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Best Question Bank for the USMLE
A question bank will be arguably the most important part of preparing for the USMLE and similar medical licensing examinations. Most students will agree that active learning using question banks is what leads to the greatest improvement in test scores. While Usmle world (UWORLD) is the favorite question bank for most students, there are also a few other great question banks that can be used to supplement your exam preparation or can help you stay sharp during school exams. #1 Usmle World — this is our first choice to help students prepare for the USMLE exams. What makes it stand out from other question banks is the quality and comprehensiveness…
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Type 2 Diabetes Remission
Recent guidelines in most developed countries have included recommendations and plans for remission of type 2 diabetes. The possibility of remission is greatest in those with recent onset of type 2 diabetes who are overweight or obese. The goal for these patients is not cure but rather remission to the point where medications are not required to control blood sugar. The key driver of remission appears to be weight loss. In Canada and the United Kingdom, the recommendation is for rapid weight loss via a low calorie diet. Both countries recommend a “soup and shakes” low calorie diet, often 800-900 calories for a short period of time to achieve the…
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Aphasia
Terminology Dysarthria = problem with slurring of speech Articulation defects = problems with motor control of the mouth Anomia = inability to name things, a key finding in almost all aphasias. Mild anomia is difficulty naming objects that are less commonly used in speech. Severe anomia is difficulty naming everyday objects. Anosognosia = person is unaware that they have a neurologic deficit, typically due to a lesion in the non-dominant hemisphere Apraxia = person is unable to carry out a learned motor task but their motor, sensory and coordination is preserved – so they should be able to perform the task. Agnosia = person is unable to recognize objects Prosopagnosia…
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Nervous System Hemorrhage
Extraparenchymal –> outside of brain Caput succedaneum = blood above the glea aproneurotica but under the scalp Subgleal hemorrhage = blood under the glea aproneurotica and between the skull opening Cephalohematoma = blood under the upper periosteum and above the skull Epidural hematoma = blood under the lower periosteum and above the dura mater Subdural hematoma = blood under the dura mater and in the arachnoid/ above the pia mater. Intraparenchymal –> into brain Subarachnoid hemorrhage = bleeding under the arachnoid membrane but above the pia mater. Cerebral lobe (cortical) hemorrhage = bleeding can be in the dominant and non-dominant frontal lobes, parietal lobes, and temporal lobes or the occipital…
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Intraventricular Hemorrhage
The germinal matrix is a region in the developing fetus that is located next to the ventricles (periventricular) and gives rise to neurons and glial cells. It is highly vascularized with fragile capillaries that can easily rupture. This region involutes by 32 weeks of gestation. There is supporting structures around it that develop and protect it. In premature babies born before 32 weeks, the germinal matrix has not involuted putting them at risk for rupture of the fragile capillaries leading to intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). In very low birth weight newborns, <1500g, the risk of germinal matrix capillary rupture is also increased. The blood coagulates and can be easily visualized with…
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Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/heath-care-partners/health-authorities/bc-health-technology-assessments/rtms-hta.pdf
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Practice Questions
Cardiology Qs Chest pain/ CAD: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. Chest pain (non-CAD): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. SOB/ Heart Failure: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. Myocarditis: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Dyspnea/Pleural effusion: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Aorta: 1. 2. 3. DVT: 1. 2. 3. 4. Shock: 1.…
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Anterior Pituitary Disorders
Name 7 disorders of the anterior pituitary? Remember anterior pituitary produces FLAT PiG (FSH, LH, ACTH, TSH, Prolactin, GH) so in that order… FSH or LSH producing tumors – called functional gonadotroph adenomas (FGA) ACTH producing adenoma – Cushing’s disease TSH producing adenoma – Central hyperthyroidism Prolactin producing adenoma (prolactinoma) GH producing adenoma (gigantism in kids, acromegaly in adults) Hypopituitarism – can be due to infection, infarction, or surgery. Acute hypopituitarism can lead to coma and death. Empty Sella syndrome – pituitary is located elsewhere rather than in the sell turcica, so not seen there on MRI. What are 4 expected symptoms & signs for hyperprolactinemia? Hypogonadism – in women…
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Alzheimer Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia (now called major neurocognitive disorder) affecting as many as 5.8 million Americans in 2020 and this number is expected to triple to nearly 14 million by 2060. Pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition that occurs as a result of a buildup of amyloid protein in beta-pleated sheets along with tau protein. Pathology will reveal neuritic plaques, neurofibrillary tangles of tau protein, and extra-cellular deposition of amyloid beta-proteins. The brain in Alzheimer’s disease shows several changes including enlargement of ventricles, shrinkage of cerebral cortex and shrinkage of the hippocampus. One area of the brain that degenerates in Alzheimer’s…
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Memory Disorders
Terminology Declarative memory: Semantic declarative memory:remembering facts e.g. numbers and areas of knowledge e.g. language Episodic declarative memory: remembering the time and place Procedural memory: remembering how to do things e.g. ride a bicycle Short term memory: recent memory of events e.g. what you had for breakfast Immediate short term memory: Being able to recall a fact just told to you e.g. repeat the following phone number. Long term memory: remembering something from your childhood Aphasia: impaired language/ communication. Expressive aphasia (Broca’s): impaired language fluency, and repetition, normal comprehension Receptive aphasia (Wernicke): impaired comprehension and repetition but normal fluency. Conduction aphasia: impaired repetition but normal comprehension and fluency. Global aphasia:…