Question Easy:
A 22-year-old woman comes to the GP with seasonal allergic rhinitis. She complains of sneezing, nasal congestion, and itchy eyes every spring. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial pharmacological treatment for her symptoms? 🌿🤧
A) Intranasal corticosteroids
B) Oral corticosteroids
C) Oral antihistamines
D) Decongestant nasal spray
E) Leukotriene receptor antagonists
Question Medium:
A 65-year-old man presents to the eye clinic with sudden painless loss of vision in his right eye. Fundoscopic examination reveals a pale retina with a cherry-red spot at the fovea. What is the most likely diagnosis? 👁️❌
A) Central retinal artery occlusion
B) Central retinal vein occlusion
C) Retinal detachment
D) Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy
E) Optic neuritis
Question Hard:
A 40-year-old woman presents with episodic vertigo, tinnitus, and fluctuating hearing loss in her left ear. These symptoms have been occurring over the past few months. Audiometry confirms sensorineural hearing loss. What is the most likely diagnosis? 🎧🔄
A) Vestibular neuritis
B) Meniere’s disease
C) Acoustic neuroma
D) Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
E) Otosclerosis
Explanations & Answers:
Question Easy Answer:
C) Oral antihistamines
Question Easy Explanation:
Oral antihistamines are commonly recommended as the initial pharmacological treatment for mild to moderate allergic rhinitis according to NICE guidelines. They help alleviate symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and congestion. Intranasal corticosteroids may be more effective for persistent or severe symptoms, but oral antihistamines are an appropriate starting point.
Question Medium Answer:
A) Central retinal artery occlusion
Question Medium Explanation:
A sudden painless loss of vision combined with a pale retina and a cherry-red spot at the fovea is characteristic of a central retinal artery occlusion. This condition results from an obstruction of blood flow to the retina, often due to an embolus, and is considered an ophthalmic emergency. Immediate referral to an ophthalmologist is required.
Question Hard Answer:
B) Meniere’s disease
Question Hard Explanation:
Meniere’s disease is characterized by the triad of episodic vertigo, tinnitus, and fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss. According to NHS guidelines, the diagnosis is clinical and is based on these recurring episodes. It is thought to be due to abnormal fluid dynamics in the inner ear.
Medical fact of the day:
Did you know that the human eye can detect over 10 million different colours? However, colour blindness affects approximately 4.5% of the UK population, with red-green colour blindness being the most common form.
Quote of the day:
“Each patient is a story, and every healing moment is a chapter. Keep writing your compassionate narrative, one person at a time.”