A 32-year-old warehouse worker presents for evaluation of low back pain. He notes a sudden onset of pain after lifting a set of boxes that were heavier than usual. He also states that he has numbness and tingling in the left leg. He wants to know if he needs to be off of work. What test should you perform to assess for a herniated disc?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Straight-leg raise. This test is used to assess for herniated disc by stretching the sciatic nerve. A positive test is indicated by reproduction of leg pain when the leg is raised between 30 to 70 degrees. This suggests nerve root irritation, common in herniated disc. A: Leg-length test - This test is used to assess for leg length discrepancy, not herniated disc. C: Tinel's test - This test is used to assess for nerve compression, typically in carpal tunnel syndrome, not specifically for herniated disc. D: Phalen's test - This test is used to assess for carpal tunnel syndrome, not herniated disc.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Potential congenital deformity. This observation suggests a condition called "low-set ears," which can be a sign of certain congenital anomalies affecting the development of the head and neck structures during fetal growth. It is important to investigate further to rule out any associated syndromes or genetic disorders. Choice A: Normal anatomical variation is incorrect because this positioning is not commonly considered a normal variation in the general population. Choice C: Increased risk of hearing loss is incorrect as the position of the ears alone does not directly correlate with hearing loss. Choice D: No clinical significance is incorrect because this observation warrants further evaluation to assess for potential underlying issues.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Small amplitude, weak. In congestive heart failure, the heart's ability to pump effectively is compromised, leading to decreased cardiac output. This results in a weakened pulse with reduced amplitude. Palpating a small, weak pulse in this patient is expected due to poor cardiac function. Choices A and C are incorrect because a large, forceful pulse is not expected in congestive heart failure, and a normal pulse may not reflect the compromised cardiac function. Choice D, bigeminal, refers to an abnormal rhythm characterized by every other heartbeat being premature and is not typically associated with congestive heart failure.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because in Munchausen syndrome by proxy, the patient only exhibits symptoms under the direct care or supervision of the abuser. This is because the abuser intentionally causes or fabricates symptoms in the victim to gain attention or sympathy. In contrast, the other choices are incorrect. A is incorrect because the injury is inflicted by the abuser, not self-inflicted by the patient. C is incorrect as the caregiver is the one perpetrating the abuse. D is incorrect because the abuser is often overly involved and manipulative, rather than inattentive and uncaring.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Clonus. Clonus is a series of rhythmic, involuntary muscle contractions and relaxations that occur due to an abnormal response in the stretch reflex. In patients with neurological conditions like cerebral palsy, clonus is often observed due to increased muscle tone. Tremor (A) is a rhythmic shaking movement, not specifically associated with muscle contractions. Spasm (C) is a sudden, involuntary muscle contraction that is not typically rhythmic. Fasciculation (D) is a brief, spontaneous contraction of a small number of muscle fibers, not the rhythmic pattern seen in clonus.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Correct Answer: B Rationale: 1. Adaptive questioning involves tailoring the questioning style to the patient's responses and needs to gather more detailed information. 2. Reassuring the patient that the symptoms are benign and not related to cancer is not a component of adaptive questioning as it can lead to bias and may hinder the patient from providing accurate information. 3. Directed questioning (A) helps to gather specific information systematically, offering choices (C) helps clarify symptoms, and asking for specific details (D) aids in understanding the patient's experiences. 4. By reassuring the patient prematurely, you may miss important details or dismiss potential concerns that could be relevant to the patient's condition.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Exercise and weight loss. The American College of Rheumatology recommends this intervention as first-line therapy for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis due to its proven benefits in reducing pain, improving joint function, and overall quality of life. Exercise helps strengthen muscles around the joints, improve flexibility, and reduce stiffness. Weight loss can also alleviate pressure on the joints, especially in weight-bearing joints. A: Diagnostic workup to rule out rheumatoid arthritis - This is not the first-line therapy but rather a step in the diagnostic process. B: NSAID use at the lowest effective dose - While NSAIDs may help with pain management, they are not recommended as the first-line therapy due to potential side effects. C: Acetaminophen use up to 4 grams/day - Acetaminophen can be used for pain relief, but it is not as effective as exercise and weight loss in managing osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis symptoms

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because syphilis during pregnancy can lead to adverse outcomes for the fetus, such as spontaneous abortion or congenital syphilis. This is due to the ability of the Treponema pallidum bacterium to cross the placenta and infect the fetus. Testing pregnant women for syphilis helps identify and treat the infection early to prevent these complications. Choice B is incorrect because hormonal changes do not trigger activation of latent syphilis. Choice C is incorrect as syphilis can be transmitted to the fetus at any point during pregnancy, not just in the third trimester. Choice D is incorrect because while untreated syphilis can have various complications, neonatal respiratory distress is not a direct consequence of syphilis infection during pregnancy.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: 1. Cefuroxime and nitrofurantoin are safe for use in pregnancy and effective against UTIs. 2. Cefuroxime is a cephalosporin antibiotic, considered safe in pregnancy. 3. Nitrofurantoin is a first-line agent for UTIs in pregnancy due to its safety profile. 4. Ciprofloxacin and tetracycline are contraindicated in pregnancy due to potential harm to the fetus. 5. Amoxicillin is considered safe in pregnancy but not as effective as nitrofurantoin for UTIs.