Board review Jan 20 2020

14-year-old female sees you for follow-up after hypercalcemia is found on a chemistry profile obtained during a 5-day episode of vomiting and diarrhea. She is now asymptomatic, but her serum calcium level at this visit is 11.0 mg/dL (N 8.5–10.5). Her aunt underwent unsuccessful parathyroid surgery for hypercalcemia a few years ago. Which one of the following laboratory findings would suggest a diagnosis other than primary hyperparathyroidism?

A 70-year-old African-American male who has been hospitalized for 2½ weeks for heart failure develops severe, persistent diarrhea. For the past 3 days he has had abdominal cramps and profuse, semi-formed stools without mucus or blood. The patient’s current medications include captopril (Capoten), digoxin, furosemide (Lasix), subcutaneous heparin, spironolactone (Aldactone), and loperamide (Imodium). He has coronary artery disease, but has been relatively pain free since undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery 4 years ago. An appendectomy and cholecystectomy were performed in the past, and the patient has since been free of gastrointestinal disease. On physical examination his blood pressure is 100/80 mm Hg, pulse 100 beats/min and regular, and temperature 37.0°C (98.6°F). He has mild jugular venous distention and crackles at both lung bases. Examination of his heart is unremarkable, although there is 1+ dependent edema. His abdomen is diffusely tender without masses or organomegaly. Findings on a rectal examination are normal. The results of routine laboratory tests, including a CBC, chemistry profile, EKG, and urinalysis, are all normal. The stool examination shows numerous white blood cells. Of the following, the most likely diagnosis is:

A 63-year-old female with type 2 diabetes mellitus presents to the emergency department with unstable angina. Her blood pressure is 150/90 mm Hg, her pulse rate is 70 beats/min, and her lungs are clear to auscultation. The patient expresses a preference for conservative (i.e., noninvasive) therapy. In addition to aspirin, which one of the following agents should be administered at this time?

Increasing patient copayments for prescription medications results in:

A 25-year-old female has an annular rash on the dorsal surface of both hands. The rash does not respond to initial treatment with an antifungal medication, and a biopsy reveals granuloma annulare. Which one of the following would be the most appropriate advice for this patient?

A 2-year-old child stumbles, but his mother keeps him from falling by pulling up on his right hand. An hour later the child refuses to use his right arm and cries when his mother tries to move it. The most likely diagnosis is

The recommended time to screen for gestational diabetes in asymptomatic women with no risk factors for this condition is:

The 1990 Patient Self-Determination Act requires that:

A 55-year-old male consults you because he wants to begin an exercise program. He is asymptomatic, but because of his family history you determine that he should undergo a stress test with echocardiography. Which one of the following would be considered a normal ejection fraction in this patient?

A 42-year-old asymptomatic female presents for a routine evaluation. On examination her uterus is irregularly enlarged to the size seen at approximately 8 weeks gestation. Pelvic ultrasonography shows several uterine fibroid tumors measuring <5 cm. The patient does not desire future fertility. Which one of the following would be the most appropriate treatment option?