Achalasia is a risk factor for

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Achalasia is a motility disorder characterized by impaired esophageal peristalsis and lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. This dysfunction can lead to stagnant food in the esophagus, causing regurgitation and increased intra-esophageal pressure, which can trigger GERD. Squamous cell carcinoma (choice A) is not directly linked to achalasia. Esophageal atrophy (choice C) is not a typical consequence of achalasia. Malabsorption syndromes (choice D) are not directly associated with achalasia.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why choice A is correct: 1. Pregnancy can lead to severe anaemia due to increased demand for iron and folate. 2. Pregnancy-induced physiological changes can exacerbate malaria-related anaemia. 3. Severe jaundice may occur in pregnant women with malaria due to liver dysfunction. 4. These effects are common during pregnancy and can worsen with malaria infection. Summary of why other choices are incorrect: - Choice B: Blood smear positivity is not always guaranteed in malaria, and severe anaemia is not the only effect. - Choice C: Therapy limitations can occur, but the presence of few parasites in severe cases is not a defining feature. - Choice D: Loss of pregnancy can happen, but it is not a universal effect of malaria during pregnancy, and severity is not based on parasite count alone.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: HELLP syndrome. This must be evaluated as a cause of abdominal pain in a pregnant patient because it is a serious condition characterized by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count. These abnormalities can lead to abdominal pain, especially in the right upper quadrant. Placental abruption (B) presents with vaginal bleeding and uterine tenderness, not specific abdominal pain. Spontaneous hepatic rupture (C) is rare and usually presents with sudden severe abdominal pain. Preterm labor (D) typically presents with regular uterine contractions and lower abdominal discomfort, not specific upper quadrant pain like in HELLP syndrome.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A (36 weeks gestation) because at this point in pregnancy, the fetus has reached a stable lie position. Before 36 weeks, fetal lie can vary due to the ample space in the uterus. After 36 weeks, the fetus tends to settle into a consistent head-down or breech position, making the lie stable. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they are past the point where the lie typically stabilizes, leading to less variability in fetal positioning.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: FALSE. Severe epigastric pain in preeclampsia is not associated with hyperacidity but is more likely due to complications such as HELLP syndrome or liver involvement. Preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure and proteinuria, not hyperacidity. Therefore, severe epigastric pain in preeclampsia should not be attributed to hyperacidity. Other choices are not applicable.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Lipoma. A lipoma is a common benign tumor made of fat cells. In this case, the patient's presentation of a painless, soft, round, flesh-colored lump with smooth borders is consistent with a lipoma. The absence of symptoms like pain, erythema, or tenderness further supports this diagnosis. Lipomas are usually non-tender to palpation and can grow to a significant size. The other choices (A, C, D) are not the correct answers because they do not align with the characteristics described in the patient's presentation. Neurolemma is associated with nerve sheath tumors, hemangioma with blood vessel tumors, and lymphangioma with lymphatic vessel tumors, none of which match the clinical findings in this case.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Temperature > 102°F. A high fever in the context of right lower quadrant colicky pain raises concern for ureteral colic, which is often caused by kidney stones. Fever may indicate infection or obstruction, requiring urgent medical attention. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they are common findings in cases of ureteral colic but are not as specific to raise the index of suspicion. White blood cell count elevation and hematuria are common with kidney stones, while vomiting is a common symptom due to severe pain. However, fever is a more concerning sign that necessitates prompt evaluation.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Fistula formation. Fistula formation is the most severe type of urinary tract trauma as it involves an abnormal connection between the urinary tract and another organ or the skin. This condition can lead to severe complications such as recurrent infections, incontinence, and even sepsis. Retention of urine (A) is a symptom of urinary tract obstruction, not necessarily the most severe type of trauma. Stress incontinence (B) is a common condition but is not indicative of severe trauma. Scalding sensation (C) can be a symptom of a urinary tract infection but does not necessarily indicate severe trauma like fistula formation.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pyuria. Pyuria is a common feature in acute pyelonephritis, as it indicates the presence of white blood cells in the urine due to the infection. Fever, CVA tenderness, and gross hematuria are all common features of acute pyelonephritis. Fever is a systemic response to infection, CVA tenderness indicates inflammation of the kidney, and gross hematuria is often seen due to inflammation and damage to the kidney tissue. Therefore, the absence of pyuria would be unexpected in a patient with suspected acute pyelonephritis.