Cardiology — MCQs

A 52-year-old woman presents to her primary care physician complaining of 3 weeks of persistent thirst despite consumption of increased quantities of water. She also admits that she has had increased frequency of urination during the same time period. A basic metabolic panel is performed which reveals mild hypernatremia and a normal glucose level. Urine electrolytes are then obtained which shows a very low urine osmolality that does not correct when a water deprivation test is performed. Blood tests reveal an undetectable level of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Based on this information, what is the most likely cause of this patient's symptoms?

A 20-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department because of severe muscle soreness, nausea, and darkened urine for 2 days. The patient is on the college track team and has been training intensively for an upcoming event. One month ago, she had a urinary tract infection and was treated with nitrofurantoin. She appears healthy. Her temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), pulse is 64/min, and blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg. Cardiopulmonary examination shows no abnormalities. The abdomen is soft and non-tender. There is diffuse muscle tenderness over the arms, legs, and back. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 12.8 g/dL Leukocyte count 7,000/mm3 Platelet count 265,000/mm3 Serum Creatine kinase 22,000 U/L Lactate dehydrogenase 380 U/L Urine Blood 3+ Protein 1+ RBC negative WBC 1–2/hpf This patient is at increased risk for which of the following complications?

Four days after undergoing a craniotomy and evacuation of a subdural hematoma, a 56-year-old man has severe pain and swelling of his right leg. He has chills and nausea. He has type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, and was started on hemodialysis 2 years ago. Prior to admission, his medications were insulin, enalapril, atorvastatin, and sevelamer. His temperature is 38.3°C (101°F), pulse is 110/min, and blood pressure is 130/80 mm Hg. Examination shows a swollen, warm, and erythematous right calf. Dorsiflexion of the right foot causes severe pain in the right calf. The peripheral pulses are palpated bilaterally. Cardiopulmonary examination shows no abnormalities. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 10.1 g/dL Leukocyte count 11,800/mm3 Platelet count 230,000/mm3 Serum Glucose 87 mg/dL Creatinine 1.9 mg/dL Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in treatment?

A 68-year-old man presents to the emergency department complaining of difficulty in breathing for the past 2 days. He has had recurrent episodes of bacterial pneumonia in the right lower lobe during the last 6 months. His last episode of pneumonia started 7 days ago for which he is being treated with antibiotics. He has a 35-pack-year smoking history. Past medical history is significant for hypertension for which he takes lisinopril. Physical examination reveals decreased breath sounds and dullness to percussion in the right lung base. Chest X-ray reveals a large right-sided pleural effusion, and chest CT scan shows a large mass near the hilum of the right lung. Cytologic examination of pleural fluid shows evidence of malignancy. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis of this patient?

An 82-year-old man presents to the emergency department complaining of vision loss in his left eye. He states that it suddenly appeared as if a curtain was coming down over his left eye. It resolved after five minutes, and his vision has returned to normal. He has a history of coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes. What is the most likely cause of this patient's presentation?

A 30-year-old woman presents to the clinic for a 3-month history of painful hair loss. She was in her usual state of health until about 3 months ago when she started to develop some painfully itchy spots across her scalp. Since that time these spots have lost hair and scarred, with new spots continuing to form. On further questioning, she shares that, for the last couple of years, she has generally felt poorly, specifically noting intermittent fevers, muscle and joint pains, and fatigue. On physical exam, she has several erythematous and scaly plaques across her scalp. These areas have no hair growth, but some do demonstrate hyperpigmentation. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 25-year-old woman is being evaluated due to complaint of fatigue and voiding pink urine. The laboratory results are as follows: Hb 6.7 Red blood cell count 3.0 x 1012/L Leukocyte count 5,000/mm3 Platelets 170 x 109/L Reticulocyte count 6% Hematocrit 32% The physician thinks that the patient is suffering from an acquired mutation in hematopoietic stem cells, which is confirmed by flow cytometry analysis that revealed these cells are CD 55 and CD 59 negative. However, the physician is interested in knowing the corrected reticulocyte count before starting the patient on eculizumab. What value does the physician find after calculating the corrected reticulocyte count?

A 70-year-old man with a recent above-the-knee amputation of the left lower extremity, due to wet gangrene secondary to refractory peripheral artery disease, presents with weakness and dizziness. He says that the symptoms began acutely 24 hours after surgery and have not improved. The amputation was complicated by substantial blood loss. He was placed on empiric antibiotic therapy with ciprofloxacin and clindamycin before the procedure, and blood and wound culture results are still pending. The medical history is significant for type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Current medications are metformin and lisinopril. The family history is significant for type 2 diabetes mellitus in both parents. Review of symptoms is significant for palpitations and a mild headache for the past 24 hours. His temperature is 38.2°C (100.8°F); blood pressure, 120/70 mm Hg (supine); pulse, 102/min; respiratory rate, 16/min; and oxygen saturation, 99% on room air. When standing, the blood pressure is 90/65 mm Hg and the pulse is 115/min. On physical examination, the patient appears pale and listless. The surgical amputation site does not show any signs of ongoing blood loss or infection. Laboratory tests and an ECG are pending. Which of the following is the next best step in management?

A 34-year-old man comes to the physician for a follow-up examination. He has a 3-month history of a nonproductive cough. He has been treated with diphenhydramine since his last visit 2 weeks ago, but his symptoms have persisted. He does not smoke. He drinks 3 beers on the weekends. He is 177 cm (5 ft 10 in) tall and weighs 100 kg (220.46 lbs); BMI is 35.1 kg/m2. His temperature is 37.1°C (98.8°F), pulse is 78/min, respirations are 14/min, and blood pressure is 130/80 mm Hg. Pulse oximetry on room air shows an oxygen saturation of 97%. Physical examination and an x-ray of the chest show no abnormalities. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 32-year-old man is brought to the emergency department because of a 2-day history of confusion and rapidly progressive dyspnea. He has had a fever and chills for the past five days. Five years ago, he was diagnosed with hepatitis C. He has smoked two packs of cigarettes daily for 15 years and drinks one to two beers daily. He has a history of past intravenous heroin use. He appears pale, anxious, and in severe distress. His temperature is 39.3°C (102.7°F), respirations are 30/min, pulse is 59/min, and blood pressure is 80/50 mm Hg. Pulse oximetry on room air shows an oxygen saturation of 75%. Examination shows multiple linear hemorrhages underneath the nails. There are nontender maculae on both palms and soles. Fine rales are heard bilaterally on auscultation of the chest. Cardiac examination shows an S3; a grade 3/6 high-pitched decrescendo early diastolic murmur is heard along the left sternal border and right second intercostal space. An x-ray of the chest shows a normal sized heart and pulmonary edema. An ECG shows P waves and QRS complexes that occur at regular intervals, but independently of each other. A transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is most likely to show which of the following?