Question Easy: 👁️🗨️
A 29-year-old woman visits her GP complaining of itchiness and redness in her eyes, especially during the spring. She also mentions that she often sneezes and has a runny nose during this time. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Bacterial conjunctivitis
B) Viral conjunctivitis
C) Allergic conjunctivitis
D) Dry eye syndrome
E) Glaucoma
Question Medium: 👂
A 45-year-old man presents to the ENT clinic with a complaint of hearing loss. He mentions that he works in a noisy factory and occasionally experiences ringing in his ears. What type of hearing loss is he most likely experiencing?
A) Conductive hearing loss
B) Sensorineural hearing loss
C) Mixed hearing loss
D) Central hearing loss
E) Functional hearing loss
Question Hard: 👃
A 50-year-old woman reports to her GP with a reduced sense of smell over the past year. She has no significant past medical history and denies any nasal congestion or recent infections. What condition should be considered in this patient?
A) Anosmia due to COVID-19
B) Allergic rhinitis
C) Olfactory neuroblastoma
D) Chronic sinusitis
E) Alzheimer’s disease
Explanations & Answers:
Question Easy Answer: C) Allergic conjunctivitis
Question Easy Explanation: Allergic conjunctivitis is a common condition, especially in the spring when pollen levels are high. It typically presents with itchiness, redness, and watering of the eyes. Accompanying symptoms like sneezing and a runny nose help distinguish it from other forms of conjunctivitis, aligning with NICE guidelines.
Question Medium Answer: B) Sensorineural hearing loss
Question Medium Explanation: Prolonged exposure to loud noise is a common cause of sensorineural hearing loss. The presence of tinnitus (ringing in the ears) further suggests this diagnosis. According to NHS guidelines, individuals working in noisy environments should have regular hearing assessments to manage this risk.
Question Hard Answer: E) Alzheimer’s disease
Question Hard Explanation: Progressive loss of smell with no apparent cause could be an early sign of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. This aligns with NICE guidelines, which suggest evaluating olfactory function as part of a cognitive assessment in patients with suspected neurodegenerative disorders.
Medical fact of the day: Did you know that anosmia, or loss of sense of smell, can be an early indicator of certain neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, as well as being a common symptom of COVID-19?
Quote of the day: “In the tapestry of medicine, each stitch of compassion weaves a legacy of hope.”