Archive Of Standardized Exam Questions: Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome

OVERVIEW

This page is dedicated to organizing various examples of standardized exam questions whose answer is Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. While this may seem a odd practice, it is useful to see multiple examples of how Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome will be characterized on standardized exams (namely the boards and the shelf exams). This page is not meant to be used as a traditional question bank (as all of the answers will be the same), however seeing the classic “test” characterization for a disease is quite valuable.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS CONDITION (ON EXAMS)

When it comes to standardized exams, each condition has its own “code” marked by key buzzwords, lab findings, clues, etc. If you are well versed in this code you will be able to more quickly identify the condition that is being discussed, and get the right answer on the exam you are taking. Below is the “code” for Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome

  • Eczema
  • Recurrent infections 
  • Bleeding episodes: circumcision, bleeding from umbilical stump
  • Thrombocytopenia (reason for bleeding)
  • Elevated IgE/IgA
  • Decreased/normal IgG, IgM
QUESTION EXAMPLES

Question # 1

 

Explanation # 1

 

Question # 2

 

Explanation # 2

 

TESTABLE FACTS ABOUT THIS CONDITION (BEYOND ITS IDENTIFICATION)

Many questions on standardized exams go beyond simply recognizing the underlying condition. Often there are specific testable facts regarding some aspect of the disease’s pathophysiology/management/clincial implications that are commonly asked. Some of these are listed below:

  • X-linked recessive condition 
  • Mutation in WASp gene: leukocytes and platelets unable to reorganize actin cytoskeleton => defective antigen presentation 

 

 

Page Updated: 04.02.2017