150 mls
D) 500 mls
E) 1000 mls
77. You are an orthopaedic SHO in clinic. Your consultant, realising that you are about to sit your
examinations, calls you in to see a patient he has just seen. The patient has sustained an injury to a nerve in
his lower limb some time ago. When you examine the patient in front of your consultant. You note loss of
muscle bulk in the anterior and lateral compartments of the affected leg. There is loss of ankle dorsiflexion
and toe extension. The foot itself looks normal. Which is the affected nerve?
A) Femoral nerve
B) Peroneal nerve
C) Popliteal nerve
D) Sciatic nerve
E) Tibial nerve
78. An otherwise healthy 32-year-old man was the driver of a car involved in a high speed RTA 3 days ago.
He has sustained a closed fracture of his femur which has been treated surgically with an intramedullary nail,
as well as fractures of his right clavicle and left radius. He was managed according to ATLS protocol when
he attended the emergency department. On examination, he is acutely short of breath and has a
temperature of 37.5°C. The patient seems confused when you speak to him, and as you examine him, you
note petechial haemorrhages. What do you think is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Asthma attack
B) Chest infection
C) Fat embolism
D) Pulmonary embolism
E) Tension pneumothorax
79. A 27-year-old female with Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is ventilated on Intensive Care.
Her inspired oxygen is 100%, Positive End Expiratory Pressure is 15cmH2O and Peak Airway Pressure is
40cmH2O. Her arterial blood gas shows:
PaO2 :6 kPa (11.3-12.6)
PaCO2 :6.9 kPa (4.7-6.0)
SpO2 :88% (>92%)
Which further ventilatory strategy is appropriate in this case?
A) Intravenous Oxygenation (IVOX)
B) Inhaled nitric oxide therapy
C) High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation (HFOV)
D) Prone position
E) Increasing tidal volume and respiratory rate on the ventilator
80. A 69-year-old man with hypertension is admitted with severe abdominal pain and a pulsatile mass. His
blood pressure is 80/50 mmHg, a pulse of 110 bpm and capillary refill time is 3s, His urea and electrolytes
show:
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Sodium :135 mmol/L (137-144)
Potassium : 4.9 mmol/L (3.5-4.9)
Urea :18.2 mmol/L (2.5-7.5)
Creatinine :300 µmol/L (60-110)
Aims of resuscitation should be:
A) Immediate intubation and ventilation
B) Restoration of circulation to a normal systolic blood pressure to preserve kidney function
C) Restoration of normal Mean Arterial Pressure
D) Resuscitation before theatre
E) Transfer and stabilisation on HDU
81. You are asked to see a 32-year-old man diagnosed with appendicitis who is awaiting theatre, He has a
pulse of 130 bpm, a blood pressure 105/60 mmHg, respiratory rate 32/min, and his SpO2 is 96%. He is in a
lot of pain. Which of the following is the best option for managing this patient?
A) Catheterisation
B) Blood 1 unit stat
C) Expedite appendicectomy
D) Morphine 10mg intramuscularly
E) Oxygen 100% by face mask
82. 67-year-old man who is 3 days post-operation for a sigmoid colectomy. He has insulin dependent
diabetes mellitus. He complains of dizziness and faintness. His blood pressure is 80/50 mmHg, his pulse is
110 bpm, he has a respiratory rate 24/min, and he has SpO2 99% on air. His blood glucose is 18 mmol/L
(3.0-6.0 Fasting). His electrocardiogram shows ST depression of 2mm in leads II, III and AVF. Which of the
following is the initial drug therapy for this patient?:
A) Aspirin 300mg
B) Clexane lmg/kg subcutaneously
C) Clopidogrel 75mg
D) Diamorphine 2.5mg
E) Glycerol Tri-Nitrate 800mcg sublingually
83. A 67-year-old man complains of dizziness and faintness. He has insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and
he had a sigmoid colectomy 3 days previously. His blood pressure is 80/50 mmHg, his pulse 110 beats per
min, his respiratory rate 24/min, and he has SpO2 99% on air. His plasma glucose concentration is 18
mmol/l, (3.0-6.0 Fasting). Which of the following is the most appropriate investigation for this patient?
A) Arterial blood gas
B) Chest X-ray
C) Electrocardiogram
D) Serum Lactate
E) Urine ket ones
84. A 79-year-old male with critical ischaemia of his foot is awaiting below knee amputation and has lower
limb pain. He is awake and lucid with normal observations. His Full Blood Count shows:
Haemoglobin :12.0 g/dL (13.0-18.0)
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White Cell Count :14. 0 x 109/L (4-11 x 10
9)
Platelets :67 x 109/L (150-400 x 10
9)
Which of the following is the best option for pain relief?
A) Diclofenac 50mg per oral
B) Epidural analgesia
C) Femoral nerve block
D) Morphine 10mg intravenously
E) Tramadol 50mg per oral
85. A 74-year-old man with ischaemic heart disease is in the surgical High Dependency Unit following a
Hartmanns procedure. He is in pain. He has drained 100/200/300 mis of blood into his drains in the last 3
hours. His blood pressure is 110/80 mmHg, his pulse105 beats/min, he has a respiratory rate 32/min, SpO2
100% on oxygen by face mask.
Haemoglobin :8.1 g/dL (13.0-18.0)
White Cell Count :4.5 x 109/L (4-11 x 10
9)
Platelets :132 x 109/L (150-400 x 10
9)
Which of the following is the next most appropriate therapeutic intervention?
A) 2 units of packed red blood cells
B) 1000mls of crystalloid stat
C) Morphine 5mg intravenously
D) Reassurance
E) Return to theatre
86. A 64-year-old man is admitted with central epigastric pain. Abdominal X-ray shows a central dilated
bowel loop. Temperature 38.4°C; pulse 130 beats per min; blood pressure 80/50 mmHg; respiratory rate
29/min; SpO2 90 on air. His Full blood count:
Haemoglobin :13.0 g/dL (13.0-18.0)
White cell count :3.2 x 109/L (4-11 x 10
9)
Platelets :108 x 109/L (150-400 x 10
9)
MCV :105 fL (80-96)
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Leaking aortic aneurysm
B) MODS
C) Pancreatitis
D) Septic shock
E) SIRS
87. A 70 year-old male is admitted with haematemesis. He Is currently being treated With warferin for atrial
fibrillation and his INR returns as 10 (<1.4). Which of the following is the most appropriate immediate
treatment of his INR?
A) Cryoprecipitate
B) Fresh frozen plasma
C) Intravenous vitamin K
D) Oral vitamin K
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E) Recombinant Factor VIII concentrate
88. A 7-year-old female presents with an angulated left elbow following a fall from a swing. Examination
reveals a cold left hand with no brachial, radial or u1nar pulses palpable. A plain radiograph of the elbow
reveals a displaced left humeral supracondylar fracture. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial
management?
A) Backslab plaster and review in fracture clinic
B) Heparinisation
C) Manipulation of the fracture under anaesthetic
D) Open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture
E) Surgical exploration of the left brachial artery
89. A 28-year-old female presents eight weeks post-partum with a painful, swollen, erythematous right
breast. On examination there is fluctuance in the right upper outer quadrant adjacent to nipple areolar
complex. The overlying skin is red and tender. What is the most appropriate management for this patient?
A) Excision of abscess cavity
B) Incision and drainage
C) Intravenous antibiotics
D) Mammograghic guided needle aspiration
E) Ultrasound guided needle aspiration
90. A 51 -year-old female is 4 hours post wide local excision of the left breast and axillary node clearance for
breast cancer. She complains of increasing pain from the left breast. On examination the breast is swollen
and tender. Only one drain has been placed in the axilla. What is the most appropriate management in this
case?
A) Analgesia and Observe
B) Stop low molecular weight heparin
C) Surgical wash out and control and Haemostasis
D) Ultrasound guided needle Aspiration
E) Unguided needle Aspiration
91. A 58-year-old female 4 hours post-total thyroidectomy has developed acute shortness of breath. On
examination the patient is visibly distressed and has stridor. Removing the dressings reveals a large
haematoma deep to the wound. Which of the following is the most appropriate immediate management?
A) Cricothyroidotomy
B) Immediate endotracheal intubation
C) Immediate removal of the skin clips and deep sutures at the bed side
D) Immediate shift to theatre
E) Tracheostomy
92.A 60-year-old male is admitted with a two day history of lower abdominal pain and marked vomiting. On
examination he has abdominal swelling, guarding and numerous audible bowel sounds. What is the
diagnosis?
A) Gallst one ileus.
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B) Ischaemic colitis
C) Large bowel obstruction
D) Sigmoid volvulus.
E) Small bowel obstruction
93. A middle-aged woman presents with recent changes in her bowel habits. She is investigated as a case of
sporadic colonic carcinoma.
A) APC gene mutation
B) β-catenin suppression
C) Down-regulation of p27
D) K-ras suppression
E) p53 upregulation
94. A 53-year-old male is admitted via the accident and emergency department. His main presenting
complaint is severe upper abdominal pain. During the history taking he says he has lost his job within the last
few months and his alcohol intake has been steadily increasing is a result. He is currently drinking over 1
bottle of vodka a day. His admission bloods show a serum amylase of 902 IU/L (50-150). Which of the
following blood tests is NOT part of the Glasgow criteria, for assessing the severity of an attack of
pancreatitis?
A) Albumin
B) Arterial blood gas
C) Calcium
D) CRP
E) LDH
95.A-70-year-old lady has previously had an ileostomy formed three years ago. She presents again because
of upper abdominal pain, vomiting and absence of any output or flatus from the stoma. A CT reveals free
fluid around the small bowel loops. Adhesions are suspected as a cause for the obstruction and a decision is
made to take the patient to theatre. You are asked to consent the patient. What would you NOT include on
die consent form as a potential risk?
A) Anaesthetic risks
B) Anastamotic leak
C) Haemorrhage
D) Splenectomy
E) Stoma formation
96. A patient needs central venous access for total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which of the following is the
cleanest site for placement?
A) Left femoral
B) Left internal jugular
C) Right femoral
D) Right internal jugular
E) Right subclavian
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97. A ten-month-old male baby with haemophilia is brought to the Accident and Emergency by his parents
with a 36-hour history of intermittent episodes of inconsolable crying and vomiting. The parents say the
baby’s stools are mixed with blood. On examination, a sausage-shaped mass is palpable over the right side
of abdomen. Per rectal examination reveals an empty rectum but blood is noticed in the glove of the
examining finger.From the options below choose the ONE which you think is the most likely diagnosis in this
patient:
A) Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis
B) Intestinal atresia
C) Intussusception
D) Meckel's diverticulum.
E) Meconium ileus
98. A 44-year-old cyclist is brought to the Accident and Emergency department after he was hit by a car in a
country road. On examination, he appears dyspnoeic and restless. His blood pressure is 106/78 mmHg,
pulse rate is 116/min and respiratory rate is 20/min. On examination of his chest, the trachea is pushed to
the right, the left lung is hyper-resonant to percussion, and there is reduced air-entry in the left lung fields.
From the options below choose the ONE which you think is the most likely diagnosis in this patient:
A) Cardiac tamponade
B) Diaphragmatic rupture
C) Aortic rupture
D) Tension pneumothorax
E) Flial chest
99. A 71-year-old woman presents to the Accident and Emergency department with a three month history of
vague lower abdominal pain, abdominal distension and absolute constipation. On further questioning she
says that she has noticed some blood in her stools, change in bowel habits and a sense of incomplete
evacuation of the bowel. She has lost 2 st ones in weight in the past three months. On examination, the
abdomen is soft but a mass is felt over the left iliac fossa. Plain abdominal X-ray reveals a markedly dilated
colon. From the options below choose the one which you think is the most likely diagnosis in this patient:
A) Crohn's disease
B) Diverticular disease
C) Left-sided colonic carcinoma
D) Sigmoid volvulus
E) Ulcerative colitis
100. A 56-year-old lady who is on long-term non-steroidal drug treatment for arthritis is brought to the
Accident and Emergency department with a 12-hour history of sudden onset epigastric pain, nausea and
vomiting. On examination, she is pale, anxious and lies still. Her blood pressure is 110/80 mmHg and her
pulse rate is 108/min (regular). Abdominal examination reveals severe tenderness over the epigastric region,
generalised guarding and a board like rigidity. An erect chest X-ray reveals gas under the diaphragm. From
the options below choose the ONE which you think is the most likely diagnosis in this patient:
A) Acute cholecystitis
B) Acute pancreatitis
C) Adhesive small bowel obstruction
D) Perforated peptic ulcer
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E) Ruptured left dome of diaphragm
101. A 34-year-old woman presents to the Accident and Emergency department with a 2-day history of
severe right-sided abdominal pain, increased temperature associated with chills and rigors. She also
complains of burning micturition. She had underg one cystoscopy six days ago. On examination, her
temperature is 39.3º C, has warm and sweaty peripheries, and is tender over her right loin region. Urine
microscopy reveals pus cells and casts.From the options below choose the ONE which you think is the most
likely diagnosis in this patient:
A) Acute glomerul onephritis
B) Goodpasture syndrome
C) Hydroneprosis
D) Pyelonephritis
E) Urinary tract infection
102. A 43-year-old gentleman presents, to the Accident and Emergency unit with severe stabbing type of
pain over the epigastric region. The pain started following episodes of repeated vomiting and it worsens on
swallowing. He is a heavy drinker and has been consuming 10- 15 units of alcohol everyday for the past 20
years. On examination, his blood pressure is 100/78 mmHg, and his pulse is 124/min and thready. Chest x-
ray reveals air in the mediastinum and in the subcutaneous tissues. There is no change in the anatomical
contour of the diaphragm. From the options below choose the most appropriate cause for this patient's signs
and symptoms:
A) Acute cholecystitis
B) Boerhaave's syndrome
C) Diaphragmatic rupture
D) Myocardial contusion
E) Traumatic haemothorax
103. A 43-year-old woman presents to the Accident and Emergency department with an 8-hour history of
severe right upper -quadrant pain and vomiting. She says that the pain exacerbates on breathing and is
radiating to her right scapula. On examination, she is pale and mildly jaundiced. Her pulse rate is 104/min
and temperature is 38.8º C. Abdominal examination reveals a tender mass over the right hypochondrium.
She says that she used to get this type of pain following a fatty meal, although not this severe. Serum
amylase is not elevated. From the options below choose the ONE which you think is the most likely
diagnosis in this patient:
A) Acute appendicitis
B) Acute cholecystitis
C) Acute pancreatitis
D) Cirrhosis of the liver
E) Gall stones
104. A 77-year-old man is brought to the Accident and Emergency department with a 2-hour history of
severe peri-umbilical pain radiating to the back. On examination, he is anxious, pale, sweaty and mildly
cyanosed. His pulse rate is 126/min and blood pressure is 80/60 mmHg. Abdominal examination reveals a
slightly tender mass just to the left of the umbilicus. Bowel sounds are normal. His bilateral femoral pulses
are very feeble. From the options below choose the ONE which you think is the most likely diagnosis in this
patient:
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A) Acute diverticulitis
B) Acute pancreatitis
C) Adhesive small bowel obstruction
D) Perforated sigmoid colon
E) Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
105. A 53-year-old pedestrian is brought to the Accident and Emergency department after he was hit on a
crossing by a car travelling at about 30 mph. He has numerous bruises and lacerations over his left chest
wall. On examination, he appears pale and anxious. His blood pressure is 90/64 mmHg, heart rate is
116/min, respiratory rate is 20/min and his jugular venous pressure is elevated. Trachea is central and
breath sounds are normal bilaterally but the heart sounds are muffled. A chest radiograph shows fractured
4th, 5th and 6th ribs on the left side and an enlarged cardiac silhouette.From the options below choose the
ONE which you think is the most likely diagnosis in this patient:
A) Traumatic haemothorax
B) Ruptured thoracic aorta
C) Cardiac tamponade
D) Diaphragmatic rupture
E) Tension pneumothorax
106. A-65-year-old man is transferred from the local psychiatric hospital as an emergency and is said to be
suffering with abdominal pain and constipation. He is unable to provide a meaningful history and the only
notes supplied are a drug chart containing a number of psychiatric medications and laxatives. Examination
reveals a distended but minimally tender abdomen with a hyper-resonant percussion note. What is the
diagnosis?
A) Caecal volvulus
B) Colonic carcinoma
C) Diverticular disease
D) Sigmoid volvulus
E) Small bowel obstruction
107. A 45-year-old male presented to the A&E department with a colicky abdominal pain, vomiting and a
painful groin lump. On examination, he had a pulse of 110 bpm, and temperature of 37.8ºC. There was
marked abdominal distension, high-pitched bowel sounds and an erythematous, tender mass in the left groin
above and medial to the pubic tubercle. White cell count 14.7 x109/L (4-11 x10
9) What is the next step in
management?
A) Apply local pressure to the swelling to reduce it
B) Elective surgery
C) Emergency surgery
D) Nil by mouth, naso-gastric tube and intravenous drip
E) Reassurance and OPD appointment
108. A 65-year-old man presents as a emergency with a sudden onset tender mass in the left lower
quadrant. His past medical history includes valve replacement for rheumatic heart disease and he takes
regular warfarin. He has also recently been on a course of erythromycin for a chest infection as he has a
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penicillin allergy. On examination there is a tender mass to the left of the midline which appears to become
more prominent on lifting the patients head from the bed. Investigations show:
Haemoglobin 8.9 g/dL (12-16)
INR 7.2 (<1.4)
A CT abdomen is performed. Report is awaiting.
What is the likely diagnosis?
A) Carcinoma of Colon
B) Diverticular Abscess
C) Lymphoma
D) Rectus Sheath Haematoma
E) Spigelian Hernia
109. A 24-year-old man is referred to you from the A&E unit. When you attend casualty he is sitting forward
holding his abdomen and complaining of severe epigastric pain. He has vomited on several occasions. On
examination he has marked epigastric tenderness and an amylase requested by the casualty officer returns
as 2100 IU/L and you suspect acute pancreatitis. You ph one the registrar who is in clinic and he asks for the
Imrie/Glasgow score.Which of the following factors is not relevant to the score?
A) Albumin
B) Amylase
C) Lactate dehydrodgenase
D) Urea
E) White cell count
110. A 55-year-old gentleman is admitted with central colicky abdominal pain. The pain has been present for
6 days and is getting worse. He has also noticed the passage of watery diarrhoea for 3 days prior to
presentation. Past medical history includes angina and peripheral vascular disease and he is a current
smoker. Examination reveals generalised tenderness which is most marked over the left colon. An
abdominal x-ray study is performed: What is the likely diagnosis?
A) Colonic carcinoma
B) Crohn's disease
C) Ischaemic colitis
D) Infective colitis
E) Ulcerative colitis
111. A 40-year-old male complains of swelling in the neck. What is the likely diagnosis?
A) Branchial cyst.
B) Carotid artery aneurysm.
C) Carotid body tumour.
D) Lymphocoele
E) Necrotic lymph node.
112. A 5-year-old male has presented to the emergency department with diarrhoea and vomiting of 2 days
duration, which has recently stopped. His normal body weight is 18kg. He has been resuscitated with
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intravenous fluids but requires intravenous crystalloid maintenance fluids to be prescribed as he refuses oral
intake. Which of the following is the normal maintenance fluid rate per hour in crystalloids for this patient?
A) 36 ml / hour
B) 56 ml / hour
C) 76ml / hour
D) 540 ml / day
E) 1500 ml / day
113. In relation to the oxygen dissociation curve, which of the following factors shifts the curve to the right?
A) Carbon monoxide poisoning
B) Fall in 2,3 DPG
C) Fall in PH
D) Fall in temperature
E) Rise in PH
114. A four-year-old child is admitted to A&E. The child has been rushed to the unit by her grandparents who
are looking after the child, as the parents are at a friend's wedding overseas, and cannot be contacted. The
child is examined and investigations are performed. A provisional diagnosis of a possible ruptured appendix
is made, and the surgical team are called. After further review, the surgical team request to speak to the
child's parents in order to obtain their authority to perform surgery. The child continues to deteriorate. What is
the most appropriate action in this case?
A) The surgeon declines to take the child to theatre, as they are unable to obtain parental
authorisation
B) The surgeon accepts authorisation from the grandparents who state that they do not have
parental responsibility
C) The surgeon performs surgery without authorisation in the child's best interests
D) The surgeon speaks with the charge nurse in A&E who signs the consent form
E) Surgeon, asks that, as the parents are unable to be contacted that a call is made to social
services
115. A baby is admitted on the neonatal unit. When making up an infusion, it is noted that the weight of the
baby has been entered on the drug chart as 13.7kg, but is known to be a premature baby, who is 4 days old.
The baby is reviewed and the observation chart checked. It is confirmed that the weight should be 1.37kg. It
is noted that a number of infusions are already running.What is the most appropriate action in this case?
A) Change the weight on the drug chart, crossing out the incorrect weight
B) Leave the unit immediately as you had no previous involvement in the case
C) Promptly put matters right regarding drugs being administered to the baby then discuss your
concerns with a senior colleague and report the incident
D) Speak with the nurse looking after the baby and change the rate of the infusions running
E) Speak with the parents of the baby and inform them that the baby has had a reaction to the
drugs
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116. This nerve is a direct continuation of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus. It receives contributions
from C5, C8 and TI. It exits the axilla by leaving the posterior wall, tranversing the triangular space of the
arm.
A) Axillary nerve
B) Median nerve
C) Long thoracic nerve
D) Lower subscapular nerve
E) Radial nerve
117. A 44-year-old man was involved in a head on car crash at 70 mph during which his car burst into
flames. On admission he has a BP 96/65 mmHg; heart rate 130/min regular and has oliguria. After initial
resuscitation his injuries are noted to be: 40% burns; compound fracture of the left tibia; and fracture
dislocation of the right hip. His baseline investigations of note include:
Hb :7.5 g/dL (13.0-18.0)
pH :7.1 (7.36-7.44)
Potassium :6.1 mmol/L (3.5-4.9)
Which of the following is an explanation for his potassium level?
A) Insulin therapy
B) Rhabdomyolysis
C) Steroid therapy
D) SIADH
E) Vomiting
118. A motorcyclist is involved in an RTA and sustains a closed fracture of his left tibia. This is stabilised with
an external fixator. You are called to see him some hours later because of unbearable pain in his leg. You
use a manometer to measure the pressures in his muscle compartments and the reading in the extensor
compartment is 40mmHg. He is taken to theatre for emergency fasciotomy. Which of the following would you
encounter in the extensor compartment?
A) Deep peroneal nerve
B) Peroneus brevis
C) Peroneus longus
D) Sural nerve
E) Tibial nerve
119. A 45-year-old male is found to have a 2cm right adrenal adenoma which was noted coincidentally
following abdominal CT scan performed for investigation of abdominal pain. There are no abnormalities on
examination and the patient is quite well with a blood pressure of 122/84 mmHg. Urine catecholamines are
normal, urine free cortisol normal and plasma renin activity: aldoster one ratio is normal. Which is the most
appropriate management step for this patient?
A) Arrange PET scan
B) Arrange adrenalectomy
C) Characterise further with MRI
D) Repeat imaging in 6 months
E) Reassure and discharge
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120. A 42-year-old man is seen in the clinic reporting lethargy, nausea and vomiting and weight loss. On
examination he is hypotensive and there is pigmentation of his palmar skin creases and of an old
appendicectomy scar. Routine biochemistry reveals:
Potassium 5.8 mmol/L (3.5-4.9)
Sodium 131 mmol/L (137-144)
What is the likely diagnosis?
A) Addison's disease
B) Conn's syndrome
C) Cushing's syndrome
D) Hypopituitarism.
E) Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome
121. Which of the following structures would be seen as a posterior relation of the first part of the duodenum
on a CT scan?
A) Abdominal aorta
B) Main pancreatic duct
C) Portal vein
D) Superior mesenteric vessels
E) Transverse colon
122. During an endoscopy, as the tip of the endoscope descends through the thorax, which of the following
structures are on the left hand side of the oesophagus?
A) Azygous vein
B) Left bronchus
C) Thoracic duct
D) Thoracic vertebra
E) Trachea
123. A 65-year-old man is undergoing surgery for a tumour of his stomach. Before dissection can start, the
surgical anatomy has to be identified. You identify the communicating cavity between the greater and lesser
sacs in the abdomen. Which of the following forms the lower boundary of this area?
A) First part of duodenum
B) Hepatic artery
C) Portal vein
D) Quadrate lobe of the liver
E) Second part of the duodenum
124. An obese 43-year-old lady is undergoing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Access is extremely difficult,
and the operation is hampered by bleeding which seems to be a result of arterial damage. The operating
surgeon converts to an open procedure. The bleeding is presumed to be coming from the cystic artery. To
gain temporary haemostasis, the surgeon decides to press on the hepatic artery. Where should he press?
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A) Anterior wall of the foramen of Winslow
B) Caudate lobe of the liver
C) First part of the duodenum
D) Fundus of the gallbladder
E) Posterior wall of the foramen of Winslow
125. An 18-year-old boy was admitted with RIF pain. On a recent visit to the dentist he had problems with
bleeding after a tooth extraction. A clotting screen was requested which showed a prolonged APTT, normal
PT and bleeding time. A further coagulation screen showed low levels of factor VIII.
A) Haemophilia A
B) DIC
C) Ehlors-Danlos Syndrome
D) Haemophilia B
E) Von Willebrand Disease
126. A 30-year-old gentleman was in an industrial accident leading to 60% burns requiring intensive care
and surgery. A coagulation screen revealed a prolonged APTT, PT and low levels of fibrinogen.
A) Haemophilia A
B) DIC
C) Haemophilia B
D) Von Willebrand Disease
E) Vit K Deficiency
127. A 65-year-old gentleman was admitted with a two month history of jaundice, pale stool, dark urine and
bruising following minimal trauma. A coagulation screen revealed a prolonged APTT and PT.
A) Haemophilia A
B) DIC
C) Ehlors-Danlos Syndrome
D) Von Willebrand Disease
E) Vit K Deficiency
128. A 20-year-old Caucasian man presents with a 6 month history of upper abdominal pain and leg ulcers.
He was noted to be jaundiced by his family. Investigations showed a slight rise in bilirubin and mild anaemia,
An ultrasound scan of the abdomen showed evidence of splenomegaly. What is the likely diagnosis?
A) Sickle cell anaemia
B) Hereditary spherocytosis
C) Iron Deficiency anaemia
D) Sidroblastic anaemia
E) Thalassaemia
129. A 30-year-old gentleman of African origin was admitted with severe back pain. Investigations revealed
a normocytic normochromic anaemia with a high reticulocyte count
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A) Sickle cell anaemia
B) Iron Deficiency anaemia
C) Sidroblastic anaemia
D) B12 deficiency
E) Pernicious anaemia
130. A 60-year-old gentleman is transfused two units prior to surgery. Within thirty minutes of its
commencement he starts complaining of feeling generally unwell with back pain and shortness of breath.
Observations reveal hypotension, reduced saturations and pyrexia.
A) Air Embolism
B) Thrombophlebitis
C) Haemolytic reaction
D) Hyperkalaemia
E) Iron overload
131. A 75-year-old lady who has had four units of blood prior to surgery is found to have peaked T waves
and a slightly prolonged QRS complex on an ECG.
A) Thrombophlebitis
B) Anaphylaxis
C) Haemolytic reaction
D) Hyperkalaemia
E) Iron overload
132. An 80-year-old lady with a history of ischaemic heart disease is transfused three units, Following this
she starts complaining of increasing shortness of breath. It is noted that her saturations have dropped and
on examination she had bilateral basal crackles.
A) Air Embolism
B) Thrombophlebitis
C) Anaphylaxis
D) Hyperkalaemia
E) Circulatory overload
133. A 70-year-old gentleman was admitted with difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain and vomiting. Past
medical history included a gastrectomy for carcinoma. Initial investigations showed a macrocytic anaemia
and thrombocytopenia.
A) Sickle cell anaemia
B) Iron Deficiency anaemia
C) Sidroblastic anaemia
D) B12 deficiency
E) Pernicious anaemia
134. A 84-year-old man is admitted on the surgical intake complaining of jaundice, weight loss, dark urine
and urticaria. He drinks 30 units of alcohol per week. On examination he is found to have a palpable
gallbladder. Admission bloods include the following LFTs:
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Bilirubin :156 µmol/L (1-22)
ALT :68 U/L (5-35)
Alkaline Phosphotase :1896 U/L (45-105)
What is the most likely diagnosis from the list below?
A) Cholangiocarcinoma
B) Cholecystitis
C) Cholelithiasis
D) Liver cirrhosis
E) Pancreatic carcinoma
135. A 75-year-old lady presents on the acute general surgical take with severe left iliac fossa pain.
Examination reveals a pyrexia and localised tenderness in the left iliac fossa. She is treated conservatively
with broad spectrum antibiotics and settles over the next 1 week. On review in the out-patient department 3
months later she reports that she has had recurrent urinary tract infections and has pneumaturia.What is the
most likely underlying diagnosis?
A) Colorectal cancer
B) Diverticular disease
C) Ulcerative colitis
D) Crohn's disease
E) Fistula in ano
136. Which among the following statements concerning the lymphatic drainage of the colon is incorrect?
A. Lymph from the intermediate mesocolic lymph nodes drain to the principal nodes
B. Lymph from the caecum drains into the principal nodes at the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery
C. Lymph from the ascending colon passes to the superior mesenteric lymph nodes
D. Lymph from the descending colon passes to the intermediate colic lymph nodes along the left colic artery
E. Lymph from the transverse colon passes to the lymph nodes that lie along the middle
colic artery
137. Which of the following statements regarding renal function is correct?
A. The optimum urine output in an adult in the postoperative period should be 0.1 mL/kg/hour
B. Oliguria in the postoperative period is defi ned as a urine output of less than 25 mL/hour for 2 consecutive
hours
C. Intravenous furosemide should be promptly instituted in a postoperative surgical patient with low urine
output for more than 3 hours
D. A rise in serum creatinine is one of the earliest signs of impending renal failure
E. Pre-existing renal disease is an important cause for postoperative renal dysfunction
138. Which of the following is not a histological feature of malignant tumours?
A. Increased mitosis
B. Pleomorphism
C. Hyperchromatism
D. A decrease in the nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio
E. Focal areas of haemorrhage and necrosis
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139. A 5-year-old girl is thrown off a swing and lands on her right leg,which becomes tender and swollen.
She is brought to the Emergency Department where radiography demonstrates a fracture of the distal tibia,
which seems to be through a well-defined radiolucent area with sclerotic edges. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Bone cysts
B. Bone metastasis
C. Chondrosarcoma
D. Ewing’s tumour
E. Osteosarcoma
140. A 70-year-old lady presents to the Emergency Department with sudden-onset epigastric pain. Her blood
pressure is 110/80 mmHg and her pulse rate is 110/min (regular). The only ailment in her medical history is
osteoarthritis. Plain abdominal radiography is normal. An erect chest radiograph shows gas under the
diaphragm. A rectal examination reveals melaena. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Ureteric colic
B. Crohn’s disease
C. Adhesive small bowel obstruction
D. Perforated peptic ulcer
E. Acute pancreatitis
141. Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding the physiological effects following
trauma/surgery?
A. A raised basal metabolic rate results in proteolysis in the absence of calorifi c intake
B. In sepsis or shock, hypoglycaemia may ensue in the diabetogenic state
C. Serum ketone levels are usually high
D. Proteolytic states result in a negative nitrogen balance
E. There is a tendency towards sodium retention
142. A 38-year-old man sustains major trauma to multiple organs in a road traffic accident. He is admitted to
intensive care, where he is fully ventilated. His presentation is soon complicated by septic shock, for which
he is commenced on noradrenaline, continuous veno-venous haemofiltration and intravenous antibiotics. His
mean arterial pressure remains at 60 mmHg and does not improve after his noradrenaline is changed to
adrenaline. There is no evidence of myocardial dysfunction. What would be the most appropriate next step in
managing this patient?
A. Activated protein C
B. Change of inotropes
C. Dexamethasone
D. Hydrocortisone
E. Nitric oxide
143. A 34-year-old secretary presents to the Emergency Department after sustaining multiple penetrating
injuries to her right upper limb. Careful examination reveals no vascular injury to the limb, and sensory
function remains intact. On examination of motor function, however, finger extension is severely limited.
Which nerve is most likely to have been damaged?
A. Anterior interosseous nerve
B. Medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve
C. Musculocutaneous nerve
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D. Posterior interosseous nerve
E. Radial nerve
144. Which of the following is not true about insulin?
A. It increases glucose uptake in tissues
B. It increases the uptake of amino acids and lipids in tissues
C. It stimulates glycogenesis
D. It increases protein catabolism
E. It stimulates lipid oxidation
145. A 60-year-old smoker with apical lung cancer has signs and symptoms of Horner’s syndrome. Which of
the following is not a feature of Horner’s syndrome?
A. Ptosis
B. Miosis
C. Enophthalmos
D. Loss of ciliospinal refl ex
E. Loss of lacrimation
146. A 5-year-old boy presents to his GP with a 1-week history of progressively worsening left hip pain and
limping. The GP suspects Perthes’ disease and reassures the boy and his parents. Which imaging modality
is most likely to detect the earliest changes of Perthes’ disease?
A. Plain radiography
B. Computed tomography
C. Magnetic resonance imaging
D. Ultrasonography
E. Radioisotope bone scanning
147. A 45-year-old diabetic man is referred to the Emergency Department by his GP for recurrence of a
previously drained perianal abscess. He is admitted for examination under anaesthesia, which reveals the
presence of a fistula draining the abscess cavity. The abscess is clearly visible at 7 o’clock in the lithotomy
position. What is the most likely location of the internal opening of the fistula
tract?
A. At 12 o’clock (i.e. anterior to the anus)
B. At 3 o’clock (i.e. left of the anus)
C. At 6 o’clock (i.e. posterior to the anus)
D. At 7 o’clock (i.e. the fi stula tract is in a straight line from the abscess cavity)
E. At 9 o’clock (i.e. right of the anus)
148. A 30-year-old female undergoes a total pancreatectomy for severe necrotizing pancreatitis that does
not respond to conservative therapy. Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding the
physiological effects of total pancreatectomy on this patient?
A. Protein malnutrition and negative nitrogen balance ensues from a loss of proteolytic proenzymes
B. The patient is likely to develop diabetes mellitus
C. Loss of fat emulsifi cation will result in the malabsorption of vitamins A, C, D, and K
D. The patient is at a higher risk of developing iron defi cient anaemia
E. The patient has a higher risk of developing osteoporosis
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149. Which of the following is not a necessary topic when obtaining informed consent from a patient before
an invasive investigation or intervention?
A. Explanation of the likely benefi ts and the probabilities of success
B. The purpose of a proposed investigation or treatment
C. Advice about whether the proposed treatment is experimental
D. Comparative figures of the surgeon’s rate of complications against the national rate of complications
E. Other options for investigation or management of the condition
150.. A urologist performs a radical cystectomy for locally advanced bladder malignancy in an elderly
gentleman. Which of the following statements about the anatomy of the urinary bladder is correct?
A. A peritoneal fold separates the bladder from the pubic symphysis
B. The bladder is related superomedially to the levator ani muscle
C. The external iliac veins drain the venous plexus of the bladder
D. The transitional cell epithelium of the bladder is derived from ectoderm
E. The bladder is located in the abdomen in young children
151. Which of the following statements is not true regarding the secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)?
A. Osmoreceptors situated in the hypothalamus are sensitive to increasing plasma osmolarity
B. Baroreceptors situated in the atria of the heart are sensitive to circulating blood volume
C. Stretch receptors situated in the carotid arteries are stimulated when the blood pressure rises
D. Head injury stimulates ADH secretion
E. Prolonged hypoxia can lead to oliguria and hyponatraemia
152. A 70-year-old male presents with lower urinary tract symptoms. A diagnosis of benign prostatic
hyperplasia is made. Which of the following could be a likely presenting feature in the patient?
A. Phimosis
B. Enlarged posterior lobes of prostate
C. Retrograde ejaculation
D. Vaginal hydrocoele
E. Detrusor atony
153. A 79-year-old gentleman with multiple medical comorbidities is undergoing excision of a basal cell
carcinoma from his periorbital region under local anaesthesia. Which of the following medications should
preferably be stopped prior to surgery?
A. Prednisolone
B. Aspirin
C. Propranolol
D. Gliclazide
E. Bendrofl uazide
154. An 83-year-old gentleman with a history of hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, insulin-dependent
diabetes mellitus and peripheral vascular disease, suffers a transient ischaemic attack
involving temporary weakness of his left arm and left leg. Initial investigations including ECG and
transthoracic echocardiographyare normal. After complete recovery of his motor function, a carotid
duplex ultrasound scan reveals complete stenosis of his left internal carotid artery and a 71% stenosis of his
right internal carotid artery. Which of the following treatment options would be most appropriate for this
patient?
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A. Right carotid bypass
B. Right carotid endarterectomy
C. Bilateral carotid endarterectomy
D. Left carotid angioplasty
E. Left carotid endarterectomy
155. A 30-year-old male undergoes a right superficial parotidectomy. Eight months later he presents to the
outpatient department complaining of flushing and sweating of the right side of his face on eating. He is
diagnosed as having Frey’s syndrome and is listed for botulinum toxin injections. Misdirected re-innervation
of which nerve is responsible for this syndrome?
A. Greater auricular nerve
B. Facial nerve
C. Trigeminal nerve
D. Auriculotemporal nerve
E. Greater petrosal nerve
156. Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding the action of nitric oxide (NO)?
A. NO causes vasoconstriction by causing contraction of smooth muscle cells
B. NO regulates vascular remodelling
C. NO is responsible for penile erection by causing relaxation of the corpus cavernosum
D. NO prevents platelet aggregation and adhesion
E. NO plays an important function in the relaxation of the anal sphincter
157. A 30-year-old man presents with severe right loin pain radiating to his groin. He undergoes a CT scan
of his kidneys, ureters and bladder, and is diagnosed with a ureteric stone. At which anatomical site may the
stone have been impacted?
A. Pelviureteric junction
B. Point at which the iliac vessels cross the ureter
C. Vesicoureteric junction
D. All of the above
E. None of the above
158. An 85-year-old retired gentleman is referred to the Emergency Department by his GP for a 24-hour
history of melaena. The patient was commenced on warfarin 4 weeks previously, after a new
diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. The gentleman’s blood pressure is 84/59 mmHg, his heart rate is 110/min, and
his respiratory rate is 20/min. Cardiorespiratory and abdominal examinations are otherwise normal; a rectal
examination confirms melaena. Initial blood tests reveal a Hb of 8.5 g/L, MCV of 80 fL, and INR of 6.3. Which
of the following options is most appropriate for managing this patient’s coagulopathy?
A. Fresh frozen plasma only
B. Intravenous vitamin K only
C. Stop warfarin
D. Stop warfarin and administer intravenous vitamin K
E. Stop warfarin and administer intravenous vitamin K with prothrombin complexconcentrate
159. A 42-year-old asymptomatic woman undergoes an ultrasound scan of her abdomen as part of a routine
private health check-up. The ultrasound scan shows gallstones, and she is subsequently referred to the
surgical outpatient clinic. What is the treatment of choice?
A. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
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B. Repeat ultrasound
C. No treatment—reassurance and discharge
D. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
E. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
160. A 30-year-old man with a history of alcoholic liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension presents with
sudden-onset massive haematemesis. Gastroscopy reveals bleeding oesophageal varices, which are then
banded. Which one of the following is true about the anatomy of the portal venous system?
A. The portal vein arises from the confl uence of the splenic and the inferior mesenteric veins
B. The portal vein arises behind the neck of the pancreas.
C. Porto-systemic anastomoses are found only in the lower oesophagus and around the umbilicus.
D. The portal vein drains the GI tract from the upper oesophagus to the anorectal junction
E. The portal vein lies anterior to the common bile duct and hepatic artery in the lesser omentum
161. Which of the following is not true about the cardiac cycle?
A. The cardiac cycle lasts about 0.8 seconds
B. Atrial contraction contributes to about 30% of atrial fi lling
C. During exercise there is disproportionate shortening of ventricular relaxation
D. Isovolumetric contraction is initiated by the QRS complex
E. The T wave corresponds to reduced ventricular ejection
162. A 19-year-old man is brought to the Emergency Department after being found unconscious outside a
pub. On examination he has a GCS of 3 with a blood pressure of 116/84 mmHg and pulse rate of 94/min. He
smells heavily of alcohol. He is noted to have bilateral periorbital haematomas and bruising over the right
mastoid process. There appears to be serosanguinous discharge from his right nostril and right ear.
Otoscopic examination of the right ear reveals blood behind the tympanic membrane. What is the most likely
diagnosis in this patient?
A. Le Fort I fracture
B. Le Fort II fracture
C. Le Fort III fracture
D. Basal skull fracture
E. Extradural haemorrhage
163. A 45-year-old male presents to his GP with groin lumps on both sides. Examination reveals firm bilateral
inguinal lymphadenopathy. The GP attempts to recall the lymphatic drainage of the region in order to
suggest potential causes for this. Which one of the following anatomical structures does not drain to the
superficial inguinal lymph nodes?
A. Perineum
B. Feet
C. Scrotum
D. Testicle
E. Lower anal canal
164. A 55-year-old patient presents to her GP with a longstanding history of nausea. Which of the following
statements is incorrect regarding the mechanisms associated with mediating nausea?
A. Stimulation of chemoreceptors and stretch receptors of the gut are transmitted by the afferent vagal
nerves to produce nausea
B. The chemoreceptor trigger zone senses potentially toxic chemicals in the gut
C. Motion sickness is mediated through vestibular apparatus
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D. Disequilibrium caused by alcohol is mediated via the vestibular apparatus
E. Chemoreceptor trigger zone modulates complex experiences such as taste, sight, smell, memory, and
emotion involved in anticipatory nausea
165. A 10-year-old boy presents to the Emergency Department with a 24-hour history of progressive right
testicular pain. Examination reveals normal lying testes and some scrotal erythema and swelling. The right
testes, epididymis, and spermatic cord are tender, and Prehn’s manoeuvre leads to some relief of the pain.
What is the most likely diagnosis in this patient?
A. Testicular torsion
B. Epididymitis
C. Epididymo-orchitis
D. Orchitis
E. Idiopathic scrotal oedema
166. A 35-year-old-man is brought to the Emergency Department following a road traffic accident. He
demonstrates signs and symptoms of a simple pneumothorax, which is confirmed on chest radiography.
Which of the following anatomical landmarks is not useful for delineating the 'safe triangle' for chest drain
insertion in this patient?
A. Apex of axilla
B. Inferolateral border of pectoralis major
C. Anterior border of the latissimus dorsi
D. Nipple
E. Mid-clavicular line
167.Which among the following statements concerning atropine is incorrect?
A. It is a muscarinic receptor agonist
B. it leads to an increased heart rate
C. It is mostly excreted in the urine
D. It has a half-life of about 2–3 hours
E. It decreases bronchial and salivary secretions
168. Before dissection of a gastric tumour, a surgeon identifies the communicating cavity between the
greater and lesser sacs in the abdomen. Which of the following forms the inferior boundary of
this area?
A. Caudate lobe of the liver
B. First part of duodenum
C. Gastroduodenal artery
D. Hepatic portal vein
E. Third part of the duodenum
169. A 47-year-old male presents with pruritis and lethargy over the past 6 months. On examination he is
mildly jaundiced and has scratch marks over his lower limbs. Examination reveals a palpable liver edge 2 cm
below the costal margin and mild tenderness in the right upper quadrant. Blood tests reveal a normal FBC,
bilirubin 30μmol/L, ALT 115 U/L, AST 150 U/L, GGT 110 U/L, cholesterol 7.2 mmol/L, negative hepatitis
serology, a negative antinuclear antibody level, and a positive antimitochondrial antibody level. He
undergoes an ultrasound scan which shows diffuse parenchymal changes with no duct dilatation or
gallstones. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Cholangiocarcinoma
B. Haemochromatosis
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C. Primary biliary cirrhosis
D. Primary sclerosing cholangitis
E. Wilson’s disease
170. During open hepatobiliary surgery, the surgeon accidentally injures the structure directly posterior to the
second part of the duodenum whilst attempting to mobilize this segment of bowel. Which one of the following
structures is most likely to have been injured?
A. Fundus of the gallbladder
B. Hepatic portal vein
C. Hilum of the right kidney
D. Superior mesenteric artery
E. Gastric pylorus
171. A 10-month-old baby boy is brought to the Paediatric Surgical Emergency unit by his parents with a 24-
hour history of intermittent episodes of crying, vomiting, and refusal to feed. The parents say that they have
noticed the baby’s stools to be mixed with blood. On examination, a ‘sausage-shaped’ mass is palpable over
the right side of abdomen. Per rectal examination reveals an empty rectum but blood is noticed in the glove
of the examining finger. What is the most likely diagnosis in this patient?
A. Hirschsprung’s disease
B. Intussusception
C. Duodenal atresia
D. Meconium ileus
E. Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis
172. Which of the following nerves does not arise from the posterior cord of brachial plexus?
A. Upper subscapular nerve
B. Long thoracic nerve
C. Thoracodorsal nerve
D. Axillary nerve
E. Radial nerve
173. A 65-year-old man is referred to the colorectal clinic with a 2-month history of faecal urgency, tenesmus,
and diarrhoea with occasionally fresh rectal bleeding. A screening colonoscopy performed 6 months
previously was reported as normal. He has had no recent weight loss or loss of appetite. His past medical
history includes hypertension and prostate cancer, for which he received external beam radiotherapy one
year previously. Abdominal examination is unremarkable and rectal
examination does not reveal fissures, haemorrhoids, or rectal polyps. What is the most likely diagnosis in this
patient?
A. Anal fistula
B. Clostridium difficile proctitis
C. Diverticular disease
D. Radiation proctitis
E. Ulcerative colitis
174. A 45-year-old male presented to the Emergency Department complaining of a fish bone stuck in his
throat. Despite soft tissue radiographs of the neck confirming the presence of the bone, it could not be
detected during examination of the larynx with a laryngeal mirror. Eventually, endoscopic examination of the
laryngopharynx allowed for the bone to be visualized and retrieved. Which structure may have been injured if
the fish bone had pierced the mucous membrane?
A. Aryepiglottic fold
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B. Internal laryngeal nerve
C. Larynx
D. Recurrent laryngeal nerve
E. Vocal cords
175. A 55-year-old lady with polymyalgia rheumatica is brought to the Emergency Department by ambulance
for sudden onset chest pain, which started while she was driving. The pain was described as being 'ripping'
in nature and radiated to her back and jaw. Her pulse rate is 110/min, and blood pressure from her right and
left arms are 142/70 mmHg and 167/82 mmHg respectively. A portable CXR reveals a widened mediastinum
and a small pleural effusion. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Aortic dissection
B. Acute myocardial infarction
C. Boerhaave’s syndrome
D. Cardiac tamponade
E. Leaking abdominal aortic aneurysm
176. Which of the following statements concerning universal precautions in surgical practice is not true?
A. Water-repellent gowns reduce the risk of transmission of blood-borne diseases
B. Wearing rubber gloves does not protect against sharps injury
C. Needles should be re-sheathed before handing back to the scrub nurse
D. Scalpels should be passed in a kidney bowl
E. Fixed retraction devices reduce the risk of injury due to sharp objects
177. A 35-year-old male undergoes a terminal ileal resection for Crohn’s fistulation. Which of the following
conditions is least likely to occur as a result of his operation?
A. Vitamin C defi ciency
B. Gallstones
C. Subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.
D. Macrocytic anaemia
E. Diarrhoea
178. An 80-year-old osteoporotic female presents to the Emergency Department after having slipped and
fallen on her outstretched right arm. After she is diagnosed with a Colles’ fracture, she undergoes
manipulation under anaesthesia and is eventually discharged home in a cast. At her two-week follow-up in
the fracture clinic, she is found to be unable to move her thumb away from the rest of her hand (i.e. in the
same plane as her hand), whilst her palm is resting flat on the table. Which of the following structures is she
most likely to have damaged?
A. Abductor pollicis longus
B. Extensor pollicis longus
C. Abductor pollicis brevis
D. Radial nerve
E. Median nerve
179. Which of the following options represents the commonest clinical manifestation of primary
hyperparathyroidism?
A. Bone disease
B. Constipation
C. Pancreatitis
D. Polyuria
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E. Renal stone disease
180. A 3-year-old boy is brought to the Emergency Department after a television fell onto his right knee. The
child is in a lot of pain and the right knee appears swollen. Radiography of the right knee reveals a fracture of
the distal femur extending through the epiphysis, physis, and metaphysis. Which type of epiphyseal injury
has the child sustained, according to the Salter–Harris classification?
A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type IV
E. Type V
End of the Paper