#june2020mccqe1
A 65-year-old woman is admitted with a 3-week history of headache over the right temporal region, malaise, fever, morning stiffness, and weight loss. On physical examination, scalp tenderness is appreciated. Her temperature is 38.5 C (101.3 F), blood pressure is 142/84 mm Hg, pulse is 85/min, and respirations are 14/min. There is no loss of visual acuity, and funduscopic examination is unremarkable. Laboratory studies show the following:
Hematocrit 40.3%
Hemoglobin 11.9 g/dL
Leukocytes 7800/mL (neutrophils 68%)
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) 80 mm/h
After reviewing the results, the physician initiates highdose prednisone therapy. Which of the following is most likely to confirm the diagnosis?
(A) CT scan of the head
(B) Lumbar puncture
(C) Muscle biopsy
(D) Temporal artery biopsy
(E) Visual evoked potentials
A 65-year-old woman is admitted with a 3-week history of headache over the right temporal region, malaise, fever, morning stiffness, and weight loss. On physical examination, scalp tenderness is appreciated. Her temperature is 38.5 C (101.3 F), blood pressure is 142/84 mm Hg, pulse is 85/min, and respirations are 14/min. There is no loss of visual acuity, and funduscopic examination is unremarkable. Laboratory studies show the following:
Hematocrit 40.3%
Hemoglobin 11.9 g/dL
Leukocytes 7800/mL (neutrophils 68%)
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) 80 mm/h
After reviewing the results, the physician initiates highdose prednisone therapy. Which of the following is most likely to confirm the diagnosis?
(A) CT scan of the head
(B) Lumbar puncture
(C) Muscle biopsy
(D) Temporal artery biopsy
(E) Visual evoked potentials
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