USMLE Step 1 practice questions

0 of 10 answered

1. Question 1 of 10Pathology

   A 32-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 3-month history of recurrent headaches and nausea. The headaches occur a few times a month and alternately affect the right or left side. The headaches are exacerbated by loud sounds or bright light. She is in graduate school and has been under a lot of stress recently. She does not smoke or drink alcohol but does drink 2–3 cups of coffee daily. Her only medication is an oral contraceptive. Physical examination shows no abnormalities; visual acuity is 20/20. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

   AMigraine headacheBTension headacheCTrigeminal neuralgiaDCluster headache
2. Question 2 of 10Pharmacology

   A 72-year-old man presents to the clinic for the evaluation of a lesion on his nose that has been slowly getting larger for the past 2 months. The patient notes no history of trauma, pruritus, or pain, but states that the size of the lesion is making his nose feel uncomfortable. On exam, the nodule is pink with rolled borders. Telangiectasias are also present within the lesion, with central ulceration. What is the characteristic histologic appearance of this lesion?

   APalisading nucleiBSawtooth lymphocytic infiltrateCAtypical melanocytesDEpidermal hyperplasia with cutaneous darkening
3. Question 3 of 10Physiology

   A 68-year-old man comes to the physician for evaluation of a lump in his left axilla that he first noticed 1 year ago. He reports that the size of the mass has varied over time and that there have been similar masses in his neck and groin. He has not had fever, weight loss, or night sweats. Physical examination shows a nontender, rubbery mass in the left axilla and a similar, smaller mass in the right groin. His spleen is palpable 3 cm below the left costal margin. Laboratory studies, including complete blood count, are within reference ranges. Genetic analysis obtained on resection of the axillary mass shows a t(14;18) translocation. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

   AHodgkin lymphomaBFollicular lymphomaCBurkitt lymphomaDMarginal zone lymphoma
4. Question 4 of 10Biochemistry & Nutrition

   A 67-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 3-month history of difficulty initiating urination. He wakes up at least 3–4 times at night to urinate. Digital rectal examination shows a symmetrically enlarged, nontender prostate with a rubbery consistency. Laboratory studies show a prostate-specific antigen level of 2.1 ng/mL (N < 4). Which of the following is the most likely underlying cause of this patient's symptoms?

   AHyperplasia of lateral prostatic lobe tissueBInfiltrating neoplasia of bladder urotheliumCHypertrophy of middle prostatic lobe tissueDLymphocytic infiltration of anterior prostatic lobe stroma
5. Question 5 of 10Microbiology

   A 61-year-old man decides to undergo surgery for a hip replacement after seeing no improvement in his pain with non-operative treatment. At some point during the surgery, he is administered an agent that results in fasciculations in the patient's extremities. This was the expected response to the administered agent so no intervention was needed. After a while, the fasciculations stop and remain stopped for the remainder of the surgery. Consider the period of time during which the patient had fasciculations and subsequently the period of time after the fasciculations stopped. If the effects of the administered agent needed to be reversed during each of these two time periods respectively, which of the following agents should be administered during each time period?

   ANeostigmine, no reversalBNeostigmine, neostigmineCNo reversal, atracuriumDNo reversal, neostigmine
6. Question 6 of 10Gross Anatomy & Embryology

   A 7-year-old girl is brought to the physician by her parents for the evaluation of pubic hair development. She has a history of a fracture in each leg and one fracture in her right arm. Her performance at school is good. There is no family history of serious illness. She takes no medications. Vital signs are within normal limits. Genital examination shows coarse, dark hair along the labia. The breast glands are enlarged and the breast bud extends beyond the areolar diameter. There are several hyperpigmented macules with rough, serpiginous borders of different sizes on the lower and upper extremities. The remainder of the examination shows no abnormalities. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

   AOsteogenesis imperfectaBMcCune-Albright syndromeCNeurofibromatosis type IDCongenital adrenal hyperplasia
7. Question 7 of 10Behavioral Sciences

   A 34-year-old woman, gravida 3, para 2, at 16 weeks' gestation comes to the physician because of nausea and recurrent burning epigastric discomfort for 1 month. Her symptoms are worse after heavy meals. She does not smoke or drink alcohol. Examination shows a uterus consistent in size with a 16-week gestation. Palpation of the abdomen elicits mild epigastric tenderness. The physician prescribes her medication to alleviate her symptoms. Treatment with which of the following drugs should be avoided in this patient?

   AMisoprostolBMagnesium hydroxideCCimetidineDSucralfate
8. Question 8 of 10Immunology

   A 15-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department by his parents because of lethargy, repeated vomiting, and abdominal pain for 6 hours. Over the past 2 weeks, he has reported increased urinary frequency to his parents that they attributed to his increased oral fluid intake. Examination shows dry mucous membranes and rapid, deep breathing. Laboratory studies show the presence of acetoacetate in the urine. Which of the following cells is unable to use this molecule for energy production?

   AThrombocyteBNeuronCHepatocyteDMyocyte "
9. Question 9 of 10Pathology

   A 25-year-old G1P0 at 20 weeks of gestation woman arrives at a prenatal appointment complaining of pelvic pressure. She has had an uncomplicated pregnancy thus far. She takes prenatal vitamins and eats a well-balanced diet. Her medical history is significant for major depressive disorder that has been well-controlled on citalopram. Her mother had gestational diabetes with each of her 3 pregnancies. On physical exam, the cervix is soft and closed with minimal effacement. There is white vaginal discharge within the vagina and vaginal vault without malodor. Vaginal pH is 4.3. A transvaginal ultrasound measures the length of the cervix as 20 mm. Which of the following is most likely to prevent preterm birth in this patient?

   AMetforminBMetronidazoleCPrednisoneDVaginal progesterone
10. Question 10 of 10Pharmacology

    A 5-year-old boy is brought to the physician by his mother because he claims to have spoken to his recently-deceased grandfather. The grandfather, who lived with the family and frequently watched the boy for his parents, died 2 months ago. The boy was taken out of preschool for 3 days after his grandfather's death but has since returned. His teachers report that the boy is currently doing well, completing his assignments, and engaging in play with other children. When asked about how he feels, the boy becomes tearful and says, “I miss my grandpa. I sometimes talk to him when my mom is not around.” Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

    AAdjustment disorderBNormal griefCSchizophreniform disorderDMajor depressive disorder