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The Medical Marvel Quiz Answers!

11) Which dangerous infectious disease has been extinct ‘in the wild’ since the late 1970’s?
Diptheria
Leprosy
Smallpox
Tuberculosis

Smallpox was eradicated worldwide in the late 1970’s after a widespread vaccination policy. Unfortunately the other diseases on the list are still alive and well. There are still samples of smallpox kept in the research labs and there are worries that they could be used for bioterrorism or chemical warfare.

12) Which of the following diseases is not hereditary or genetic?
Cystic fibrosis
Huntington’s disease
Mononucleosis
Thalassemia

Cystic fibrosis is a rare disease of the endocrine glands that is caused by a genetic defect. Huntington’s Disease is a rare inherited disease of the nervous system. Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes anaemia and is common amongst Mediterranean people. That means that Mononucleosis is not hereditary or genetic. It is caused by a virus and the symptoms include a severe sore throat, swelling of the neck, armpit and groin glands, swollen tonsils and extreme fatigue.

13) What is the definition of congestive heart failure?
The death of heart tissues caused by a blockage of the blood supply
An abnormal heartbeat preventing one of the heart chambers from fully contracting
A slow heart beat often caused by a problem with the heart’s electrical system
The failure of the heart to remove enough blood from the veins

Congestive heart failure is when the heart is unable to remove enough blood from the veins causing the body to retain too much fluid. It is usually treated with diuretics. Regarding the other answer options: the death of heart tissues caused by a blockage of the blood supply describes a myocardial infarction or heart attack; an abnormal heartbeat preventing one of the heart chambers from fully contracting is known as an atrial fibrillation; a slow heart beat often caused by a problem with the heart’s electrical system is known as bradycardia.

14) Which of the following anxiety disorders is a fear of failure?
Acrophobia
Kakorrhaphiophobia
Nosemaphobia
Pyrophobia

Kakorrhaphiophobia is a fear of failure, but might also bring on a fear of spelling! Acrophobia is a fear of high places. Nosemaphobia is a fear of infection and pyrophobia is a fear of fire.

15) Which of the following discoveries happened most recently?
First type of contact lens
First open heart surgery
Laser eye surgery
Measles vaccine

Surprisingly it was the measles vaccine that was the most recent discovery. The first type of contact lens was developed in 1887.The first open heart surgery was performed in 1893. Lasers were first used in eye surgery in 1962 and the measles vaccine was available in 1965.

16)What is referred to in the term ‘good’ cholesterol?
Cholesterol stored in cell walls
Cholesterol used in the formation of steroids
Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL)
High Density Lipoproteins (HDL)

Cholesterol is an essential component of cells walls and is also used in the formation of steroids. It is a very useful substance; it is only a problem when it becomes attached to artery walls. This happens when it is carried in the bloodstream by Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL), but High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) remove the cholesterol from LDL and the bloodstream, making them ‘good’ cholesterol.

17) Gout is a form of which illness?
Anemia
Arthritis
Asthma
Atherosclerosis

Gout is a very painful form of arthritis that is caused by a build up of uric acid in the body. This can form very sharp crystals in bone joints, especially in the big toe, lumps under the skin and kidney stones. The main cause is a diet with a high concentration of purines as these are broken down to form uric acid. Foods to avoid if you suffer from gout include beef, offal, mussels, anchovies, herring, mackerel, yeast and alcoholic drinks, especially beer.

18) How many people have been estimated to have died from AIDS since it was first recognised in 1981 to January 2006?
15 million
25 million
38 million
45 million

In January 2006 the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS estimated that more than 25 million people have died from AIDS and over 38 million people are thought to be currently living with the disease.

19) What effect does the hormone oxytocin have?
Aids in the digestion of food
Regulates sodium and potassium metabolism
Stimulates milk production and uterine contractions
Stimulates the adrenal cortex

Oxytocin’s function is to stimulate milk production and uterine contractions. The adrenal cortex is stimulated by Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Gastrin is an example of a hormone that aids food digestion and mineralcorticoids regulate sodium and potassium metabolism.

20) Whose was quoted as saying: “Hospitals are only an intermediate stage of civilization”
Dr Who
Florence Nightingale
Hippocrates
Patricia Hewitt – Labour Health Secretary

It was the Lady of the Lamp, Florence Nightingale who claimed that “Hospitals are only an intermediate stage of civilization” and let’s face it, she should know! Some other her other famous quotes are: “I attribute my success to this – I never gave or took any excuse” and “How very little can be done under the spirit of fear.”

Why not pit your wits against one of our other tests?

Who is your Celebrity Nurse?
How Good is your Bedside Manner?
Are you a Naughty or Nice Nurse?
The General Nursing IQ Test that, due to public demand, now also has the answers at the end!

Or even see if you are on the Leaderboard for The Game!

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