Online Access Free SEND Exam Questions
| Exam Code: | SEND |
| Exam Name: | Endocrinology and Diabetes (Specialty Certificate Examination) |
| Certification Provider: | MRCPUK |
| Free Question Number: | 200 |
| Posted: | Sep 07, 2025 |
A 33-year-old woman presented with tiredness, palpitations, weight loss and emotional
lability 9 weeks after the birth of her third child.
On examination, she had a sinus tachycardia, a fine tremor, slight lid retraction and a mild
diffuse non-tender goitre.
Investigations:
serum thyroid-stimulating hormone<0.01 mU/L (0.4-5.0)
serum free T434.3 pmol/L (10.0-22.0)
technetium-99m scan of thyroid (20-min uptake)<1% (0.4-3.0)
What is the most appropriate treatment?
A 62-year-old woman with persistent hypertension attended the clinic for review. She had no previous medical history of note and was taking amlodipine, ramipril, bendroflumethiazide, spironolactone and doxazosin. Her blood pressure was raised at 160/100 mmHg.
Investigations:
serum sodium138 mmol/L (137-144)
serum potassium3.8 mmol/L (3.5-4.9)
A blood test for renin and aldosterone concentration was being considered.
For what minimum period should spironolactone be discontinued before this test?
A 16-year-old Caucasian girl presented with a 4-year history of facial hair growth, acne and secondary amenorrhoea.
On examination, her body mass index was 20 kg/m2 (18-25). Her gums and palmar creases were pigmented. Facial hair was evident on her upper lip and chin, and terminal hair was evident on her chest and abdomen. Her Ferriman-Gallwey score was 25. She had acne affecting her face and back.
Investigations:
serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate15 umol/L (3-12)
serum androstenedione12.2 nmol/L (0.6-8.8)
serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone120 nmol/L (1-10)
serum testosterone6.0 nmol/L (0.5-3.0)
serum sex hormone binding globulin18 nmol/L (40-137)
What treatment is likely to be of most benefit?
A 48-year-old man was referred by his general practitioner, whose letter stated: 'Please review this man's blood pressure management, as he has requested a second opinion, having seen information on the internet about the need for more detailed investigation. He has been having treatment for 10 years.'
At the consultation, the patient confirmed that he was currently taking bendroflumethiazide
2.5 mg daily, atenolol 50 mg daily and perindopril 8 mg daily. His clinic blood pressure was 169/108 mmHg. Clinical examination was otherwise normal.
Investigations:
serum sodium142 mmol/L (137-144)
serum potassium3.9 mmol/L (3.5-4.9)
estimated glomerular filtration rate (MDRD)>60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (>60)
ambulant plasma renin activity0.5 pmol/mL/h (3.0-4.3)
ambulant plasma aldosterone380 pmol/L (330-830)
What is the most appropriate next step in management?
A 33-year-old woman was seen for diabetes review 2 months after her first pregnancy. Diabetes mellitus had been diagnosed at 18 weeks' gestation. She had experienced no symptoms; routine urinalysis had shown glucose 4+, with no ketones, and her fasting blood glucose concentration was 6.2 mmol/L (3.0-6.0), rising to 13.5 mmol/L (<7.8) in a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. She had been treated with insulin during the pregnancy, and stopped after delivery. Her mother and maternal aunt had been treated for type 2 diabetes mellitus, and a maternal uncle for type 1 diabetes. Her body mass index was 23.7 kg/m2 (18-25).
Without insulin she remained well, with no osmotic symptoms, no weight loss and no ketosis.
Investigations:
fasting plasma glucose8.4 mmol/L (3.0-6.0)
haemoglobin A1c68 mmol/mol (20-42)
oral glucose tolerance test (75 g):
fasting plasma glucose7.9 mmol/L (3.0-6.0)
2-h plasma glucose13.8 mmol/L (<7.8)
serum insulin72 pmol/L (<186)
serum C-peptide945 pmol/L (180-360)
A trial of therapy with gliclazide 40 mg once daily led to a significant improvement in her blood glucose.
What is the most likely cause of her diabetes?