Page Contents
OVERVIEW
This page is dedicated to organizing various examples of standardized exam questions whose topic is porphyria cutanea tarda. While this may seem a odd practice, it is useful to see multiple examples of how porphyria cutanea tarda 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 porphyria cutanea tarda.
- Skin sensitivity to UV light: patients will blister very easily from sun exposure (and blisters will last for a long time).
- Symptoms made worse with alcohol consumption:
- Tea colored urine may be present
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:
- Risk factors: hepatitis C virus infection, alcohol abuse, excess iron intake
- Affected enzyme: Uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (heme synthesis is affected).
- Inheritance pattern: autosomal dominant mutation
- Accumulated substance: uroporphyrin (cause of symptoms). Iron will also accumulate (causing symptoms as well).
- How to diagnose: measure urine uroporphyrin (will be elevated).
- Treatment:
- Avoid precipitants: no alcohol, limit iron consumption, limit sunlight exposure
Page Updated: 04.29.2017