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chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Practice targeted AMC-style multiple-choice questions on chronic kidney disease (CKD).

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A 72-year-old man with a history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) presents to his general practitioner for a routine check-up. His current medications include metformin, insulin glargine, amlodipine, and aspirin. His blood pressure today is 150/90 mmHg. Laboratory results show a serum creatinine of 2.5 mg/dL (baseline 2.0 mg/dL), potassium of 5.4 mEq/L, and a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) of 350 mg/g. The GP decides to add an ACE inhibitor to his medication regimen to help manage his blood pressure and proteinuria. One week later, the patient returns complaining of fatigue and muscle weakness. Repeat laboratory testing reveals a serum creatinine of 3.1 mg/dL and a potassium of 6.2 mEq/L. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in managing this patient?

A. Discontinue the ACE inhibitor and administer calcium gluconate
B. Add a potassium-sparing diuretic to counteract the hyperkalemia
C. Continue the ACE inhibitor and add a loop diuretic
D. Prescribe a potassium-binding resin and continue the ACE inhibitor
E. Reduce the dose of the ACE inhibitor by 50% and monitor renal function closely
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A 72-year-old man with a history of chronic kidney disease stage 4, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes presents to the emergency department with confusion and lethargy. His family reports that he has been increasingly drowsy over the past two days. On examination, he is disoriented to time and place, with a blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg, heart rate of 88 bpm, respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute, and temperature of 36.5°C. Laboratory tests reveal: sodium 130 mmol/L, potassium 5.8 mmol/L, bicarbonate 18 mmol/L, urea 25 mmol/L, creatinine 450 µmol/L, and glucose 8 mmol/L. An ECG shows peaked T waves. What is the most appropriate immediate management step?

A. Administer oral sodium polystyrene sulfonate
B. Administer intravenous calcium gluconate
C. Initiate hemodialysis
D. Start intravenous insulin and glucose
E. Administer intravenous sodium bicarbonate
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A 72-year-old man with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease (stage 3) presents with a 2-week history of exertional dyspnea and fatigue. He reports no chest pain but has noticed occasional palpitations. On examination, his blood pressure is 150/90 mmHg, heart rate is 110 bpm (irregularly irregular), respiratory rate is 20 breaths per minute, and oxygen saturation is 94% on room air. Cardiovascular examination reveals a variable intensity S1, no S3 or S4, and a soft systolic murmur at the apex. Lung fields are clear. An ECG shows absent P waves and irregularly irregular QRS complexes. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A. Start a beta-blocker for rate control
B. Administer intravenous digoxin
C. Perform immediate electrical cardioversion
D. Initiate anticoagulation therapy
E. Refer for urgent coronary angiography
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A 68-year-old man with a history of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease (stage 3) presents to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain and vomiting. On examination, he has a distended abdomen with diffuse tenderness and guarding. His vital signs show a blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg, heart rate of 110 bpm, and a temperature of 38.5°C. Laboratory tests reveal leukocytosis, elevated serum lactate, and worsening renal function. A CT scan of the abdomen shows pneumoperitoneum and free fluid, suggesting perforated viscus. What is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A. Immediate exploratory laparotomy
B. Administer intravenous fluids and reassess in 2 hours
C. Initiate broad-spectrum antibiotics and observe
D. Consult nephrology for dialysis before surgery
E. Perform a diagnostic laparoscopy
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A patient is on metformin 1g BD, with a blood pressure of 135/85 mmHg, HbA1c of 8.5%, no history of cardiovascular disease, fasting blood sugar of 9 mmol/L, and an albumin/creatinine ratio of 500. Which drug should be added to their treatment regimen?

A. Pioglitazone
B. Ramipril
C. Sitagliptin
D. Gliclazide
E. Insulin
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A 72-year-old man with a history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) presents to his general practitioner for a routine check-up. His current medications include metformin, insulin, amlodipine, and aspirin. His blood pressure today is 150/90 mmHg. Laboratory results show a serum creatinine of 2.5 mg/dL (221 micromol/L) and a potassium level of 5.4 mEq/L. The GP decides to add an ACE inhibitor to his treatment regimen to help manage his blood pressure and provide renal protection. One week later, the patient returns complaining of fatigue and muscle weakness. Repeat laboratory tests reveal a serum creatinine of 3.1 mg/dL (274 micromol/L) and a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in managing this patient?

A. Add a potassium-binding resin (e.g., sodium polystyrene sulfonate) and continue the ACE inhibitor.
B. Prescribe a loop diuretic to counteract the hyperkalemia and continue the ACE inhibitor.
C. Refer the patient to a nephrologist for urgent dialysis.
D. Reduce the dose of the ACE inhibitor by 50% and recheck renal function and potassium levels in one week.
E. Discontinue the ACE inhibitor and monitor renal function and potassium levels.
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A 62-year-old man with a history of poorly controlled hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus presents to his general practitioner for a routine check-up. His current medications include metformin, gliclazide, and amlodipine. His blood pressure today is 160/95 mmHg. His creatinine is 140 umol/L (previously 110 umol/L). His electrolytes are normal. The GP decides to add an ACE inhibitor to his regimen. Which of the following investigations is MOST important to repeat within 1-2 weeks of commencing the ACE inhibitor?

A. Full blood count
B. Fasting blood glucose
C. Serum creatinine and electrolytes
D. Urine albumin creatinine ratio
E. Liver function tests
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A 75-year-old man with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease presents with a 3-day history of productive cough, fever, and pleuritic chest pain. On examination, temperature is 38.2°C, HR 105, BP 130/80, RR 22, SpO2 93% on air. Crackles are heard over the right lower lung field. Which initial investigation is most crucial for guiding management?

A. Arterial blood gas
B. Blood cultures
C. Full blood count and C-reactive protein
D. Sputum culture and sensitivity
E. Chest X-ray
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A 35-year-old Aboriginal woman presents for a routine health check. She reports feeling tired lately and sometimes short of breath on exertion. She has a history of type 2 diabetes diagnosed 5 years ago, managed with metformin 500mg twice daily, and untreated hypertension. On examination, her blood pressure is 145/90 mmHg. Urinalysis shows 2+ protein. Blood tests reveal creatinine 180 µmol/L, eGFR 35 mL/min/1.73m², HbA1c 8.5%, potassium 4.2 mmol/L. Given these findings, which of the following is the most appropriate initial management step?

A. Increase the dose of metformin.
B. Prescribe a loop diuretic for fluid overload.
C. Advise dietary protein restriction only.
D. Initiate an ACE inhibitor or ARB and optimise blood pressure control.
E. Refer immediately for renal biopsy.
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A 70-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3 is prescribed an ACE inhibitor for blood pressure control. Which of the following parameters requires the closest monitoring after initiating the ACE inhibitor?

A. Liver function tests
B. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
C. Serum creatinine and potassium
D. Serum calcium
E. Complete blood count
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