Biomed Board Exam #1

Front 1

A positive Tinel’s sign and a positive response to Phalen’s maneuver are indicative of
(A) Tennis elbow.
(B) Golfer’s elbow.
(C) Carpal tunnel syndrome.
(D) Thoracic outlet syndrome.

Back 1

C) Carpal tunnel syndrome

Front 2

Injury to which nerve below may result in loss of function of the triceps brachii
muscle?
(A) Ulnar nerve.
(B) Radial nerve.
(C) Median nerve.
(D) Axillary nerve.

Back 2

B) Radial nerve

Front 3

Megaloblastic anemias are caused by vitamin B12 deficiency or folic acid deficiency.
The former can be differentiated from the latter in that vitamin B12 deficiency may be
complicated with
(A) Hemolysis.
(B) Iron deficiency.
(C) Hemoglobinopathy.
(D) Peripheral neuropathy.

Back 3

D) Peripheral neuropathy

Front 4

A 32-year-old obese, anovulatory woman is found to have high blood androgen level
and irregular menstrual cycle. The preliminary diagnosis is polycystic ovarian
syndrome (PCOS). Which of the following would be the most helpful diagnostic tool
for confirming the diagnosis in this case?
(A) Ultrasonography.
(B) Endometrial biopsy.
(C) Blood hormone test.
(D) Urine pregnancy test.

Back 4

A) Ultrasonography

Front 5

Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) may be caused by all of the following bacteria
EXCEPT
(A) Mycoplasma hominis.
(B) Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
(C) Chlamydia trachomatis.
(D) Ureaplasma urealyticum.

Back 5

B) Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Front 6

Joint replacement surgery is most commonly performed on which of the following
joints?
(A) Hip joint.
(B) Knee joint.
(C) Elbow joint.
(D) Shoulder joint.

Back 6

A) Hip joint

Front 7

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) is widely used in nonprescription sleep aids. It acts as
an
(A) Antiserotonin.
(B) Antihistamine.
(C) Antipsychotic.
(D) Antidepressant.

Back 7

B) Antihistamine

Front 8

Sulfonylurea derivatives are a class of drugs that are used in the treatment of
(A) Hyperthyroidism.
(B) Type II diabetes mellitus.
(C) Gram-positive bacterial infections.
(D) Gram-negative bacterial infections.

Back 8

B) Type II diabetes mellitus

Front 9

Which cranial nerve controls the most muscles that move the eyeball?
(A) CN II (Optic).
(B) CN III (Oculomotor).
(C) CN IV (Trochlear).
(D) CN VI (Abducens).

Back 9

B) CN III (Oculomotor)

Front 10

Vitamin D is primarily involved in the regulation of
(A) Sodium metabolism.
(B) Calcium metabolism.
(C) Glucose metabolism.
(D) Potassium metabolism.

Back 10

B) Calcium metabolism

Front 11

Which one of the following blood tests evaluates the amount of stored iron in the
body?
(A) Serum iron.
(B) Serum ferritin.
(C) Transferrin saturation.
(D) Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC).

Back 11

B) Serum ferritin

Front 12

Which test uses a radioactive material to see how well air and blood flowing to all
areas of the lung in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE)?
(A) CT.
(B) MRI.
(C) Pulmonary angiography.
(D) Ventilation/Perfusion (V/Q) scan.

Back 12

D) Ventilation/Perfusion (V/Q) scan

Front 13

Middle ear is connected to the nasopharynx through the
(A) Auditory canal.
(B) Eustachian tube.
(C) Semicircular canals.
(D) Tympanic membrane.

Back 13

B) Eustachian tube

Front 14

Intermittent claudication is a cramping sensation in the leg muscles during exercise or
walking. This condition occurs as a result of decreased oxygen supply, and often
indicates the presence of severe
(A) Varicose vein.
(B) Atherosclerosis.
(C) Thrombophlebitis.
(D) Peripheral neuropathy.

Back 14

B) Atherosclerosis

Front 15

The most commonly reported sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States
is
(A) Syphilis.
(B) Chancroid.
(C) Gonorrhea.
(D) Chlamydia.

Back 15

D) Chlamydia

Front 16

What type of hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions does anaphylaxis belong to?
(A) Type I.
(B) Type II.
(C) Type III.
(D) Type IV.

Back 16

A) Type I

Front 17

In addition to the uterus, other target organs of oxytocin (Pitocin®) include
(A) Vagina.
(B) Ovaries.
(C) Fallopian tubes.
(D) Mammary glands.

Back 17

D) Mammary glands

Front 18

Heimlich Maneuver or the method of abdominal thrusts is a first aid procedure for
(A) Stimulating breathing.
(B) Raising the blood pressure.
(C) Clearing the obstructed airway.
(D) Promoting the blood circulation.

Back 18

C) Clearing obstructed airway

Front 19

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a natural steroid hormone produced from
cholesterol by the
(A) Sex glands.
(B) Adrenal glands.
(C) Adipose tissues.
(D) All of the above.

Back 19

D) All of the above

Front 20

The incubation period from HIV infection to full-blown AIDS is estimated to be as
long as
(A) 10 days.
(B) 10 weeks.
(C) 10 months.
(D) 10 years.

Back 20

D) 10 years

Front 21

During the inspection of the patient’s tongue, you have noticed an irregular black
lesion on the tongue surface. What is the next step in your management?
(A) Do a biopsy.
(B) Scrape to remove it.
(C) Needle acupoints to clear heat.
(D) Refer to the primary care physician.

Back 21

D) Refer to the primary care physician

Front 22

Holter monitor is a portable device for continuously recording the heart rate and
rhythm for a period of 24 hours or longer. Its indications include
(A) Unexplained syncope.
(B) Palpitations with dyspnea.
(C) Undocumented angina pectoris.
(D) All of the above.

Back 22

D) All of the above

Front 23

Trendelenburg test should not be confused with Trendelenburg’s sign. The former is
used to determine the
(A) Strength of the hip abductor muscles.
(B) Strength of the hip adductor muscles.
(C) Competency of the venous valves of the upper limbs.
(D) Competency of the venous valves of the lower limbs.

Back 23

D) Competency of the venous valves of the lower limbs

Front 24

Which pair of cranial nerves is involved in the corneal reflex?
(A) CN II and CN III.
(B) CN III and CN V.
(C) CN V and CN VII.
(D) CN IV and CN VI.

Back 24

C) CN V and CN VII

Front 25

Pellagra is characterized by dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia. It is caused by a
deficiency of
(A) Vitamin B1 (thiamine).
(B) Vitamin B2 (riboflavin).
(C) Vitamin B3 (niacin).
(D) Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine).

Back 25

C) Vitamin B3 (niacin)

Front 26

What type of drugs is amlodipine (Norvasc®) for the treatment of chest pain and high
blood pressure?
(A) Diuretic.
(B) b-Blocker.
(C) Vasodilator.
(D) Calcium channel blocker.

Back 26

D) Calcium channel blocker

Front 27

Failure of which organ below is the most serious side effect of ACE inhibitors?
(A) Lung.
(B) Liver.
(C) Heart.
(D) Kidney.

Back 27

D) Kidney

Front 28

In a patient diagnosed with acute cholecystitis, a positive Murphy’s sign may be
revealed in which of the following abdominal quadrants?
(A) Left lower quadrant (LLQ).
(B) Left upper quadrant (LUQ).
(C) Right lower quadrant (RLQ).
(D) Right upper quadrant (RUQ).

Back 28

D) Right upper quadrant (RUQ)

Front 29

Which of the following eye conditions is due to irregularities in the curvature of the
lens and/or cornea, leading to a blurred vision?
(A) Cataract.
(B) Diplopia.
(C) Glaucoma.
(D) Astigmatism.

Back 29

D) Astigmatism

Front 30

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus belongs to the category of
(A) Retrovirus.
(B) Rhinovirus.
(C) Adenovirus.
(D) Coronavirus.

Back 30

D) Coronavirus

Front 31

Swan-neck deformity of the finger, in which there are flexed DIP joint and
hyperextended PIP joint, is most commonly seen in
(A) Osteoarthritis.
(B) Septic arthritis.
(C) Psoriatic arthritis.
(D) Rheumatoid arthritis.

Back 31

D) Rheumatoid arthritis

Front 32

An increase in the level of which of the following substances is thought to be a major
factor in primary dysmenorrhea?
(A) Estrogen.
(B) Progesterone.
(C) Prostaglandin.
(D) Norepinephrine.

Back 32

C) Prostaglandin

Front 33

Which of the following medical conditions may be related to the prolonged use of
glucocorticoids?
(A) Osteoporosis.
(B) Hypertension.
(C) Impaired glucose tolerance.
(D) All of the above.

Back 33

D) All of the above

Front 34

Which bone below is included in the appendicular skeleton?
(A) Sacrum.
(B) Scapula.
(C) Sternum.
(D) Sphenoid.

Back 34

B) Scapula

Front 35

Which surgical procedure enables internal inspection of the pleural cavity?
(A) Laparoscopy.
(B) Thoracoscopy.
(C) Bronchoscopy.
(D) Mediastinoscopy.

Back 35

B) Thoracoscopy

Front 36

The normal active extension of the thoracic-lumbar spine may reach
(A) 30 degrees.
(B) 45 degrees.
(C) 60 degrees.
(D) 90 degrees.

Back 36

A) 30 degrees

Front 37

Which of the following medical imaging techniques is LEAST helpful in identifying
the brain lesions seen in Alzheimer’s disease?
(A) Computed tomography (CT).
(B) Electroencephalography (EEG).
(C) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
(D) Positron emission tomography (PET).

Back 37

B) Electroencephalography

Front 38

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is less specific than alanine aminotransferase
(ALT), and is localized in organs other than the liver, including the
(A) Brain.
(B) Heart.
(C) Kidney.
(D) All of the above.

Back 38

D) All of the above

Front 39

Which of the following coagulation tests is used specifically to monitor heparin
therapy?
(A) Platelet count.
(B) Bleeding time.
(C) Prothrombin time (PT).
(D) Partial thromboplastin time (PTT).

Back 39

D) Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)

Front 40

Which cranial nerve below is NOT part of the parasympathetic nervous system?
(A) CN V (Trigeminal).
(B) CN VII (Facial).
(C) CN IX (Glossopharyngeal).
(D) CN X (Vagus).

Back 40

A) CN V (Trigeminal)

Front 41

Claritin-D® is a combination of loratadine (Claritin®) and pseudoephedrine. The
former is an antihistamine, while the latter is a(n)
(A) Antiemetic.
(B) Antitussive.
(C) Expectorant.
(D) Decongestant.

Back 41

D) Decongestant

Front 42

Genu varum and genu valgum are the deformities that are observed in the
(A) Face.
(B) Head.
(C) Upper extremity.
(D) Lower extremity.

Back 42

D) lower extermity

Front 43

According to occupational safety and health standards of OSHA, health care workers
are given the opportunity to be vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine
(A) At their own cost.
(B) At no charge to themselves.
(C) Only upon exposure to blood.
(D) If they have never been infected.

Back 43

B) At no charge to themselves

Front 44

Which of the following diseases does NOT belong to the category of systemic
rheumatic (collagen or connective tissue) diseases?
(A) Scleroderma.
(B) Multiple sclerosis.
(C) Ankylosing spondylitis.
(D) Polymyalgia rheumatica.

Back 44

B) Multiple sclerosis

Front 45

Liquid Maalox® (both regular strength and extra strength) contains each of the
following medicinal ingredients EXCEPT
(A) Simethicone.
(B) Calcium carbonate.
(C) Aluminum hydroxide.
(D) Magnesium hydroxide.

Back 45

B) Calcium carbonate

Front 46

A 50-year-old man presents with a sudden nocturnal onset of excruciating pain and
swelling around the MP joint of the big toe. He has a history of high uric acid level in
the blood. Administration of which drug below at the moment is INAPPROPRIATE?
(A) Ibuprofen.
(B) Colchicine.
(C) Allopurinol.
(D) Indomethacin.

Back 46

C) Allopurinol

Front 47

Grade 3 muscle strength is defined as
(A) Active movement against gravity only.
(B) Active movement with gravity eliminated.
(C) Active movement against gravity and some resistance.
(D) Active movement against full resistance without evident fatigue.

Back 47

A) Active movement against gravity only

Front 48

An 18-month-old girl develops pruritic teardrop-like skin rashes the day after she has
experienced mild fever, slight cough, and malaise. The rashes start on the body trunk,
and then spread to the face, neck, and back. No Koplik’s spots are discovered inside
the mouth. What is the most likely medical diagnosis?
(A) Rubella.
(B) Measles.
(C) Shingles.
(D) Chickenpox.

Back 48

D) Chickenpox

Front 49

Which of the following is an inherited disorder of repeated movements (blinking and
mouth twitching) and vocalizations (tics) in children?
(A) Down’s syndrome.
(B) Turner’s syndrome.
(C) Tourette’s syndrome.
(D) Klinefelter’s syndrome.

Back 49

C) Tourette's syndrome

Front 50

A tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee may be assessed by
(A) Lachman test.
(B) Anterior and posterior drawer signs.
(C) Lachman test and anterior drawer sign.
(D) Lachman test and posterior drawer sign.

Back 50

C) Lachman test and anterior drawer sign