Question Easy: 🏥
A 65-year-old woman presents to the GP with exertional chest pain that is relieved by rest. She has a history of hypertension. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Myocardial Infarction
B) Stable Angina
C) Unstable Angina
D) Pericarditis
E) Aortic Dissection
Explanations & Answers:
Question Easy Answer: B) Stable Angina
Question Easy Explanation: The key characteristics of stable angina include chest pain on exertion relieved by rest. According to NICE guidelines, stable angina is often associated with coronary artery disease and presents with such symptoms.
Question Medium: 🌬️
A 45-year-old man presents to the emergency department with sudden-onset breathlessness, pleuritic chest pain, and hemoptysis. He is a smoker and his right leg is swollen. What is the most appropriate management?
A) Immediate coronary angiography
B) Low-molecular-weight heparin
C) High-dose oral prednisolone
D) Thoracentesis
E) Chest physiotherapy
Question Medium Answer: B) Low-molecular-weight heparin
Question Medium Explanation: The clinical presentation is suggestive of a pulmonary embolism (PE), characterized by breathlessness, pleuritic chest pain, and hemoptysis, often with a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). According to NICE and NHS guidelines, immediate anticoagulation with low-molecular-weight heparin is the recommended initial management.
Question Hard: ❤️🩹
A 55-year-old male, who is a known hypertensive and type 2 diabetic, presents to the clinic with palpitations, fatigue, and reduced exercise tolerance. His ECG shows atrial fibrillation. Which medication is crucial in reducing his risk of stroke?
A) Aspirin
B) Beta-blocker
C) Diltiazem
D) Warfarin
E) Digoxin
Question Hard Answer: D) Warfarin
Question Hard Explanation: Atrial fibrillation significantly increases the risk of stroke, particularly in patients with additional risk factors like hypertension and diabetes. NICE guidelines recommend anticoagulation with agents such as warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) to reduce the risk of stroke in atrial fibrillation patients.
Medical fact of the day: Did you know that the UK was the first country to implement a comprehensive smoking ban in public places in 2007? This has significantly contributed to the decrease in smoking-related respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Quote of the day: “Every heartbeat is a gentle reminder that life is a precious gift. Let us find strength in each beat to heal, to care, and to inspire.”