Showing posts with label MCEM Exams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MCEM Exams. Show all posts

Sunday, March 31, 2019

Pulmonary Embolism Fast Facts: Wells Score Menmonic

Clots can form due to many reasons that we all are aware about. Let's do a quick review of certain facts for this deadly diagnosis.

  • Pulmonary Emboli arise from Proximal DVT (Above the Knee)
  • Distal DVTs in itself does not a risk for PE unless they migrate upwards.
  • Pregnancy PEs are from Pelvic Veins (Risks last upto 2 months post delivery)
  • PE = Alveolar Dead Space Ventilation
  • ~ 50% Lung involved will lead to Pulmonary HTN
  • Massive PE =  >70% Lung Involvement (10% will die in first 1 Hour)
  • Recent Surgery in last 4 weeks poses a risk (mostly it is Orthopedic Surgery: 70% Risks in Knee Surgery)
  • Unexplained DVT: 15 - 20 % of these will develop malignancy in next 2 years 



Monday, May 23, 2016

FRCEM Primary MCQs Part 1

1) 84 years old female is brought by ambulance with history of shortness of breath. On arrival, she is unable to talk in full sentences, but does complain of pain in the right chest. She is unable to take deep breaths while you ask her during auscultation. In her past medical history, she has HTN, DM, and multiple myeloma. Recently she was discharged after staying in the hospital for 7 days following a mechanical fall. She lives in a care home and rarely is seen out of her bed. She is on Flucloxacillin for her right leg cellulitis, apart from her routine medications. Her observations at triage are BP 100/80, Pulse 125/min, RR 19/min, Temperature 37.8 C, SpO2 on room air 82%. The diagnosis under consideration is an example of:

A. Infectious Origin
B. Ventilation Defect
C. Perfusion Defect
D. Diffusion Defect
E. Accidental Overdose of Drugs

2) 12 years old African child is brought to the emergency department with complains of pain in the right knee. He suffers from Type 1 DM and Sickle cell disease, and is on insulins, folic acid and hydroxyurea as prescribed by his physician. The observations noted were BP 120/80, Pulse 115/min, RR 22/min, Temperature 39.2 C, SpO2 on room air 96%. The knee appears swollen, erythematous and tender. A diagnosis of infective etiology was made and appropriate treatment was commenced. What is the pathophysiology behind the presentation?

A) Avascular Necrosis of Distal Femur
B) Opsonization defect due to lack of C3b and IgG
C) Splenic dysfunction
D) High Virulence of Capsulated Organisms such as Salmonella and Staph aureus
E) Depressed functioning of CD8 and Natural Killer Cells

3) 25 years old male came to the ED with dysuria and urethral discharge. He is sexually active with multiple female partners in the past. He is stable but febrile. A Urinalysis is essentially normal. He has had three episodes of urethritis in the last 2 years. The two organisms implicated in this pathology display following features:

a) Gram Negative Capsulated diplococci & gram positive non motile intracellular bacteria
b) Gram Negative Non-Capsulated diplococci & gram negative non motile intracellular bacteria
c) Gram Negative Capsulated diplococci & gram negative non motile intracellular bacteria
d) Gram Negative Non-Capsulated diplococci & gram positive non motile intracellular bacteria
e) Gram Negative Non-Capsulated diplococci & gram negative motile intracellular bacteria

4) 16 years old girl is brought to the emergency department by her colleague because of a 2-day history of fever and a 12-hour history of lethargy. Her colleague say that she has been sleeping most of the day and has been slow to react when awake. Her temperature is 39.2°C (102.6°F). Physical examination shows numerous petechial hemorrhages and neck rigidity. A lumbar puncture yields cloudy cerebrospinal fluid and the microscopic examination of the CSF shows numerous segmented neutrophils, and a Gram stain shows gram negative diplococci. Which of the following is the most likely causal organism?

a) Streptococcus pneumoniae
b) Listeria monocytogenes
c) E. Coli
d) Neisseria Meningitides
e) H. Influenza

5) 38 years old man who recently immigrated to the UK comes to the GP Services because of a 1-month history of cough and a 5 kg weight loss. Physical examination shows no abnormalities. A chest x-ray shows a right upper lobe infiltrate. One of three sputum samples is positive for acid-fast bacilli. Treatment with isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide is started. Which of the following should be added to the medication regimen to prevent neurologic toxicity in this patient? 

A) Folic acid 
B) Nicotinic acid
C) Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) 
D) Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) 
E) Vitamin C

6) 54 years old man comes to the physician because of left shoulder pain that began after he injured himself at a tennis game 2 days ago. Examination of the left upper extremity shows no obvious bone deformities or point tenderness. The pain is reproduced when the patient is asked to externally rotate the shoulder against resistance; there is no motor weakness. In addition to the teres minor, inflammation of which of the following tendons is most likely in this patient?

A) Infraspinatus
B) Trapezius
C) Pectoralis
D) Subscapularis
E) Supraspinatus 

7) A young healthy 32 years old lady is anxious about red 1 – 2 mm subcutaneous spots all over her lower limbs bilaterally since last 24 hours. She denies any fever or any significant symptoms. She had some self-limiting diarrhea about 10 days ago. Laboratory findings suggests: Hemoglobin 130, Hematocrit 39.7%, Leukocyte count 7500/mm3, Neutrophils 65%, Lymphocytes 30%, Monocytes 5%, Mean corpuscular volume 82 μm3, Platelet count 20,000/mm3. A peripheral blood smear shows normal red cell morphology; a bone marrow smear shows mature megakaryocytic hyperplasia. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis? 

A) Acute megakaryocytic leukemia
B) Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)
C) Aplastic anemia
D) Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
E) Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)

8) 17 years old lady visited the ED with history of fever, fatigue, and sore throat for 3 days. She recently moved in with a roommate who has a cat. Her temperature is 37.8°C (100°F). Physical examination shows mildly tender cervical adenopathy and pharyngitis with no tonsillar exudates. There is mild splenomegaly. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 13, Hematocrit 41%, Total Leukocyte count 11,500/mm3, Platelet count 150,000/mm3, Heterophile antibody titer positive. The most likely cause of this patient's condition is infection with which of the following?

A) Toxoplasma gondii
B) Bartonella hensleae
C) Epstein-Barr virus
D) Cytomegalovirus
E) Streptococcus species

9) Adolescent male was injured at a baseball match and became unconscious. He was hit on the temple before he passed out. About 15 minutes later, he regained consciousness spontaneously while being transferred to the A & E. As you are examining him, he becomes lethargic, and over the next few minutes, he becomes stuporous again. His pupils are unequal, and his GCS is E1V2M3. You have intubated this patient and are keen to rush him to the CT as you suspect an intracranial hemorrhage. Which of the following vessels is most likely to be the source of the hemorrhage?

A. Anterior cerebral artery
B. Middle cerebral artery 
C. Middle meningeal artery
D. Emissary Veins
E. Anterior communicating artery 







10) 38 years old rugby player is brought to the ED with complaints of unable to feel or move his lower limbs after a forced flexion injury to his spine while dodging. He lies on bed, and a primary survey indicates preserved A, B, and Cs. In examination of disability, we assess the sensory dermatomal distribution from the abdomen downwards, T10 at umbilicus, T12 at pubis, L1 at Inguinal ligament preserved. No sensation below this level (to dull and pin prick), no motor functions, complete loss of muscle tone, No DTRs. No sensations at scrotal skin, but tenderness on pressing the testicles. Log roll done to reveal tenderness and step deformity at L1, and loss of rectal tone. The tender testicles imply:

A) Malingering
B) Somatization
C) Conversion disorder
D) Actual transection of cord at L1 & L2
E) Testicular hematoma



Sunday, April 3, 2016

SAQ 5: Nephrology

45 year old male is brought is with pain abdomen. His urine dipstick suggests 3+ RBCs. His vitals at triage are BP 110/80 mm Hg, pulse = 98/min, SpO2 of 97% on room air.

11)      What are the causes of hematuria other than renal calculi or tumor? (2 points)

22)      N2O:O2 mixture is contraindicated in what conditions? (2 Points)

33)      What are the indications of admission for renal colic? (2 Points)

44)      Define AKI? Give possible causes? (4 points)

ANATOMY UPPER LIMB



Anatomy Upper Limb Fast facts: Please comment, Share and Like

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

SAQ 4: Anesthesia & Pain Relief


Regarding anesthesia in the A&E department:



1)      Name 4 different methods of anesthesia which can be used to reduce a Colle’s fracture.  (2 points)

2)      What is the maximum dose of lignocaine with and without adrenaline. (1 points)

3)      Name 3 general anesthetic drugs which can be used in RSI for induction and their doses. (3 points)

4)      Until what age is straight blade laryngoscope preferable and why? (2 points)

5)      Name the Mechanism of action of Suxamethonium. What are the C/I of using Suxamethonium for paralysis in adults. (2 points)

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

SAQ 3: Pediatrics


5 year old boy from Taiwan is brought by his mother with history of fever and a rash over his palms. The picture is as depicted above:

11)      What is your diagnosis? (1)
22)      What is the type of Hypersensitivity reactions occurring? (1)
33)      What is the treatment to be started in the ED? (1)
44)      What bedside investigations you would perform in the ED and what will you expect? (2)
55)      Why is giving steroids to the patient contraindicated? (1)
66)      What are the characteristic clinical features of the diagnosis in consideration? (2)

77)      Give further management. (2)

Monday, February 22, 2016

SAQ 2: Resuscitation

1. 54 years male is brought in the ED with unresponsiveness and no signs of life. There is no pulse and the monitor shows the rhythm below. He was lying in cold snow on the street for unknown duration. What is your next steps of management? (2 marks)



2. His temperature is 29 Celsius. What different steps you would take specifically in this case? (4 marks)

3. He has a pulse now and is still unconscious. What are tasks in the post resuscitation scenario? (4 marks)

SAQ 1: Resuscitation







1. Describe the EKG? (2)

2. What are the Unstable features related to the diagnosis? (2)

3. Assuming the BP is 120/90, RR is 16/min, and SpO2 is 94 % on 2 liters of Oxygen and IV Access is obtained; what is your initial management? (2)

4.Your initial treatment does not work, and the patient arrests; monitor shows the same rhythm but there is no palpable pulse. What is your initial management? (2)


5. List the reversible causes of cardiac arrest (2)

Sunday, December 27, 2015

MRCEM Part B & C Tips: Study Time Frame

Congratulations on passing your part A MRCEM Examinations.

Here is a video I have compiled which can help you devising a strategy to approach Part B & C



MRCEM Part B & C Tips

Saturday, November 28, 2015

MRCEM FAST FACTS PART A: HEMATOLOGY SECTION 1

Watch the Video on Hematology Fast Facts for MRCEM Part A.
If you have any suggestions or comments, Kindly list them below.


Good Luck

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Physiology Fast Facts for MRCEM Part A

Unfortunately, I have not had enough time to prepare the Videos or slides for Physiology Section for Part A. So, I have tried to put up a link that gives us high yield concepts in Physiology that are often tested in the exam and are often useful at bedside.

Hopefully, by next sitting, I shall be able to put the video up. Till then, Good Luck & Study Well!!!

Download Link:

Physiology High Yield Notes

(Credit: At A Glance Series)

This Book has been recommended by past students as a good learning resource for the Physiology Section for MRCEM Part A

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

MRCEM Part A, B & C Courses March 2016

Dear Readers,

Training courses are going to happen in India  in March 2016.
The course has been recommended by many, and I would definitely rank it as one of the best training program for the exams. Register Early as places would be limited. Watch out for the opening of registrations on their website.

For more details, you can visit:EM Courses India

I have no financial association or conflict of interest with this program, I am recommending this program based on opinion of my colleagues and my personal experience with their training.