Happy weekend to all! This week’s medical trivia brought some interesting cases.. Let’s go over the questions, starting from Friday and working backward to Monday. (We skipped Wednesday this week because it was Christmas!)
Friday: A 35-year-old man coughing up yellow-green mucus for a week with a fever
Most likely diagnosis: B) Pneumonia
Explanation:
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs often caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Key symptoms include a productive cough (in this case, yellow-green mucus), fever, and sometimes chest pain or difficulty breathing. This patient’s presentation suggests a bacterial cause.
Other options:
Asthma: Unlikely, as it typically presents with wheezing and does not involve fever or mucus of this nature.
Common cold: A cold usually resolves in less than a week and rarely produces a fever or mucus this thick.
Tuberculosis: Possible, but it’s generally chronic with weight loss and night sweats.
Thursday: A 10-year-old boy with an itchy rash after playing in tall grass
Most likely cause: B) Contact dermatitis
Explanation:
Contact dermatitis is a localized skin reaction caused by exposure to irritants or allergens—in this case, likely from plants in the grass. It presents with red, itchy bumps or blisters at the site of contact.
Other options:
Eczema: While it’s itchy, it’s a chronic condition, often linked to dry skin and allergies, not environmental triggers like grass.
Fungal infection: Typically involves ring-like patches, not sudden red bumps.
Chickenpox: Characterized by vesicular lesions that spread, not localized to a specific contact area.
Tuesday: A 70-year-old man with shortness of breath, a persistent cough with mucus, and a smoking history
Most likely condition: B) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Explanation:
COPD, often caused by smoking, includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Key features are a persistent productive cough, shortness of breath, and a history of smoking.
Other options:
Asthma: Typically starts earlier in life and is episodic, often triggered by allergens.
Lung cancer: Possible, especially with a smoking history, but it’s less likely without systemic symptoms like weight loss or hemoptysis.
Tuberculosis: Chronic with systemic symptoms such as fever and night sweats, not a simple persistent cough.
Monday: A 16-year-old boy with a swollen, red, warm knee and a sore throat two weeks ago
Most likely diagnosis: B) Rheumatic fever
Explanation:
Rheumatic fever is a complication of untreated Group A streptococcal infections (e.g., sore throat). It can present with migratory arthritis (a swollen, red, warm joint) and other systemic findings like carditis or a rash.
Other options:
Rheumatoid arthritis: Unlikely at this age and with the acute presentation.
Gout: Rare in this age group; associated with uric acid buildup and typically affects the big toe.
Osteoarthritis: A degenerative joint disease common in older adults, not teenagers.
We hope these answers clarified your doubts and helped sharpen your clinical reasoning! Thank you for participating in this week’s medical trivia.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year filled with health, happiness, and learning! See you in 2025 for more medical knowledge adventures!
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