Cardiology — MCQs

A 70-year-old male patient comes into your office because of leg pain. The patient states that his calves have been hurting more and more over the last two months. The pain isn't present at rest, but the pain develops as the patient starts walking and exerting himself. He states that stopping to rest is the only thing that relieves the pain. Of note, the patient's medical history is significant for 30-pack-years of smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and a previous myocardial infarction status-post angioplasty and stent. On exam, the patient's lower legs (below knee) have glossy skin with loss of hair. The dorsalis pedis pulses are barely palpable bilaterally. Which of the following is the best initial therapy for this patient?

A 62-year-old man presents to the emergency department with increased fatigue and changes in his vision. The patient states that for the past month he has felt abnormally tired, and today he noticed his vision was blurry. The patient also endorses increased sweating at night and new onset headaches. He states that he currently feels dizzy. The patient has a past medical history of diabetes and hypertension. His current medications include insulin, metformin, and lisinopril. His temperature is 99.5°F (37.5°C), blood pressure is 157/98 mmHg, pulse is 90/min, respirations are 17/min, and oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. Cardiopulmonary exam is within normal limits. HEENT exam reveals non-tender posterior and anterior chain lymphadenopathy. Abdominal exam reveals splenomegaly and hepatomegaly. There are large, non-tender palpable lymph nodes in the patient's inguinal region. Neurological exam is notable for decreased sensation in the patient's hands and feet. He also complains of a numb/tingling pain in his extremities that has been persistent during this time. Dermatologic exam is notable for multiple bruises on his upper and lower extremities. Which of the following is most likely to be abnormal in this patient?

A 27-year-old woman presents to your office complaining of difficulty swallowing, and she describes that "there is something in the back of her throat". Furthermore, she also feels an "achy" chest pain that has been getting progressively worse over the last few weeks. She denies having any fever, shortness of breath, cough, abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea, or vomiting. The patient has a history of wrist fracture as a child, migraines, and a recent diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 67-year-old female presents to her primary care physician complaining of headaches in her left temple and scalp area, neck stiffness, occasional blurred vision, and pain in her jaw when chewing. The appropriate medical therapy is initiated, and a subsequent biopsy of the temporal artery reveals arteritis. Five months later, the patient returns to her physician with a complaint of weakness, leading to difficulty climbing stairs, rising from a chair, and combing her hair. The patient states that this weakness has worsened gradually over the last 2 months. She reports that her headaches, jaw pain, and visual disturbances have resolved. Physical examination is significant for 4/5 strength for both hip flexion/extension as well as shoulder flexion/extension/abduction. Initial laboratory work-up reveals ESR and creatine kinase levels within normal limits. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis in this patient's current presentation?

A 68-year-old male visits his primary care physician after an episode of syncope during a tennis match. He reports exertional dyspnea with mild substernal chest pain. On physical exam a systolic crescendo-decrescendo murmur is heard best at the right 2nd intercostal space. This murmur was not heard at the patient's last appointment six months ago. Which of the following would most support a diagnosis of aortic stenosis?

A 43-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 2-month history of chest pain. She describes the pain as intermittent and burning-like. She states that she has tried using proton pump inhibitors but has had no relief of her symptoms. She has had a 5-kg (11-lb) weight loss over the past 2 months. Her temperature is 36.7°C (98.1°F), pulse is 75/min, and blood pressure is 150/80 mm Hg. Examination shows tightness of the skin of the fingers; there are small nonhealing, nonpurulent ulcers over thickened skin on the fingertips. Fine inspiratory crackles are heard at both lung bases. There is mild tenderness to palpation of the epigastrium. Which of the following is most likely associated with her diagnosis?

A 23-year-old man presents with increasing neck pain for several months that does not improve with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The patient says he has had neck pain ever since he was involved in a motor vehicle accident 10 months ago. For the last 2 weeks, he says he has also noticed weakness and numbness in his hands and has difficulty gripping objects. Physical examination reveals a thermal injury that he says he got while holding a hot cup of coffee a week ago when he could not feel the warmth of the coffee mug. Strength is 4/5 bilaterally during elbow flexion and extension and wrist extension. He also has exaggerated deep tendon reflexes bilaterally and decreased sensation symmetrically on the dorsal and ventral surface of both forearms and hands. Which of the following additional findings would you expect to find in this patient?

A 62-year-old woman presents to the office because she has noticed yellowish bumps and patches on her elbows and knees that seem to come and go. Recently she noticed the same yellow bumps on her eyelids. She is a new patient and reports that she is otherwise healthy but did not have insurance until recently so she has not been to the doctor in over 8 years. Past medical history is significant for occasional headaches that she treats with aspirin. She used to smoke a pack a day for the last 20 years but recently quit. Her father died of a heart attack at the age of 55 years and her mother had a stroke at 64 and lives in a nursing home. Her blood pressure is 135/87 mm Hg, the heart rate is 95/min, the respiratory rate is 12/min, and the temperature is 37.0°C (98.6°F). On physical exam, she has multiple tan-yellow, firm papules on her knees and elbows. The papules around her eyes are smaller and soft. You discuss the likely cause of the bumps and explain that you will need to order additional tests. What test should you perform?

A 55-year-old black male otherwise healthy presents for a yearly physical. No significant past medical history. Current medications are a multivitamin and rosuvastatin 20 mg orally daily. Vitals are temperature 37°C (98.6°F), blood pressure 155/75 mm Hg, pulse 95/min, respirations 16/min, and oxygen saturation 99% on room air. On physical examination, the patient is alert and cooperative. The cardiac exam is significant for a high-pitched diastolic murmur loudest at the left sternal border. Peripheral pulses are bounding and prominent followed by a quick collapse on palpation. Lungs are clear to auscultation. The abdomen is soft and nontender. Chest X-ray is normal. ECG is significant for left axis deviation and broad bifid P-waves in lead II. Transthoracic echocardiography shows a bicuspid aortic valve, severe aortic regurgitation, left atrial enlargement and left ventricular dilatation and hypertrophy. Left ventricular ejection fraction is 45%. Which of the following is the best course of treatment for this patient?

A 70-year-old man presented to the emergency department complaining of left-sided weakness for the past 5 hours. Past medical history is significant for a previous ischemic stroke involving the right posterior cerebral artery and left-sided homonymous hemianopia. He also has a history of type-II diabetes mellitus and hypertension. He takes an 81 mg aspirin, amlodipine, atorvastatin, and a vitamin supplement with calcium and vitamin D. A brain MRI reveals a small atrophic area of the left occipital lobe and a new acute infarct involving the territory of the right middle cerebral artery. Electrocardiogram (ECG) shows normal sinus rhythm. An echocardiogram reveals mild left ventricular hypertrophy with an ejection fraction of 55%. Doppler ultrasound of the carotid arteries reveals no significant narrowing. What is the next step in the management to prevent future risks of stroke?