12 USMLE Pathology, Hematology and Genetics Quick Review Questions with Answers (Set 6)

These 12 quick USMLE review questions test high-yield facts that show up again and again on the exam: nephrotic syndrome, Cushing syndrome, Plummer-Vinson syndrome, achondroplasia, rheumatoid arthritis, necrosis, myeloid cells, Felty syndrome, drug-induced anemia, Paget disease, pyruvate kinase and chronic pancreatitis. Each question includes the correct answer.

Written by Dr. Ray Makar, MD, author of the Repeated USMLE Questions eBook series.

Prefer video? Watch daily USMLE case questions on MedFocus by Dr. Ray on YouTube.

How to use this page: read the question, pick your answer, then tap Show Answer and Explanation.

Questions

Question 1. Which one of the following renal conditions is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children?

A- Diabetic nephropathy
B- Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
C- Membranous nephropathy
D- Minimal-change disease

D- Minimal-change disease- This is the most common nephrotic syndrome in children. It is idiopathic but it can occur secondary to NSAID’s use or malignancy.
The correct answer is D

 

Question 2. Which one of the following is the most common cause of Cushing syndrome in adults?

A- Carcinoma of the adrenal gland
B- Exogenous corticosteroids
C- Hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex
D- Primary adrenal adenoma

B-Exogenous corticosteroids- Any of the choices can cause Cushing syndrome by high level of cortisol but the most common cause is the use of corticosteroids.
The correct answer is B

 

Question 3. Which one of the following conditions is characterized by dysphagia, iron deficiency anemia and the presence of esophageal webs?

A- Barrett esophagus
B- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
C- Mallory-Weiss syndrome
D- Plummer-Vinson syndrome

D-Plummer-Vinson syndrome- The triad of dysphagia, iron deficiency anemia and esophageal webs is characteristic of this condition. Other conditions have different presentations and etiologies.
The correct answer is D

 

Question 4. Dwarfism is recognized as shortness in height that can be caused by genetic or medical conditions. Which of the following is the most common cause of dwarfism?

A- Achondroplasia
B- Osteonecrosis
C- Osteopetrosis
D- Rickets

A- Achondroplasia- It is an autosomal dominant disorder leads to failure of endochondral ossification which is responsible for longitudinal bone growth.
The correct answer is A

 

Question 5. Cervical subluxation, ulnar finger deviation and swan neck deformities are characteristic of which one of the following conditions?

A- Gout
B- Osteoarthritis
C- Pseudo-gout
D- Rheumatoid arthritis

D- Rheumatoid arthritis- It is an autoimmune disease characterized by erosion of articular cartilage and bone. It causes erosions, soft tissue swelling and extraarticular manifestations.
The correct answer is D

 

Question 6. A patient with a long history of atherosclerosis develops dry gangrene in his foot and toes. Which of the following types of necrosis predominates in this condition?

A- Coagulative necrosis
B- Fat necrosis
C- Fibrinoid necrosis
D- Liquefactive necrosis

A- Coagulative necrosis- This type of necrosis develops due to sudden impairment of vascular supply to the organs except the brain which develops liquefactive necrosis due to vascular damage.
The correct answer is A

 

Question 7. Common myeloid progenitor will give rise to which one of the following types of cells?

A- B lymphocytes
B- Eosinophils
C- Natural killer (NK) cells
D- T lymphocytes

B-Eosinophils- It is the only type of cells of the answer options generated from common myeloid progenitor. Other types of cells on the list are generated from common lymphoid progenitor.
The correct answer is B

 

Question 8. Which one of the following conditions is a polyarticular rheumatoid arthritis which is characterized by splenomegaly, leucopenia and leg ulcers?

A- Ankylosing spondylitis
B- Felty syndrome
C- Psoriatic arthritis
D- Still disease

B-Felty syndrome- Neutropenia in Felty syndrome causes splenomegaly and bone marrow failure. Still disease is a juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and accompanied with fever, lymphadenopathy and periarticular swelling.
The correct answer is B

 

Question 9. Which one of the following types of anemia is not associated with previous drug use?

A- Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
B- Aplastic anemia
C- G6PD deficiency
D- Microcytic anemia

D-Microcytic anemia- This type of anemia is not caused by drug use but is associated mainly with iron deficiency.
The correct answer is D

 

Question 10. Which one of the following conditions is the most likely complication of Paget disease of bone in elderly patients?

A- Acute renal failure
B- Congestive heart failure
C- Dementia
D- Hepatic failure

B- Congestive heart failure- Paget disease of bone causes increased blood flow into the affected areas of bone which leads to high output congestive heart failure. This complication is common in elderly patients with less cardiac reserve.
The correct answer is B

 

Question 11. Echinocytes are types of erythrocytes characterized by an abnormal cell membrane with small, spaced thorny projections. The presence of these cells in the blood is characteristic of which one of the following enzyme deficiencies?

A- Citrate synthase
B- Glycogen reductase
C- Glycogen synthase
D- Pyruvate kinase

D- Pyruvate kinase- It is an inherited metabolic disorder leads to hemolytic anemia in young children due to impairment of glycolysis and decreased ATP caused by pyruvate kinase deficiency.
The correct answer is D

 

Question 12. Which one of the following is the most accurate diagnostic test for chronic pancreatitis?

A- Abdominal CT scan
B- Abdominal X-ray
C- Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)
D- Anti-tissue transglutaminase
E- Secretin stimulation testing

E- Secretin stimulation testing- In a normal pancreas, intravenous injection of secretin will release a large amount of bicarbonate rich fluid.
The correct answer is E

 

High-yield points from this set

  • Minimal change disease is the most common nephrotic syndrome in children.
  • Exogenous steroids are the most common cause of Cushing syndrome.
  • Plummer-Vinson: dysphagia, iron deficiency anemia and esophageal webs.
  • Felty syndrome: rheumatoid arthritis, splenomegaly and neutropenia.

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