MCQ Semester 2
MCQ Semester 2
MCQ Semester 2
Upon mast cell activation and degranulation, which preformed mediator(s) is/are released within
the first few minutes?
a) Prostaglandins
b) Histamine
c) Leukotrienes
d) Tryptase
e) IL 4
William is a 70 year old man undergoing chemotherapy for the treatment of lymphoma. He presents
to hospital with fever, cough, and X-ray changes of pneumonia. His WCC is 3.2 (NR 4-9) with a
neutrophil count of 0.2 (NR 3-7). Which answer best explains why William has developed
pneumonia?
a) The low neutrophil count has rendered the complement system inactive, resulting in an
inability to opsonise bacteria.
b) The low neutrophil count has prevented transport of bacterial antigen to hilar lymph
nodes, resulting in failure to activate T and B lymphocytes
c) The low neutrophil count has blunted the local response to bacterial penetration of the
epithelium, resulting in failure to phagocytose the bacteria.
d) The low neutrophil count has resulted in a failure to produce chemokines and cytokines
that opsonise the bacteria and act as chemoattractants for other leucocytes.
The presence of which one of the following histological findings in a biopsy of the distal oesophagus
is most important for a diagnosis of Barrett’s oesophagus?
a) Eosinophils in the submucosa
b) Chronic inflammation
c) Specialised intestinal metaplasia
d) Chronic inflammation
The most common cause for asymptomatic, mildly elevated serum transaminases in Western society
is:
a) Hepatitis B
b) Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
c) Drug-induced reactions
d) Haemochromatosis
In a patient with a distal gastrectomy, which of the following deficiencies is most likely?
a) Vitamin B12
b) Folate
c) Iron
d) Calcium
Which of the following is least likely to cause predominantly zone 3 (centrilobular) liver pathology?
a) Alcohol steatohepatitis
b) Paracetamol toxicity
c) Yellow fever
d) Hypoxia
All of the following structures form the walls of the inguinal canal except?
a) The conjoint tendon
b) The aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle
c) The internal oblique muscle
d) The lacunar ligament
A 28-year-old male has the following biochemical findings 24 hours after suffering a thoracic gun
shot wound resulting in hypovolemic shock, requiring massive blood transfusion. His blood tests are:
AST 3800 U/L [5-55 U/L] Alkaline Phosphatase 69 U/L [0-130 U/L] ALT 6400 U/L [5-55 U/L] Gamma
GT 90 U/L [0-60 U/L] Bilirubin 20 micromole/L [0-18 micromole/L] LDH 1800 U/L [<220 U/L] The
most likely explanation for the liver enzyme results is:
a) halothane hepatitis.
b) hepatic vein transection.
c) transfusion reaction.
d) ischaemic hepatitis.
A 3 year old boy with recurrent severe bacterial infections would be more likely to have which of the
following immunological abnormalities?
a) A deficiency of NK cells.
b) A defect in CD8 T cell function.
c) A defect in production of MHC I molecules.
d) Antibody deficiency
A 56 year old woman is being treated with azathioprine for her problem of Crohn’s Disease.
Azathioprine acts against T cells. She presents with a localised skin rash. Which of the following
infections may have caused the skin rash due to the effect of the azathioprine?
a) Staphylococcal cellulitis.
b) Shingles (Varicella-Zoster viral infection)
c) Disseminated meningococcaemia.
d) HIV primary infection.
Which of the following would not be a likely complication of prolonged peptic ulcers?
a) Infection
b) Cancer
c) Diarrhoea
d) Gastric or duodenal perforation
e) Obstruction
Helicobacter pylori gut colonisation is commonly associated with peptic ulcer disease. After
infiltration of the mucous layer, H.pylori uses a number of mechanisms to induce inflammation
leading to gastric cell damage. Which cytotoxic factors are responsible for initiating this response?
During the gastric phase the stomach produces acid to aid food digestion. Due to the action of this
substance, the expectation is the destruction of the gastric mucosa. How does the stomach prevent
self-digestion by HCl?
a. Mucus neck cells secrete mucus creating a thick protective barrier over the epithelia
b. Prostaglandins primarily increase mucosal blood flow to epithelial cells promoting quick cell
recovery
c. Promotes the secretion of hydrogen bicarbonate from gastric epithelial cells
d. All of the above
A common treatment strategy for peptic ulcers, as a result of H.pylori infection is to prescribe two
antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole. Antibiotics assist in eradicating the
infection but how does the mechanism of action of the proton pump inhibitor assist in gastric
healing?
a. Prevents H+ secretion by inhibiting P-type H/K ATPase on the luminal surface of parietal cells
b. Prevents H+ secretion by inhibiting F-type H/K ATPase on the luminal surface of parietal cells
c. Prevents H+ secretion by inhibiting P-type H/K ATPase on the basal surface of parietal cells
d. Prevents H+ secretion by inhibiting F-type H/K ATPase on the basal surface of parietal cells
e. Prevents H+ secretion by inhibiting V-type H/K ATPase on the luminal surface of parietal cells
Long term use of ibuprofen can have significant systemic effects. How does it mechanism of action
affect gastric function?
a. Prevents the biosynthesis of prostaglandins thus reducing bicarbonate, mucus secretion and
mucosal blood flow rendering the mucosa susceptible to acid damage.
b. Non-selectively inhibits COX1 and COX2 preventing arachidonic acid conversion to
prostaglandins reducing gastric protection
c. Causes gastric bleeding by allowing resident H.pylori to destroy the gastric epithelia and
expose blood vessel
d. Selectively inhibits COX2 preventing the synthesis of prostaglandins involved in pain, fever
and inflammation.
Upon ingestion of a meal, the secretion of HCL by______ occurs when stimulated by _____. In order
of appearance select the appropriate answers.
I- Chief Cells
II- Parietal cells
III- Histamine
IV- Somatostatin
V- Gastrin
VI- Ach
PBL 2
The pancreas has a variety of roles that can be classified into either exocrine or endocrine origin. The
exocrine functions of the pancreas aid in the processing of food in the intestine. What does the
pancreatic epithelial duct cell contribute to the composition of pancreatic juice?
How does the lack of vitamin B12 and folate as a result of ileum resection lead to megaloblastic
anaemia?
a. Cannot complex with ATP preventing enzymes from working; DNA synthesis is altered
b. Promotes protein degradation; allows an increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species
c. Promotes protein degradation; prevents the absorption of enzyme cofactors
d. Gene transcription of proteins is reduced; allows an increase in reactive oxygen species
e. DNA synthesis and cell division is altered; promotes alternate mechanisms for methionine
synthesis
PBL 3
Your patient, Freda, complains of tiredness and breathing more than usual. You conduct a physical
exam and everything seems normal though she is quite pale. You perform a blood test; it shows a
decrease in RBC, decrease in iron. How can you explain the cause of the anaemia?
a. Rectal bleeding
b. Colon cancer
c. Intestinal malabsorption of folate
d. Intestinal bleeding
e. Intestinal malabsorption of iron
Haemoglobin reversibly binds to CO2 and O2, depending on the requirements of the body. What
requirements are desirable to promote O2 binding to heme?
a. Increases CO to increase O2
b. Low oxygen carrying capacity of haemoglobin
c. Low RBC count
d. Stimulates the production of reticulocytes by bone
e. Reduced energy production by aerobic respiration
PBL 4
For a child whose clinical presentation is consistent with breastmilk jaundice, where breastfeeding is
well established, what is the appropriate management?
A 10 day old baby presents with jaundice, the mother is only breastfeeding. The baby isn’t gaining
weight and the mother doesn’t need to change many diapers. How do you explain his jaundice?
Results of Liver function test of a patient are below; what is the most likely cause of the patient’s
jaundice?
Physiological jaundice typically presents in neonates after the second or third day of life. How can
you explain why unconjugated bilirubin levels rise so early in life?
a. The life span of foetal haemoglobin is shorter
b. Decreased activity of UDGT
c. Increased enteroheptatic circulation due to decreased gut motility
d. Reduced liver function
e. All of the above
Bilirubin metabolism involves numerous organs responsible for its conjugation and excretion. Which
metabolite is the common link between the enteric system and the hepatic and urinary systems?
a. Bilirubin-glucuronide
b. Urobilin
c. Stercobilin
d. Bile
e. Urobilinogen
PBL 5
I- Free radicals
II- Fat accumulation
III- Reduced oxygen availability
IV- Reduced glutathione
V- Release of cytokines
VI- Fibrosis
VII- Nodule formation
VIII- Acetaldehyde
Portal hypertension can result from cirrhosis amongst many other causes arising from pre-hepatic,
intrahepatic or post-hepatic origin. Which mechanism best describes a pre-hepatic cause?
a. Accumulation of scar tissue in space of disse increases resistance restricted blood flow
through liver re-directed blood flow through portosystemic anastomoses
b. Obstruction in the IVC increase blood flow into the liver re-directed blood flow through
portosystemic anastomoses
c. Portal vein blockage increased resistance redirected blood flow through portosystemic
anastomoses
d. Occlusion of the hepatic vein increased blood flow into the live redirected blood flow
through portosystemic anastomoses
e. Accumulation of fat increased resistance restricted blood flow through liver blood
flow directed through portosystemic anastomoses
a. Viral infection
b. NAFLD
c. Alcohol
d. All of the above
How does alcohol metabolism alter other metabolic pathways in the liver?
Which cells are primarily activated during cirrhosis that result in the deposition of collagen and
fibronectin in the space of disse?
a. Kupffer cells
b. Hepatocytes
c. Endothelial cells
d. Stellate cells
PBL 7
Two determinants of cardiac output are heart rate and stroke volume. How does the body alter
these determinants during exercise?
a. Decrease, increase
b. Decrease, decrease
c. Increase, decrease
d. Increase, increase
Two determinants of cardiac output are heart rate and stroke volume. How does the body alter
these determinants during blood loss?
a. Decrease, increase
b. Decrease, decrease
c. Increase, decrease
d. Increase, increase
Valvular lesions can result from any disease causing damage to any of the four heart valves. How
does rheumatic fever initiate the sequence of events that leads to mitral stenosis?
a. Valvular narrowing
b. Calcification and fibrosis
c. Fusion of commissure
d. Macrophage and T-lymphocyte inflammation
e. All of the above
During the cardiac cycle, pressures within the heart change during diastole and systole. In order how
does the pressure change during systole within the: aorta/pulmonary artery, atria and ventricles?
The mechanism for Frank-Starlings law describes the ability of the heart to change its force of
contraction in response to changes in venous return. How does the heart initially respond to
increased ventricular filling?
What mechanism describes the abnormal circulatory dynamics due to uncomplicated aortic
stenosis?
a. Backflow of blood into LV increased workload LV hypertrophy and increased chamber
size
b. Increased flow out of the LV during systole LA pressure Lung congestion
c. Decreased blood into LV LA pressure Lung congestion
d. Decreased emptying of LV Increased workload LV hypertrophy
Airway patency is affected by both neural mechanisms and anatomical characteristics. Which
structures commonly result in the anatomical narrowing of the upper airway which put an individual
at higher risk of obstructive sleep apnoea
a. I,II,III,IV,V
b. I, II, III,IV,VI
c. I, II,IV,V
d. All of the above
To treat mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP is the first line treatment strategy. How does
CPAP prevent apnoeic episodes?
a. Apnoeic episodes
b. Inspiration
c. Expiration
d. Inspiration and Expiration
In addition to neural control of respiration, there is also chemical control of respiration. Which
chemical changes can elicit a response in the chemosensitive area in the medulla to the dorsal
respiratory centre to increase respiration.
a. 0
b. 1
c. 2
d. 3
e. 4
At the end of the systole, how is blood prevented from leaving the heart?
a. P wave
b. PR interval
c. QRST complex
d. ST segment
e. T wave
Following autonomic stimulation by sympathetic drive, how would the ECG waveform change?
a. Increase in duration
b. Increase in amplitude
c. Decrease in duration
d. Decrease in amplitude
a. Repolarisation of Ventricles
b. Depolarisation of the Atria
c. Depolarisation of the ventricles
a. True
b. False
During atrial systole the remaining 20% of the blood is ejected from the atria to the ventricles when:
a. The atria contract and pressure in the ventricles exceeds that of the atria
b. The atria contract and the pressure in the atria exceeds that of the ventricles
c. The ventricles contract and the pressure in the ventricles exceeds that of the atria
d. The ventricles contract and the pressure in the atria exceeds that of the ventricles
What is the correct order of the electrical events resulting in depolarisation of the heart?
a. Ventricular contraction
b. Arterioles
c. Blood supply to the myocardium
d. Valves
START HERE Which of the following is true in relation to the cardiac cycle?
a. The P wave corresponds to low atrial blood volume and high ventricular pressure
b. Upon closing of the AV valves pressure in the ventricles is at its highest
c. Pressure in the atria is high at the start of ventricular systole
d. During ventricular systole pressure is low in the atria and high in the ventricles.
The absence of a P wave and an irregular heart beat would suggest a diagnosis of:
a. Pericarditis
b. Atrial fibrillation
c. Ventricular Hypertrophy
d. Ventricular ectopic beats
Blood flow to the fingers is derived predominantly from the radial artery
a. True
b. False
If a patient has a systolic blood pressure of 140mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 80mmHg. Then the
pulse pressure would be:
a. 220mmHg
b. 1.75mmHg
c. 60mmHg
d. 110mmHg
e. None of the above. Pulse pressure cant be calculated with these values
Mammals have the innate ability to redirect blood flow. In freezing conditions what would happen
to the peripheral blood vessels supplying the fingers?
a. Increased pulse amplitude, vasoconstriction, decrease blood flow and increase resistance
b. Decrease pulse amplitude, vasoconstriction, decreased blood flow and decreased resistance
c. Increased pulse amplitude, vasodilation, increase blood flow and decreased resistance
d. Decreased pulse amplitude, vasoconstriction, decrease blood flow and increased resistance
During the cardiac cycle, if the ejection fraction was increased then there would be a decrease in:
a. Pulse pressure
b. End-diastolic volume
c. End-systolic volume
d. Heart rate
e. Cardiac output
a. Isovolumetric relaxation corresponds to low pressure and high blood volume in the
pulmonary trunk
b. Isovolumetric relaxation corresponds to the S-T interval on an ECG
c. Isovolumetric relaxation corresponds to high pressure and high blood volume in the
pulmonary trunk
d. Isovolumetric relaxation corresponds to the QRS interval on an ECG
Most arterioles are innervated by adrenergic nerve fibres. These fibres are:
When air gains access to and accumulates in the pleural cavity this is known as pneumothorax. How
does the presence of air in the pleura promote lung collapse? Select all that apply.
When breathing, various muscles are used to assist with inspiration and expiration. From the list
below which muscles are involved in forced expiration?
I. Scalenes
II. Parasternal internal intercostals
III. Diaphragm
IV. Abdominal
V. Upper respiratory tract
VI. Caudal internal intercostals
VII. Rostral/Dorsal External Intercostals
VIII. Ventral/caudal external intercostals
IX. Neck and back
X. Sternocleidomastoids
Mechanical ventilation primarily involves the diaphragm during inspiration. By increasing the volume
of the chest wall, what changes in intrapleural, transpulmonary and alveolar pressure promote air
flow into the lungs? Select answer based on order of appearance.
During exercise the release of norepinephrine has a positive inotropic effect on cardiac muscle cells:
a. True
b. False
a. Increases
b. Decreases
c. No change
a. R-T interval
b. P-T interval
c. P-R interval
d. R-R interval
Parasympathetic stimulation from the vagus nerve has a negative inotropic effect on the heart:
a. True
b. False
The amount of air which moves in and out of the lungs during resting breathing is termed the:
a. Vital capacity
b. Residual volume
c. Tidal volume
d. Ventilation rate
Vital capacity can be calculated by adding together which of the following lung volumes and
capacities:
a. IRV+ERV
b. IRV+ERV=TV
c. IRV=ERV=TV=RV
d. VC cant be calculated
a. True
b. False
a. It is the maximum volume of gas that the patient can exhale during the first second
b. It is the maximum volume of gas that the patient can exhale as forcefully and as quickly as
possible
c. It is the maximum volume of gas that the patient can inhale from the point of maximal
expiration
a. The amount of gas dissolved in a liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of that
gas at a constant temperature
b. The pressure of a given mass of an ideal gas is inversely proportional to its volume
c. The volume of an ideal gas at constant pressure is directly proportional to the absolute
temperature
a. Innermost intercostals
b. Internal intercostals
c. External intercostals
d. Transverus thoracis