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Welcome to notyasupremeโ€™s page.
Contributor score: 48


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 +0  visit this page (step2ck_free120#68)
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This is hilarious, did anyone else think it could be viral pericarditis, which in another question required prompt evaluation with an echo. I initially thought EKG, then echo, then NSAIDs as the order. Apparently, we just skip the diagnosis and go straight to NSAIDs in these patients now. Unbelievable.

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 +0  visit this page (step2ck_free120#67)
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What a dumb question, there's literally a UWorld question about how a girl with a hx of seizures faked one and how you need to do neuro testing if they have no post-ictal confusion. I'm sorry, why are we even entertaining this if she has NO post-ictal confusion?

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 +1  visit this page (step2ck_free120#61)
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I'm sorry but how the hell are you supposed to know it's vulvar when it says nothing about the vulva. I was between that and polyps, but put polyps because it was on the perineum? Like how the hell is that the vulva?

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notyasupreme  lol jk, just looked it up and apparently I know shit about the female anatomy! +
jj375  I was quite confused by this too, especially since it said vulva but then said anal verge, but then also said vaginal bleeding. Here is a photo in case anyone else needs it: https://healthcare.utah.edu/huntsmancancerinstitute/gynecologic-cancer/images/vulvar-anatomy-image.jpg +

 +0  visit this page (step2ck_form6#7)
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Cardi B voice: WHAT WAS THE REASON for the goddamn Gram - stain, like whyyyyyyyyy. That's why I put prostatitis, even though the non-tender prostate threw me off. Damn, these questions are really just read the first and last sentence huh?

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 +0  visit this page (step2ck_form6#26)
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I think I thought too deep into this, but isn't the cause of post-op fever on days 3-5 UTIs? I just remembered the mnemonic, but I guess I was thinking too deep..

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abelaia  probably classic overthink. likely to do with the type of blood culture grown. Staph vs. E. coli. +

 +7  visit this page (nbme16#21)
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Just wondering if someone could explain the difference between collagen and elastin for this one? I thought either or could be used for tensile strength. Anyone have clarification, don't know why collagen is the best answer!

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notyasupreme  Lol, never mind I realize, it's a scar and that's type III collagen! +6
meryen13  type III is whats usually present but then it gets replaced by collagen I in the scar tissue to add more strength. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4352699/ +1
i_hate_it_here  It is also the disulfide bonds that add to tensile strength of collagen, while the inter-chain fibril cross-linking that leads to elastins elasticity FA2020 pg: 51&52 +
xw1984  I think the Q emphasized postoperatiive. Maybe the production of elastin does not increase much comparing to collagen. +
topgunber  i think they would refer to elastin in cases of arteriolar compliance +

 +2  visit this page (nbme16#48)
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I was thinking it could be 22q11 microdeletion because that also would have abnormal organs (heart, thymus, parathyroids) and abnormal face. So, I'm just wondering how you're supposed to definitely know it was Trisomy 21. I had the original answer too, damnit!

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nbmeanswersownersucks  I think it's more because a spontaneous microdeletion would not really explain the previous lost pregnancies whereas an unbalanced translocation in the mom could. And I think it could be any of the big trisomies (13, 18, 21) but 21 is most common. +5
m0niagui  so, it is the mother that has Down's Sd? +
jj375  No, the mother doesnt have down syndrome. As far as I know, the mother has a BALANCED translocation - for example (totally made the chromosome # up) she may have a piece of chrom 11 and chrom 4 swap places. However they are balanced since they are both there, no genetic material is missing os she looks healthy and is fine. BUT when her eggs are made, some eggs may get the chrom 11 (+ piece of chrom 4) and then her regular copy of chrom 4...Now that baby also gets a chromosome 4 from the dad. The baby will end up with 3 copies of part of chrom 4 but 1 part of chrom 11! So the kid is unbalanced and may die in utero (spontaneous abortions). I hope that was clear Here is a photo that may help: https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/data/books/hoff2/hoff2_c006f005.png +2
chaosawaits  I think the point is that no matter which disease you think it is, whether trisomy 13, 18, 21 or even Turner syndrome, in all those genetic disorders, the most common cause is an unbalanced chromosome rearrangement. I don't think you're actually supposed to know the disease. +1
an1  @chaosawaits The MCC is not actually unbalanced chromosomes (robertsonian ~ 4%). the most common is nondisjunction (~95%). also a point from UW was that robertsonian defects will often have a family hx of recurrent miscarriages. we don't have a fam hx of this woman but she herself has a hx which could also help us diagnose. and secondly, gonadal mosaicism could have been ruled out easily because gonadal is fatal, only somatic can result in survival! +




Subcomments ...

submitted by bwdc(697), visit this page
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Pleurisy (or potentially costochondritis) secondary associated with a URI, either way, treat with NSAIDs.

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tinylilron  so PE was on my differential... why do we immediately jump to pleurisy??? +
etherbunny  ...and if aspirin doesn't work, what are the chances of ibuprofen doing much better? +
len49  Stone cold normal vital signs and recent viral infxn symptoms points significantly towards viral pleurisy. Aspirin did relieve the symptoms a bit as well. She gets zero points on the Well's criteria, not sure why PE would be super high on someone's differential. +
dnazmzm  What is "splinting"....? +1
lilmonkey  Respiratory splinting is defined as reduced inspiratory effort as a result of sharp pain upon inspiration (severe pleuritic chest pain). +
charcot_bouchard  Post viral pericardial effusion should be on someone differential!! I pick EKG. +1
charcot_bouchard  even in amboss says do a EKG to rule out other cause like peri effusion +
charcot_bouchard  Replace all pericardial effusion with Pericarditis. Thats what was in my head +
charcot_bouchard  Ok. i got my answer. sx is unilateral. if it was pericardial shit would be in middle on cardiac exam no abnormalities. pericarditis would have scracthing sounds chest xray showed no abnormalities than means no pleural effusion either if it was in someones mind. +1
notyasupreme  ^^ i guess that makes sense but this q makes me mad +


submitted by notyasupreme(48), visit this page
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I'm sorry but how the hell are you supposed to know it's vulvar when it says nothing about the vulva. I was between that and polyps, but put polyps because it was on the perineum? Like how the hell is that the vulva?

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notyasupreme  lol jk, just looked it up and apparently I know shit about the female anatomy! +
jj375  I was quite confused by this too, especially since it said vulva but then said anal verge, but then also said vaginal bleeding. Here is a photo in case anyone else needs it: https://healthcare.utah.edu/huntsmancancerinstitute/gynecologic-cancer/images/vulvar-anatomy-image.jpg +


submitted by saffronshawty(30), visit this page
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can someone please explain this answer :D

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szsnikaa  Brain abscesses are secondary to septic emboli via hematogenous spread. Edema often forms around these abscesses leading to a mass effect (+ Babinski & Mild Hemiparesis on the left). +10
kingfriday  Guy has a valve replacement -> he then has a new murmur, fever, and FND - he probably has endocarditis due to staph epidermidis. Carotid artery occlusion wouldn't cause more issues (i think vision in particular would be included) in addition to more severe deficits. There would also be no fever. Venous sinus thrombosis would also not present with fever and also probably include vision problems Encephalitis would probably present with AMS and seizures - may or may not be nuchal rigidity Hydrocephalus: wet wacky wobbly- not seen here +5
tinylilron  So the brain abscess would be due to staph epidermis rather than strep pyogenes, right? +
notyasupreme  ^^ yeah, pretty sure I read on Anki that it's usually S aureus initially that commonly causes it, then becomes epidermitis +


submitted by charcot_bouchard(574), visit this page
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This pt has dysthymia... MDD and all it;s subtype needs an suicidal risk assessment

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notyasupreme  Tbh, I don't think he has dysthymia lol. I think he has some form of somatic symptom disorder or some Munchausen ass shit. First of all, why does he have a massive binder full of records about vague medical complaints? Sorry I curse so much, I'm from NY +


submitted by jlbae(159), visit this page
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What's going on here? Thought this was lactose intolerance โ†’ secretory process??

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lubdub  Yea, this one made me think more than I'd hope lactose intolerance would have. If the lactose can't be broken down (by the lactase in the brush boarder) then it stays in the lumen (malabsorption) letting all the gut bugs digest it (make gas) and allowing for osmotic diarrhea. Osmotic =/= secretory +5
jlbae  Ah ok, ty. That makes sense. It's kinda coming back to me from M2 GI lectures now lol. So then an example of secretory would be a viral gastroenteritis where electrolytes are being actively secreted into the GI lumen. +1
notyasupreme  I think of secretory diarrhea like secreting alllll the time, so they have to shit in the night time too.. as opposed to lactose which is osmotic diarrhea, with some acidic ass bullshit going on in the bowels. Anyways, if you're too pedantic on this question, you may get it wrong +


submitted by carolebaskin(109), visit this page
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young woman with abrupt onset painful eye movements + decreased acuity + poor reactivity = optic neuritis = MS

Also notice they said the right pupil is poorly active to direct light

So maybe there's a Marcus Gunn pupil, which is when there's decreased bilateral pupillary constriction when light is shone directly into the affected eye, relative to the unaffected eye

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jlbae  They might refer to MGP as "relative afferent pupil defect" on the NMBE +1
lindasmith462  is there anything differentiating this from acute angle closure glaucoma? She's a little young for ACG but a little old for MS. both would present w/ sudden painful vision loss and a pupil poorly responsive to light. (answer is still optic nerve though) +1
notyasupreme  ^^ Probably would have had vomiting, nausea, and other factors that suggest that it's angle closure glaucoma.. +mid-dilated pupil +


submitted by charcot_bouchard(574), visit this page
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She is obese. No 1 risk factor for OA which affects hip joint. So lose some weight

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notyasupreme  I wish they would just give the BMIs, nobody got time to be deciding if she's obese +1


submitted by saffronshawty(30), visit this page
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I get that the bruit = Renovascular disease. But why is it not hyperaldosteronism when there is hypertension + hypokalemia + elevated bicarb

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saffronshawty  OHHH wait, is there secondary hyperaldosteronism due to the renal artery stenosis? that explains things.. +2
adong  yea elevated renin +
notyasupreme  I think it's because of the location.. I was between those two choices, but figured one said the adrenal veins, when this is 2/2 renovascular stenosis +1


submitted by step_prep(148), visit this page
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  • Patient with small cell lung cancer develops hyponatremia = SIADH until proven otherwise (basically confirmed with a urine osmolality > 100 and urine sodium > 40)
  • Mild hyponatremia symptoms (sodium>120, lethargy/forgetfulness): Fluid restriction +/- salt tablets
  • Severe hyponatremia symptoms (sodium<120, seizures, coma): Hypertonic (3%) saline

https://step-prep.org

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madojo  He's not really symptomatic "mild nonproductive cough but is otherwise feeling." Why wouldnt you give demeclocycline to treat the SIADH. +
notyasupreme  @madojo, I agree.. I put the same answer as you, but I guess fluid restriction is the FIRST line treatment of all.. Lol, these Anki that give you all three (+conivaptan) never tell you which is the right one in these cases. +
beans123  demeclocycline is neurotoxic, UW says only to use it if salt tablets and fluid restriction fail +


submitted by step_prep(148), visit this page
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  • Described study is subject to observer/measurement bias because each individual physician is making a subjective determination of the patientโ€™s respiratory distress without objective measures such as O2 status, O2 need, respiratory rate, etc.

https://step-prep.org

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osler_weber_rendu  What about the insufficient sample size? 40 patients per group seems low +1
notyasupreme  Lol, for some reason I read it as the same physician evaluating, but then I re-read it after reviewing and I realized I have no comprehension skills hahahaha +2


submitted by spiroskeet(31), visit this page
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This was a poorly worded question โ€“ the underlying mechanism of the child's condition is narrowing of the aorta, causing backup into the heart and upper body. If they wanted to get at why it presented after 3 days instead of immediately, maybe just maybe they should've asked that instead.

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notyasupreme  Agreed! This is worded so badly, and is so classic NBME! I guess it couldn't have been the others because increase in peripheral vascular resistance isn't technically counted as the aorta. +


submitted by seagull(1933), visit this page
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I was desperately looking for cellulitis. I never did see it. Some say I'm still looking for it to this day.

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welpdedelp  Same lol. A question I had was I thought lymphangitis was supposed to precede some sort of injury, obv not lol but was the lymph node the main giveaway? +1
keyseph  I think the key distinguishing features are the red streaks leading to an area of local lymphadenopathy. Otherwise, cellulitis would be a viable option if given. +6
charcot_bouchard  Cellulitis can lead to lymphangitis +1
notyasupreme  I thought lymphangitis is seen more with erysipelas +


submitted by step_prep(148), visit this page
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  • Patient with history of breast cancer presents with progressive shortness of breath with elevated JVP, hypotension, pulsus paradoxus (drop in BP by at least 10 mm Hg on inspiration), enlarged heart on CXR and decreased voltage on ECG, most consistent with cardiac tamponade (likely secondary to cancer recurrence and metastasis to the pericardium)

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lm4  or prior treatment with radiation caused fibrosis of pericardium --> constrictive pericarditis --> cardiac tamponade +5
jlbae  This is the way. +
notyasupreme  Doesn't tamponade not cause pulmonary edema / crackles since it's usually right sided heart failure? I picked it anyways, but remember a UWorld question about that vs. AR +


submitted by scrambledeggs(17), visit this page
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This lady had preterm premature rupture of membranes. She had a genital tract infection, which is a risk factor for PPROM.

From Uptodate: Many of the microorganisms that colonize the lower genital tract have the capacity to produce phospholipases, which can stimulate the production of prostaglandins and thereby lead to the onset of uterine contractions. In addition, the host's immune response to bacterial invasion of the endocervix and/or fetal membranes leads to the production of multiple inflammatory mediators that can cause localized weakening of the fetal membranes and result in PPROM.

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alimd  did you pay fucking $30? +2
cheesetouch  some institutions give students UpToDate access +6
cbreland  I knew that misoprostol (PGE1) can be used for abortions by forcing uterine contractions, so I figured the answer had something to do with prostaglandins +11
rthavranek  I knew prostaglandins increased uterine contraction, but I also thought PGE2 caused cervical ripening and since there was a closed cervix, I eliminated that choice. I had no idea what was going on so I just picked oxytocin since that would increase uterine tone without dilation, though my reasoning seems to be incorrect +2
utap2001  Great, the above message deserve $30. +
notyasupreme  I think also it said that the fetus releases oxytocin and steroids, which I guess is stupid wording that makes it not right. Anyways, fuck the curve on NBME 18 :) +4
okokok1  if anyone didn't know what "PPROM" stood for it is: Preterm Premature Rupture Of Membranes" +4
aakb  I was between the prostaglandin answer and stressed fetal production and release of oxytocin and the reason I didn't pick oxytocin was if the cervical os is closed (membranes ruptured 32 hrs ago and contractions been going on for 12) and there's no effacement, it didn't seem like that baby actually wanted to come out so I thought that's not what's happening here. Plus mom has a fever so inflamed maternal decidua seemed to fit. +2
helppls  If there was an increase in Pgs why did she not have a ripened cervix? +
leemax  read it again guys-option E-stressed fetal production and release of OXYTOCIN. good nbme,got me there! +1
gabriellerenai  I think a key thing is that oxytocin is never the primary initiator of labor even in full term labor (it mainly controls Phase 3 and 4): via up to date - "It is unlikely that oxytocin provides the trigger for the initiation of labor, but the release of oxytocin during labor results in more forceful uterine contractions and undoubtedly facilitates delivery of the fetus and placenta." +3
gabriellerenai  and their question was what is the primary stimulus +
epiglotitties  @leemax doesn't the fetus produce oxytocin? and its clearly stressed, a fetal heart rate of 210 is high isnt it? Still don't get why that couldnt be the answer.. +
fatboyslim  I got this wrong and chose oxytocin. But now I recall a UW question saying oxytocin receptors on the uterus don't play much of a role in uterine contractions until about the late 3rd trimester. This fetus is 27 weeks gestation. +


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monoclonal IgG kappa (light chain) spike on electrophoresis, lytic bone lesions in the spine, cardiomegaly all point to multiple myeloma. Causes a primary amyloidosis that can deposit in multiple tissues, like the heart in this patient.

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underd0g  Why can't the answer be plasma cell infiltration? +2
notyasupreme  @underd0g I put that too, but I think if you look at the histo picture, it literally shows all the eosinophilic looking bullshit from amyloidosis, and it was specifically asking the cardiac symptoms. The cause of MM is plasma cell, but the cause of the cardiac is the primary amyloid deposition = restricitive cardiomyopathy +
trishasingh  In multiple myeloma there is overproduction of immunoglobulin light chain that causes majority of the symptoms, like bence jones proteins in the urine and infiltration of organs like the kidneys and the heart. It causes diastolic dysfunction of the heart. Other infiltrative diseases, like haemochromatosis and sarcoidosis also cause diastolic dysfunction of the heart. +
ih8payingfordis  This is a case of primary amyloidosis from deposition of Ig Light chains (AL). FA 2019 pg 212 +


submitted by sahusema(173), visit this page
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What a GARBAGE question. He was eating breakfast 2 hours ago just fine and now we are supposed to have the family come to a consensus about a feeding tube like he's on his death bed? BULLSHIT

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daddyusmle  Did you get the question wrong? +
notyasupreme  ^ ummm.. chile anyways.. +


submitted by benzjonez(48), visit this page
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Uworld Qid 1543 has a good explanation as to how pulmonary fibrosis increases the radial traction on the airway walls.

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cienfuegos  I think this is it -pulmonary fibrosis increases elastic recoiland widens airway 2/2 increased outward force (radial traction) by fibrotic tissue thus decreasing airflow resistance thus supernormal expiratory flow rates (higher than nl following correction for lung volume) +4
notyasupreme  ^ Why do I feel like this is literally not english, I have no clue what's being said here. Can someone else explain it? +2
skonys  Radial Traction is basically the force that the surrounding scaffold of the lung parenchyma exerts on a brochial tube to keep it patent when youre breathing. In restrictive lung disease (interstitial pulmonary fibrosis) youre adding more fibrous scaffolding around the tube which keeps BIG open. These patients have a greater than FEV1 than you would think. They are taking in less air into their restricted lungs but that lung tissue has a much hhigher elastic recoil so what air they bring in is forced out through patent brochioles that are held open. In some obstructive lung diseases like emphasema, you have elastases tearing up the scaffolding holding the tubes open and these tubes naturally want to collapse so they do. They have less "traction" force radially around the tube holding it open so air is trapped. +2


submitted by taway(35), visit this page
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This question is phrased strangely, but it's essentially asking "what would happen if this woman's hypothyroidism became uncontrolled over the course of her pregnancy?"

currently her TSH is good --> well-controlled hypothryoidism HYPOTHETICAL high TSH --> her hypothyroidism must NOT be well-controlled (due to disruption of the T3/T4/TRH/TSH endocrine axis)

So, now that we understand that the question is asking "what would happen if her hypothyroidism was uncontrolled?"

Answer: cretinism

I think that this question is phrased atrociously, but far be it from me to criticize the USMLE licensing board...

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yotsubato  I think that this question is phrased atrociously, Just like the rest of the NBME +26
b1ackcoffee  exactly how does maternal hashimoto can cause cretinism? +1
notyasupreme  @b1ackcoffee, it's not maternal hashimoto, basically you just have to disregard the ENTIRE question stem and the last part of the sentence (if the mom's TSH goes up) means that there's hypothyroidism going on, which causes cretinism. +5
b1ackcoffee  Thanks you @notyasupreme! +


submitted by meningitis(644), visit this page
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When standing up, the body normally activates sympathetic system to avoid orthostatic hypotension.

But since there is now an additive effect of the pheochromocytoma adrenergics, it will lead to a hypertension

(i.e: Double vasoconstriction = Pheo adrenergics + Sympathetic system)

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sympathetikey  Brilliant. +6
medschul  Would pheo have a normal resting BP though? +16
meningitis  I was trying to justify these tricky questions but very true medschul.. It shouldn't have normal resting BP. Sometimes it seems these NBME always have a trick up their sleeve. Im getting paranoid lol +
nala_ula  The reason why the patient probably has normal HTN is because Pheochromocytoma has symptoms that occurs in "spells" - they come and go. Apparently in that moment, when the physician is examining her, she doesn't have the HTN, but like @meningitis explained, so many adrenergic hormones around leads to double the vasoconstriction when the patient stands up. +10
meningitis  Thank you @nala_ula for your contribution! Really filled in the gap Iwas missing. +2
nala_ula  No problem! Thank you for all your contributions throughout this page! +2
mjmejora  I thought the pheochromocytoma was getting squeezed during sitting and releasing the epinephrine then. kinda like how it can happen during manipulation during surgery. Got it right for sorta wrong reasons then oh well. +
llamastep1  When she sits in the examination table there would be a normal activation of the sympathetic system from the stress of getting examined which is amplified by the pheo. Cheers. +
sammyj98  UpToDate: Approximately one-half have paroxysmal hypertension; most of the rest have either primary hypertension (formerly called "essential" hypertension) or normal blood pressure. +
hello_planet  FA 2019 pg. 336 +2
notyasupreme  Damn llama, that is WAYYY too much of an inference. Maybe if they said she was nervous in general or something, but not everyone gets stressed out by a doctor hahaha +
jakelong377  Itโ€™s not about being stressed infront of doctor. When u stand sympathetics activate to prevent orthostatic hypotension, to counter it adrenal medulla released catecholamines so much so that pheochromocytoma patients would appears with flushed skin n such +


submitted by saqeer(6), visit this page
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Remember pheocrhomocytoma leads to high EPO, which leads to polycythemia and flushing seen in this patient

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notyasupreme  I thought from the 5 Ps of pheochromocytoma, Pallor was one of them? That's what threw me off from keeping it the same.. Or atleast the anking deck says pallor. +1
saqeer  the way i understand it the pallor is because of the sever vasoconstriction during an episode of catcholamine release but in general anything leading to polycythemia can lead to flushing +


submitted by cassdawg(1781), visit this page
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Sildenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor that runs the risk of causing hypotension in patients on nitrates due to the synergy of the mechanisms of action. [FA2020 p246]

Nitrates, like nitroglycerin, work by increasing NO production which in turn acts to increase cGMP in smooth muscle causing vasodilation. PDE5 inhibitors act by decreasing the breakdown of cGMP in smooth muscle, enhancing the action of NO to cause vasodilation. Thus, when combined there can be systemic vasodilation that leads to dangerous hypotension.

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lee280  For some reason, I had two answers that I felt like both made absolute sense to me. As explained above, that totally came to my mind and I knew this was the case. When I thought about Metoprolol blocking B1 receptors in a patient with an ejection fraction of only 30%, I was thinking this could as well be a contraindication, not sure if it's an absolute one or relative. Now, am I right if I said that Beta-blockers are only contraindicated in acute decompensated HF? and can be used unless otherwise? Someone, please help me clarify this, so then this distinction can come clean in my thoughts. Thanks +2
notyasupreme  I thought the same thing as you, I think we're just overthinking the most important thing - never give antihypertensive with Viagra lmfao. I totally thought too deep into it. +4
topgunber  sildenafil does make sense, especially since hes on 2 vasodilators. I picked diltiazem because the pt has systolic heart failure. thought it was contra indicated to give CCB to systolic heart failure because you could further decrease contractility. Either way never give NTG and viagra +1
sexymexican888  Yeah @topgunber I also picked diltiazem.... I guess they were looking for "COMBINATION" rather than a specific contraindication +
pakimd  @lee280 you are right in saying that beta blockers are only contraindicated in acute decompensated heart failure. this is because beta blockers, which would normally prevent the deleterious effects of neurohormones like norepinephrine on cardiac remodeling that occurs in HFrEF, will further impair cardiac output in decompensation. hope this helps :) +1
leap1608  The answer to all your queries lies in the fact that a combination of Metoprolol and vasodilators would actually be beneficial in dampening the REFLEX TACHYCARDIC effect of nitrates, hydralazines etc. Hence, decreasing the work load on the heart. +1


submitted by bingcentipede(359), visit this page
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Clomiphene is a SERM that antagonizes estrogen receptors in the hypothalamus.

If estrogen is antagonized there, there is decreased negative feedback to improve FSH and LH release to stimulate ovulation. This is very important in PCOS and other disorders with decreased fertility.

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notyasupreme  I guess I wasn't sure because it said FSH and LH levels were normal, so I assumed the problem was with progesterone. But I thought too deep into it and should've just went with my gut. +2
feochromocytoma  Clopmiphene is usually the answer for infertility with NORMAL anatomy and NORMAL appearing labs +4
drdoom  very nice +
cheesetouch  FA18 p 637 +
sexymexican888  Yeah I made the same mistake by choosing progesterone BUT they are used for contraception (pill, IUD etc) and for the PROGESTIN challenge EXCLUDES (if +withdrawl bleed its hormonal PCOS etc) uterine bleeding due to anatomic defects (which will have no withdrawal bleeding i.e asherman) so as far I know its not used as fertility treatment +


submitted by notyasupreme(48), visit this page
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Just wondering if someone could explain the difference between collagen and elastin for this one? I thought either or could be used for tensile strength. Anyone have clarification, don't know why collagen is the best answer!

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notyasupreme  Lol, never mind I realize, it's a scar and that's type III collagen! +6
meryen13  type III is whats usually present but then it gets replaced by collagen I in the scar tissue to add more strength. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4352699/ +1
i_hate_it_here  It is also the disulfide bonds that add to tensile strength of collagen, while the inter-chain fibril cross-linking that leads to elastins elasticity FA2020 pg: 51&52 +
xw1984  I think the Q emphasized postoperatiive. Maybe the production of elastin does not increase much comparing to collagen. +
topgunber  i think they would refer to elastin in cases of arteriolar compliance +


submitted by barbados(6), visit this page
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Did anyone else feel like the question should have been more specific as in saying "just before the consumption of a meal"? As in saying she has high ghrelin = high hunger just before she eats so point B?

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lee280  I agree, at the start, I got a bit confused because I felt like the question was probably less specific than it would have been, but NBME being NBME this is really expected. When you think about it more closely, once you consume the meal then ghrelin will peak and start dropping. +21
notyasupreme  I agree, I had B at first but then thought too deep into it. I thought if she ATE a meal, she'd be full and low ghrelin. Annoying to get a question wrong on something so simple. +2
radzio1  Also got this question wrong. A really bad explanation what they want from the curve... +1
shieldmaiden  Basically she is eating at peak ghrelin (B) its drops, then she likely eats a snack on E +
bboucher  They ask what point ''represent the consumption of a meal'' by mean there is no reason you're ghrelin would start dropping before you even started eating (point C which is I guess the other you might have guess) in contrast to B where it follows a natural physiologic cycle where it increase because you get hungry --> You eat because you're hungry --> Abdominal distention due to the food start decreasing ghrelin. +
ali_hassan  I get it now, but when I was doing the test it made absolutely no sense, I was stuck between B - C - D. Word your questions better NBME! +
chaosawaits  I'm reading the question now and I still think "the consumption of a meal" means that the meal has been consumed. I feel like this is really a black & blue dress and once again, I'm not in on the joke. +
chaosawaits  I think the question is actually worded properly because of the lag before ghrelin is released. As you consume the meal, ghrelin release slows down, such that the peak arises by the end of the meal. Therefore B is the right choice because at the end of consumption of the meal is the peak of amount of ghrelin. It's not like as soon as you take a bite of cream of wheat, the ghrelin levels immediately shoot down. Maybe? +


submitted by bingcentipede(359), visit this page
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IV normal saline will increase hydrostatic pressure in the vasculature. This isotonic solution is freely filtered across the capillaries, which is collected by lymphatics and can be picked up in this experiment.

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motherhen  Why does albumin solution not have this effect? +3
notyasupreme  I think it's because albumin in saline is hypertonic, which would cause the opposite effect of what the experiment was going for. Fluid would go across the capillaries into the vasculature, rather than vice versa. +4


submitted by aoa05(34), visit this page
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A high stepping gate implies distal more than proximal weakness. Hammer toes are a finding in Charcot-Marie-Tooth (hereditary motor and sensory) neuropathies, most of which also feature demyelination of peripheral myelin sheaths. Slowing of nerve conduction velocities could have demonstrated the same thing less invasively.?

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notyasupreme  Ask me why I thought this was Friedreich Ataxia and not CMT fml lol +
shakakaka  Why did you think that it's FA? +1
fatboyslim  @notyasupreme because Friedreich's has hammer toes? +


submitted by andro(269), visit this page
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Fatty Acid degradation
-Occurs in mitochondria or peroxisomes

First step - uptake of the fatty acids by the cell and addition of CoA to them

Second step - Uptake of the Fatty Acyl CoA molecule into the mitochondria by the Carnitine Shuttle *( which involves removal and then addition of the CoA molecule again to the fatty acid once inside the mitochondria)

Once in the mitochondria the fatty acid may undergo , Beta-oxidation ( a process in which a fatty acid is oxidized/cleaved at the Beta carbon to generate Acetyl CoA in several cycles )

An Acyl CoA dehydrogenase catalyzes the initial step .
Look out for Hypoketotic Hypoglycemia in defects of fatty acid degradation

The 2 main subtypes to be aware of are -a problem with the carnitine shuttle ( systemic carnitine deficiency) - or with an Acyl CoA dehydrogenase ( eg MCAD deficiency )

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notyasupreme  It's actually funny because the question stem makes it seem like it's an MCAD deficiency (presence of dicarboxylic acid) and all the symptoms, but then treat it with MCAD. Whatever, I got it right but it just felt like a weird question to me. +4
nbmeanswersownersucks  yeah I was confused too but I also think the negative serum carnitine is supposed to help r/o MCAD deficiency since that usually has elevated serum carnitine. +1
baja_blast  If Carnitine was an option here, how could we differentiate this from primary carnitine deficiency? Would it have been possible? +11
melanoma  the presence of dicarboxylic aciduria is more related to mcad/lcad deficiency. the patient receives medium chain tryglicerides because he has the enzyme to metabolize it. +10
melanoma  but no for the long chain +
topgunber  just a few things, sure it sounds like mcad but lcad would present similarly, except in MCAD, giving medium chain triglycerides would worsen symptoms as compared with LCAD. + Similarly when fatty acids cant undergo Beta oxidation they undergo omega oxidation- which is why there is increased dicarboxlic acids (i.e. dont just jump for MCAD when you see dicarboxilic acids). Last of all it would be difficult to differentiate but if the patient were deficient in carnitine the treatment with MCADs would not show improvement because carnitine is required to shuttle the fatty acid into the MTs. +2
topgunber  'a 'weird question' because my school never asked it' +1
sexymexican888  According to UWORLD: Primary carnitine deficiency elevated muscle triglycerides. MCAD, will not +2


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