General Pathology Practice Questions

Q: A patient presents with tingling sensation in both legs, polyuria, and weight loss. The bone marrow aspirate findings are shown in the image. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Amyloidosis. ***Amyloidosis*** - The image shows **amyloid infiltration** in the bone marrow, characterized by amorphous, eosinophilic deposits that can surround cellular elements. - The clinical symptoms of **tingling sensation** (neuropathy), **polyuria** (renal involvement), and **weight loss** are classic manifestations of systemic amyloidosis due to deposition in nerves, kidneys, and other organs. *Multiple myeloma with renal failure* - While multiple myeloma can cause renal failure and neuropathy, the image provided is more consistent with **amyloid deposition** rather than typical plasma cell proliferation seen in myeloma. - The bone marrow aspirate in multiple myeloma would show a significant increase in **atypical plasma cells**. *Subacute combined degeneration (SACD) with Vitamin B12 deficiency* - SACD causes neurological symptoms like tingling and paresthesia, but it is due to **demyelination** of the spinal cord, not amyloid deposition. - Bone marrow findings in **Vitamin B12 deficiency** would typically show megaloblastic anemia. *Subacute combined degeneration (SACD) with diabetes* - Diabetes can cause neuropathy and polyuria, however, the bone marrow aspirate in this case is not related to diabetes. - SACD is primarily associated with **Vitamin B12 deficiency**, not directly with diabetes, although diabetic neuropathy is common.

Q: Iron in tissues is stained by:

Prussian blue. ***Prussian blue*** - The **Prussian blue reaction**, also known as **Perls' stain**, specifically detects **ferric iron (Fe³⁺)** in tissues [3]. - It forms a **bright blue precipitate** (ferric ferrocyanide) when ferric iron reacts with potassium ferrocyanide in an acidic solution. *Masson's trichrome* - This stain is primarily used to differentiate **collagen fibers** from muscle fibers, which appear blue/green and red, respectively [1]. - It does not specifically stain or identify iron deposits in tissues. *PAS* - The **Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain** is used to identify **carbohydrates** such as glycogen, mucosubstances, and fungal cell walls, which appear magenta. - It is not used for the detection of iron. *Congo red* - **Congo red** is a specialized stain used for identifying **amyloid deposits**, which appear pink-red and show apple-green birefringence under polarized light [2]. - It is not used for staining iron in tissues. **References:** [1] Cross SS. Underwood's Pathology: A Clinical Approach. 6th ed. (Basic Pathology) introduces the student to key general principles of pathology, both as a medical science and as a clinical activity with a vital role in patient care. Part 2 (Disease Mechanisms) provides fundamental knowledge about the cellular and molecular processes involved in diseases, providing the rationale for their treatment. Part 3 (Systematic Pathology) deals in detail with specific diseases, with emphasis on the clinically important aspects., pp. 25-26. [2] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Diseases of the Immune System, pp. 268-269. [3] Cross SS. Underwood's Pathology: A Clinical Approach. 6th ed. Common Clinical Problems From Liver And Biliary System Disease, pp. 394-395.

Q: A baby is being evaluated for delayed developmental milestones. On examination, the child has hepatosplenomegaly. A microscopic image of the bone marrow evaluation is shown below. What is the most appropriate treatment?

Biological therapy. ***Biological therapy*** - The image likely shows a **Gaucher cell** (macrophage engorged with glucocerebroside, characterized by a "crinkled paper" or "crumpled tissue paper" cytoplasm) [1]. This is pathognomonic for **Gaucher disease**, which presents with **hepatosplenomegaly** and **developmental delay** in infants. - The standard treatment for Gaucher disease is **enzyme replacement therapy (ERT)**, which is a form of biological therapy replacing the deficient glucocerebrosidase enzyme [2]. *Macrolides for 4 months* - Macrolides are a class of **antibiotics** used to treat bacterial infections. - They are not indicated for lysosomal storage disorders like Gaucher disease, which is a **genetic metabolic disorder** [2]. *Steroid irrigation and antihistamines* - This treatment regimen is typically associated with allergic conditions or localized inflammatory responses, such as **allergic rhinitis** or **sinusitis**. - It bears no relevance to the systemic accumulation of lipids seen in Gaucher disease. *Repeat surgery* - While splenectomy was historically performed for massive splenomegaly in Gaucher disease, it does not address the underlying metabolic defect or systemic manifestations. - Furthermore, this case does not suggest a previous surgical intervention that requires repeating, and surgery is not the primary treatment for the metabolic disorder itself. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Genetic Disorders, pp. 162-163. [2] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Genetic Disorders, p. 159.

Q: Order of drawing blood in vacutainers should be in the following sequence to prevent contamination?

Blue, Red, Violet, Grey. ***Blue, Red, Violet, Grey*** - This sequence follows the **CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) order of draw** guidelines, which are critical for preventing **cross-contamination** between additives of different vacutainers. - The order starts with tubes for **coagulation studies** (blue top with sodium citrate), followed by serum tubes (red top), EDTA tubes (violet top for hematology), and finally glycolytic inhibitor tubes (grey top for glucose). - This prevents tissue thromboplastin contamination and anticoagulant carryover that could affect laboratory test results. *Grey, Blue, Red, Violet* - This order is incorrect as it places the **grey top tube** (containing fluoride/oxalate) first, which could contaminate subsequent tubes with its additives and affect tests. - The **blue top tube** for coagulation studies should come early in the sequence to minimize tissue thromboplastin contamination. *Blue, Violet, Red, Grey* - This sequence is incorrect because the **violet top tube** (EDTA) is placed before the **red top tube** (serum). - **EDTA contamination** can chelate calcium and other cations, interfering with chemistry tests performed on serum in the red top tube. *Red, Blue, Violet, Grey* - This order is incorrect as the **red top tube** is placed first, followed by the **blue top tube** (citrate). - The blue top tube should precede tubes with clot activators to **prevent tissue thromboplastin** from contaminating coagulation samples, which would lead to falsely shortened clotting times.

Q: Order of drawing blood in vacutainers should be in the following sequence to prevent contamination:

Blood culture → Citrate → Plain → EDTA → Fluoride. ***Blood culture → Citrate → Plain → EDTA → Fluoride*** - This sequence is the recommended order of draw to prevent **cross-contamination** between different additives, which could interfere with laboratory test results. - Starting with **blood cultures** minimizes contamination risk for microbiological analysis [1], followed by tubes containing anticoagulants like **citrate** (for coagulation studies), then **plain** tubes (for serum), followed by **EDTA** (for hematology), and finally **fluoride** (for glucose). - This order prevents carryover of additives that could affect subsequent test results. *Plain → Blood culture → Citrate → EDTA → Fluoride* - Drawing a **plain tube** first is incorrect as it might introduce skin flora into the blood culture bottle if performed later. - **Blood culture** should always be drawn first to ensure sterility and prevent contamination from other tube additives [1]. *Citrate → Blood culture → Plain → EDTA → Fluoride* - Drawing the **citrate tube** before blood culture is incorrect due to the risk of introducing citrate anticoagulant into the blood culture, which could inhibit bacterial growth. - The **blood culture** bottle requires the highest priority for sterility [1]. *Blood culture → Plain → EDTA → Citrate → Fluoride* - Placing the **plain tube** before **citrate tube** is incorrect according to CLSI guidelines. - Drawing the **EDTA tube** before the **citrate tube** can lead to contamination of the citrate sample with EDTA, potentially affecting coagulation tests by chelating calcium. **References:** [1] Cross SS. Underwood's Pathology: A Clinical Approach. 6th ed. Common Clinical Problems From Cardiovascular Disease, pp. 296-297.

Q: Which of the following is an Anti-apoptotic gene?

MCL-1. ***MCL-1*** - **MCL-1 (myeloid cell leukemia sequence 1)** is a pro-survival protein belonging to the **Bcl-2 family**, which inhibits apoptosis by binding to and sequestering pro-apoptotic proteins [1]. - Its overexpression is frequently observed in various cancers, contributing to **chemoresistance** and tumor survival [2]. *BAK* - **BAK (Bcl-2 antagonist killer 1)** is a **pro-apoptotic protein** that belongs to the Bcl-2 family. - Upon activation, BAK undergoes **oligomerization** on the mitochondrial outer membrane, leading to its permeabilization and the release of pro-apoptotic factors into the cytoplasm. *BIN* - **BIN1 (Bridging Integrator 1)** is a **tumor suppressor gene** that can promote apoptosis in certain contexts, particularly when associated with DNA damage or cellular stress. - It is not primarily known as an anti-apoptotic gene but rather as a protein involved in **membrane dynamics** and cellular signaling, with roles in endocytosis and cytoskeletal regulation. *NOX-Q* - **NOX-Q** is not a commonly recognized or established gene in the context of apoptosis regulation. - The **NOX (NADPH oxidase) family** of enzymes is primarily involved in the production of **reactive oxygen species (ROS)**, which can either induce or inhibit apoptosis depending on the cellular context and concentration. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Neoplasia, p. 310. [2] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Neoplasia, pp. 310-311.

Question 1

Autosomal recessive disorders include all except :

Accepted Answer

Retinoblastoma

Answer

Hirschsprung disease

Answer

Albinism

Answer

Sickle cell anaemia

Question 2

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:

Accepted Answer

A→4  B→3  C→2  D→1

Answer

A→3  B→4  C→1  D→2

Answer

A→3  B→1  C→4  D→2

Answer

A→2  B→4  C→1  D→3

Question 3

A patient presents with tingling sensation in both legs, polyuria, and weight loss. The bone marrow aspirate findings are shown in the image. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Amyloidosis

Answer

Multiple myeloma with renal failure

Answer

Subacute combined degeneration (SACD) with Vitamin B12 deficiency

Answer

Subacute combined degeneration (SACD) with diabetes

Question 4

A child undergoes prophylactic irradiation as preparation for bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Which of the following cell types will be least affected by the radiation?

Accepted Answer

Neurons

Answer

Spermatogonia

Answer

Bone marrow

Answer

Intestinal epithelial cells

Question 5

Iron in tissues is stained by:

Accepted Answer

Prussian blue

Answer

Masson's trichrome

Answer

PAS

Answer

Congo red

Question 6

A baby is being evaluated for delayed developmental milestones. On examination, the child has hepatosplenomegaly. A microscopic image of the bone marrow evaluation is shown below. What is the most appropriate treatment?

Accepted Answer

Biological therapy

Answer

Macrolides for 4 months

Answer

Steroid irrigation and antihistamines

Answer

Repeat surgery

Question 7

Order of drawing blood in vacutainers should be in the following sequence to prevent contamination?

Accepted Answer

Blue, Red, Violet, Grey

Answer

Grey, Blue, Red, Violet

Answer

Blue, Violet, Red, Grey

Answer

Red, Blue, Violet, Grey

Question 8

Identify the correct statement regarding Amyloidosis?

Accepted Answer

Amyloid deposits have beta pleated sheet conformation

Answer

Secondary amyloidosis is AL

Answer

Amyloidosis is called so because of deposition of complex carbohydrates

Answer

All of the options

Question 9

Order of drawing blood in vacutainers should be in the following sequence to prevent contamination:

Accepted Answer

Blood culture → Citrate → Plain → EDTA → Fluoride

Answer

Plain → Blood culture → Citrate → EDTA → Fluoride

Answer

Citrate → Blood culture → Plain → EDTA → Fluoride

Answer

Blood culture → Plain → EDTA → Citrate → Fluoride

Question 10

Which of the following is an Anti-apoptotic gene?

Accepted Answer

MCL-1

Answer

BAK

Answer

BIN

Answer

NOX-Q

General Pathology — MCQs

General Pathology — MCQs

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