Emergency Medicine SAEM exam test bank_2023/2024.
Regarding the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, all the following are true EXCEPT:
A. Vital signs are usually abnormal, even early in the course of acute appendicitis.
B. Rebound is usually elicited only after the appendix has ruptured or infarcted.
C. Rovsing's sign is pain in the right lower quadrant upon palpation of the left lower quadrant.
D. The obturator sign is pain upon flexion and internal rotation of the hip.
E. The psoas sign is pain upon extension of the hip. Correct Answer: A. Vital signs are usually abnormal,
even early in the course of acute appendicitis.
The answer is A. The presentation of acute appendicitis varies tremendously. Early in its course, vital
signs including temperature may be normal. Once perforation has occurred, the rate of low-grade fever
(<38 C) increases to about 40%. Other variations in presentation include pain in the right upper
quadrant, typically from a retrocecal or retroiliac appendix.
Rosving's sign is described as:
A. Tenderness in the right upper quadrant that is worse with inspiration.
B. Pelvic pain upon flexion of the thigh while the patient is supine.
C. Pelvic pain upon internal and external rotation of the thigh with the knee flexed.
D. Pain that increases with the release of pressure of palpation.
E. Pain in the right lower quadrant when left lower quadrant is palpated. Correct Answer: E. Pain in the
right lower quadrant when left lower quadrant is palpated.
The answer is E. Rosving's sign is pain in the right lower quadrant when the left lower quadrant is
palpated. Rebound tenderness occurs with the release of pressure. The iliopsoas sign is pain associated
with thigh flexion. The obturator sign is pain that occurs with thigh rotation. All of these signs are
associated with appendicitis. Murphy's sign is cessation of inspiration during palpation of the right upper
quadrant and is associated with acute cholecystitis.
In establishing a differential diagnosis of abdominal pain, which of the following is true?
A. Radiation of pain to the scapula is suggestive of acute hepatitis.
B. Cervical motion tenderness is a useful physical finding for differentiating women with or without
acute appendicitis.
C. In patients with sickle cell anemia who present with abdominal pain and diarrhea, shigellosis should
be a top consideration.
D. The onset of pain prior to the occurrence of nausea and vomiting is more often suggestive of a
surgical etiology.
E. Diverticulitis tends to cause pain in the right upper quadrant. Correct Answer: D. The onset of pain
prior to the occurrence of nausea and vomiting is more often suggestive of a surgical etiology.
The answer is D. Pain prior to nausea and vomiting is often suggestive of a surgical etiology of the pain,
such as small bowel obstruction. Cervical motion tenderness has been noted in up to 25% of women
with acute appendicitis. Patients with sickle cell anemia are prone to Salmonella infections. Radiation of
pain to the scapula is classically present in acute choleycystitis. Diverticulitis pain is generally located in
the left lower quadrant.
Of the following pain patterns, which is the least likely associated with diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease?
,A. non-radiating, burning epigastric pain
B. pain that awakens a patient in the middle of the night
C. unrelenting pain over a period of weeks
D. relief of abdominal pain with antacids
E. pain that is worse preceding a meal Correct Answer: C. unrelenting pain over a period of weeks
The answer is C. Pain from peptic ulcer disease typically occurs in periods of exacerbation and remission.
Unrelenting pain over weeks or months should suggest an alternative diagnosis. Pain is classically
described as non-radiating, burning epigastric pain. Some patients may also complain of chest or back
pain. Pain is frequently severe enough to awaken patients from sleep in early morning hours but is often
not present upon waking in the morning, as gastric acid secretion peaks around 2 a.m. and nadirs upon
awakening.
A mother brings her 6 week old boy to the emergency room. She states the baby has been vomiting
everything she's tried to feed him for the past 12 hours. She states that he usually eats readily and
completes an entire feeding, but he is unable to keep anything down. The emesis is non-bloody and
non-bilious, however it is projectile in nature. What is the most likely condition in this patient?
A. viral gastroenteritis
B. constipation
C. appendicitis
D. intussusception
E. pyloric stenosis Correct Answer: E. pyloric stenosis
The answer is E. Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis typically presents in the second to sixth week of life and is
four times more common in males than females. Infants with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis typically are
vigorous eaters but shortly afterward regurgitate the entire feeding contents in a projectile fashion. The
emesis is non-bilious. The classic finding on exam is an "olive" palpable in the abdomen, and diagnosis is
typically via ultrasound. Intussusception typically presents between the ages of 5 and 12 months.
Gastroenteritis is characterized by diarrhea as well as vomiting. Neither constipation nor appendicitis
typically present with protracted vomiting, though the latter condition tends to present atypically in
young children (and elderly adults).
A 46 year old woman presents to the emergency department complaining of abrupt onset of
intermittent severe pain in the left flank and abdomen that woke her from sleep. She is pacing around
the stretcher and appears extremely uncomfortable. She has never experienced this type of pain
previously and denies fevers or other symptoms. Renal calculus is suspected. Which of the following is
true regarding the diagnosis of renal calculi in this patient?
A. Urinalysis demonstrating hematuria confirms the diagnosis.
B. KUB detects less than 10% of calculi.
C. Helical CT scan greater than 95% sensitive and specific for renal calculi.
D. Ultrasound is the study of choice for detecting small ureteral calculi.
E. Intravenous pyelogram (IVP) may be used in patients with renal insufficiency. Correct Answer: C.
Helical CT scan greater than 95% sensitive and specific for renal calculi.
The answer is C. Helical CT scan has been shown to be both highly sensitive and specific in the diagnosis
of renal calculi. It is the preferred modality for evaluation in many centers. Although urinalysis typically
demonstrates hematuria in patients with renal calculi, hematuria is not specific enough to confirm the
diagnosis, and imaging is warranted in all first-time presenters. KUB detects approximately 60-70% of
,calculi (though studies addressing this issue are somewhat methodologically flawed). Ultrasound is not
reliable for detecting small calculi, but is 85-94% sensitive and 100% specific at demonstrating
hydronephrosis. IVP is contraindicated in patients with renal insufficiency due to the dye load necessary
to perform the study.
A 50 year old man presents with 1 day of gradually worsening, intermittent, left lower quadrant pain
associated with loose stools. He has had no fevers or bloody bowel movements. Similar symptoms in the
past were self-limited. All vital signs lie within normal limits. Physical examination shows mild
tenderness in the left lower quadrant, normal active bowel sounds and neither masses nor peritoneal
signs. His primary-care physician can see him tomorrow in his clinic. What should be done next in the
E.D.?
A. Discharge home after a single dose of IV antibiotics
B. Discharge home on high-fiber diet, laxatives and stool softeners
C. Gastroenterology consult for endoscopy
D. Admit for observation and serial examinations Correct Answer: B. Discharge home on high-fiber diet,
laxatives and stool softeners
The answer is B. This patient has classic diverticulosis (saclike protrusions of colonic mucosa through the
muscularis) without signs of acute diverticulitis (inflammation of diverticula). Usually these patients can
be managed as outpatients with a high-fiber diet and treatments to decrease intestinal spasm. If the
patient develops fever or pain increases he may need further evaluation to rule out abscess formation.
Diverticulitis is treated with antibiotics, bowel rest and analgesics.
You are treating a 25 year old male with the recent diagnosis of Crohn's disease in the ED. Regarding
Crohn's disease, you know that:
A. Lesions are typically contiguous
B. Small bowel involvement is rare
C. Bleeding is common due to superficial bowel wall inflammation
D. There is a small increased risk of colon cancer Correct Answer: D. There is a small increased risk of
colon cancer
The answer is D. Although Crohn's disease may involve the entire bowel tract, the rectum is rarely
involved. Involved areas are typically non-contiguous (known as "skip lesions") and the inflammation
involves all of the layers of the bowel wall--resulting in many of the complications of Crohn's such as
abscess and fistula formation, intestinal obstruction, and perforation. The risk of colon cancer is only
slightly elevated above baseline. In contrast, Ulcerative colitis begins in the rectum and may spread to
the upper parts of the colon but never involves the small intestine. The ulcerations are contiguous and
involve only the colonic mucosa. The incidence of colon cancer may be increased up to 30 times over
baseline.
A 53 year old obese woman presents to the emergency department, accompanied by three of her
children, complaining of severe abdominal pain that began this afternoon after lunch. Physical exam
reveals marked RUQ tenderness. Likely findings on this patient would include all of the following
EXCEPT:
A. positive sonographic Murphy's sign
B. pain in the right scapula
C. leukocytosis with left shift
, D. marked inguinal lymphadenopathy
E. aminotransferases and bilirubin within normal limits Correct Answer: D. marked inguinal
lymphadenopathy
The answer is D. This woman is likely suffering from acute cholecystitis. Predisposing factors include
female gender, obesity, increased age and increased parity. Inflammation of the gallbladder causes RUQ
pain and sonographic Murphy's sign (inspiratory arrest, due to pain, while the ultrasound probe is
positioned over the gallbladder). Pain may radiate to the right scapula. Lab studies usually show
leukocytosis with or without a left shift, and aminotransferases and bilirubin are usually within normal
limits.
A 45 year old woman presents with right upper quadrant pain and fever. The pain is worse after eating.
On physical exam she has a Murphy's sign. The most likely diagnosis is:
A. Appendicitis
B. Diverticulitis
C. Cholelithiasis
D. Cholecystitis
E. Mesenteric Ischemia Correct Answer: D. Cholecystitis
The answer is D. Right upper quadrant pain, fever and a Murphy's sign suggests cholecystitis.
Cholelithiasis presents with similar pain, but is not associated with fever or a Murphy's sign
All of the following factors predispose to cecal volvulus EXCEPT:
A. pregnancy
B. age 25-35
C. prior abdominal surgery
D. marathon running
E. severe chronic constipation Correct Answer: E. severe chronic constipation
The answer is E. Cecal volvulus occurs as a result of abnormal fixation of the right colon and increased
mobility of the cecum. Depending on the degree of rotation around the mesenteric axis, cecal volvulus
can lead to twisting of the mesentery and its blood vessels. Cecal volvulus occurs most commonly in
people 25-35 years old and should be suspected in cases of bowel obstruction without known risk
factors. Prior abdominal surgery and pregnancy predispose to obstruction or cecal volvulus; however,
chronic constipation is not known to predispose to cecal volvulus. Interestingly, marathon runners have
been found to have a higher incidence of cecal volvulus, perhaps from having a thin, flexible mesentery
that more easily permits rotation of the cecum around the mesenteric pedicle.
Which of the following pairings of referred pain and causal disease is least likely to be encountered?
A. sacral pain—ovarian torsion
B. inguinal pain—ureteral colic
C. epigastric pain—myocardial infarction
D. shoulder pain—ruptured spleen
E. thoracic back pain—pancreatitis Correct Answer: A. sacral pain—ovarian torsion
Regarding the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, all the following are true EXCEPT:
A. Vital signs are usually abnormal, even early in the course of acute appendicitis.
B. Rebound is usually elicited only after the appendix has ruptured or infarcted.
C. Rovsing's sign is pain in the right lower quadrant upon palpation of the left lower quadrant.
D. The obturator sign is pain upon flexion and internal rotation of the hip.
E. The psoas sign is pain upon extension of the hip. Correct Answer: A. Vital signs are usually abnormal,
even early in the course of acute appendicitis.
The answer is A. The presentation of acute appendicitis varies tremendously. Early in its course, vital
signs including temperature may be normal. Once perforation has occurred, the rate of low-grade fever
(<38 C) increases to about 40%. Other variations in presentation include pain in the right upper
quadrant, typically from a retrocecal or retroiliac appendix.
Rosving's sign is described as:
A. Tenderness in the right upper quadrant that is worse with inspiration.
B. Pelvic pain upon flexion of the thigh while the patient is supine.
C. Pelvic pain upon internal and external rotation of the thigh with the knee flexed.
D. Pain that increases with the release of pressure of palpation.
E. Pain in the right lower quadrant when left lower quadrant is palpated. Correct Answer: E. Pain in the
right lower quadrant when left lower quadrant is palpated.
The answer is E. Rosving's sign is pain in the right lower quadrant when the left lower quadrant is
palpated. Rebound tenderness occurs with the release of pressure. The iliopsoas sign is pain associated
with thigh flexion. The obturator sign is pain that occurs with thigh rotation. All of these signs are
associated with appendicitis. Murphy's sign is cessation of inspiration during palpation of the right upper
quadrant and is associated with acute cholecystitis.
In establishing a differential diagnosis of abdominal pain, which of the following is true?
A. Radiation of pain to the scapula is suggestive of acute hepatitis.
B. Cervical motion tenderness is a useful physical finding for differentiating women with or without
acute appendicitis.
C. In patients with sickle cell anemia who present with abdominal pain and diarrhea, shigellosis should
be a top consideration.
D. The onset of pain prior to the occurrence of nausea and vomiting is more often suggestive of a
surgical etiology.
E. Diverticulitis tends to cause pain in the right upper quadrant. Correct Answer: D. The onset of pain
prior to the occurrence of nausea and vomiting is more often suggestive of a surgical etiology.
The answer is D. Pain prior to nausea and vomiting is often suggestive of a surgical etiology of the pain,
such as small bowel obstruction. Cervical motion tenderness has been noted in up to 25% of women
with acute appendicitis. Patients with sickle cell anemia are prone to Salmonella infections. Radiation of
pain to the scapula is classically present in acute choleycystitis. Diverticulitis pain is generally located in
the left lower quadrant.
Of the following pain patterns, which is the least likely associated with diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease?
,A. non-radiating, burning epigastric pain
B. pain that awakens a patient in the middle of the night
C. unrelenting pain over a period of weeks
D. relief of abdominal pain with antacids
E. pain that is worse preceding a meal Correct Answer: C. unrelenting pain over a period of weeks
The answer is C. Pain from peptic ulcer disease typically occurs in periods of exacerbation and remission.
Unrelenting pain over weeks or months should suggest an alternative diagnosis. Pain is classically
described as non-radiating, burning epigastric pain. Some patients may also complain of chest or back
pain. Pain is frequently severe enough to awaken patients from sleep in early morning hours but is often
not present upon waking in the morning, as gastric acid secretion peaks around 2 a.m. and nadirs upon
awakening.
A mother brings her 6 week old boy to the emergency room. She states the baby has been vomiting
everything she's tried to feed him for the past 12 hours. She states that he usually eats readily and
completes an entire feeding, but he is unable to keep anything down. The emesis is non-bloody and
non-bilious, however it is projectile in nature. What is the most likely condition in this patient?
A. viral gastroenteritis
B. constipation
C. appendicitis
D. intussusception
E. pyloric stenosis Correct Answer: E. pyloric stenosis
The answer is E. Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis typically presents in the second to sixth week of life and is
four times more common in males than females. Infants with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis typically are
vigorous eaters but shortly afterward regurgitate the entire feeding contents in a projectile fashion. The
emesis is non-bilious. The classic finding on exam is an "olive" palpable in the abdomen, and diagnosis is
typically via ultrasound. Intussusception typically presents between the ages of 5 and 12 months.
Gastroenteritis is characterized by diarrhea as well as vomiting. Neither constipation nor appendicitis
typically present with protracted vomiting, though the latter condition tends to present atypically in
young children (and elderly adults).
A 46 year old woman presents to the emergency department complaining of abrupt onset of
intermittent severe pain in the left flank and abdomen that woke her from sleep. She is pacing around
the stretcher and appears extremely uncomfortable. She has never experienced this type of pain
previously and denies fevers or other symptoms. Renal calculus is suspected. Which of the following is
true regarding the diagnosis of renal calculi in this patient?
A. Urinalysis demonstrating hematuria confirms the diagnosis.
B. KUB detects less than 10% of calculi.
C. Helical CT scan greater than 95% sensitive and specific for renal calculi.
D. Ultrasound is the study of choice for detecting small ureteral calculi.
E. Intravenous pyelogram (IVP) may be used in patients with renal insufficiency. Correct Answer: C.
Helical CT scan greater than 95% sensitive and specific for renal calculi.
The answer is C. Helical CT scan has been shown to be both highly sensitive and specific in the diagnosis
of renal calculi. It is the preferred modality for evaluation in many centers. Although urinalysis typically
demonstrates hematuria in patients with renal calculi, hematuria is not specific enough to confirm the
diagnosis, and imaging is warranted in all first-time presenters. KUB detects approximately 60-70% of
,calculi (though studies addressing this issue are somewhat methodologically flawed). Ultrasound is not
reliable for detecting small calculi, but is 85-94% sensitive and 100% specific at demonstrating
hydronephrosis. IVP is contraindicated in patients with renal insufficiency due to the dye load necessary
to perform the study.
A 50 year old man presents with 1 day of gradually worsening, intermittent, left lower quadrant pain
associated with loose stools. He has had no fevers or bloody bowel movements. Similar symptoms in the
past were self-limited. All vital signs lie within normal limits. Physical examination shows mild
tenderness in the left lower quadrant, normal active bowel sounds and neither masses nor peritoneal
signs. His primary-care physician can see him tomorrow in his clinic. What should be done next in the
E.D.?
A. Discharge home after a single dose of IV antibiotics
B. Discharge home on high-fiber diet, laxatives and stool softeners
C. Gastroenterology consult for endoscopy
D. Admit for observation and serial examinations Correct Answer: B. Discharge home on high-fiber diet,
laxatives and stool softeners
The answer is B. This patient has classic diverticulosis (saclike protrusions of colonic mucosa through the
muscularis) without signs of acute diverticulitis (inflammation of diverticula). Usually these patients can
be managed as outpatients with a high-fiber diet and treatments to decrease intestinal spasm. If the
patient develops fever or pain increases he may need further evaluation to rule out abscess formation.
Diverticulitis is treated with antibiotics, bowel rest and analgesics.
You are treating a 25 year old male with the recent diagnosis of Crohn's disease in the ED. Regarding
Crohn's disease, you know that:
A. Lesions are typically contiguous
B. Small bowel involvement is rare
C. Bleeding is common due to superficial bowel wall inflammation
D. There is a small increased risk of colon cancer Correct Answer: D. There is a small increased risk of
colon cancer
The answer is D. Although Crohn's disease may involve the entire bowel tract, the rectum is rarely
involved. Involved areas are typically non-contiguous (known as "skip lesions") and the inflammation
involves all of the layers of the bowel wall--resulting in many of the complications of Crohn's such as
abscess and fistula formation, intestinal obstruction, and perforation. The risk of colon cancer is only
slightly elevated above baseline. In contrast, Ulcerative colitis begins in the rectum and may spread to
the upper parts of the colon but never involves the small intestine. The ulcerations are contiguous and
involve only the colonic mucosa. The incidence of colon cancer may be increased up to 30 times over
baseline.
A 53 year old obese woman presents to the emergency department, accompanied by three of her
children, complaining of severe abdominal pain that began this afternoon after lunch. Physical exam
reveals marked RUQ tenderness. Likely findings on this patient would include all of the following
EXCEPT:
A. positive sonographic Murphy's sign
B. pain in the right scapula
C. leukocytosis with left shift
, D. marked inguinal lymphadenopathy
E. aminotransferases and bilirubin within normal limits Correct Answer: D. marked inguinal
lymphadenopathy
The answer is D. This woman is likely suffering from acute cholecystitis. Predisposing factors include
female gender, obesity, increased age and increased parity. Inflammation of the gallbladder causes RUQ
pain and sonographic Murphy's sign (inspiratory arrest, due to pain, while the ultrasound probe is
positioned over the gallbladder). Pain may radiate to the right scapula. Lab studies usually show
leukocytosis with or without a left shift, and aminotransferases and bilirubin are usually within normal
limits.
A 45 year old woman presents with right upper quadrant pain and fever. The pain is worse after eating.
On physical exam she has a Murphy's sign. The most likely diagnosis is:
A. Appendicitis
B. Diverticulitis
C. Cholelithiasis
D. Cholecystitis
E. Mesenteric Ischemia Correct Answer: D. Cholecystitis
The answer is D. Right upper quadrant pain, fever and a Murphy's sign suggests cholecystitis.
Cholelithiasis presents with similar pain, but is not associated with fever or a Murphy's sign
All of the following factors predispose to cecal volvulus EXCEPT:
A. pregnancy
B. age 25-35
C. prior abdominal surgery
D. marathon running
E. severe chronic constipation Correct Answer: E. severe chronic constipation
The answer is E. Cecal volvulus occurs as a result of abnormal fixation of the right colon and increased
mobility of the cecum. Depending on the degree of rotation around the mesenteric axis, cecal volvulus
can lead to twisting of the mesentery and its blood vessels. Cecal volvulus occurs most commonly in
people 25-35 years old and should be suspected in cases of bowel obstruction without known risk
factors. Prior abdominal surgery and pregnancy predispose to obstruction or cecal volvulus; however,
chronic constipation is not known to predispose to cecal volvulus. Interestingly, marathon runners have
been found to have a higher incidence of cecal volvulus, perhaps from having a thin, flexible mesentery
that more easily permits rotation of the cecum around the mesenteric pedicle.
Which of the following pairings of referred pain and causal disease is least likely to be encountered?
A. sacral pain—ovarian torsion
B. inguinal pain—ureteral colic
C. epigastric pain—myocardial infarction
D. shoulder pain—ruptured spleen
E. thoracic back pain—pancreatitis Correct Answer: A. sacral pain—ovarian torsion
