Chest Pain MCQ Quiz | Respiratory System

Welcome to the specialized MCQ quiz on Chest Pain, focusing on its respiratory etiologies. This module is designed for MBBS students to sharpen their diagnostic acumen in differentiating various causes of chest pain originating from the respiratory system. The questions cover critical topics such as pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax, pleurisy, pneumonia, and malignancies. A solid understanding of these conditions is vital for clinical practice. This quiz will test your ability to interpret clinical scenarios, identify key signs and symptoms, and select appropriate investigations. After submitting your answers, you will receive your score and can review the correct responses. You also have the option to download all questions with their correct answers in a PDF format for future study and revision.

1. A 45-year-old man presents with sudden onset of sharp, right-sided chest pain that worsens with deep inspiration. He is a heavy smoker and recently had a long-haul flight. On examination, he is tachycardic and tachypneic. What is the most likely diagnosis?

2. Which feature is most characteristic of pleuritic chest pain?

3. A 22-year-old tall, thin male presents with a sudden onset of left-sided chest pain and shortness of breath. On examination, there is decreased breath sounds and hyperresonance to percussion on the left side. What is the most likely diagnosis?

4. A 60-year-old patient with COPD presents with worsening dyspnea and right-sided chest pain. A chest X-ray shows a blunting of the right costophrenic angle and a large pleural effusion. The chest pain in this patient is most likely due to:

5. The gold standard imaging modality for diagnosing a pulmonary embolism is:

6. Chest pain associated with a Pancoast tumor is typically located in the:

7. A 55-year-old female presents with fever, productive cough, and left-sided pleuritic chest pain for three days. Auscultation reveals crackles and bronchial breath sounds over the left lower lobe. Which diagnosis is most consistent with these findings?

8. A patient with a tension pneumothorax will likely present with hypotension and which other specific physical sign?

9. A burning, retrosternal chest pain that is often worse when lying down and after meals, but also associated with a persistent dry cough, can be confused with respiratory causes. What is the most likely non-respiratory origin?

10. Chest pain originating from the tracheobronchial tree is typically described as:

11. A 68-year-old man with a history of asbestos exposure presents with persistent, dull chest pain and progressive dyspnea. Chest X-ray shows unilateral pleural thickening and a large effusion. This clinical picture is highly suggestive of:

12. A localized chest wall pain that is reproducible on palpation of the costochondral junctions is characteristic of:

13. Which of the following is an uncommon but classic finding on a chest X-ray for a patient with pulmonary embolism?

14. Pain from diaphragmatic pleura irritation can be referred to which area?

15. The chest pain in severe pulmonary hypertension is thought to be caused by:

16. A patient is brought to the ER after a major car accident. He has severe left-sided chest pain, paradoxical chest wall movement, and respiratory distress. This condition is known as:

17. Which statement about the sensory innervation of the pleura is correct?

18. A physical finding of a “pleural friction rub” is pathognomonic for:

19. In a patient with suspected pulmonary embolism and a low pre-test probability, which laboratory test is most useful for ruling out the diagnosis?

20. Chest pain due to lung cancer invading the chest wall is often described as:

21. A severe, tearing retrosternal pain radiating to the back should raise suspicion for a life-threatening vascular condition, which is a key differential for respiratory chest pain. This condition is:

22. What is the immediate, life-saving intervention for a tension pneumothorax?

23. A patient presents with unilateral, burning chest pain in a dermatomal pattern. A few days later, a vesicular rash appears in the same area. This presentation is classic for:

24. What is the most common finding on a chest X-ray in a patient with a confirmed pulmonary embolism?

25. A patient with pleuritic chest pain finds relief by lying on the affected side. What is the physiological reason for this?