EMQs in Clinical Medicine.pdf - Peshawar Medical College

Constipation 163
75 Constipation
A
B
C
D
E
F
hypothyroidism
hypokalaemia
irritable bowel syndrome
caecal carcinoma
Chagas’ disease
folate supplements
G
H
I
J
K
hyperkalaemia
ferrous sulphate
hypercalcaemia
colorectal carcinoma
diverticular disease
For each clinical scenario below, give the most likely cause for the constipation.
Each option may be used only once.
1 An 80-year-old woman presents with thirst, tiredness, depression, bone pain and
constipation.
2 A 65-year-old man presents with a 3-month history of weight loss, altered
bowel habit and bleeding per rectum.
3 A 42-year-old woman complains of weight gain, constipation, cold intolerance
and depression.
4 A 65-year-old woman presents with constipation and colicky left-sided
abdominal pain relieved by defecation.
5 A 21-year-old woman presenting with weakness and lethargy has been successfully
treated for anaemia. She now complains of constipation and black stools.
Answers: see page 189.