Practice targeted AMC-style multiple-choice questions on pediatrics.
A 3-year-old child is brought to the paediatric clinic by their parents due to a 2-month history of increasing abdominal distension, poor appetite, and occasional constipation. On physical examination, a firm, irregular mass is palpable in the upper abdomen, crossing the midline. Vital signs are stable. Initial blood tests, including full blood count and liver function tests, are within normal limits. An abdominal CT scan is performed (image provided). Considering the findings demonstrated in the image, which of the following investigations represents the most appropriate next step in establishing a definitive diagnosis and guiding further management?
A 3-year-old boy presents with sudden onset intermittent severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and lethargy. On examination, he is pale and has a palpable mass in the right upper quadrant. An ultrasound is performed (image provided). Based on this finding, what is the most appropriate next step in management?
A previously healthy 3-year-old boy presents with colicky abdominal pain and non-bilious vomiting. Physical exam reveals a palpable abdominal mass in the RUQ. An ultrasound is performed, revealing the finding shown. What is the MOST likely lead point?
A 7-year-old boy with a history of asthma presents to the clinic with increased wheezing and shortness of breath over the past week. He has been using his salbutamol inhaler more frequently, but his symptoms persist. His mother reports that he has been waking up at night due to coughing. What is the most appropriate next step in managing this child's asthma?
A 10-year-old boy presents to the pediatric clinic with a history of fever, a rash characterized by erythema marginatum, and migratory arthralgia. His mother reports that he had a sore throat about three weeks ago, which resolved without treatment. On examination, he has a temperature of 38.5°C, a heart rate of 110 bpm, and a faint erythematous rash on his trunk. His joints are tender but not swollen. Given the suspicion of acute rheumatic fever, which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?
A 3-year-old boy presents with sudden onset, intermittent, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and lethargy. On examination, he is pale and has a palpable mass in the right upper quadrant. Vitals are stable. An ultrasound is performed, shown above. Based on the clinical presentation and the provided image, what is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?
A 3-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department by his parents due to a high fever and irritability. He has had a runny nose and cough for the past two days. On examination, he is lethargic and has a bulging fontanelle. A lumbar puncture is performed, and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis shows elevated protein, low glucose, and a high white cell count with a predominance of neutrophils. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A 3-week-old male presents with non-bilious projectile vomiting after each feed. He is otherwise well-appearing. An abdominal X-ray is unremarkable. An upper GI contrast study is performed, and relevant images are shown. What is the MOST likely acid-base disturbance in this patient?
A 3-year-old boy presents with intermittent abdominal pain, vomiting, and currant jelly stools. An ultrasound is performed, revealing the finding shown. What is the MOST appropriate next step in the management of this patient?
A 3-year-old presents with a 2-month history of increasing abdominal distension and intermittent pain. Physical examination reveals a firm, non-tender mass in the upper abdomen. Blood tests show mild anaemia. Vitals are stable. This CT scan was performed as part of the initial workup. Considering the clinical presentation and the findings demonstrated in the provided image, which of the following investigations is the most critical next step for accurate staging and risk stratification to guide appropriate management in this paediatric patient?
A 6-week-old male presents with projectile vomiting after feeds. He is otherwise well-appearing, with normal vital signs and no abdominal distension. An ultrasound was performed, and an image is shown. What is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A previously well 3-year-old boy presents to the emergency department with a 12-hour history of sudden onset, intermittent, severe, colicky abdominal pain, associated with non-bilious vomiting. Between episodes, he appears lethargic and pale. His vital signs are stable: HR 110, BP 90/60, RR 24, Temp 37.2. Abdominal examination reveals mild distension and tenderness, but no guarding or rebound. Bowel sounds are present. A point-of-care ultrasound is performed by the emergency physician. Considering the clinical presentation, the patient's current stable vital signs, and the specific findings demonstrated in the provided ultrasound image, which of the following represents the single most appropriate immediate next step in the management of this patient in an Australian tertiary paediatric centre?
A 5-week-old male presents with projectile vomiting. Ultrasound (shown). What electrolyte abnormality is MOST likely?
A 3-year-old boy presents to the emergency department with a 12-hour history of sudden onset, severe, colicky abdominal pain, drawing his legs up, and non-bilious vomiting. His parents report he has been listless between episodes and had a small amount of red jelly-like stool earlier. Vitals: T 37.2°C, HR 110, RR 24, BP 95/60, Sats 98% on air. Abdominal examination reveals tenderness in the right upper quadrant and a palpable mass. Bowel sounds are diminished. A point-of-care ultrasound is performed. Based on the clinical presentation and the findings demonstrated in the provided ultrasound image, what is the most appropriate initial management step for this patient?
A 6-year-old child presents with intensely itchy, small, fluid-filled blisters on their hands and feet. The blisters are most prominent on the palms and soles. The child has a history of atopic dermatitis. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A 6-week-old presents with projectile vomiting after feeds. An ultrasound is performed (shown). What is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 6-week-old male infant presents with increasing frequency of non-bilious vomiting after feeds for the past week. He is otherwise well, afebrile, and has wet nappies. On examination, he is alert and interactive. Abdominal examination is unremarkable. Vitals are stable. You order an ultrasound, which is shown. Based on the clinical presentation and the provided image, what is the most appropriate immediate next step in management?
A 2-week-old baby is brought to the clinic with abdominal distension and bilious vomiting. On examination, the abdomen is tense and tender. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A 4-year-old presents with abdominal distension and back pain for 2 months. Exam reveals a firm, fixed abdominal mass. Vitals are normal. An abdominal CT is performed (axial view shown). Which lab finding would MOST strongly support the suspected diagnosis?
A 9-month-old presents with the abdominal finding shown. It is soft and reducible. Parents are concerned. What counseling is most appropriate?
A 4-year-old with abdominal pain and hypertension has this CT. What is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 10-year-old child with ADHD is started on stimulant medication. His parents report that he has lost weight and is not eating well. What is the most likely side effect of the medication?
A 4-week-old male presents with persistent non-bilious vomiting after feeding. He is mildly dehydrated, but otherwise active. An ultrasound is performed, as shown. What is the MOST likely acid-base disturbance?
A 3-week-old male infant presents with persistent, non-bilious projectile vomiting after each feed. He appears hungry and eagerly accepts the bottle, but vomits shortly after. On examination, mild dehydration is noted. An abdominal X-ray is ordered, the relevant image is attached. What is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 3-year-old child presents to the emergency department with a sudden onset of cough, wheezing, and difficulty breathing after playing with small toys. The child is in mild respiratory distress, with a respiratory rate of 40 breaths per minute and oxygen saturation of 92% on room air. On auscultation, there are decreased breath sounds on the right side with wheezing. The child has no fever, and there is no history of recent illness. What is the most likely cause of these symptoms?
A 2-year-old child is brought to the emergency department by their parents due to a persistent cough, wheezing, and difficulty breathing that has worsened over the past two days. The child has a known history of eczema and multiple food allergies, including peanuts and eggs. On examination, the child appears in mild respiratory distress with nasal flaring and intercostal retractions. Auscultation of the chest reveals bilateral wheezing. The child is afebrile, with a respiratory rate of 40 breaths per minute, heart rate of 120 bpm, and oxygen saturation of 94% on room air. A chest X-ray shows hyperinflation but no focal consolidation. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A 3-year-old presents with abdominal distension and bone pain. An abdominal CT is performed (image attached). Which of the following is the MOST appropriate initial investigation to confirm the suspected diagnosis?
A neonate is born at term following an uneventful pregnancy. Immediately after birth, the baby develops bilious vomiting. Abdominal examination reveals epigastric distension, but the rest of the abdomen is scaphoid. An abdominal X-ray is performed. Which of the following findings on the abdominal X-ray would be most consistent with the likely diagnosis?
A 4-year-old presents with abdominal distension and back pain for 2 months. Exam reveals a firm, fixed abdominal mass. Vitals are normal. An abdominal CT is performed (axial view shown). Which lab finding would MOST strongly support the suspected diagnosis?
A 3-year-old boy presents to the emergency department with a one-week history of abdominal pain, decreased appetite, and irritability. His parents also report that he has been increasingly tired and pale. On examination, the child is noted to have a palpable abdominal mass. A CT scan of the abdomen is performed, the axial view is shown. Based on the image and clinical presentation, which of the following is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 3-year-old presents with abdominal distension and vague pain. Vitals are stable. An abdominal CT is performed (image attached). Elevated levels of HVA and VMA are noted in the urine. What is the MOST likely origin of the primary lesion?
A 16-year-old boy is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes mellitus after presenting with polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss. His blood tests show elevated blood glucose levels and the presence of autoantibodies against pancreatic beta cells. In contrast, a 55-year-old woman is diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, characterized by insulin resistance and obesity. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiological differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?
A 5-week-old male presents with non-bilious projectile vomiting. An ultrasound is performed (shown). What acid-base disturbance is MOST likely?
A 3-year-old boy presents with sudden onset intermittent severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and lethargy. On examination, he is pale but haemodynamically stable. Abdominal examination reveals a palpable mass in the right upper quadrant. An ultrasound is performed (image provided). What is the most appropriate next step in management?
A 5-week-old male presents with projectile vomiting after feeds. He is irritable and appears dehydrated. An upper GI contrast study is performed, with relevant images attached. What is the MOST likely underlying cause?
A 9-month-old presents with a noticeable abdominal protrusion, more prominent when crying. The child is feeding well and has regular bowel movements. Examination reveals a soft, easily reducible bulge at the umbilicus, as shown. Parents are concerned about potential complications. What is the MOST appropriate parental advice?
A 16-year-old Aboriginal boy from a remote community presents to the local clinic with a two-week history of increasing fatigue, occasional shortness of breath on exertion, and migratory joint pains affecting his knees and ankles. He had a documented episode of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) three years ago, complicated by mild mitral regurgitation, and was commenced on monthly benzathine penicillin G injections for secondary prophylaxis. However, his adherence has been inconsistent over the past year due to difficulties accessing the clinic. On examination, he is afebrile. His pulse is 95 bpm, blood pressure 110/70 mmHg, and respiratory rate 18 breaths/min. Cardiac auscultation reveals a soft apical pansystolic murmur, unchanged from his last review six months ago. There is mild swelling and tenderness in his left ankle joint, but no erythema or warmth. His throat swab for *Streptococcus pyogenes* is negative. Laboratory tests show a CRP of 45 mg/L (normal <5), ESR 60 mm/hr (normal <15), and a normal full blood count. An ECG shows sinus rhythm with no PR interval prolongation. A point-of-care ultrasound shows mild mitral regurgitation. Considering the clinical presentation, history, and the significant burden of rheumatic heart disease in this population, which of the following is the most appropriate immediate management step regarding his secondary prophylaxis?
A 6-month-old infant presents for a routine check-up. The mother reports the infant is feeding well and has normal bowel movements. On examination, you observe the finding in the image. The mass is soft and easily reducible. What is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 6-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department by his parents due to sudden onset wheezing and difficulty breathing. He has a history of atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis. His parents mention that he was playing outside when the symptoms began. On examination, he is in mild respiratory distress with a respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute, oxygen saturation of 94% on room air, and bilateral wheezing on auscultation. There is no fever, and his heart rate is 110 bpm. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A 6-year-old child presents with intensely itchy, small, fluid-filled blisters on their hands and feet, especially between the fingers and toes. The lesions are linear and excoriated. Multiple family members have similar symptoms. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A 6-week-old infant presents with a 1-week history of increasing non-bilious projectile vomiting after feeds. He is otherwise well, afebrile, and has wet nappies. Examination is unremarkable. An ultrasound is performed, shown in the image. Considering the clinical presentation and the findings in the provided image, what is the most appropriate definitive surgical intervention for this condition?
A 4-year-old boy is brought to the pediatrician by his parents due to a persistent cough and wheezing for the past two weeks. The symptoms started after he had a cold. He has no significant past medical history and is up to date with his vaccinations. On examination, he is afebrile, with mild respiratory distress and bilateral wheezing on auscultation. What is the most appropriate initial treatment?
A 4-week-old male presents with persistent projectile vomiting after each feed. He appears hungry and eagerly feeds, but vomits shortly after. An abdominal X-ray is ordered, the result of which is shown. What is the most appropriate next step in management?
A 3-year-old child is brought to the general practice clinic by his parents due to recurrent episodes of wheezing and cough, particularly following viral upper respiratory tract infections. The child has had multiple similar episodes over the past year, each resolving with bronchodilator therapy. There is no history of eczema or allergic rhinitis, and the family history is unremarkable for atopic conditions. On examination, the child appears well between episodes, with normal growth parameters and no signs of respiratory distress. Auscultation of the chest reveals clear lung fields without wheezes or crackles. Which of the following is the most likely underlying condition?
A 10-year-old boy struggles with inattention at school, often daydreaming and losing focus. His grades are declining, and he forgets homework. Parents report similar issues at home. What's the most appropriate initial step?
A 1-year-old child is brought to the emergency department with a 3-day history of cough, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. The child has a fever of 38.5°C and a runny nose. On examination, the child appears in mild respiratory distress with nasal flaring and intercostal retractions. Auscultation reveals diffuse wheezing and crackles throughout the lung fields. The child has no significant past medical history and is up to date with vaccinations. A chest X-ray shows hyperinflation but no focal consolidation. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A 5-year-old boy is brought to the clinic by his parents due to a 3-day history of fever, irritability, and refusal to eat. On examination, he has a temperature of 39°C, erythematous oropharynx, and tender cervical lymphadenopathy. There are also vesicular lesions on his hands and feet. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A 3-year-old boy presents with sudden onset intermittent severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and lethargy. On examination, he is pale and has a palpable mass in the right upper quadrant. An ultrasound is performed (image provided). Based on this finding, what is the most appropriate next step in management?
A 3-year-old boy presents with intermittent abdominal pain, vomiting, and currant jelly stools. An ultrasound is performed, revealing the image shown. What is the MOST appropriate next step in management?