Every week, we challenge our readers with medical questions to keep their brains sharp and their medical knowledge fresh. Here’s a breakdown of this week’s questions, along with the correct answers and explanations.
Friday: A man who drinks a lot of alcohol is confused, unsteady, and has trouble moving his eyes. What vitamin is he most likely missing?
Correct Answer: B) Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
If someone drinks excessive alcohol and develops confusion, unsteadiness, and trouble moving their eyes, they likely have Wernicke’s encephalopathy, caused by a deficiency in Vitamin B1 (Thiamine). Alcohol interferes with thiamine absorption, leading to neurological symptoms.
- Why not Vitamin C? Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy, which leads to bleeding gums and joint pain, not neurological issues.
- Why not Vitamin D? Vitamin D deficiency is linked to bone problems, like rickets or osteomalacia.
- Why not Iron? Iron deficiency leads to anemia, causing fatigue and pallor, but not confusion and eye movement issues.
Thursday: An elderly man with Parkinson’s disease moves very slowly, has stiff muscles, and his hands shake when resting. What’s the main problem in his brain?
Correct Answer: B) Too little dopamine
Parkinson’s disease occurs due to a loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, leading to slow movement, muscle stiffness, and resting tremors.
- Why not Too much dopamine? Excess dopamine is linked to schizophrenia, not Parkinson’s.
- Why not Too much serotonin? Serotonin is more associated with mood regulation, not movement disorders.
- Why not Brain swelling? Brain swelling can cause headaches and confusion, but it’s not the main problem in Parkinson’s.
Wednesday: A 32-year-old woman presents with palpitations, weight loss, and heat intolerance. On examination, she has a tremor and lid lag. What’s the next best step?
Correct Answer: B) TSH and Free T4
These symptoms suggest hyperthyroidism, likely caused by Graves’ disease or another thyroid disorder. Testing TSH and Free T4 helps confirm the diagnosis.
- Why not Serum cortisol? This test checks for Cushing’s syndrome or adrenal insufficiency, which present differently.
- Why not ECG? While heart palpitations can be checked with an ECG, it wouldn’t identify the underlying thyroid problem.
- Why not 24-hour urine catecholamines? This test screens for pheochromocytoma, a rare adrenal tumor causing severe hypertension and sweating, not weight loss.
Tuesday: A 30-year-old has a swollen, painful knee after a hiking trip. They also have a fever. What’s the most likely diagnosis?
Correct Answer: B) Septic arthritis
A swollen, painful joint with fever suggests septic arthritis, a joint infection that requires urgent treatment.
- Why not a Sprained knee? A sprain causes pain and swelling, but not fever.
- Why not Gout? Gout can cause a swollen joint, but it’s usually red and intensely painful without fever.
- Why not Osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis causes chronic joint pain and stiffness, not sudden swelling with fever.
Monday: What is the most common cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
Correct Answer: B) Smoking
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is most commonly caused by smoking, which damages the lungs over time.
- Why not Air pollution? Air pollution can contribute to COPD, but smoking is the leading cause.
- Why not Asbestos poisoning? Asbestos exposure is linked to mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer, not COPD.
- Why not Cold weather? Cold air can worsen symptoms in COPD but doesn’t cause the disease.
Final Thoughts:
This week’s questions covered everything from nutritional deficiencies to neurological disorders and respiratory diseases. How did you do? Keep learning, stay curious, and join us for next week’s quiz!
Do you have questions? Drop them in the comments!
I want to be part of this challenge
Look out for the trivia questions on ecency waves.
Nice tips and Quizzes, I think it is more educative indeed.
Thank you