Question 1

In which of the following spinal areas would a ruptured disk be most likely?

Accepted Answer

A ruptured disc would be more likely in the lumbar area, as it supports the most weight when compared to the cervical and thoracic regions. The Sacral region's bones are fused and therefore, have no discs.

Question 2

Which of the following vitamin deficiencies would you be concerned about for a woman who shows signs of osteoporosis?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin D is an essential part of the production and strengthening of bone. A woman who shows signs of osteoporosis would be recommended to take calcium supplements along with Vitamin D to ensure that the calcium she was taking would be utilized in the bone strengthening process, as calcium cannot be used for bone development without Vitamin D.

Question 3

Which of the following anemias can only be diagnosed using a blood smear?

Accepted Answer

Sickle-cell anemia can be diagnosed using a blood smear because of the characteristic "sickle" shape of the red blood cells. The other forms of anemia would require additional tests, as they would interfere with appropriate red blood cell production. Although there might be some morphological changes noted, these forms do not have the clear morphological distinctions that sickle-cell anemia has.

Question 4

Which of the following hormones should be evaluated to check the function of the thyroid gland?

Accepted Answer

The thyroid gland produces T4 and T3, which act upon the oxygen consumption and metabolic rate of body tissue. PTH is produced in the parathyroid gland and is responsible for the regulation of the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus.

Question 5

Which of the following segments of an EKG can remain abnormal weeks to months after an acute myocardial infarction?

Accepted Answer

In an acute myocardial infarction, the EKG changes over time. The initial changes are shown in ST segment elevation, which decreases over time to appear normal again. Weeks to months after an acute myocardial infarction, the Q wave can stay decreased. In the same time frame, the P and T waves tend to go back to an almost near normal quality.

Question 6

Which of the following tests can help you evaluate a patient's kidney function?

Accepted Answer

Both blood urea nitrogen and creatinine are cleared by the kidneys. They are valuable tools because they are only cleared through renal filtration. Keep in mind, however, that they remain very unspecific and will only indicate a possible problem, not a definitive diagnosis.

Question 7

Which of the following tests will provide the best indicator of a diabetic's adherence to diet?

Accepted Answer

To properly assess a diabetic's adherence to a diet and the success of treatment, a hemoglobin A1C is used. The attachment of a sugar residue to hemoglobin within a red blood cell cannot be varied by a few days of diet control. The average red blood cell lives 90 days; therefore, if a patient has not been adhering to their diet and treatment, a physician can tell based on the level of this residue. A few days of proper diet control can make glucose levels in blood and urine appear normal.

Question 8

Which of the following symptoms could indicate a bacterial infection?

Accepted Answer

A bacterial infection can manifest itself by producing an elevated body temperature and an elevated white blood cell count. It would be important to review the neutrophil percentage in the white blood cell differential, as neutrophil increases are seen in bacterial infection. The body produces Neutrophil increases as a natural way of fighting bacteria.

Question 9

What is the heel bone called?

Accepted Answer

The heel bone is technically called the calcaneus.
It is the largest of the foot bones. The Achilles tendon attaches to the calcaneus.

Question 10

Your level of health and vitality is most influenced by what?

Accepted Answer

Your level of health and vitality are most influenced by your level of nutrition. Food is important for providing the basic building blocks of life. A healthy diet will improve your chances of living a happier and healthier life.

Question 11

Flexion has what effect on the angel of a joint?

Accepted Answer

Flexion occurs when a joint angle is decreased. Bringing your knee to your chest is an example of flexion. Flexion can aggravate a joint that is impinged or injured. Massage can help to establish proper joint flexion.

Question 12

What does the bladder store?

Accepted Answer

The bladder stores urine.
It is collected from the kidneys and kept there until it can be disposed of. The bladder is expandable.

Question 13

Which of the following pairs of ducts connect to form the common bile duct?

Accepted Answer

The cystic duct from the gall bladder and the common hepatic duct connect to become the common bile duct, as both organs produce bile. The liver takes over for the gall bladder in the production of bile if the gall bladder is removed.

Question 14

Which of the following is not an example of erosive gastritis?

Accepted Answer

H. pylori is considered an example of non-erosive gastritis because it is a more chronic condition that causes the gastritis to occur slowly. Trauma, NSAIDs, and alcohol use can cause gastritis quickly and are therefore termed erosive. In non-erosive gastritis, the inflammation of the gastric mucosa is a secondary to an internal disease or process, while in erosive gastritis it is usually associated with being the primary result of an external event or action.

Question 15

Which of the following are conditions of malabsorption or maldigestion of lipids?

Accepted Answer

Cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis and Zolinger-Ellison syndrome are all examples of conditions that cause the body to not digest or absorb lipids properly. These three diseases in particular affect the ability of the pancreas to produce the correct enzymes to break down and process lipids and/or produce them in the correct quantities.

Question 16

Which disease is characteristic of the body's inability to process gluten?

Accepted Answer

Celiac disease is an autoimmune process that occurs when the body does not process gluten appropriately as a result of the body producing anti-bodies to parts of the small intestine. The production of these antibodies is triggered by the ingestion of gluten, a protein found in many wheat flour-based products. One of the best treatments for this disease is avoidance of gluten and maintaining a gluten-free diet. Use of rice- and corn-based flours rather than wheat flour is one of the ways in which gluten-free foods are produced.

Question 17

Which of the following procedures or tests are considered standard screening tools for Colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

All three of these tests are considered standard screening tools for colorectal cancer. The most basic of these is the fecal "occult" blood test, which tests stool for the presence of hemoglobin from blood. Since colorectal tumors tend to bleed, if the stool has abnormal amounts of hemoglobin in it, a tumor could be a possible cause. A sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy are procedures done by a physician to visually check for these tumors or other conditions utilizing a camera that is inserted into a patient's rectum. A sigmoidoscopy does not go as far into the large intestine as a full colonoscopy does. As patients get older, the risk of colorectal cancer increases. Based on age and other risk factors, providers can determine which screening method is appropriate for their patients.

Question 18

Which of the following conditions are characterized by an abnormal increase in weight, liquidity, and/or frequency of bowel movements?

Accepted Answer

An abnormal increase in weight, liquidity, and/or frequency of bowel movements is called diarrhea.

Question 19

Abnormal functioning of the pancreas can cause what effects on stool?

Accepted Answer

Abnormal functioning of the pancreas can cause increases in undigested cell nuclei and meat fibers (creatorrhea), increased levels of fecal lipid content (steatorrhea), and increases in starch content (amylorrhea).

Question 20

Which of the following is the reason why John's body is better able to acclimate to temperature than his new baby?

Accepted Answer

Infants have less ability to acclimate to temperature than do adults because of immature organ processing. In older adults, lessened ability is also noted as a result of failing organs. Body size and composition, specifically fat composition, can also be reasons for differences that different people have at being able to acclimate to temperature.

Quiz 1: United States Medical Licensing Examination