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Giant Cell Arteritis (P)
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Course Curriculum
1. What is the hallmark symptom of giant cell arteritis (GCA)?
*
Chronic cough
Temporal headache
Wrist pain
Chest tightness
2. Which serious complication is most associated with untreated GCA?
*
Hearing loss
Stroke
Blindness
Epistaxis
3. What blood test is typically elevated in GCA?
*
ALT
Creatinine
Amylase
ESR
4. What is the first-line treatment for suspected GCA?
*
Aspirin
High-dose corticosteroids
Paracetamol
Antibiotics
5. Which of the following is NOT a symptom of GCA?
*
Jaw claudication
Scalp tenderness
Visual disturbance
Diarrhoea
6. In which age group is GCA most commonly diagnosed?
*
<30 years
30–50 years
50–70 years
>50 years
7. What test confirms a diagnosis of GCA?
*
Temporal artery biopsy
CT head
MRI neck
Chest X-ray
8. Which condition is commonly associated with GCA?
*
Psoriasis
Polymyalgia rheumatica
Osteoporosis
Crohn’s disease
9. What is a typical finding on physical exam in GCA?
*
Aortic Stenosis
Tachycardia
Tender, thickened temporal artery
Hepatojugular reflux
10. Which imaging may help support a diagnosis of GCA?
*
Duplex Doppler
CT Neck
Barium swallow
Head x-ray
11. What is the purpose of giving corticosteroids before confirming diagnosis in GCA?
*
Reduce pain only
Prevent permanent vision loss •
Lower ESR
Dilate temporal arteries
12. What dose of prednisolone is typically started in GCA with visual symptoms?
*
5 mg daily
10 mg daily
40–60 mg daily
100 mg IV once
13. Which symptom would warrant emergency same-day referral in suspected GCA?
*
Scalp tenderness only
Mild fatigue
Knee pain
New-onset visual disturbance
14. How long should corticosteroids typically be continued in GCA?
*
1 week
1 month
Several months to years
Indefinitely without taper
15. What should be monitored in patients on long-term steroids for GCA?
*
Calcium, blood glucose, and BP
LFTs only
TSH only
Urine cultures
16. Which sex is more commonly affected by GCA?
*
Male
Female
Equal
No evidence either way
17. Which visual symptom is most concerning in GCA?
*
Itchy eyes
Photophobia
Sudden visual loss
Blurred vision after reading
18. To which specialty should patients with suspected GCA be referred?
*
Vascular
Rheumatology
Ophthalmology
Immunology
19. What adjunct therapy is sometimes used to reduce steroid dose in GCA?
*
Methotrexate
Paracetamol
Metformin
Insulin
20. Which CRP or ESR level might support a diagnosis of GCA?
*
ESR <10
ESR >40
CRP <10
CRP Normal