🇨🇦 MCCQE1,2 | #Case_212
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A 45-year-old white male is admitted to the intensive-care unit after being pinned in a car wreck for 2 hours. He has sustained several broken bones and crush injuries to both thighs. On admission his urine is clear but the next morning it is burgundy colored. Some fresh urine is drawn from his Foley catheter and sent for analysis, with the following results:
Specific gravity. ......... 1.020
pH............................... 6.0
Protein........................ 30 mg/dL (N 1-14)
Glucose. .................... negative
Hemoglobin................ 4+
Urobilinogen. ............. 0.1 Ehrlich Units (N 0.1-1.0)
Bile............................. negative
RBCs......................... 1-2/hpf
WBCs. ...................... 0-2/hpf
Occasional hyaline casts

You immediately order a CBC which shows his hematocrit to have dropped 4 percentage points overnight. Visual inspection of the serum shows it is clear. The color of his urine is most likely due to:

a) Myoglobinuria
b) Hematuria from trauma to the urinary tract
c) A transfusion reaction with hemolysis of RBCs and free hemoglobin into the urine
d) Hemoglobinuria resulting from reabsorption of hemoglobin from hematomas
e) Acute porphyria provoked by trauma

🇨🇦 MCCQE1,2 | #Case_212 | #answer
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✅ A

🔎 Explanation

A positive dipstick for hemoglobin without any RBCs noted in the urine sediment indicates either free hemoglobin or myoglobin in the urine. Since the specimen in this case was a fresh sample, significant RBC hemolysis within the urine would not be expected.
Myoglobin is released when skeletal muscle is destroyed by trauma, infarction, or intrinsic muscle disease.

⚠ If the hematuria were due to trauma there would be many RBCs visible on microscopic examination of the urine.

⚠ If a transfusion reaction occurs, haptoglobin binds enough free hemoglobin in the serum to give it a pink coloration. Only when haptoglobin is saturated will the free hemoglobin be excreted in the urine.

⚠ Free hemoglobin resorption from hematomas does not occur.

⚠ Porphyria may cause urine to be burgundy colored, but it is not associated with a positive urine test for hemoglobin

🇨🇦 MCCQE1,2 | #Case_213
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You are called to evaluate a term newborn in the delivery room. The pregnancy and delivery were uneventful, but the baby has remained cyanotic despite routine delivery room care. A
hyperoxia test is performed; the results of which are printed below:
FiO2 = 0.21, PaO2 = 30
FiO2 = 1.00, PaO2 = 40

Which statement is the correct interpretation of the test results above?

a) The test results suggest that the baby has a cardiac defect involving restricted pulmonary blood flow or a separate circulation
b) The baby has a normal PaO2 for a newborn
c) The test results suggest that the baby has underlying neurologic disease
d) The test results suggest that the baby has a cardiac defect involving complete mixing without restricted pulmonary blood flow

🇨🇦 MCCQE1,2 | #Case_213 | #answer
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✅ A

🔎 Explanation

The hyperoxia test is used as an early tool to evaluate the cyanotic neonate to determine if the etiology of the cyanosis is cardiac or non-cardiac in origin. A right radial artery (preductal) blood gas is performed with the child inspiring room air and 100% oxygen. The change in PaO2 with the administration of oxygen issued as a guide to determine the etiology of the cyanosis. A PaO2 of less than 150 with the administration of 100% oxygen suggests a cardiac lesion. The cardiac lesions may be further classified based upon the absolute value of the PaO2. A PaO2 of less than 50 on 100% oxygen suggests a cardiac
disorder, in which there is restricted pulmonary blood flow or a separate venous and arterial circulation, whereas a PaO2 between 50 and 150 on 100% oxygen suggests that there is no restriction of pulmonary blood flow in the presence of complete mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. In this case, the PaO2 on 100% oxygen was less than 50, suggesting restricting pulmonary blood flow or a separate circulation

🇨🇦 MCCQE1,2 | #Case_214
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A 26-year-old female presents with a 1-year history of recurring abdominal pain associated with intermittent diarrhea, 5-7 days per month. Her pain improves with defecation. She denies blood in her stool and weigh loss. Laboratory tests
(including a CBC, chemistry profile, TSH level, and antibodies for celiac disease) came back normal. Which one of the following would be most appropriate at this point?

a) Colonoscopy
b) An upper GI series with small-bowel follow-through
c) Abdominal CT with contrast
d) A gluten-free diet
e) Loperamide

🇨🇦 MCCQE1,2 | #Case_214 | #answer
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✅ E

🔎 Explanation

This patient has classic symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and meets the Rome criteria by having 3 days per month of abdominal pain for the past 3 months, a change in the frequency of stool, and improvement with defecation. According to current clinical guidelines IBS can be diagnosed by history, physical examination, and routine laboratory

🇨🇦 MCCQE1,2 | #Case_215
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A 68-year-old woman comes to the office for flexible sigmoidoscopy as part of a yearly screening. A 3 cm polyp is found in the sigmoid colon and is removed. She returns now to the office, 6 hours later, complaining of left lower quadrant pain, fever, nausea and vomiting. Vital signs are: temperature 38.1°C (100.6°F), pulse 110/min, respirations 26/min and blood pressure 120/60 mm Hg. Abdominal examination discloses bowel sounds, tenderness and guarding in the left lower
quadrant. Rectal examination shows no stool and only tenderness superiorly The most appropriate next step is to:

a) Obtain an angiogram to rule out intestinal ischemia
b) Obtain immediate consultation with a surgeon
c) Pass a soft rubber rectal tube under fluoroscopy
d) Repeat the flexible sigmoidoscopy in order to evaluate the operative site
e) Start hydrocortisone, intravenously, to decrease any inflammatory response

🇨🇦 MCCQE1,2 | #Case_215 | #answer
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✅ B

🔎 Explanation

The physical findings described clearly suggest a probable colon perforation at the site of the polypectomy, and therefore surgical consultation is warranted. There is no reason to suspect ischemia, and any further instrumentation of the colon is contraindicated. The patient should be prepped for probable surgery with antibiotics and not hydrocortisone since she is already at risk for peritonitis

🇨🇦 MCCQE1,2 | #Case_216
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A 47-year-old female presents to your office with a complaint of hair loss. On examination she has a localized 2-cm round area of complete hair loss on the top of her scalp. Further studies do not reveal an underlying metabolic or infectious disorder. Which one of the following is the most appropriate initial treatment?

a) Topical minoxidil
b) Topical immunotherapy
c) Intralesional triamcinolone
d) Oral finasteride
e) Oral spironolactone

🇨🇦 MCCQE1,2 | #Case_216 | #answer
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✅ C

🔎 Explanation

These findings are consistent with alopecia areata, which is thought to be caused by a localized autoimmune reaction to hair follicles. It occasionally spreads to involve the entire scalp (alopecia totalis) or the entire body (alopecia universalis). Spontaneous recovery usually occurs within 6-12 months, although areas of regrowth may be pigmented differently. Recovery is less likely if the condition persists for longer than a year, worsens, or begins before puberty. The initial treatment of choice for patients older than 10 years of age, in cases where alopecia areata affects less than 50% of the scalp, is intralesional corticosteroid injections.

⚠ Minoxidil is an alternative for children younger than 10 years of age or for patients in whom alopecia areata affects more than 50% of the scalp.

⚠ While topical immunotherapy is the most effective treatment for chronic severe alopecia areata, it has the potential for severe side effects and should not be used as a first-line agent.

⚠ Finasteride inhibits 5-reductase type 2, resulting in a decrease in dihydrotestosterone levels, and is used in the treatment of androgenic alopecia (male-pattern baldness). Similarly, spironolactone is sometimes used for androgenic alopecia because it is an aldosterone antagonist with antiandrogenic effects.

🇨🇦 MCCQE1,2 | #Case_217
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A 78-year-old white male is scheduled to undergo CT with contrast. His current diagnoses include type 2 diabetes mellitus, heart failure, anemia of chronic disease, and renal insufficiency. Evidence supports the use of which one of the following to reduce the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy in this patient?

a) Intravenous furosemide
b) Ascorbic acid
c) Calcium antagonists
d) Isotonic bicarbonate infusion
e) High osmolar contrast media

🇨🇦 MCCQE1,2 | #Case_217 | #answer
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✅ D

🔎 Explanation

Prospective randomized trials examining the risk for contrast-induced nephropathy have identified significant differences between contrast agents due to their physiochemical properties. Low-osmolar or iso-osmolar contrast media should be used to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy in at-risk patients. The volume of contrast medium should be as low as possible. Evidence also supports hydration before the procedure, preferably with isotonic saline or isotonic sodium bicarbonate solution. There is limited evidence that any pharmacologic intervention will prevent contrast-induced nephropathy

🇨🇦 MCCQE1,2 | #Case_218
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A 65-year-old male presents with a 1-month history of problems passing urine. He says that his bladder will feel full when he needs to urinate, but the urine stream is weak and his bladder does not feel as if it has emptied completely. The symptoms have become increasingly severe over the past week. Other symptoms include upper respiratory congestion for 3 days which he has treated with an over-the-counter decongestant with some relief, constipation with no passage of stool in the past 9 days, and increasing low back pain incompletely relieved with ibuprofen, with associated weakness in both legs.Examination shows a healthy-appearing male who is moderately overweight. He is afebrile and vital signs are normal. There is no abdominal tenderness and no masses are detected. A rectal examination reveals a large amount of hard stool in the rectum; a markedly enlarged (4+), boggy, tender prostate gland; laxity of the anal sphincter; and numbness in the perianal area. Urinalysis shows trace protein and 10-20 WBCs/hpf. Ultrasonography shows a post-void residual volume of 250 mL (normal for age < 100). Which one of the following must be done urgently in this patient?

a) Foley catheterization
b) Hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics
c) Digital disimpaction of the rectum, and Fleet enemas until clear
d) MRI of the lumbosacral spine

🇨🇦 MCCQE1,2 | #Case_218 | #answer
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✅ D

🔎 Explanation

The differential diagnosis of urinary retention in the elderly is broad. While most causes are benign and readily treated, the physician must be vigilant in looking for conditions that require urgent intervention. This patient presents with many possible causes of urinary retention, with the most common being benign prostatic hyperplasia. Acute prostatitis, especially in a male with an enlarged prostate, is another relatively common reason for obstructive symptoms. This patient’s physical examination and abnormal urinalysis support this diagnosis, but his normal vital signs and lack of fever suggest he can be treated with an oral fluroquinolone and does not require hospital admission for intravenous therapy. Medications such as oral decongestants can contribute to urinary retention in men with enlarged prostate glands, and should be used with caution and discontinued if obstructive symptoms occur. Obstipation (severe constipation caused by intestinal obstruction) with stool impaction is another relatively common reason for urinary retention in the elderly and can be treated with manual disimpaction and enemas. In this patient, the presence of increasing low back pain and leg weakness, and the findings of anal sphincter laxity and numbness in the perianal area on examination, suggest the presence of a serious neurologic etiology such as cauda equina syndrome. Urgent diagnosis and treatment are necessary to reduce morbidity, and MRI should be performed immediately. The presence of a mildly elevated post-void residual is not an indication for urgent decompression with a Foley catheter

🇨🇦 MCCQE1,2 | #Case_219
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A 55-year-old male with coronary artery disease undergoes coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The operation is uneventful, but 2 hours after the surgery he suddenly spikes a fever to 40.0˚C (104.0˚F). The patient’s pulse rate is 110 beats/min and his blood pressure is 140/85 mm Hg. He remains on the ventilator and does not awaken during the episode. The physical examination is otherwise unremarkable except for his surgical incisions. He has no history of recent infection prior to the surgery and his WBC count is not elevated. Apart from hypertension and coronary artery disease, his past medical and surgical histories are negative. The most likely explanation for this patient’s fever is:

a) Transient bacteremia
b) Aspiration pneumonia
c) Urosepsis
d) Malignant hyperthermia
e) Post-pericardiotomy syndrome

🇨🇦 MCCQE1,2 | #Case_219 | #answer
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✅ D

🔎 Explanation

Malignant hyperthermia is an inherited myopathy in which abnormalities of skeletal-muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum cause an increase in intracellular calcium levels, resulting in sustained muscular contraction and a hypermetabolic state. This condition is most often triggered by inhalational anesthetics (e.g., halothane) or by succinylcholine, used for muscle paralysis. It results in a sudden rise in temperature, tachycardia, increased muscle tone, and eventual muscle rigidity. If unrecognized and untreated, there is a downward spiral with rhabdomyolysis, acidosis, renal failure, cardiovascular instability, and death. It usually presents in the operating room or the recovery room, and prompt recognition and treatment with dantrolene, along with cooling the patient, reduces morbidity and mortality risks. While urosepsis, pneumonia, and bacteremia are possible complications of the surgery, none of these is the most likely cause of fever in this scenario. Post-pericardiotomy syndrome (Dressler’s syndrome) occurs at least 2 weeks postoperatively and is manifested by low-grade fever and chest pain.

🇨🇦 MCCQE1,2 | #Case_220
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A 27-year-old female who recently delivered a baby girl at your department through Ceasarian section suddenly seems confused. She also presents with excessive sweating, and hand twitching. Her past medical history is significant for asthma managed with albuterol as needed. She is allergic to latex. She takes no other medications but regularly uses 2 supplements: St John’s Wort and 5-HTP. Prior to the C-section she received an epidural anesthesia with bupivacaine. Her post-surgery pain was managed with meperidine. On physical examination her vital signs are T: 39.1°C, BP: 140/90 mmHg; HR: 110/min; respirations 17/min. Knee and ankle reflexes are overactive. Clonus is noted. Which of the following is the best explanation for her current condition?

a) She has neuroleptic malignant syndrome
b) It is caused by the pre-C-section anesthesia and genetic predisposition
c) It is caused by cytokine release after child birth via C-section
d) Interaction between meperidine and supplements occured
e) She suffers from anxiety and panic attack because of her surgery

🇨🇦 MCCQE1,2 | #Case_220 | #answer
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✅ D

🔎 Explanation

This patient underwent C-section and post-surgical pain management consisted of meperidine (Demerol). Given her history of regular use of supplements such as 5-hydroxytryptophan (also known as 5-HTP) and St John’s Wort and the current symptoms she has of elevated temperature, tachycardia, altered mental status, and hyperreflexia, she most likely has serotonin syndrome (serotonin toxicity). This is a life-threatening drug reaction that may occur because of an overdose of SSRI or because of interactions between drugs, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors for example. Other drugs that have been associated with serotonin syndrome are:

✔Drugs that have direct 5-HT stimulation: Buspirone, Carbamazepine, and Triptans

✔Drugs that have direct 5-HT release from stored vesicles: MAOIs, Cocaine, Levodopa, Codeine, Dextromethorphan.

✔Decreased 5-HT reuptake: SSRI, trazodone, TCA, meperidine, amphetamine, and hypericum species such as St John’s wort

✔Decreased 5-HT degradation: MAOIs and St John’s wort

Therefore the best explanation for her current symptoms is interaction between meperidine and her supplements (choice D).

⚠ She has neuroleptic malignant syndrome (choice A) is incorrect. This patient has not been on antipsychotic medications.

⚠ Pre C-section anesthesia and genetic predisposition (choice B) is incorrect. Anesthesia that causes malignant hyperthermia in patients with genetic predisposition is usually succinylcholine when given to patients with ryanodine receptor mutations.

⚠ Cytokine release after child birth via C-section (choice C) might cause fever but it would not explain altered mental status and clonus.

⚠ Anxiety and panic attack because of surgery (choice E) is unlikely to cause the cardiovascular and CNS symptoms observed in this patient.

🔖 Key point:

Serotonin syndrome is defined based on Sternbach criteria or the Hunter criteria and this may be summarized as being
characterized by hyperthermia, tachycardia, hyperreflexia, and altered mental status. It is caused by drug interactions, especially drugs that may cause increased serotonin levels

🇨🇦 MCCQE1,2 | #Case_221
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A 68-year-old woman presents to your department with worsening dyspnea. Past medical history includes COPD, coronary artery disease, and Stage III chronic kidney disease. Her brain natriuretic peptide is 1200 pg/mL (normal < 100 pg/mL). Which of the following medications would be part of effective management of this condition?

a) Inhaled ipratropium bromide
b) Peritoneal dialysis
c) Mannitol
d) Nesiritide
e) Diltiazem

🇨🇦 MCCQE1,2 | #Case_221 | #answer
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✅ D

🔎 Explanation

This patient presents with dyspnea and has elevated brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). The BNP is secreted by the brain and heart ventricles and is elevated in traumatic brain injury, left ventricular dysfunction, and congestive heart failure (CHF). In the patient with dyspnea, overlapping or even conflicting historical, physical, and radiographic findings often hinder the differentiation between cardiac and noncardiac etiology. Initial misdiagnosis occurs in approximately 15-20% of patients presenting to the emergency department with dyspnea secondary to an acute exacerbation of CHF. This misdiagnosis may incur clinically significant morbidity and mortality. The primary value of BNP testing in the ED is its diagnostic value in the differential diagnosis of acute dyspnea and possible CHF. BNP levels > 400 pg/mL are suggestive of CHF. Since this patient has no history of traumatic brain injury and is presenting with elevated BNP, the most likely cause is decompensated CHF. Nesiritide (choice D) is a recombinant form of human BNP used to treat dyspnea due to CHF and would be part of a comprehensive management plan in the treatment of this patient. Although plasma BNP levels are increased in patients with HF, such patients are sodium avid and have increased systemic vascular resistance. Moreover, available tests for BNP may be not specific enough to differentiate measurements of active and inactive forms of BNP. Bioactive BNP forms may be low in patients with CHF. Nesiritide produces dose-dependent balanced arteriolar and venous dilation (at 13,000 pg/mL levels) and has been shown to result in rapid reduction in ventricular filling pressures and reversal of heart failure symptoms such as dyspnea. BNP measurements are not indicated in patients receiving nesiritide treatment. If BNP is used as a diagnostic marker to rule in CHF, the level must be determined before nesiritide therapy is started.

⚠ Inhaled ipratropium bromide (choice A) would be used in an acute exacerbation of COPD. The elevated BNP helps us determine the cause of dyspnea in this patient, it is cardiogenic in nature and CHF is the most likely diagnosis.

⚠ Peritoneal dialysis (choice B) would be done if the patient had end-stage renal disease or acute renal failure. No findings suggest this diagnosis in this patient.

⚠ Mannitol (choice C) is incorrect. Circulatory overload due to expansion of extracellular fluid is a serious adverse effect of mannitol. As a consequence, pulmonary edema can be precipitated in a patient with diminished cardiac reserve.

⚠ Diltiazem (choice E) is a calcium channel blocker and is contraindicated in patients with CHF and abnormal LV
ejection fraction. While measurements of LV ejection fraction of this patient are not mentioned, studies have shown that there’s a negative linear correlation between BNP and LV ejection fraction, and high BNP levels can predict decreased LV ejection fraction levels. Use of diltiazem has been shown to have negative outcomes in CHF.

🔖Key point:

BNP can be used to differentiate cardiogenic dyspnea from non-cardiogenic dyspnea. BNP levels > 400 pg/mL are suggestive of CHF. Paradoxically, nesiritide, a recombinant BNP, is used to treat dyspnea in CHF

🇨🇦 MCCQE1,2 | #Case_222
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A 43-year-old man with a 20-year history of ulcerative colitis presents to the physician with complaints of worsening bloody diarrhea, progressive fatigue, pruritus, visual disturbances, and arthralgias. On physical examination, he is found to have icteric sclera, fi nger clubbing, and several small ulcerations with necrotic edges on both legs. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) shows alternating strictures and dilations of the bile ducts. Which of the following conditions is consistent with these ERCP findings?

(A) Cholelithiasis
(B) Pancreatic carcinoma
(C) Primary biliary cirrhosis
(D) Primary hemochromatosis
(E) Primary sclerosing cholangitis