These 10 quick USMLE review questions test high-yield facts that show up again and again on the exam: Hashimoto thyroiditis, presbycusis, life expectancy, paraphilias, the autonomic nervous system, Peyronie disease, Mallory-Weiss syndrome, chancroid, acid-base disorders and the skull. Each question includes the correct answer.
Written by Dr. Ray Makar, MD, author of the Repeated USMLE Questions eBook series.
How to use this page: read the question, pick your answer, then tap Show Answer and Explanation.
Questions
Question 1. A 28-year-old female presents with a history of fatigue, weight gain, and cold intolerance. Physical examination reveals a puffy face, slow speech, and coarse hair. Laboratory tests show elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and decreased free thyroxine (FT4). What is the most likely diagnosis?
B-Hashimoto’s thyroiditis- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition leading to inflammation and gradual destruction of thyroid tissue. This results in hypothyroidism, as seen by elevated TSH and decreased FT4 levels. The clinical features often include fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, and characteristic physical signs such as a puffy face, slow speech, and coarse hair.
The correct answer is B
Question 2. An 83-year-old man complains of difficulty hearing in both ears over the past three years. Which of the following conditions is characterized by age-related hearing loss?
C- Presbycusis- It’s a common condition characterized by gradual, bilateral, high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss that typically occurs as people age. Presbycusis is often a result of cumulative exposure to noise, changes in the inner ear structures, and decreased blood supply to the auditory system over time. Meniere’s disease is characterized by episodic vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. Osteosclerosis is a condition where abnormal bone growth occurs within the middle ear, leading to conductive hearing loss. Tinnitus is a perception of noise or ringing in the ears and can occur with various conditions, including age-related hearing loss, but it is not specific to presbycusis.
The correct answer is C
Question 3. The increase in average age and life expectancy in this century compared to the last is largely attributed to the prevention and treatment of which of the following diseases?
A- Atherosclerosis
B- Cancer
C- Emphysema
D- Infection
D- Infection- The prevention and treatment of infections, particularly through advancements in vaccines, antibiotics, and public health measures, have played a significant role in increasing average age and life expectancy. Reductions in infectious diseases have led to lower mortality rates, especially in infants and young children, contributing to longer lifespans across populations.
The correct answer is D
Question 4. Which diagnosis is most likely for a heterosexual man, aged 30, who frequently cross-dresses for sexual arousal but remains satisfied with his biological gender?
C- Transvestic disorder- This disorder involves recurrent and intense sexual arousal from cross-dressing, causing distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. It’s characterized by the desire to dress as the opposite gender for sexual excitement, without a desire to change one’s biological gender.
The correct answer is C
Question 5. Activity of which of the following autonomic nervous systems slows the processes of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT)?
A- Parasympathetic
B- Sympathetic
B- Sympathetic- The sympathetic nervous system generally inhibits digestive activities, reducing gastrointestinal motility and secretions.
The correct answer is B
Question 6. A 44-year-old man was worried that his penis changes in shape when it’s erect. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
D- Peyronie disease- It is the most likely diagnosis. It occurs due to the formation of fibrous plaques causing curvature and deformation.
The correct answer is D
Question 7. An alcoholic man complains of numerous episodes of prolonged vomiting followed by hematemesis during the past two weeks. Vital signs are within normal limits and physical examination is unremarkable. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
D- Mallory-Weiss syndrome- This condition is characterized by tears in the lining of the esophagus, often caused by severe or prolonged vomiting. It is commonly seen in individuals with a history of heavy alcohol use.
The correct answer is D
Question 8. Chancroid is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) characterized by painful ulcers on the genitalia. This infection is caused by which one of the following organisms?
B- Haemophilus ducreyi- Chancroid is an STI characterized by painful genital ulcers and swollen lymph nodes. The ulcers caused by Haemophilus ducreyi have irregular borders and a soft base, often described as having a “soft chancre”. The Chancre of primary syphilis is not painful.
The correct answer is B
Question 9. Which of the following is the acid-base disturbance most likely seen in a case of aspirin toxicity?
A- Metabolic acidosis only
B- Respiratory alkalosis only
C- Respiratory acidosis and metabolic alkalosis
D- Respiratory alkalosis and metabolic acidosis
D- Respiratory alkalosis and metabolic acidosis—In the early stages of aspirin toxicity, respiratory alkalosis predominates due to hyperventilation. As toxicity progresses, metabolic acidosis becomes more pronounced due to the accumulation of organic acids and disruption of cellular metabolism. In this case, both respiratory alkalosis and metabolic alkalosis coexist.
The correct answer is D
Question 10. Which of the following bones articulate at the coronal suture of the skull?
A- The frontal and occipital bones
B- The frontal and parietal bones
C- The parietal and occipital bones
D- The parietal bones of both sides
B- The frontal and parietal bones- The coronal suture is the junction where the frontal bone articulates with the parietal bones on either side of the skull.
The correct answer is B
High-yield points from this set
Hashimoto thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in iodine-sufficient areas.
Peyronie disease causes penile curvature during erection.
Vomiting then hematemesis in an alcoholic = Mallory-Weiss tear.