USMLE-Style SBA Clinical Questions
Questions
1. A 24-year-old male presents with dark urine and fatigue after taking antimalarial
medication. Laboratory tests reveal hemolytic anemia. Which enzyme deficiency is most
likely responsible for his condition?
A. Pyruvate dehydrogenase
B. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
C. Hexokinase
D. Transketolase
E. Lactase
2. Which of the following best describes the main function of NADPH produced in the
pentose phosphate pathway?
A. Energy production via ATP generation
B. Serving as a precursor for DNA synthesis
C. Providing reducing power for biosynthetic reactions and antioxidant defense
D. Facilitating glucose uptake into cells
E. Acting as a neurotransmitter
3. Which of the following is a major clinical consequence of glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase deficiency after exposure to oxidant stress?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Hemolytic anemia
C. Scurvy
D. Pellagra
E. Beriberi
4. A 45-year-old male presents with fragile red blood cells and hemolytic anemia. Which
vitamin deficiency is most likely?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin D
C. Vitamin E
D. Vitamin K
E. Vitamin C
5. A child presents with night blindness and dry eyes. Which vitamin deficiency is the most
likely cause?
A. Vitamin B1
B. Vitamin B3
C. Vitamin A
D. Vitamin D
E. Vitamin K
6. A newborn has bleeding and is found to have a deficiency in clotting factors II, VII, IX, and
X. Which vitamin deficiency is responsible?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin D
C. Vitamin K
D. Vitamin C
E. Vitamin B12
7. A 55-year-old obese patient is diagnosed with Type II diabetes mellitus. Which of the
following best describes the primary pathophysiology?
A. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
B. Insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion
C. Genetic mutations in insulin receptors
D. Defective glucose transporters
E. Autoimmune attack on insulin
8. A young boy has type I diabetes mellitus. Which of the following is most characteristic of
his disease?
A. Insulin resistance
B. Obesity-associated hyperinsulinemia
C. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
D. Defective glycogen breakdown
E. Hypoglycemia
9. Which of the following best explains why low glycemic index (GI) diets are beneficial for
diabetic patients?
A. They cause rapid glucose spikes
B. They reduce insulin sensitivity
C. They lead to gradual increases in blood glucose, reducing insulin spikes
D. They increase oxidative stress
E. They raise LDL levels
10. Which of the following vitamins acts as an antioxidant and participates in the
regeneration of active vitamin E?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin B12
C. Vitamin C
D. Vitamin D
E. Vitamin K
Answers
1. B
2. C
3. B
4. C
5. C
6. C
7. B
8. C
9. C
10. C
