Archive Of Standardized Exam Questions: Vitamin C Deficiency (Scurvy)

OVERVIEW

This page is dedicated to organizing various examples of standardized exam questions whose answer is vitamin C deficiency (scurvy). While this may seem a odd practice, it is useful to see multiple examples of how scurvy 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 topic is quite valuable.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS CONDITION (ON EXAMS)

When it comes to standardized exams, each topic 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 scurvy

  • Bleeding/swollen gums are a common issue 
  • Bruising/petichiae 
  • Poor wound healing 
QUESTION EXAMPLES

Question # 1

 

Explanation # 1

 

Question # 2

 

Explanation # 2

 

TESTABLE FACTS ABOUT THIS TOPIC (BEYOND ITS IDENTIFICATION)

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

  • Consequence of deficiency: hydroxylation of collagen requires vitamin C to occur. This will not happen in scurvy, leading to a collagen synthesis defect. 
  • Specific enzyme deficiency: prolyl hydroxylase

 

 

Page Updated: 04.18.2017