Question Easy:
A 45-year-old man presents to the GP with complaints of tiredness, dizziness, and pallor. Blood tests reveal microcytic anaemia. Which of the following is the most common cause of this condition in the UK? 🤔
A) Thalassaemia
B) Iron deficiency anaemia
C) Vitamin B12 deficiency
D) Aplastic anaemia
E) Sickle cell anaemia
Question Medium:
A 67-year-old woman with a history of hypertension presents with sudden onset of severe pain in the right calf. On examination, the leg is pale, cold, and pulseless. What is the most likely diagnosis? 🚑
A) Deep vein thrombosis
B) Acute limb ischaemia
C) Compartment syndrome
D) Superficial thrombophlebitis
E) Peripheral neuropathy
Question Hard:
A 28-year-old woman returns from a holiday in Southeast Asia with a fever and rash. Investigations reveal thrombocytopenia, elevated liver enzymes, and a positive tourniquet test. Which is the most likely infectious cause? 🌏
A) Malaria
B) Zika virus
C) Dengue fever
D) Leptospirosis
E) Typhoid fever
Explanations & Answers:
Question Easy Answer: B
Question Easy Explanation: Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common cause of microcytic anaemia in the UK. According to NICE guidelines, it’s primarily due to inadequate dietary intake, blood loss, or increased demands, as seen in menstruating women or people with gastrointestinal bleeding.
Question Medium Answer: B
Question Medium Explanation: Acute limb ischaemia is characterized by the “6 Ps”: Pain, Pallor, Pulselessness, Paresthesia, Paralysis, and Poikilothermia (coldness). In this case, the sudden onset of severe pain and other classical signs point to acute limb ischaemia, requiring urgent intervention.
Question Hard Answer: C
Question Hard Explanation: Dengue fever is known to cause thrombocytopenia, elevated liver enzymes, and can often present after travel to endemic areas like Southeast Asia. The positive tourniquet test indicates increased capillary fragility, typical in dengue fever, distinguishing it from other travel-associated infections.
Medical fact of the day: The UK has seen a significant reduction in deaths from coronary heart disease over the past few decades, attributed to improvements in medical treatment and lifestyle changes.
Quote of the day: “In the tapestry of medical care, each thread of compassion we weave strengthens the fabric of life.”