AEA Memorandum 2009
Questions
MCQs
1. What factor(s) can distinguish between fast and slow skeletal muscle
fibres?
a. Speed of myosin ATPase and density of internal calcium stores in the
sarcoplasmic reticulum
b. Cross-sectional diameter.
c. Elasticity of endomysium.
d. Organisation of mitochondria in relation to myofibrils.
e. The difference in the number of t-tubules per sarcomere in fast- and
slow-twitch.
2. Regarding anti-inflammatory drugs, which of the following is MOST
CORRECT?
a. Aspirin is a selective inhibitor of COX-2.
b. Selective COX-1 inhibitors lead to increased GIT bleeding compared
to COX-2 inhibitors.
c. Serious liver damage is a class effect cyclo-oxygenase.
d. The anti-inflammatory effects of corticosteroids are partly due to the
stimulation of aldosterone in the juxta-glomerular apparatus.
e. Corticosteroids are useful in early stages of osteoarthritis.
3. A 35-year-old male presents to your general practice with bright red
bleeding in his stool and diarrhoea. After an examination, he is only found
to have haemorrhoids, and he has no family history of colorectal cancer.
What is the best course of action?
a. Reassure him that it is only haemorrhoids and to return if the
symptoms persist.
b. Refer him for assessment with colonoscopy.
c. Barium meal
d. Barium enema.
e. Advise him to take his anti-diarrhoeal medications.
4. Which feature of the stroma around tumours is LEAST CORRECT?
a. The stroma is made by the tumour cells.
b. New blood vessels grow into the tumour
c. Stroma gives cancers their characteristic ‘hard’ feeling.
d. In tumours of epithelial origin, stroma is only associated with them
once they invade the lamina propria.
University of New South Wales Medical Society ∙ ABN 33475810190 ∙ [Link]
5. In terms of the influence of environmental carcinogenesis on the incidence
of cancer, which is the MOST CORRECT?
a. It has been shown that there is some reduced risk with good fruit
and vegetable intake.
b. Physical inactivity and obesity have been shown to have poor health
outcomes and no effect on cancer incidence.
c. Long term use of multi-vitamins (3-5 years) has been associated with
a decreased cancer risk.
d. Dairy products have been shown to increase cancer risk.
6. Which of the following is NOT a feature of osteoarthritis?
a. Vertical and horizontal fissures in articular cartilage.
b. Hypertrophy and thickening of the cartilage.
c. Hyperplasia and clumping of chondrocytes.
d. Subchondral sclerosis.
e. Bony growths and the joint margin.
7. You have an elderly patient who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer
but the family asks you not to tell them because they think it will be too
much for them to deal with. As the doctor, what do you do?
a. Tell patient anyway.
b. Follow family’s wishes.
c. Tell patient only if they ask.
d. Talk to family about advantages and disadvantages of telling patient
but final decision is theirs.
e. Talk to family about advantages and disadvantages of telling patient
but remind them that your responsibility is to the patient.
8. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of cancer cells?
a. Self-sufficiency in growth factors.
b. Induction of apoptosis.
c. Insensitivity to anti-growth signals.
d. Limitless replicative potential.
9. Calculate clearance for a 70kg man: half-life = 6.9, Vd = 0.7L/kg
a. 0.4 L/hr.
b. 4.9 L/hr.
c. 1.58 L/hr.
d. 12.8 L/hr.
e. 58.7 L/hr.
10. Regarding ketamine, which of the following is WRONG?
a. Used an anaesthetic.
b. Used as an analgesic.
c. Is an NMDA receptor agonist.
University of New South Wales Medical Society ∙ ABN 33475810190 ∙ [Link]
d. Used to treat pain unresponsive to other treatments.
e. Used for neuropathic pain.
11. Which of the following statements about the biceps brachii muscle is
MOST CORRECT?
a. The long head attaches to the coracoid process of the scapula
b. It inserts onto the ulnar tuberosity.
c. It is the main muscle used in flexion of the elbow.
d. It is involved in supination of the forearm.
e. It is supplied by the median nerve.
12. Which is most correct about the C5 spinal nerve?
a. It leaves the vertebral column between C5 and C6.
b. It divides into dorsal and ventral roots after it leaves the vertebral
column.
c. It unites with C6 to form the upper trunk of the brachial plexus.
d. It supplies the skin on the medial side of the arm.
e. It contributes fibres to the ulnar nerve.
13. Which of the following about the gluteus maximus muscles is MOST
CORRECT?
a. It attaches to the iliotibial tract.
b. It is supplied by the sciatic nerve.
c. Paralysis of the muscle results in inability to extend the thigh.
d. It is an important stabilizer of the pelvis in walking.
e. It arises from the surface of the ilium between the anterior and
posterior gluteal lines.
14. Which of these factors is LEAST likely to lead to a post-operative infection?
a. A shorter pre-operative stay.
b. Presence of another infection
c. Presence of foreign bodies.
d. Gastrointestinal surgery.
e. Presence of necrotic material.
15. Which of the following statements about selection bias is the MOST
CORRECT?
a. Selection bias can be assessed by looking at the trial outcomes.
b. Selection bias can be removed by blinding the participation of the
trial.
c. Selection bias can only affect the internal validity of the trial.
d. Selection bias may not be removed by ensuring participants give
informed consent before selection occurs.
e. Selection bias may affect the external validity of the trial.
University of New South Wales Medical Society ∙ ABN 33475810190 ∙ [Link]
16. Which of the following concerning the carpal tunnel practical is MOST
CORRECT?
a. It affects all nerves in the palm and fingers.
b. It is caused by an autoimmune demyelinated disease.
c. Has increased conduction velocity compared to the ulnar nerve.
d. Only affects sensory neurons and not motor neurons.
e. Can cause paradoxical effects of sensory afferents leading to
paresthesia.
17. (Practical question) Which of the following concerning the carpal tunnel
practical is MOST CORRECT?
a. Motor neurons are faster than sensory neurons.
b. Electric currents in digital nerves excite motor and cutaneous cells.
c. Direction of the electrodes affect the graph/experiment
18. In a parallel RCT to compare two treatments for osteoarthritis, the subjects
are recruited, allocated to groups by a randomization method using
computer-generated random numbers and then consented to the trial.
Which ONE of the following statements about this trial is the MOST
CORRECT?
a. In this trial, there is a high risk of confounding bias.
b. Subjects will receive both treatments one after another.
c. Random allocation using random numbers ensures that the
assessors are blinded to the treatments.
d. Consenting before randomization leads to a form of selection bias.
e. Random allocation using random numbers aims to create two
groups of subjects that will be similar in every way except the
treatment they receive.
19. Provided with an image of an abdominal CT scan of adenocarcinoma in
the colon showing numerous hypodense lesions. Which is MOST
CORRECT?
a. Multiple hypodense lesions are the result of infarction congenital
polyposis.
b. Hypodense areas will have neutrophils and fibrin.
c. Liver failure will be likely if greater than 90% of liver function is
affected.
d. The spleen shows metastatic adenocarcinomas.
e. In a liver function test, serum albumin would be raised.
20. Light purple (slightly fibrogenous) image B in the midst of a darker purple
A in the middle of some histological image. Which ONE is the LEAST
CORRECT?
a. A shows evidence of epithelial cell proliferation.
b. A shows evidence of glandular differentiation.
University of New South Wales Medical Society ∙ ABN 33475810190 ∙ [Link]
c. Both A and B come from same cell (monoclonal).
d. B is a case of angiogenesis.
e. B is a region of fibrogenesis.
University of New South Wales Medical Society ∙ ABN 33475810190 ∙ [Link]
Answers
MCQs
1. What factor(s) can distinguish between fast and slow skeletal muscle
fibres?
a. Speed of myosin ATPase and density of internal calcium stores in the
sarcoplasmic reticulum
b. Cross-sectional diameter.
c. Elasticity of endomysium.
d. Organisation of mitochondria in relation to myofibrils.
e. The difference in the number of t-tubules per sarcomere in fast- and
slow-twitch.
2. Regarding anti-inflammatory drugs, which of the following is MOST
CORRECT?
a. Aspirin is a selective inhibitor of COX-2.
b. Selective COX-1 inhibitors lead to increased GIT bleeding compared
to COX-2 inhibitors.
c. Serious liver damage is a class effect cyclo-oxygenase.
d. The anti-inflammatory effects of corticosteroids are partly due to the
stimulation of aldosterone in the juxta-glomerular apparatus.
e. Corticosteroids are useful in early stages of osteoarthritis.
3. A 35-year-old male presents to your general practice with bright red
bleeding in his stool and diarrhoea. After an examination, he is only found
to have haemorrhoids, and he has no family history of colorectal cancer.
What is the best course of action?
a. Reassure him that it is only haemorrhoids and to return if the
symptoms persist.
b. Refer him for assessment with colonoscopy.
c. Barium meal
d. Barium enema.
e. Advise him to take his anti-diarrhoeal medications.
4. Which feature of the stroma around tumours is LEAST CORRECT?
a. The stroma is made by the tumour cells.
b. New blood vessels grow into the tumour
c. Stroma gives cancers their characteristic ‘hard’ feeling.
d. In tumours of epithelial origin, stroma is only associated with them
once they invade the lamina propria.
University of New South Wales Medical Society ∙ ABN 33475810190 ∙ [Link]
5. In terms of the influence of environmental carcinogenesis on the incidence
of cancer, which is the MOST CORRECT?
a. It has been shown that there is some reduced risk with good fruit
and vegetable intake.
b. Physical inactivity and obesity have been shown to have poor health
outcomes and no effect on cancer incidence.
c. Long term use of multi-vitamins (3-5 years) has been associated with
a decreased cancer risk.
d. Dairy products have been shown to increase cancer risk.
6. Which of the following is NOT a feature of osteoarthritis?
a. Vertical and horizontal fissures in articular cartilage.
b. Hypertrophy and thickening of the cartilage.
c. Hyperplasia and clumping of chondrocytes.
d. Subchondral sclerosis.
e. Bony growths and the joint margin.
7. You have an elderly patient who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer
but the family asks you not to tell them because they think it will be too
much for them to deal with. As the doctor, what do you do?
a. Tell patient anyway.
b. Follow family’s wishes.
c. Tell patient only if they ask.
d. Talk to family about advantages and disadvantages of telling patient
but final decision is theirs.
e. Talk to family about advantages and disadvantages of telling patient
but remind them that your responsibility is to the patient.
8. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of cancer cells?
a. Self-sufficiency in growth factors.
b. Induction of apoptosis.
c. Insensitivity to anti-growth signals.
d. Limitless replicative potential.
9. Calculate clearance for a 70kg man: half-life = 6.9, Vd = 0.7L/kg
a. 0.4 L/hr.
b. 4.9 L/hr.
c. 1.58 L/hr.
d. 12.8 L/hr.
e. 58.7 L/hr.
10. Regarding ketamine, which of the following is WRONG?
a. Used an anaesthetic.
b. Used as an analgesic.
c. Is an NMDA receptor agonist.
University of New South Wales Medical Society ∙ ABN 33475810190 ∙ [Link]
d. Used to treat pain unresponsive to other treatments.
e. Used for neuropathic pain.
11. Which of the following statements about the biceps brachii muscle is
MOST CORRECT?
a. The long head attaches to the coracoid process of the scapula
b. It inserts onto the ulnar tuberosity.
c. It is the main muscle used in flexion of the elbow.
d. It is involved in supination of the forearm.
e. It is supplied by the median nerve.
12. Which is most correct about the C5 spinal nerve?
a. It leaves the vertebral column between C5 and C6.
b. It divides into dorsal and ventral roots after it leaves the vertebral
column.
c. It unites with C6 to form the upper trunk of the brachial plexus.
d. It supplies the skin on the medial side of the arm.
e. It contributes fibres to the ulnar nerve.
13. Which of the following about the gluteus maximus muscles is MOST
CORRECT?
a. It attaches to the iliotibial tract.
b. It is supplied by the sciatic nerve.
c. Paralysis of the muscle results in inability to extend the thigh.
d. It is an important stabilizer of the pelvis in walking.
e. It arises from the surface of the ilium between the anterior and
posterior gluteal lines.
14. Which of these factors is LEAST likely to lead to a post-operative infection?
a. A shorter pre-operative stay.
b. Presence of another infection
c. Presence of foreign bodies.
d. Gastrointestinal surgery.
e. Presence of necrotic material.
15. Which of the following statements about selection bias is the MOST
CORRECT?
a. Selection bias can be assessed by looking at the trial outcomes.
b. Selection bias can be removed by blinding the participation of the
trial.
c. Selection bias can only affect the internal validity of the trial.
d. Selection bias may not be removed by ensuring participants give
informed consent before selection occurs.
e. Selection bias may affect the external validity of the trial.
University of New South Wales Medical Society ∙ ABN 33475810190 ∙ [Link]
16. Which of the following concerning the carpal tunnel practical is MOST
CORRECT?
a. It affects all nerves in the palm and fingers.
b. It is caused by an autoimmune demyelinated disease.
c. Has increased conduction velocity compared to the ulnar nerve.
d. Only affects sensory neurons and not motor neurons.
e. Can cause paradoxical effects of sensory afferents leading to
paresthesia.
17. (Practical question) Which of the following concerning the carpal tunnel
practical is MOST CORRECT?
a. Motor neurons are faster than sensory neurons.
b. Electric currents in digital nerves excite motor and cutaneous cells.
c. Direction of the electrodes affect the graph/experiment
18. In a parallel RCT to compare two treatments for osteoarthritis, the subjects
are recruited, allocated to groups by a randomization method using
computer-generated random numbers and then consented to the trial.
Which ONE of the following statements about this trial is the MOST
CORRECT?
a. In this trial, there is a high risk of confounding bias.
b. Subjects will receive both treatments one after another.
c. Random allocation using random numbers ensures that the
assessors are blinded to the treatments.
d. Consenting before randomization leads to a form of selection bias.
e. Random allocation using random numbers aims to create two
groups of subjects that will be similar in every way except the
treatment they receive.
19. Provided with an image of an abdominal CT scan of adenocarcinoma in
the colon showing numerous hypodense lesions. Which is MOST
CORRECT?
a. Multiple hypodense lesions are the result of infarction congenital
polyposis.
b. Hypodense areas will have neutrophils and fibrin.
c. Liver failure will be likely if greater than 90% of liver function is
affected.
d. The spleen shows metastatic adenocarcinomas.
e. In a liver function test, serum albumin would be raised.
20. Light purple (slightly fibrogenous) image B in the midst of a darker purple
A in the middle of some histological image. Which ONE is the LEAST
CORRECT?
a. A shows evidence of epithelial cell proliferation.
b. A shows evidence of glandular differentiation.
c. Both A and B come from same cell (monoclonal).
University of New South Wales Medical Society ∙ ABN 33475810190 ∙ [Link]
d. B is a case of angiogenesis.
e. B is a region of fibrogenesis.
University of New South Wales Medical Society ∙ ABN 33475810190 ∙ [Link]