Gastroenterology — MCQs

A 61-year-old woman presents for a routine health visit. She complains of generalized fatigue and lethargy on most days of the week for the past 4 months. She has no significant past medical history and is not taking any medications. She denies any history of smoking or recreational drug use but states that she drinks "socially" approx. 6 nights a week. She says she also enjoys a "nightcap," which is 1–2 glasses of wine before bed every night. The patient is afebrile, and her vital signs are within normal limits. On physical examination, there is significant pallor of the mucous membranes. Laboratory findings are significant for a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of 72 fL, leukocyte count of 4,800/mL, hemoglobin of 11.0 g/dL, and platelet count of 611,000/mL. Stool guaiac test is negative. She is started on oral ferrous sulfate supplements. On follow-up, her laboratory parameters show no interval change in her MCV or platelet level, and she reports good compliance with the medication. Which of the following is the best next step in the management of this patient?

A 37-year-old man presents to his primary care provider with dysphagia. He notes that his symptoms began several weeks ago and have worsened over time. He now has trouble swallowing solids and liquids. He denies any other symptoms. He has no significant past medical history. Travel history reveals a recent trip to South America but no other travel outside the United States. His temperature is 100°F (37.8°C), blood pressure is 120/81 mmHg, pulse is 99/min, respirations are 14/min, and oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. HEENT exam is unremarkable. He has no palpable masses in his abdomen. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 74-year-old man presents to the emergency department with sudden onset of abdominal pain that is most felt around the umbilicus. The pain began 16 hours ago and has no association with meals. He has not been vomiting, but he has had several episodes of bloody loose bowel movements. He was hospitalized 1 week ago for an acute myocardial infarction. He has had diabetes mellitus for 35 years and hypertension for 20 years. He has smoked 15–20 cigarettes per day for the past 40 years. His temperature is 36.9°C (98.4°F), blood pressure is 95/65 mm Hg, and pulse is 95/min. On physical examination, the patient is in severe pain, there is a mild periumbilical tenderness, and a bruit is heard over the epigastric area. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 37-year-old man presents to the physician because of dysphagia and regurgitation for the past 5 years. In recent weeks, it has become very difficult for him to ingest solid or liquid food. He has lost 3 kg (6 lb) during this time. He was admitted to the hospital last year because of pneumonia. Three years ago, he had an endoscopic procedure which partially improved his dysphagia. He takes amlodipine and nitroglycerine before meals. His vital signs are within normal limits. BMI is 19 kg/m2. Physical examination shows no abnormalities. A barium swallow X-ray is shown. Which of the following patterns of esophageal involvement is the most likely cause of this patient’s condition?

A 52-year-old woman presents to the clinic with complaints of intermittent chest pain for 3 days. The pain is retrosternal, 3/10, and positional (laying down seems to make it worse). She describes it as “squeezing and burning” in quality, is worse after food intake and emotional stress, and improves with antacids. The patient recently traveled for 4 hours in a car. Past medical history is significant for osteoarthritis, hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus, both of which are moderately controlled. Medications include ibuprofen, lisinopril, and hydrochlorothiazide. She denies palpitations, dyspnea, shortness of breath, weight loss, fever, melena, or hematochezia. What is the most likely explanation for this patient’s symptoms?

A 42-year-old Caucasian male presents to your office with hematuria and right flank pain. He has no history of renal dialysis but has a history of recurrent urinary tract infections. You order an intravenous pyelogram, which reveals multiple cysts of the collecting ducts in the medulla. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A 50-year-old Caucasian man presents for a routine checkup. He does not have any current complaint. He is healthy and takes no medications. He has smoked 10–15 cigarettes per day for the past 10 years. His family history is negative for gastrointestinal disorders. Which of the following screening tests is recommended for this patient according to the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)?

A 74-year-old man presents to the physician with a painful lesion over his right lower limb which began 2 days ago. He says that the lesion began with pain and severe tenderness in the area. The next day, the size of the lesion increased and it became erythematous. He also mentions that a similar lesion had appeared over his left lower limb 3 weeks earlier, but it disappeared after a few days of taking over the counter analgesics. There is no history of trauma, and the man does not have any known medical conditions. On physical examination, the physician notes a cordlike tender area with erythema and edema. There are no signs suggestive of deep vein thrombosis or varicose veins. Which of the following malignancies is most commonly associated with the lesion described in the patient?

A 23-year-old woman presents with fever, chills, nausea, and urinary urgency and frequency. She says that her symptoms began 4 days ago and have progressively worsened. Her past medical history is significant for a 6-month history of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Her vital signs include: temperature 39.0°C (102.2°F), blood pressure 100/70 mm Hg, pulse 92/min, and respiratory rate 25/min. On physical examination, there is moderate left costovertebral angle tenderness. Laboratory findings are significant for the following: WBC 8,500/mm3 RBC 4.20 x 106/mm3 Hematocrit 41.5% Hemoglobin 13.0 g/dL Platelet count 225,000/mm3 Urinalysis Color Dark yellow Clarity Turbid pH 6.5 Specific gravity 1.026 Glucose None Ketones None Nitrites Positive Leukocyte esterase Positive Bilirubin Negative Urobilirubin 0.6 mg/dL Protein Trace Blood None WBC 25/hpf Bacteria Many Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis in this patient?

A 42-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department because of intermittent sharp right upper quadrant abdominal pain and nausea for the past 10 hours. She has vomited 3 times. There is no associated fever, chills, diarrhea, or urinary symptoms. She has 2 children who both attend high school. She appears uncomfortable. She is 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) tall and weighs 86 kg (190 lb). Her BMI is 32 kg/m2. Her temperature is 37.0°C (98.6°F), pulse is 100/min, and blood pressure is 140/90 mm Hg. She has mild scleral icterus. On physical examination, her abdomen is soft and nondistended, with tenderness to palpation of the right upper quadrant without guarding or rebound. Bowel sounds are normal. Laboratory studies show the following: Blood Hemoglobin count 14 g/dL Leukocyte count 9,000 mm3 Platelet count 160,000 mm3 Serum Alkaline phosphatase 238 U/L Aspartate aminotransferase 60 U/L Bilirubin Total 2.8 mg/dL Direct 2.1 mg/dL Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in diagnosis?