BCPS MCPS Part-1 flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Km

The substrate concentration at which an enzyme reaches half its maximal velocity; a lower Km indicates higher enzyme affinity for substrate.

Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium

Allele and genotype frequencies remain constant across generations in a large, randomly mating population without mutation, migration, or selection; p² + 2pq + q² = 1.

Nernst equation

Calculates equilibrium potential for an ion across a membrane: E = (61.5/z) log([ion]out/[ion]in) at body temperature; sets resting membrane potential mainly via potassium.

Okazaki fragments

Short DNA segments synthesized discontinuously on the lagging strand during replication, later joined by DNA ligase after RNA primers are replaced.

Osmolality

Total concentration of solute particles per kilogram of solvent; normal plasma osmolality is about 275-295 mOsm/kg and is estimated as 2[Na+] + glucose/18 + BUN/2.8.

Tumor suppressor p53

Protein that halts the cell cycle at the G1/S checkpoint for DNA repair or triggers apoptosis; loss of function permits propagation of mutated DNA and is common in cancers.

CURB-65

Pneumonia severity score: Confusion, Urea >7 mmol/L, Respiratory rate ≥30, Blood pressure low, age ≥65; each scores one point and guides hospitalization decisions.

DKA management

Diabetic ketoacidosis treated with isotonic saline, IV insulin once potassium ≥3.3 mEq/L, potassium replacement, and dextrose when glucose falls below 200-250 mg/dL.

Heart failure quadruple therapy

For heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, combine an ARNI or ACE inhibitor, evidence-based beta-blocker, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, and SGLT2 inhibitor to reduce mortality.

HbA1c diagnostic threshold

An HbA1c of 6.5% or higher is diagnostic of diabetes mellitus; 5.7-6.4% indicates prediabetes; confirmation with a repeat test is required unless symptoms are unequivocal.

Alteplase window

Intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke is indicated within 4.5 hours of symptom onset after noncontrast CT excludes intracranial hemorrhage and contraindications are absent.

ATLS primary survey

Sequential trauma assessment: Airway with cervical spine protection, Breathing, Circulation with hemorrhage control, Disability (Glasgow Coma Scale), and Exposure with environmental control.

Indirect inguinal hernia

Hernia exiting the deep inguinal ring lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels, often due to a patent processus vaginalis; more common in males and can descend into the scrotum.

Ludwig's angina

Rapidly spreading bilateral cellulitis of the submandibular and sublingual spaces, usually odontogenic, causing floor-of-mouth elevation and airway compromise; requires airway protection and IV antibiotics.

Irreversible pulpitis

Dental pulp inflammation causing spontaneous, throbbing pain that lingers after cold stimuli and may worsen with heat; treated by root canal therapy or extraction.

Alvarado score

Clinical score for appendicitis based on migration of pain, anorexia, nausea, tenderness, rebound, fever, leukocytosis, and left shift; higher scores support operative management.

Naegele's rule

Estimates delivery date by adding 7 days and subtracting 3 months from the first day of the last menstrual period, assuming a 28-day cycle; first-trimester ultrasound is more accurate.

Placenta previa

Placenta covering or near the cervical os, causing painless bright-red vaginal bleeding in late pregnancy; digital vaginal examination is avoided until placental location is known.

Preeclampsia severe features

Blood pressure ≥160/110 mmHg, platelets <100,000, transaminases >2 times normal, creatinine elevation, pulmonary edema, or visual/cerebral symptoms; delivery is definitive treatment.

Postpartum hemorrhage

Blood loss ≥500 mL after vaginal delivery or ≥1,000 mL after cesarean; uterine atony is the most common cause; treat with uterotonics, massage, tamponade, then surgery.

Ectopic pregnancy

Implantation outside the uterine cavity, typically in the fallopian tube; presents with amenorrhea, pain, and bleeding; unstable patients need surgery, stable ones may receive methotrexate.

Ovarian torsion

Twisting of the ovary and its vascular pedicle causing sudden severe unilateral pelvic pain with nausea; Doppler may be normal; surgical detorsion with ovarian preservation is preferred.

APGAR score

Newborn assessment at 1 and 5 minutes scoring Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration from 0 to 2 each; resuscitation begins before scoring is completed.

Kawasaki disease

Febrile vasculitis of childhood with fever ≥5 days plus conjunctivitis, mucosal changes, rash, extremity changes, and cervical lymphadenopathy; IVIG plus aspirin prevents coronary aneurysms.

Bronchiolitis

Lower respiratory infection in infants, most often due to respiratory syncytial virus, causing wheeze, tachypnea, and retractions; management is supportive with oxygen and hydration.

Simple febrile seizure

Generalized seizure lasting under 15 minutes occurring once in 24 hours in a child aged 6 months to 5 years with fever; no routine EEG or anticonvulsant prophylaxis is needed.

Paediatric dehydration

Assessed by weight loss: mild under 5%, moderate 5-10%, severe over 10%; oral rehydration solution is first-line for mild-moderate cases, with IV isotonic boluses for severe dehydration.

Serotonin syndrome

Toxicity from serotonergic drugs causing clonus, hyperreflexia, agitation, and hyperthermia; management includes stopping the agent, supportive care, benzodiazepines, and cyproheptadine in severe cases.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Life-threatening reaction to dopamine antagonists with rigidity, fever, autonomic instability, and elevated creatine kinase; treatment is stopping the drug, cooling, dantrolene, or bromocriptine.

Lithium therapeutic range

Serum lithium levels of 0.6-1.2 mEq/L are therapeutic; toxicity causes tremor, ataxia, vomiting, and confusion; renal and thyroid function require monitoring and NSAIDs should be avoided.

Delirium versus dementia

Delirium has acute onset, fluctuating course, and inattention, whereas dementia is chronic progressive cognitive decline with preserved consciousness; delirium is a medical emergency requiring investigation.

Alcohol withdrawal timeline

Tremor and anxiety begin 6-24 hours after cessation, seizures 6-48 hours, and delirium tremens 48-96 hours; benzodiazepines are first-line and thiamine is given before glucose.