Q- Which one of the following factors is the most accurate measure for the severity of diabetic ketoacidosis?
A- Blood ketones
B- Serum bicarbonate level
C- Serum glucose level
D- Urine ketones
B- Serum bicarbonate level- The patient is at risk of death if his serum carbonate level drops down. Blood ketones is a good measure but it can’t be all detected. Serum glucose can go to very high level without the presence of ketoacidosis.
Q- A patient develops severe diarrhea after 2 weeks of treating pneumonia with broad spectrum antibiotics. Which of the following is the first line of treatment of this condition?
A- Ampicillin
B- Ciprofloxacin
C- Methicillin
D- Vancomycin
B- Ciprofloxacin- The patient is likely experiencing antibiotic-associated diarrhea, which is caused by disruption of the normal gut flora by broad-spectrum antibiotics. Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic that specifically targets the bacteria responsible for this type of diarrhea, namely Clostridium difficile. It is considered first-line therapy for mild to moderate cases of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and is often given orally.
Ampicillin, methicillin, and vancomycin are not optimal choices for treating this type of diarrhea. Ampicillin and methicillin are both broad-spectrum antibiotics that could further disrupt the gut flora and potentially worsen the diarrhea. Vancomycin is reserved for more severe cases of C. difficile infection and is given intravenously.
Q- Which one of the following studies measures heritability and influence of environmental factors?
A- Adoption study
B- Case-control study
C- Cohort study
D- Cross-sectional study
A- Adoption study- This study compares siblings raised by biological vs adoptive parents to measure heritability and influence of environmental factors.
8 thoughts on “Repeated USMLE Questions Step 1- Review- 20”
I am glad I can help you. Thank you Dr. Mohamednor
I realy appreciate for your helping your knowledge
Thanks Dr. Majed for your comment. Vancomycin is used for severe cases. Ciprofloxacin in mild to moderate cases. This is how to answer USMLE questions which are sometimes have special answers that don’t match with all the schools of medicine. Thanks again for your comment.
The answer is vancomycin given orally. This is what we do in the USA.
As I mentioned in the answer’s explanation, vancomycin is used in severe cases and if ciprofloxacin failed. This is the algorithm used in all medical facilities in the USA. Thank you for your comment.
Q- A patient develops severe diarrhea after 2 weeks of treating pneumonia with broad spectrum antibiotics. Which of the following is the first line of treatment of this condition?
A- Ampicillin
B- Ciprofloxacin
C- Methicillin
D- Vancomycin
The answer should be D and not B.
Ciprofloxacin may be a good choice to treat traveller’s diarrhea, however, a diarrhea associated with the use of broad spectrum antibiotics should be treated with discontinuation of the offending antibiotic and maintaining adequate hydration. If C. difficile infection is confirmed then the antibiotic of choice is ORAL vancomycin, not IV.
Thank you so much Dr. Chung. I actually edit the post to reflect your answer. I appreciate your help.
Q- A patient develops severe diarrhea after 2 weeks of treating pneumonia with broad spectrum antibiotics. Which of the following is the first line of treatment of this condition?
A- Ampicillin
B- Ciprofloxacin
C- Methicillin
D- Vancomycin
The answer is B and not D
The correct answer is B- Ciprofloxacin.
The patient is likely experiencing antibiotic-associated diarrhea, which is caused by disruption of the normal gut flora by broad-spectrum antibiotics. Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic that specifically targets the bacteria responsible for this type of diarrhea, namely Clostridium difficile. It is considered first-line therapy for mild to moderate cases of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and is often given orally.
Ampicillin, methicillin, and vancomycin are not optimal choices for treating this type of diarrhea. Ampicillin and methicillin are both broad-spectrum antibiotics that could further disrupt the gut flora and potentially worsen the diarrhea. Vancomycin is reserved for more severe cases of C. difficile infection and is given intravenously.
I am glad I can help you. Thank you Dr. Mohamednor
I realy appreciate for your helping your knowledge
Thanks Dr. Majed for your comment. Vancomycin is used for severe cases. Ciprofloxacin in mild to moderate cases. This is how to answer USMLE questions which are sometimes have special answers that don’t match with all the schools of medicine. Thanks again for your comment.
The answer is vancomycin given orally. This is what we do in the USA.
As I mentioned in the answer’s explanation, vancomycin is used in severe cases and if ciprofloxacin failed. This is the algorithm used in all medical facilities in the USA. Thank you for your comment.
Q- A patient develops severe diarrhea after 2 weeks of treating pneumonia with broad spectrum antibiotics. Which of the following is the first line of treatment of this condition?
A- Ampicillin
B- Ciprofloxacin
C- Methicillin
D- Vancomycin
The answer should be D and not B.
Ciprofloxacin may be a good choice to treat traveller’s diarrhea, however, a diarrhea associated with the use of broad spectrum antibiotics should be treated with discontinuation of the offending antibiotic and maintaining adequate hydration. If C. difficile infection is confirmed then the antibiotic of choice is ORAL vancomycin, not IV.
Thank you so much Dr. Chung. I actually edit the post to reflect your answer. I appreciate your help.
Q- A patient develops severe diarrhea after 2 weeks of treating pneumonia with broad spectrum antibiotics. Which of the following is the first line of treatment of this condition?
A- Ampicillin
B- Ciprofloxacin
C- Methicillin
D- Vancomycin
The answer is B and not D
The correct answer is B- Ciprofloxacin.
The patient is likely experiencing antibiotic-associated diarrhea, which is caused by disruption of the normal gut flora by broad-spectrum antibiotics. Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic that specifically targets the bacteria responsible for this type of diarrhea, namely Clostridium difficile. It is considered first-line therapy for mild to moderate cases of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and is often given orally.
Ampicillin, methicillin, and vancomycin are not optimal choices for treating this type of diarrhea. Ampicillin and methicillin are both broad-spectrum antibiotics that could further disrupt the gut flora and potentially worsen the diarrhea. Vancomycin is reserved for more severe cases of C. difficile infection and is given intravenously.