MRCPUK Endocrinology and Diabetes (Specialty Certificate Examination) (SEND) Free Practice Test
Question 1
A 56-year-old man was referred to the diabetes clinic for conversion to insulin. He was taking metformin 1 g three times daily, gliclazide 160 mg twice daily and pioglitazone 45 mg daily. He drank no alcohol.
On examination, his body mass index was 41 kg/m2 (18-25). Abdominal examination showed a 2-cm, smooth, non-tender liver edge.
Which liver function test is the best marker of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus?
On examination, his body mass index was 41 kg/m2 (18-25). Abdominal examination showed a 2-cm, smooth, non-tender liver edge.
Which liver function test is the best marker of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus?
Correct Answer: D
Question 2
A 32-year-old man presented to the fertility clinic with his partner. The couple had been together for 4 years and had been trying to conceive for the past 3 years. His partner had children from a previous marriage.
On examination, he was healthy, thin and tall but had bilateral gynaecomastia. His testes felt firm and testicular volumes were 5-6 mL. He had normal pubic and axillary hair.
Investigations:
serum testosterone10.0 nmol/L (9.0-35.0) plasma follicle-stimulating hormone45.0 U/L (1.0-7.0) plasma luteinising hormone32.0 U/L (1.0-10.0)
chromosomal studiesmosaic pattern of 47 XXY/46 XY
semen analysisazoospermia testicular biopsyno viable spermatozoa
What intervention is most likely to lead to conception?
On examination, he was healthy, thin and tall but had bilateral gynaecomastia. His testes felt firm and testicular volumes were 5-6 mL. He had normal pubic and axillary hair.
Investigations:
serum testosterone10.0 nmol/L (9.0-35.0) plasma follicle-stimulating hormone45.0 U/L (1.0-7.0) plasma luteinising hormone32.0 U/L (1.0-10.0)
chromosomal studiesmosaic pattern of 47 XXY/46 XY
semen analysisazoospermia testicular biopsyno viable spermatozoa
What intervention is most likely to lead to conception?
Correct Answer: C
Question 3
A 23-year-old barmaid presented with headache, sweating and collapse. She had a past medical history of tension headache and unexplained abdominal pain. Her regular medication included amitriptyline 25 mg at night and paracetamol 1 g as required. She was a smoker and regularly drank alcohol.
On examination, her pulse was 120 beats per minute and her blood pressure was 210/128 mmHg.
Investigations:
24-h urinary metanephrine5.4 umol (<2)
24-h urinary normetanephrine15.2 umol (<3) What substance is most likely to cause assay interference in the measurement of urinary metanephrines?
On examination, her pulse was 120 beats per minute and her blood pressure was 210/128 mmHg.
Investigations:
24-h urinary metanephrine5.4 umol (<2)
24-h urinary normetanephrine15.2 umol (<3) What substance is most likely to cause assay interference in the measurement of urinary metanephrines?
Correct Answer: C
Question 4
A 72-year-old woman was referred for bone density assessment after sustaining a fracture of her right ankle after a minor fall. She had previously fractured her right wrist after tripping in the street. Her past medical history included occasional angina relieved by glyceryl trinitrate spray and a previous deep venous thrombosis. Her medication comprised aspirin, simvastatin, alendronic acid, and calcium and vitamin D, which she had been taking regularly for 2 years.
Investigations:
DXA scan of spine (L2-L4)T score -2.4
DXA scan of total hipT score -2.8
What is the most appropriate treatment?
Investigations:
DXA scan of spine (L2-L4)T score -2.4
DXA scan of total hipT score -2.8
What is the most appropriate treatment?
Correct Answer: B
Question 5
A 56-year-old woman presented with a swelling in her neck, which she had noticed by chance 6 weeks previously. The swelling had not changed in size since she first noticed it, and was completely asymptomatic.
On examination, there was a smooth nodule in the thyroid that moved up on swallowing and there was no lymphadenopathy.
Investigations:
ultrasound scan of thyroidsingle 4.7-cm hypoechoic nodule
in upper left lobe
serum thyroid-stimulating hormone0.8 mU/L (0.4-5.0)
What is the most appropriate next step in management?
On examination, there was a smooth nodule in the thyroid that moved up on swallowing and there was no lymphadenopathy.
Investigations:
ultrasound scan of thyroidsingle 4.7-cm hypoechoic nodule
in upper left lobe
serum thyroid-stimulating hormone0.8 mU/L (0.4-5.0)
What is the most appropriate next step in management?
Correct Answer: A
Question 6
A 36-year-old man of South Asian origin presented acutely with a widespread pruritic rash involving the extensor surfaces of the limbs.
On examination, he was moderately obese with a body mass index of 33 kg/m2 (18-25), and the rash was erythematous, with multiple small papules with yellow centres.
Investigations:
fasting plasma glucose11.0 mmol/L (3.0-6.0)
haemoglobin A1c109 mmol/mol (20-42)
serum cholesterol8.0 mmol/L (<5.2)
serum HDL cholesterol0.80 mmol/L (>1.55)
fasting serum triglycerides31.00 mmol/L (0.45-1.69)
What is the most likely diagnosis?
On examination, he was moderately obese with a body mass index of 33 kg/m2 (18-25), and the rash was erythematous, with multiple small papules with yellow centres.
Investigations:
fasting plasma glucose11.0 mmol/L (3.0-6.0)
haemoglobin A1c109 mmol/mol (20-42)
serum cholesterol8.0 mmol/L (<5.2)
serum HDL cholesterol0.80 mmol/L (>1.55)
fasting serum triglycerides31.00 mmol/L (0.45-1.69)
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Correct Answer: B
Question 7
A 55-year-old male-to-female transsexual was reviewed in clinic. She lived as a woman but had not undergone gender reassignment surgery. She was treated with cyproterone acetate 50 mg twice daily and estradiol 2 mg twice daily.
What are the most important tests for monitoring safe replacement?
What are the most important tests for monitoring safe replacement?
Correct Answer: A
Question 8
A 64-year-old woman presented with features of acromegaly. An MR scan showed a pituitary tumour with cavernous sinus extension. She underwent trans-sphenoidal surgery and histology of the pituitary tissue showed numerous cells immunostaining for growth hormone.
Investigations (6 months postoperatively):
MR scan of pituitaryenlarged sella, residual tumour in right cavernous sinus
serum growth hormone (day curve average)3.2 ?g/L (<2)
serum insulin-like growth factor 142.0 nmol/L (3.3-23.3)
What is the most appropriate next step in management?
Investigations (6 months postoperatively):
MR scan of pituitaryenlarged sella, residual tumour in right cavernous sinus
serum growth hormone (day curve average)3.2 ?g/L (<2)
serum insulin-like growth factor 142.0 nmol/L (3.3-23.3)
What is the most appropriate next step in management?
Correct Answer: E
Question 9
A 27-year-old woman presented with oligomenorrhoea and hirsutism, and a 2-year history of infertility. Her body mass index was 26 kg/m2 (18-25). Her partner had a recent normal sperm count and motility test.
Investigations:
serum androstenedione17.0 nmol/L (0.6-8.8)
serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone2 nmol/L (1-10)
serum testosterone2.8 nmol/L (0.5-3.0)
serum sex hormone binding globulin18 nmol/L (40-137)
serum follicle-stimulating hormone2.3 U/L (2.5-10.0)
serum luteinising hormone8.3 U/L (2.5-10.0)
serum prolactin152 mU/L (<360)
A diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome was made.
What is the most effective next step to help her conceive?
Investigations:
serum androstenedione17.0 nmol/L (0.6-8.8)
serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone2 nmol/L (1-10)
serum testosterone2.8 nmol/L (0.5-3.0)
serum sex hormone binding globulin18 nmol/L (40-137)
serum follicle-stimulating hormone2.3 U/L (2.5-10.0)
serum luteinising hormone8.3 U/L (2.5-10.0)
serum prolactin152 mU/L (<360)
A diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome was made.
What is the most effective next step to help her conceive?
Correct Answer: C
Question 10
A 44-year-old man was referred for investigation of cortisol excess. He had poorly controlled hypertension, and a long history of type 2 diabetes mellitus with retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy. His medication comprised aspirin, ramipril, atenolol, carbamazepine, metformin and simvastatin.
Initial investigations:
serum cortisol (09.00 h)350 nmol/L (200-700)
serum cortisol (22.00 h)48 nmol/L (50-250)
overnight dexamethasone suppression test (after 1 mg dexamethasone):
serum cortisol93 nmol/L (<50)
24-h urinary free cortisol (day 1)225 nmol (55-250)
24-h urinary free cortisol (day 2)200 nmol (55-250)
24-h urinary free cortisol (day 3)185 nmol (55-250)
What is the most appropriate next step in management?
Initial investigations:
serum cortisol (09.00 h)350 nmol/L (200-700)
serum cortisol (22.00 h)48 nmol/L (50-250)
overnight dexamethasone suppression test (after 1 mg dexamethasone):
serum cortisol93 nmol/L (<50)
24-h urinary free cortisol (day 1)225 nmol (55-250)
24-h urinary free cortisol (day 2)200 nmol (55-250)
24-h urinary free cortisol (day 3)185 nmol (55-250)
What is the most appropriate next step in management?
Correct Answer: C
Question 11
A 23-year-old woman presented to the outpatient clinic complaining of an inability to lose weight and irregular menses. Her food diary suggested that she consumed only 900 kilocalories daily. She had previously been found to have hypothyroidism and was treated with levothyroxine 75 micrograms daily.
On examination, her body mass index was 40.2 kg/m2 (18-25).
Investigations:
serum testosterone3.6 nmol/L (0.5-3.0) plasma follicle-stimulating hormone3.0 U/L (2.5-10.0) plasma luteinising hormone9.0 U/L (2.5-10.0) serum thyroid-stimulating hormone4.6 mU/L (0.4-5.0) serum free T412.8 pmol/L (10.0-22.0)
What is the most appropriate next step?
On examination, her body mass index was 40.2 kg/m2 (18-25).
Investigations:
serum testosterone3.6 nmol/L (0.5-3.0) plasma follicle-stimulating hormone3.0 U/L (2.5-10.0) plasma luteinising hormone9.0 U/L (2.5-10.0) serum thyroid-stimulating hormone4.6 mU/L (0.4-5.0) serum free T412.8 pmol/L (10.0-22.0)
What is the most appropriate next step?
Correct Answer: B
Question 12
A 41-year-old man presented to his general practitioner with symptoms of palpitations, sweating and anxiety. His blood pressure was 160/102 mmHg. He was advised to take propranolol 40 mg twice daily but was admitted to hospital later that week with an episode of pulmonary oedema.
On examination at the time of admission, he was noted to be pale and sweating and he had a blood pressure of 210/124 mmHg. A phaeochromocytoma was suspected.
What is the most likely cause of the cardiovascular deterioration following administration of propranolol?
On examination at the time of admission, he was noted to be pale and sweating and he had a blood pressure of 210/124 mmHg. A phaeochromocytoma was suspected.
What is the most likely cause of the cardiovascular deterioration following administration of propranolol?
Correct Answer: D
Question 13
A 33-year-old woman was seen for diabetes review 2 months after her first pregnancy. Diabetes mellitus had been diagnosed at 18 weeks' gestation. She had experienced no symptoms; routine urinalysis had shown glucose 4+, with no ketones, and her fasting blood glucose concentration was 6.2 mmol/L (3.0-6.0), rising to 13.5 mmol/L (<7.8) in a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. She had been treated with insulin during the pregnancy, and stopped after delivery. Her mother and maternal aunt had been treated for type 2 diabetes mellitus, and a maternal uncle for type 1 diabetes. Her body mass index was 23.7 kg/m2 (18-25).
Without insulin she remained well, with no osmotic symptoms, no weight loss and no ketosis.
Investigations:
fasting plasma glucose8.4 mmol/L (3.0-6.0)
haemoglobin A1c68 mmol/mol (20-42)
oral glucose tolerance test (75 g):
fasting plasma glucose7.9 mmol/L (3.0-6.0)
2-h plasma glucose13.8 mmol/L (<7.8)
serum insulin72 pmol/L (<186)
serum C-peptide945 pmol/L (180-360)
A trial of therapy with gliclazide 40 mg once daily led to a significant improvement in her blood glucose.
What is the most likely cause of her diabetes?
Without insulin she remained well, with no osmotic symptoms, no weight loss and no ketosis.
Investigations:
fasting plasma glucose8.4 mmol/L (3.0-6.0)
haemoglobin A1c68 mmol/mol (20-42)
oral glucose tolerance test (75 g):
fasting plasma glucose7.9 mmol/L (3.0-6.0)
2-h plasma glucose13.8 mmol/L (<7.8)
serum insulin72 pmol/L (<186)
serum C-peptide945 pmol/L (180-360)
A trial of therapy with gliclazide 40 mg once daily led to a significant improvement in her blood glucose.
What is the most likely cause of her diabetes?
Correct Answer: E
Question 14
A 36-year-old woman was seen in the clinic with a recurrence of hyperthyroidism after a 2year remission. She had been treated with carbimazole for 18 months following her original presentation. She was moderately symptomatic and was keen to be treated in the same way again. She was planning a pregnancy.
Investigations: serum prolactin240 mU/L (<360) serum thyroid-stimulating hormone<0.1 mU/L (0.4-5.0) serum free T428.0 pmol/L (10.0-22.0)
anti-thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibodies44 U/L (<7)
What is the most appropriate next step in management?
Investigations: serum prolactin240 mU/L (<360) serum thyroid-stimulating hormone<0.1 mU/L (0.4-5.0) serum free T428.0 pmol/L (10.0-22.0)
anti-thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibodies44 U/L (<7)
What is the most appropriate next step in management?
Correct Answer: D