Quiz Lab Tests 004

Scenario

A 62 year old, previously well woman is referred to your ED with a letter from her doctor that states:

“She has a 6 week history of increasing lethargy, malaise, weight gain and peripheral oedema. BP 180/120. See electrolyte results enclosed. She is currently taking no medication.”

Question

Describe and interpret her investigations(100%)

Investigation Results

Answer

FACEM VAQ Exam 2008.1 – Question 3

  • The overall pass rate for this question was 49/62 (79.0%).
  • Both examiners felt that this was a very good question.
  • Good responses identified the multiple abnormalities, stressed the potentially life threatening hypokalaemia, suggested mineralocorticoid excess as a potential cause and integrated the findings into relevant differential diagnoses.
  • Poor answers failed to address one or more of the above facets.

ACEM Fellowship Visual Aid Questions

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About Mike Cadogan

Emergency physician with a passion for medical informatics and medical education. Co-founder of HealthEngine, iMeducate, and the GMEP. He writes more eclectically on the web as @sandnsurf | + Mike Cadogan | Contact