MRCPUK Endocrinology and Diabetes (Specialty Certificate Examination) Sample Questions:

1. A 26-year-old physiologist was seen in the diabetes outpatient clinic. She had type 1 diabetes mellitus of 9 months' duration, treated with subcutaneous insulin.
She asked what symptoms of hypoglycaemia she might experience.
In what order are responses to hypoglycaemia most likely to occur as blood glucose falls?

A) autonomic, counter-regulatory hormones, neuroglycopenia
B) autonomic, neuroglycopenia, counter-regulatory hormones
C) counter-regulatory hormones, neuroglycopenia, autonomic
D) neuroglycopenia, autonomic, counter-regulatory hormones
E) counter-regulatory hormones, autonomic, neuroglycopenia

2. A 53-year-old man with a history of sweats and tremor was found to have abnormal thyroid function tests and a small diffuse goitre. He was treated with carbimazole 20 mg but developed a sore throat after 3 weeks.
Investigations:
haemoglobin150 g/L (130-180)
white cell count2.0 ? 109/L (4.0-11.0)
neutrophil count0.4 ? 109/L (1.5-7.0)
serum thyroid-stimulating hormone<0.02 mU/L (0.4-5.0)
serum free T429.0 pmol/L (10.0-22.0)
thyrotropin receptor antibodiespositive
The carbimazole was stopped; his sore throat resolved and the full blood count normalised.
What is the most appropriate next step in management?

A) treat with Lugol's iodine 5 drops three times daily for 6 months
B) start propylthiouracil 100 mg twice daily
C) early partial thyroidectomy
D) restart carbimazole 5 mg daily
E) early radioactive iodine therapy

3. A 71-year-old man was brought to the emergency department in a collapsed state. He was
unable to give a history. Records showed that he had ischaemic heart disease and had undergone coronary bypass grafting 2 years previously. He was taking bendroflumethiazide 2.5 mg daily and simvastatin 40 mg at bedtime.
On examination he was unwell. His pulse was 128 beats per minute and his blood pressure was 108/60 mmHg. Oxygen saturation was 96% (94-98) breathing air.
An ECG showed Q waves in leads II, III, and aVF.
Investigations:
serum sodium164 mmol/L (137-144)
serum potassium5.4 mmol/L (3.5-4.9)
serum bicarbonate19 mmol/L (20-28)
serum urea15.2 mmol/L (2.5-7.0)
serum creatinine145 umol/L (60-110)
random plasma glucose81.2 mmol/L
What is the most appropriate fluid replacement?

A) compound sodium lactate intravenous infusion
B) sodium chloride 0.9% and glucose 5%
C) colloid
D) sodium chloride 0.45%
E) sodium chloride 0.9%

4. A 17-year-old boy was concerned about his height. He had been treated for Crohn's disease since the age of 13 with a combination of topical and systemic corticosteroids and azathioprine. He was currently taking mercaptopurinE.
On examination, his height was on the 25th centile.
Investigations:
X-ray of right kneesee image

What is the most appropriate next step in management?

A) refer for leg lengthening surgery
B) investigate for growth hormone deficiency
C) advise him that he will continue to grow for 12 months
D) advise him that growth is complete
E) treat with growth hormone

5. A 55-year-old man presented with a 3-year history of increasing pain in the right hip. He had been otherwise well and was taking no medication. He was reluctant to consider any intravenous treatment as he had a phobia of needles.
Investigations:
X-ray of hipssclerotic bone in right pubis and ischium
suggestive of Paget's disease
What is the most appropriate oral treatment?

A) calcium and vitamin D
B) sodium clodronate
C) risedronate sodium
D) ibandronate sodium
E) strontium ranelate

Solutions: