A 32-year-old woman presents with a 10-month history of an intermittent burning sensation in the epigastrium that is sometimes related to eating. She has heard about bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. She has had no change in her weight and denies dysphagia. Her laboratory tests are normal. Which of the following would you recommend?

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Question 1 of 5

A 32-year-old woman presents with a 10-month history of an intermittent burning sensation in the epigastrium that is sometimes related to eating. She has heard about bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. She has had no change in her weight and denies dysphagia. Her laboratory tests are normal. Which of the following would you recommend?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: 1. Given the symptoms of epigastric burning, testing for H. pylori is appropriate as it is a common cause of such symptoms. 2. The serum qualitative test for H. pylori can detect the presence of the bacteria in the patient's system. 3. If positive, treatment for H. pylori (such as antibiotics) would be indicated. 4. Referral for endoscopy or upper GI series is not the initial step as they are more invasive and costly. Summary: - A: Correct, as it targets the potential cause of the symptoms. - B: Not recommended initially, as it is more invasive and not necessary as the first step. - C: Not recommended initially, as it is less specific for H. pylori detection. - D: Premature without confirming the presence of H. pylori.

Question 2 of 5

An otherwise healthy 45-year-old man presents with severe hematochezia and moderate abdominal cramping since this morning. A barium enema one year ago was normal. On examination, his blood pressure is 120/78 and pulse is 100 while lying; when standing, the blood pressure is 110/76 and pulse is 136. His hematocrit is 34. What is the most likely cause of bleeding?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The most likely cause of bleeding in this case is a duodenal ulcer (Choice B). The key clues are severe hematochezia, moderate abdominal cramping, normal barium enema a year ago, and orthostatic changes in blood pressure and pulse. Severe hematochezia suggests a significant upper gastrointestinal bleed. Normal barium enema rules out lower GI sources. Orthostatic changes in blood pressure and pulse are indicative of acute blood loss. Duodenal ulcers are a common cause of upper GI bleeding and can present with hematochezia. In contrast, diverticular bleeds (Choice A) typically present with painless rectal bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease (Choice C) often presents with chronic blood loss and anemia, and vascular ectasia (Choice D) typically causes chronic, slow bleeding.

Question 3 of 5

A 56-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis has severe joint pain and swelling in her hands. She has a history of peptic ulcer disease five years ago but presently has no GI symptoms. You elect to start her on an NSAID. Which of the following is correct?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Step 1: Misoprostol is a prostaglandin analog that helps protect the gastric mucosa by increasing mucus production. This mechanism of action makes it effective in preventing NSAID-related GI toxicity. Step 2: H2-blockers (Choice A) and PPIs are not as effective as misoprostol in preventing NSAID-related GI toxicity. Step 3: Sucralfate (Choice C) is not as effective as misoprostol in preventing NSAID-related GI toxicity due to its different mechanism of action. Step 4: H. pylori infection (Choice D) can increase the risk of NSAID-induced ulcers but is not directly related to the prophylactic treatment with misoprostol.

Question 4 of 5

A 28-year-old woman at 34 weeks of gestation presents with elevated liver enzymes and pruritus. Labs reveal total bilirubin to be 4.2 mg/dL, AST 480 U/L, ALT 640 U/L, and alkaline phosphatase 232 U/L. Viral hepatitis serologies and ANA are negative. On physical examination, she is jaundiced, but has a normal blood pressure, no edema, and a soft abdomen. The fetus is in no distress. Which of the following is true?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Symptoms will resolve promptly after delivery. The presentation of elevated liver enzymes, pruritus, and jaundice in a pregnant woman at 34 weeks with no signs of severe preeclampsia suggests cholestasis of pregnancy. This condition typically resolves after delivery. The absence of fetal distress and normal maternal blood pressure indicate that immediate delivery is not necessary. There is a risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies, so choice C is incorrect. Screening for LCHAD deficiency is not indicated in this scenario, as the presentation is more consistent with cholestasis of pregnancy.

Question 5 of 5

A 35-year-old male patient presents with right upper quadrant pain, fever for the past 48 hours, preceded by new onset jaundice over the past few weeks. He states that he has had diarrhea on and off for several years but never had this investigated. A liver ultrasound is negative for gallstones or evidence of cholecystitis. His lab tests reveal total bilirubin 6.2, alkaline phosphatase 450, AST 150, ALT 120, albumin 2.6. The next diagnostic test of choice would be

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). Given the patient's clinical presentation of right upper quadrant pain, fever, jaundice, and abnormal liver function tests, MRCP is the next diagnostic test of choice to evaluate the biliary tree and pancreatic ducts for possible obstruction or structural abnormalities. This would help identify the cause of the patient's symptoms, such as biliary obstruction or choledocholithiasis. Choice A: Liver biopsy is not the next step in this scenario as the patient's symptoms are suggestive of a biliary or pancreatic etiology rather than a primary liver pathology. Choice C: Hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C RNA assay may be relevant for evaluating viral hepatitis, but in this case, the patient's symptoms and lab results are more indicative of a biliary or pancreatic issue. Choice D: Colonoscopy with biopsies is not the next appropriate step as the patient's symptoms and lab results are not

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