Question Easy:
A 55-year-old man visits his GP complaining of chest pain that starts on exertion and relieves with rest. From the options below, which is the most appropriate initial management for his condition? 😊
A) Beta-blockers
B) ACE inhibitors
C) Calcium channel blockers
D) Lifestyle modification
E) Statins
Question Medium:
A 70-year-old woman with a history of COPD presents to the Emergency Department with shortness of breath and a productive cough. Her oxygen saturation is 88% on room air. What is the most appropriate first step in managing her hypoxia? 🤔
A) Start high-flow oxygen
B) Venturi mask at 24%
C) Non-invasive ventilation
D) Intubation and mechanical ventilation
E) Oral steroids
Question Hard:
A 46-year-old man is undergoing evaluation for uncontrolled hypertension. You suspect primary aldosteronism as the underlying cause. Which of the following plasma test results would most likely support this diagnosis? 🤓
A) Increased plasma renin activity
B) Increased plasma aldosterone and decreased renin
C) Decreased plasma aldosterone and increased renin
D) Decreased plasma aldosterone and renin
E) Normal plasma aldosterone and renin
Explanations & Answers:
Question Easy Answer: D) Lifestyle modification
Question Easy Explanation: Lifestyle modifications are the cornerstone of managing stable angina as per NICE guidelines. This includes smoking cessation, dietary changes, and physical activity, serving as the first line before medical treatment is introduced.
Question Medium Answer: B) Venturi mask at 24%
Question Medium Explanation: For patients with COPD experiencing hypoxia, controlled oxygen therapy of 24-28% is recommended to avoid carbon dioxide retention. Venturi masks offer precise oxygen concentrations, aligning with NHS protocols.
Question Hard Answer: B) Increased plasma aldosterone and decreased renin
Question Hard Explanation: Primary aldosteronism is characterized by excess aldosterone production with suppressed renin levels. This finding helps distinguish it from secondary causes of hypertension, consistent with BNF guidelines for the diagnostic approach.
Medical fact of the day: The UK has taken significant strides in combating smoking as a major contributing factor to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, with smoking rates dropping from 45% in the 1970s to around 13% in recent years due to comprehensive public health campaigns and smoking cessation support.
Quote of the day: “In the heart of care and the breath of healing lies the true spirit of medicine. Keep nurturing it, for every small effort can spark hope and change.” 🌟