Question Easy:
A 60-year-old woman presents to the GP with increasing shortness of breath and swollen ankles. On examination, she has basal crackles and pitting oedema. Which of the following medications is most likely indicated to relieve her symptoms? 🚑
A) Losartan
B) Amlodipine
C) Bisoprolol
D) Furosemide
E) Aspirin
Question Medium:
A 45-year-old man presents to the A&E with severe chest pain radiating to his left arm. He is sweating profusely and appears pale. An ECG is performed and shows ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF. What is the most appropriate immediate management for this patient? ❤️
A) Oxygen therapy
B) Intravenous morphine
C) Aspirin 300 mg orally
D) Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
E) Thrombolysis
Question Hard:
A 70-year-old man with a 50 pack-year smoking history presents with chronic cough productive of dark sputum. He is noted to have clubbing of the fingers and breath sounds suggestive of coarse crackles at both lung bases. What is the most likely diagnosis? 🤔
A) Chronic bronchitis
B) Asthma
C) Bronchiectasis
D) Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
E) Lung carcinoma
Explanations & Answers:
Question Easy Answer:
D) Furosemide
Question Easy Explanation:
Furosemide is a loop diuretic often used to manage symptoms of congestion and fluid overload in heart failure, such as swelling (oedema) and breathlessness. NICE guidelines recommend diuretics for symptomatic relief in heart failure patients.
Question Medium Answer:
D) Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
Question Medium Explanation:
For a STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction), the immediate management recommended by the NHS is primary PCI, as it is associated with better outcomes compared to thrombolysis. Other steps such as aspirin administration and pain management with morphine are also important but PCI directly addresses the coronary blockage.
Question Hard Answer:
C) Bronchiectasis
Question Hard Explanation:
The presentation of chronic productive cough with dark sputum, coarse crackles at lung bases, and finger clubbing is indicative of bronchiectasis. NICE recommends considering this diagnosis in chronic cough cases with characteristic auscultatory findings and clubbing.
Medical fact of the day: Around 1 in 7 adults in the UK live with high blood pressure, yet over a third may not be diagnosed, highlighting the importance of routine checks to prevent cardiovascular complications.
Quote of the day: “In the moments when everything seems overwhelming, let your compassion be your compass, guiding you through the turbulent seas of healthcare.”